Enneagram 8 Male: Strengths, Weaknesses, Careers & More

Enneagram 8 males, also known as the Challengers, are the most masculine Enneagram males, and they exude extremely strong, dominant energy. Driven by the need to have control over their lives, these men are a force of nature.

To get more familiar with them, we’ll take a closer look at all the Enneagram 8 male key strengths, weaknesses, and all other aspects that distinguish them from other men.

Enneagram 8 Male: Main Traits & Characteristics

Enneagram 8 males are natural leaders, full of vitality and passion for life. They are confident in their strengths and pursue their desires without the slightest hesitation or consideration of social or other norms.

Ambitious, assertive, and direct, these men are determined to pave their way to the top. As a result, they often assume high-stakes positions in society; status, power, and everything that gives them power are what drives them relentlessly to succeed.

While they may appear brash and intimidating, Enneagram 8 men have a soft spot for the underdog. For this reason, they are always ready to stand up for those in need and are the first to fight against injustice.

In addition, they have a huge appetite for life's pleasures and are very sensual. Hedonism is one of their prominent traits, so they know how to savor life with all their senses.

However, not all Enneagram 8 males are the same. The Enneagram theory recognizes two subtypes of this personality, which can have traits of Eight’s neighboring types, Seven or Nine, depending on their Enneagram wing.

Eights with a Seven wing (8w7) are extremely adventurous, upbeat, spontaneous, and energetic men who can’t be tamed by anything. Meanwhile, Eights with a Nine wing (8w9) are calmer, more balanced, and not as confrontational and impulsive as regular Eights.

4 Biggest Strengths of Enneagram 8 Males

The most admirable Enneagram 8 male traits stem from his determined nature.

Here are some of them:

#1. Initiative

Enneagram 8 males are full of initiative and energy. They always know what they want and where they are going, and they wait for no one to tell them what to do to make things happen. This assertiveness and drive are also characteristics found in an Enneagram 8 female, who similarly channels her determination into becoming the master of her destiny.

Always on the go, these men are sharp, focused, and determined to become the masters of their destinies.

This is also the key trait that makes them so masculine and attractive to other people. Their initiative and readiness to take charge in every situation usually makes them stand out in any environment.

#2. Independence

Type 8 men are fiercely independent and let no one control them. They never settle for less than what they want and need, and they aren’t bothered by the risks that come with complete autonomy and independence.

Moreover, no one can influence their opinions; they make their own judgments and listen totheir inner voice without the need for external approval.

#3. Resilience

The Challenger men are very resourceful and always find a way out of any situation, and this is usually due to their boldness and fearlessness.

Not only do they bravely face challenges, but they are also great strategic thinkers and excellent problem-solvers. Plus, they never give up—when an Enneagram Type 8 man wants something, he’s going to get it, one way or another.

#4. Fairness

Enneagram 8 males have a very strong sense of right and wrong. Justice, truthfulness, and honesty are their primary values, so they are very sensitive when these are endangered in any way.

Moreover, they will always courageously oppose any kind of unfairness and unselfishly fight for their values. Their friends and loved ones respect them deeply for this, as they are ready to go above and beyond to protect them in the toughest situations.

4 Prominent Weaknesses of Enneagram 8 Males

The weaknesses of Enneagram 8 males come from their insistence on being strong at all times and suppressing feelings. Let’s have a look at some of their most challenging characteristics:

#1. Issues with Vulnerability

The biggest weakness of Enneagram 8 men is their need to negate all their weaknesses. They are so obsessed with being bulletproof that they forget that the key to the greatest pleasures in life is connecting with others through vulnerability.

The only thing they actually achieve by suppressing it is disconnection from their feelings, which leads to a lack of empathy and makes them judgmental and aggressive.

#2. Aggressiveness

Type 8 males have no inhibitions about expressing their anger; they can be pretty aggressive when they are angry, and their behavior is often on the verge of violence. People around them feel the silent threat and instinctively withdraw as soon as they feel that Eights will not be holding their rage back.

Consequently, they may alienate other people, as not many of them can stand up to the intensity of their rage outbursts.

#3. Obsession with Control

Type Eight men's biggest fear is being controlled or manipulated by someone. Their reaction to that fear is to control everything they can, as they unconsciously believe that’s the most efficient way to protect themself from being under someone else’s control.

As a result, they may be prone to micromanaging, have trouble delegating tasks, be possessive and jealous in relationships, and generally struggle with letting things roll out naturally.

#4. Lack of Respect for Rules

The Challenger men can only truly respect the rules they create. Otherwise, they see them as obstacles they need to overcome to fulfill their desires, which can even lead to criminal tendencies at their worst.

However, more often than not, this only causes them to avoid procedures, rules, and rituals whenever they can and whenever they estimate these are completely futile.

