The Enneagram Personality model was designed using the basic enneagram structure—a nine-sided circular figure with nine points isolating personalities by a specific Enneagram type. It sounds easy, right? But that implies that every individual is one of nine, in the way they think or react, and that can’t be possible. It’s not.
The reason the Enneagram model is circular is to give a graphical representation of how individuals may share some characteristics but not others. Each personality type is flanked by two others. These are called wings. Some traits will filter from these into the dominant personality, and usually more from one wing than the other. This is called the dominant wing.
With that in mind, today we’ll be focusing on Enneagram Type 7 with an 8 wing. We’ll unearth this type’s motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and more.
What does 7w8 mean?
Simply put, Enneagram 7w8 is an Enneagram Seven with a wing of Eight, where the ‘w’ abbreviates the word, ‘wing’. The wings are the personality types to either side of the dominant Enneagram type, and they have an impact on that personality.
Key Characteristics
7w8 Enneagram types will:
- Likely be quick to assess situations and make difficult decisions.
- Probably incline toward living excessive lives, with confidence.
- Dislike being caged into normal expectations and rules.
Other than that, Enneagram 7 wing 8’s will assume most of the attributes common to Seven. However, in addition, facets of Eight will surface.
Personality Traits
Listed below are some of the key characteristics of 7w8 Enneagram types.
Primary Personality Traits (Enneagram type 7)
- Charming, energetic, impulsive, and irresponsible, with a list of unfinished projects in store.
- Find it difficult to settle down into mundane relationships or routine lifestyles, always seeking exciting distractions and a way out.
- Positive, enthusiastic, and progressive planners—especially on fun things, like parties or events—can multitask and accurately recapitulate information.
- Can commit when it’s necessary, or the project is interesting enough.
Secondary Personality Traits (Enneagram type 8)
- Have an absolute perception of goals and the focus and determination to achieve them.
- Take charge and dominate, while sailing through decisions and obstacles with ease.
- Confident and protective, power-hungry leaders.
- Courageous, independent, and honest—to the point of being combative.
- Take control instead of being controlled, and demanding, with no time to lose, and a dislike of waiting.
Motivations
Unlike many other personality models, Enneagram typing explores the emotions that drive or motivate people. In 7w8 Enneagram types, these would incorporate the fears and desires of both Seven and Eight:
Fears
7w8 Enneagram types would lean toward the worries that affect Sevens, being:
- Boredom.
- Anguish and distress.
To manage their distresses, they seek fun and distractions to avoid facing these realities.
7w8 Enneagram types would be less affected by the concerns of Eights, namely:
- Being controlled by environment, structure, and people.
To cope with their fears, they may dominate their surroundings, situations, and others.
Desires
7w8 Enneagram types desire:
- To be satisfied.
- To be free of obligations.
7w8 Enneagram types may have a diminished amount of the needs of Eights:
- To gain the respect of others through power.
- To protect themselves.
Strengths
Enneagram 7 wing 8 has many strengths. Here are just a few:
- Acute.
- Assertive.
- Audacious.
- Charming.
- Confident.
- Exuberant.
- Independent.
Weaknesses
Some weaknesses Enneagram 7 wing 8 has to work on are:
- Easily enraged.
- Excessive.
- Irresponsible.
- Materialistic.
- Corner-cutting.
Direction of Growth and Stress
In the Enneagram model, the dominant Enneagram type, in this case, Enneagram 7w8, points toward two others—the integration (growth) and disintegration (stress) lines. These alternate personality types comprise the best characteristics of 7w8 Enneagram types during times of growth and the worst at times of stress. In this way, a natural Enneagram Seven won’t have the same traits as Enneagram 7 wing 8 or 7w6 Enneagrams.
Growth Arrow to Five and Two
While the Seven growth arrow (Five) will take precedence, some of the Eight growth (Two) traits will probably emerge.
In growth, 7w8 Enneagram types will show the positive aspects of:
Five (Seven integration):
- Attentive and present in relationships.
- Undertake and easily solve intricate issues.
- Allow themselves to relax and grow curious about the enigmas of life.
Two (Eight integration):
- Kind.
- Generous.
- Caring.
- Non-critical when raising their concerns.
Stress Arrow to One and Five
While Seven’s stress arrow (One) will take precedence, it’s likely that some of the Eight’s stress (Five) traits will emerge.
In stress, 7w8 Enneagram types will exhibit the negative qualities of:
One (Seven disintegration):
- Grow resentful of others who seem to have it all.
