The study of Enneagram types is a personality typing methodology designed around and embracing the theory that people have the ability to grow and adapt within their personality type. Structurally and graphically, it is presented as an enneagram, a nine-sided circular figure. But it’s the points that matter—nine points for nine personality types.
Enneagram personality tests reveal the dominant personality type. However, it also presents the dominant wing. These are the personality types neighboring the dominant type. And there’s a reason for this connection.
It’s surely impossible to lump every one of humankind’s vast and varied personalities into one of nine boxes. And that is true. This is why the Enneagram model allows for an overlap of some traits. The dominant wing is what most affects the dominant personality type.
In the following paragraphs, we will talk in detail about Enneagram Type 8 with a Wing 7. We’ll talk about the core type characteristics and what it means to have a Seven wing. Let’s begin.
What does 8w7 mean?
The ‘w’ in this abbreviation stands for ‘wings. And the wings of any Enneagram personality type are those on either side of the dominant type. For example, in 8w7 Enneagram, Eight is the dominant personality type, and the dominant wing is Seven.
Key Characteristics
8w7 Enneagram types will:
- Likely be rebellious due to the dislike of being controlled in Eights and the need for freedom and fun of Sevens.
- Probably be confident in their dealings with people with a little of Eight’s confrontational nature but some of the conflict aversion nature of Sevens, balancing it out.
- Also, both Sevens and Eights score high in self-direction, being that they’re independent in thought and action, innovative and investigative.
Other than that, Enneagram 8 wing 7’s will assume most of the attributes common to Eight. However, in addition, facets of Seven will surface.
Personality Traits
Listed below are some of the key characteristics of 8w7 Enneagram types.
Primary Personality Traits (Enneagram type 8)
- Confident.
- Generous.
- Protective.
- Decisive.
- Independent.
- Confrontational.
- Dictatorial.
- Volatile.
- Excessive.
Secondary Personality Traits (Enneagram type 7)
- Spontaneous.
- Enthusiastic.
- Curious.
- Conflict-averse.
- Generous.
- Energetic.
- Irresponsible.
- Indulgent.
- Adaptable.
Motivations
Unlike many other personality models, Enneagram typing explores the emotions that drive or motivate people. In 8w7 Enneagram types, these would incorporate the fears and desires of both Eight and Seven:
Fears
8w7 Enneagram types would lean toward the worries that affect Eights, being:
- Eights fear being hurt, forced, and controlled.
8w7 Enneagram types would be less affected by the concerns of Sevens, namely:
- Sevens fear being trapped in a world of anguish, hurt, and boredom.
As a whole:
- This possibly gives rise to 8w7 Enneagrams fearing pain and anguish, being stuck in banality, being managed by others, and unable to escape.
To manage their distresses, 8w7 Enneagrams will probably rise above, control rather than be controlled, and they might escape their stresses into a world of indulgence and perhaps even depravity.
Desires
8w7 Enneagram types would face the hopes of Eights, being:
- Protection of themselves primarily and their people secondarily.
8w7 Enneagram types may have a diminished amount of the needs of Sevens:
- Gratification, both materially and emotionally.
Strengths
Enneagram 8 wing 7 has many strengths. Here are just a few:
- 8w7 Enneagrams know exactly what they want, and will probably quickly and ingeniously make plans on how to attain it.
- Their determination, coupled with optimism, charm, and energy will likely make them excellent and inspiring leaders.
- 8w7 Enneagrams have a protective side; if they consider you one of their people, they’ll fight tooth and nail on your behalf.
- Their Seven attributes might make them less confrontational and could make them fun and engaging.
Weaknesses
Some of the weaknesses Enneagram 8 wing 7 has to work on are:
- 8w7 Enneagrams may evade and escape commitments through impulsive and enthusiastic rationalization or by bullying compliance out of others.
- They do not take orders well, and if plans don’t work in their favor, they’ll orchestrate changes until they do.
- Overindulgence is probably one of their greatest weaknesses, as this trait is common to both Sevens and Eights.
- The non-confrontational influence of Sevens will be hard-pressed to iron out the lack of tolerance present in Eights.
Direction of Growth and Stress
In Enneagram types, two lines lead away from the dominant type. These arrows depict the integration and disintegration, or growth and stress, of the dominant Enneagram type. In Enneagram 8 wing 7, a natural Eight, and 8w9 Enneagrams, the emerging positive and negative traits won’t be identical.
Growth Arrow to Two and Five
While the Eight growth arrow (Two) will take precedence, some of the Seven growth (Five) traits will likely emerge.
In growth, 8w7 Enneagram types will show the positive aspects of:
Two (Eight integration):
- Generous.
- Charitable.
- Humble.
- Caring.
Five (Seven integration):
- Investigative.
- Analytical.
- Engaged in relationships.
- Embrace the unknown.
Stress Arrow to Five and One
While Eight stress arrow (Five) will take precedence, it’s likely that some of the Seven’ stress (One) traits will emerge.
