Table of Contents
Intro
A few weeks ago, I got great feedback on my article Enneagram Type 5 vs Enneagram Type 4. Everyone enjoyed it, and everyone complained that it was too long. So, this week I am breaking up the normally almost 2500 word blog posts into several 300-500 word posts. If you liked the long version, don’t worry I will release it at the end of the week. Since I am breaking up the posts into bite-size bits, you might want to check this one to get a better introduction into the series. Here was the previous entry for Enneagram Type 8’s. Now here is the pain we can provide in the arena – an energy stomp.
Type 8: Hurt: The Energy Stomp
While Type 5’s can and will enter the arena with a Type 8, the Type 8 has a distinct advantage. Their advantage comes from their energy. Type 8’s can overpower Type 5’s with their raw energy. Type 8’s have the highest energy, and they can use it to stomp us into submission. It doesn’t happen often and when it does it leaves quite an impact. Not just on the two in the arena, but those watching too. It’s ugly. Both sides lose, but it is the Type 5 who will never come out of their shell again. A Type 8 will be able to move on because they live and thrive in conflict.
Both sides lose, but it is the Type 5 who will never come out of their shell again. Share on XType 5: Hurt: Vulnerabilities Exposed
Type 5’s know a little bit about everything. That extends to everyone. We even strive for the most important information, to keep it top of mind and organized. There is nothing more important about a person than their vulnerabilities. Type 5’s are observers. We sit, watch, and wait to understand, grow, and learn. What we learn about people are their vulnerabilities.
Most of the time we are a little emotionally unaware and don’t bother too much with people, but if you press us we have the ability for a surgical strike right the deepest darkest parts of anyone’s heart. We cause damage to the Type 1’s, 3’s, and 6’s especially, but none of them more so than the Type 8. See a lot of the motivating factors for a Type 8 come from the fear of being vulnerable. It is why they struggle to make friends (like Type 5’s) and why they bluster. While a Type 5 will hide in the shadow, a Type 8 will hide in plain sight using a larger than life personality to hide the deepest parts from most everyone but the observant.
When Type 8’s try to energy stomp us, most of the time it works. However, when the Type 5 is living with Type 8 zeal, we don’t try to match the energy we surgically strike their most vulnerable area. You may think they deserve this, but I assure you; it is the cruelest thing we can do. Exposing a Type 8 doesn’t just put them on the defensive like most other types. It cuts them from themselves. Type 8’s hide their vulnerabilities even from themselves, and the exposure stops them dead. They must now confront the fact that not only are they vulnerable, but everyone else now knows this vulnerability. To continue on, they might even need to rework their entire psychology, especially if they are insecure.
So Type 8’s beware the Type 5. The energy stomp will win you the day most of the time until it doesn’t ever again. #enneagram Share on XEnneagram Line Type 8 to Type 5 In Stress
So Enneagram 8’s roll into some of the worst parts of a Type 5 when they are stressed. Things that are usual parts of a Type 5, like a know-it-all attitude, become engrossing when a Type 8 heads there. This stress line leads Type 8’s to seek individual confirmation bias. They think they know best and their research always confirms their bias. See Type 8’s don’t possess the objectivity that allows a Type 5 to avoid confirmation bias. They want to get too much done, and objectivity slows things down. Plus passion motivates others getting even more done. The problem is that an unhealthy Type 8 excludes good information to get things done when they are stressed.
The Type 5 seems appealing to the Type 8; after all, we are the most independent of the Enneagram Types. When a Type 8 is stressed, independence means invulnerability. As I already noted, Type 8’s don’t just hate being vulnerable. They can barely handle it without some training and coaching. So next time you see your boss stressed out and suddenly in the mode of confirmation bias the trick is to help him/her de-stress, maybe some golf, a massage, writing, anything that make them stop, accomplish something and then return to where they really want to be, at work.
Type 8’s don’t possess the objectivity that allows a Type 5 to avoid confirmation bias. They want to get too much done, and objectivity slows things down. Share on X