- Could become judgmental and critical of those in their sphere.
Five (Eight disintegration):
- Can become miserly with time, information, and resources.
- May exclude the world while they internally compartmentalize.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Enneagram 7w8s
Life has the ability to hand people an abundant supply of highs and lows. With those, come the fluctuating emotions of a healthy, average, or unhealthy Enneagram, no matter the type.
A Healthy 7w8 Enneagram type
- Lead and manage others with fun, incentivizing motivation and encouragement.
- Ambitiously back and defend causes and people with enthusiasm and energy.
- Since both Sevens and Eights can be kind and generous with time and resources, this trait is likely to come out in a healthy 7w8 Enneagram.
An Average 7w8 Enneagram type
- Could have an impulsive need for fun and distractions.
- May avoid confrontation and hide anguish behind a wall of enthusiastic idealism.
- In contrast, 7w8 Enneagrams could face challenges head-on, perhaps even aggressively.
- Either way, they’re likely to live excessively, as this is a trait common to both Sevens and Eights.
An Unhealthy 7w8 Enneagram type
- Could excessively and compulsively be driven toward insatiable desires, in vice and activity.
- Might leave activities half-finished.
- May feel resentful, unreasonable, and controlling.
Growth Recommendations
Here’s how Enneagram 7w8s can become a better version of themselves:
- Slow down and commit to finishing that project. You know, the one you’ve been putting on the back burner because you feel out of your depth, and it’s a little boring. You might surprise yourself and actually enjoy it, and you may even feel a sense of fulfillment when it’s done because it’s not the simple things that make people grow.
- Turn away when that impulse bites. It’s never easy to go against your basic character and compulsions. Let yourself enjoy the tranquility of the moment. Besides, perhaps your excessive nature is hurting someone close to you—because they care. They’ll probably notice and compliment you on it when you do this.
- Avoid making harsh comments. It’s possible that sometimes, your need to decide on behalf of others drives friends away. If you bare your soul to others and ignore the impulse to take charge, you’ll find people are drawn to and inclined to spend time with you. Your strength and charm can easily win people over.
- Let your sensitive side show. If you continually push people away with aggressive behavior, you’re adding to the deep hurt that’s already present. By not letting anyone close, you may think you’re keeping yourself safe, but you may be inadvertently causing a deeper wound to fester.
Famous people who are Type 7w8
Noteworthy 7w8 Enneagram people:
- Quentin Tarantino, American film director.
- Queen Elizabeth II, late Queen of England
- Thomas Müller, German professional football/soccer player.
- Toby Fox, Game Developer.
Enneagram 7w8 vs 7w6
Key similarities
The similarities between 7w8 Enneagram and 7w6 Enneagram may be found in their common connection. Since Sixes and Eights are so extremely different, they share very few.
Both 7w8 Enneagram and 7w6 Enneagram will probably be:
- Benevolent.
- 7w8—loyal, but they like to protect and control their people.
- 7w6—loyal in friendships and personal relationships.
- Energetic.
- 7w8—highly energetic, but may be domineering.
- 7w6—highly energetic, but doubt themselves.
Key differences
The differences noted between 7w8 Enneagram and 7w6 Enneagram will arise from the varied personalities of 7w6 and Seven.
- Enneagram 7 wing 8 shows confidence in all things from both their Seven and Eight side, whereas 7w6 Enneagrams may be more inclined to doubt their abilities.
- 7w8 Enneagrams probably don’t need praise for their successes. Enneagram 7s with a 6 wing, however, will more likely need reassurances.
- 7w8 Enneagrams may dislike being controlled by schedules and rules, whereas 7w6 Enneagrams usually thrive on solid structures and rules.
- 7w8 Enneagrams enjoy making quick decisions and take problems in their stride. 7w6 Enneagrams may be good at tackling problems, but they procrastinate when feeling uncertain about which direction to take.
Conclusion
Enneagram 7 wing 8 is an interesting character. They’re explosive in energy, and they might be in communication too. However, they may follow Sevens’ dislike of conflict and therefore avoid confrontations. The powerful influence of Seven could see them being inclined toward a life of excess and overindulgence. And their Eight character may dictate that they don’t enjoy being controlled by people or the environment.
While the basic characteristics of people don’t really change, it’s possible to grow within your Enneagram type, effectively feeling and experiencing the best of your Enneagram type and the best of your growth type. There’s also a belief that you can acquire the traits of your less dominant wing, and that this growth will result in the best version of you.
To discover your Enneagram type, complete the Enneagram Personality Test.