For Type 8s, growth often begins with recognizing that strength doesn’t always mean control. It takes a different kind of strength to soften, to be vulnerable, and to trust others without having to test them first.

Eights are natural leaders — bold, decisive, and unafraid to take charge. But when that powerful energy is driven by a need to protect or dominate, it can unintentionally shut others down, create conflict, or block the very connection they crave.

These derailers represent common challenges for Eights. While they may not apply to every individual Eight or apply all the time, they reflect general tendencies that can emerge when trust is low, pressure is high, or emotions feel like a threat.

If you’re still exploring your dominant Enneagram type, seeing a few of these in yourself might help provide some clarity.

If you already identify as a Type 8, what helps you get back on track when your intensity is getting in the way of collaboration or connection? What helps you lead from your power and your heart?

Derailer series source: The Awareness to Action Enneagram 

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