3 Extraordinary Tips on How Enneagram 8 Males Can Grow

Enneagram 8 male can grow by learning to embrace both their soft and their strong sides. Here are a few effective strategies on how to do that:

#1. Embrace Vulnerability

The key to embracing vulnerability lies in understanding that only integration of the whole spectrum of our emotions brings us real strength, not partial or conditional acceptance. Type Eight men need to distance themselves from male stereotypes such as “men don’t cry” or “men shouldn’t be emotional,” as these only limit and weaken their true potential.

When they allow themselves to feel all their emotions and share them with those they love without fear of being betrayed, they will experience even more strength. In fact, Type 8 men who have already succeeded in this often have a certain paternal, authoritative aura and assume leading positions in their communities.

#2. Foster Compassion

The next step after embracing vulnerability is to foster compassion, as compassion is only possible when one is at peace with one's own vulnerability. However, Type Eight men tend to perceive compassion as a weakness, too, and instead of embracing and fostering it, they shut down and distance themselves to avoid feeling vulnerable.

But when they are fine with it, compassion becomes a spontaneous and natural reaction. In such cases, instead of being aggressive, they become protective and develop real chivalry.

#3. Overcome Trust Issues

Trust issues represent a huge obstacle to the growth of Enneagram 8 males. They prevent them from building quality relationships and emotional intimacy, as they are always on guard, unconsciously seeking proof that they won’t be betrayed.

As a result, it often takes them too long to relax and really open up, and they miss many opportunities to build rewarding connections because of that.

Overcoming trust issues will give them the freedom to express themselves fully and enjoy relationships on a deeper level, which they have always been searching for.

Enneagram 8 Men in Relationships

Enneagram 8 male relationships are based on strong physical attraction and deep emotional bonds. Enneagram 8 males in love are intense, passionate, devoted, and protective toward their partner. They value honesty, loyalty, and passion.

However, they are also capable of enjoying casual relationships that bring them solely physical pleasure. They have a strong adventuristic and hedonistic streak, and it is not easy to keep their attention and inspire them to devote themselves fully to one person. But when they do, they are loyal, attentive, and very committed partners.

In general, they like the traditional split of gender roles, and they like to be the dominant partner in the relationship. If they like someone, they have no trouble making the first step and seek partners who will not have problems with them being the leaders.

Enneagram 8 Male Compatibility

An Enneagram 8 male is the most compatible with Enneagram types who have highly developed emotional intelligence and can handle their intensity. However, if they are mature enough, they can get along well with any Enneatype. Let’s take a look at some of the most common combinations:

• Enneagram 8 and Enneagram 2: Enneagram 8 and Enneagram 2 represent the perfect union of the male and female principles, and there’s usually a very strong physical attraction between them. The emotional warmth of the Two helps Eight open up and share their tender feelings.
• Enneagram 8 and Enneagram 6: The loyalty, sensitivity, and commitment of Type 6 match perfectly with Eight’s need for stability. Moreover, Eights provide Sixes with a sense of protection, whereas Six’s warmth makes Eights feel emotionally safe.
• Enneagram 8 and Enneagram 9: The compassionate and understanding Nines create a safe haven for Eights, who are inspired by their creativity and warmth. Plus, both are hedonists, and their relationship is full of joy.

How to Interact With Enneagram 8 Male

Interacting with an Enneagram 8 male demands a direct communication style, uncompromising honesty, and transparency. They are quick to react to anything that they perceive as manipulation, unjustified criticism, or truth evasion, so make sure you vocalize your attitudes and needs truthfully.

In addition, they aren’t afraid of conflicts, so if you have to communicate something that you believe might trigger a conflict with a Type Eight man, be prepared for a heated argument.

How Can Enneagram 8 Males Build Stronger Relationships?

Enneagram 8 males can build stronger relationships by embracing vulnerability, overcoming trust issues, and fostering empathy.

It is essential for them to develop emotional intelligence, learn healthier conflict management strategies, and channel their anger. Otherwise, there will always be a lot of drama in their relationships, as it is so easy for them to start a fight.

Best Careers for Enneagram 8 Males & Working Style

The best careers for Enneagram 8 males are those that allow them to use their leadership skills. They are also exceptional strategists, and no matter where they start from, they’ll always pave their way to the top. So, considering how bravely they face challenges and take on responsibilities, they are prone to assuming high-stakes roles.

Here are some of the best Enneagram 8 male careers:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Project Manager
• Financial Director
• Police Officer
• Detective
• Attorney
• Surgeon
• Politician
• Sales Director
• Real Estate Broker
• Military Officer
• Producer

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Key Takeaways

Charismatic Enneagram 8 males are usually considered the most masculine Enneagram type. However, there are many more things that make them unique.

To reiterate their most important characteristics, let’s reiterate their most prominent characteristics:

• Enneagram 8 males are natural leaders who inspire trust in other people and make them feel safe.
• They fiercely fight against injustice and stand up for their values, no matter how dangerous that may be.
• Enneagram 8 males are resilient, determined, bold, and independent, going after their desires relentlessly.