In stress, 8w7 Enneagram types will exhibit the negative qualities of:
Five (Eight disintegration):
- Self-gratifying.
- Overindulgent.
- Miserly with information and emotions.
One (Seven disintegration):
- Critical.
- Insecure.
- Frustrated.
- Resentful.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Enneagram 8w7s
Since life is never plain sailing, neither are personalities. When life becomes difficult, people show signs of stress and anger. When things are neither bad nor amazing, there’s a plateau of comfortableness. And when life becomes great, happiness and positivity are more pronounced. In Enneagram personality types, these emotional fluctuations are referred to as healthy, average, or unhealthy.
A Healthy 8w7 Enneagram type
- Enthusiastic.
- Engaging.
- Energetic.
- Draw people along in experiencing the joys of life.
- Driven.
- Passionate.
- Protective.
- Excellent allies.
An Average 8w7 Enneagram type
- Decisive.
- Fun-loving.
- Courageous.
- Energetic.
- Direct.
- Protective.
- Generous.
- Powerful.
- Confident.
- Indulgent.
- Either confrontational or conflict-averse.
An Unhealthy 8w7 Enneagram type
- Vengeful.
- Bullish.
- Manipulative.
- Anxious.
- Overindulgent.
Growth Recommendations
Here’s how Enneagram 8w7s can become a better version of themselves:
- Find tranquility in your less dominant wing, Nine. Although your personality is ruled by the domineering characteristics of Eight and the playful, escapist side of Seven, some Nine traits will be present. If you allow their less assertive nature to grow, this might allow you to find an inner peace you may otherwise be lacking.
- Try to ease up on the indulgences. Since both Sevens and Eights have the tendency to overindulge, especially as a diversion when stressed, it’s possible that this trait is exacerbated in 7w8 Enneagrams. If you’re aware of this, it may be easier to manage. Use your mutual independence of thought and action to help you grow into a less intense, less escapist version of yourself. The results may astound you.
- Use the mediator skills that your less dominant Nine wing can bring. While your Nine wing may be more or less dormant, your skills at organizing as well as managing problems could when merged with the mediating nature of Nines could result in idiosyncrasies that could rival hostage negotiators.
Famous people who are Type 8w7
Noteworthy 8w7 Enneagram people:
- Steve Jobs, American entrepreneur and technology guru.
- Alexander the Great, Historical figure and conqueror.
- Socrates, Historical figure and Greek philosopher.
- Tupac Shakur, American rapper.
Enneagram 8w7 vs 8w9
Key similarities
The similarities between 8w7 Enneagram and 8w9 Enneagram may be found in their common connection.
Both 8w7 Enneagram and 8w9 Enneagram will likely be:
- Less confrontational.
- 8w7—The contrasting dislike of conflict present in Sevens may dilute the aggressive domineering in Eights.
- 8w9—may be inclined to try to resolve conflicts rather than create them, though with Eight being the dominant Enneagram type, this may turn into a person who helps others resolve conflict through problem management rather than mediation toward a solution.
- Emotionally more stable.
- 8w7—may stay calm, in that they would rather engage in
- 8w9—can sometimes come across as ambivalent to their own emotions as well as those of others. Eights are seen to be more unemotional, so it’s unlikely it will have any positive or negative effect on this.
- Security seeking, despite Eights’ elevated need for security in that they need to control situations and people.
- 8w7—may lessen this effect, since they’re more concerned with having a good time than ensuring the world around them is not falling apart.
- 8w9—could also reduce the amount of control Eight seeks, in that they tend to go with the flow rather than direct it.
Key differences
The differences noted between 8w7 Enneagram and 8w9 Enneagram will arise from the varied personalities of 8w9 and Eight.
- While Sevens crave new experiences, taking risks, and adventure, Nines have the exact opposite tendency. Nines carry abundant fear with regard to change and risk-taking while lacking the self-gratification desire of Sevens.
- The high score in the traditional values of Nines—the ability to respect the cultures, customs, and religions of others—contrasts with the lack of acceptance to the beliefs of others in Sevens.
- The intense need for independence found in Sevens is almost non-existent in Nines, as they rely heavily on the assurances of others. While the independent influence of Eights may diminish this in 8w9 Enneagrams, it’s likely to still be present.
Conclusion
Since both Sevens and Eights are confident in demeanor, this characteristic will carry through to Enneagram 8 wing 7. Also, both are averse to confinement as Eights dislike being under the control of people or environments, and Sevens are repellent to anything that might cage them into a life of responsibility and away from fun experiences.
On the plus side, the conflict-averse nature of Sevens may well soften the natural confrontation readiness of Eights, making it a slightly less challenging personality, though this will depend on how much sway the wing holds over the 8w7 Enneagram in question.
Over and above the basic personality, Enneagram focuses on the ability to grow within the dominant personality type, and some believe that by allowing characteristics of the less dominant wing to come into play, the best of any personality may emerge.
To discover your Enneagram type, complete the Enneagram Personality Test.