The Nine Enneagram Types – Enneagram in the Bluegrass

Type Eight: the Challenger

Essential Qualities: Immediacy, Strength, Aliveness
True Self: Charismatic, Confident, Take-charge, no-nonsense, can-do attitude, Assertive, Influential, Empowering, Direct, Protective, Inspiring, Good leader
Adapted Self: Bossy , Aggressive, My way or the highway, Loud, Confrontational, Intimidating, Vengeful, Rebellious, Explosive
Basic Desire: To be, and feel strong, real, and alive
Basic Fear: Of being violated, destroyed, or weak
Focus of Attention: Power, control, injustice, truth
Avoidance: Vulnerability, weakness
Blind Spot: Walking in another’s shoes, empathy

Essential Qualities: Wholeness, Unity, Being
True Self: Easy-going, Diplomatic, Patient , Unpretentious, Open-minded, Down to earth, Reassuring, Accepting, Kind, Inclusive
Adapted Self: Indifferent, spaced out, Passive aggressive, Detached, Appeasing, Obstinate, Resigned, Neglectful, Apathetic
Basic Desire: To have wholeness and inner stability.
Basic Fear: Being insignificant, invisible, disconnected and cut off completely
Focus of Attention: External Environment and other people’s agendas
Avoidance: Conflict, disharmony
Blind Spot: Passivity – going along to get along

Essential Qualities: Goodness, Sacredness, Purity
True Self: Principled, Conscientious, Responsible, Idealistic, Hardworking, Persevering, Thorough, Strives for Excellence, Works for good of all
Adapted Self: Judgemental, Obstinate, Intolerant, Dogmatic, Critical of Others, Overly Serious, Demanding, Inflexible, Always Right
Basic Desire: To be aligned with the good, the Sacred, to be virtuous, to have integrity
Basic Fear: Of being bad, corrupt, unredeemable, unworthy
Focus of Attention: What is right/wrong, correct/incorrect
Avoidance : Condemnation, Expressing anger
Blind Spot: Hypocrisy

Essential Qualities: Love, Sweetness, Nurturing
True Self: Giving, Thoughtful, Sociable, Relationship oriented, Good listener, Innate people skills, Cheerful, Hospitable, Affirming, Open hearted, Generous, Compassionate
Adapted Self: Possessive, Manipulative, Flatterer, Possessive, Effusive, Indispensable,
Overly-accommodating, Seeks Appreciation, Intrusive
Basic Desire: To feel love and be a source of love in the world
Basic Fear: Of being loveless – and that there is no love
Focus of Attention: The needs of others
Avoidance: Neediness
Blind Spot: Manipulation of others, or being used, or over-involvement

Essential Qualities: Value, Preciousness, (Value of our existence, importance of esteeming self and others), Glory – like a light shining from the inside out
True Self: Competent, Goal Oriented, Self-confident, Productive, Competitive, Successful, Good leaders, Inspirational, Motivates others, Enthusiastic
Adapted Self: Image conscious, Self-promoting, Workaholic, Arrogant, Superficial, Insensitive, Defensive, Insensitive
Basic Desire: To feel valuable and worthwhile
Basic Fear: of having no personal identity
Avoidance : They hate the “F” word – Failure
Blind Spot: Using others for self-promotion

Essential Qualities: Depth, Beauty, Identity
True Self: Creative, Sensitive, Compassionate, Perceptive, Intuitive, Sentimental, Expressive, Unique, Always seeking meaning
Adapted Self: Moody, Withdrawn, Depressive, Self-absorbed, Dramatic, Possessive, Eccentric, Self-pitying, Exaggerated
Basic Desire: To find my true self and my personal significance
Basic Fear: have no identity or personal significance- being unnoticed
Avoidance : Ordinariness, feeling unneeded, and unheard
Blind Spot: Finding gratitude with what is present

Essential Qualities: Knowledge, Illumination, Clarity
True Self: Intelligent, Knowledgeable, Perceptive, Private, Solitary, Scholarly, Curious, Insightful, Witty, Observant, Thorough, Rational
Adapted Self: Distant, Cynical, Private, Unassertive, Intense, Miserly, Isolated, Heady, Abstract, Self-reliant
Basic Desire: To understand reality, to uncover the essence of things
Basic Fear: Of having no ability to know what is real and true (lost in ignorance and senselessness) or of being depleted
Avoidance: Depletion – too much or too little
Blind Spot: Disconnection from emotional or physical self

Essential Qualities: Awakeness, Guidance, Commitment
True Self: Trustworthy, Responsible, Supportive , Practical, Determined, Cooperative, Dedicated, Interdependent, Loyal
Adapted Self: Cautious, Controlling, Hyper-vigilant, Suspicious, Dependent, Indecisive, Ambivalent, Doubtful, Security Conscious
Basic Desire: To feel real ground and direction, a trustworthy orientation
Basic Fear: Of being lost without support and guidance – being without orientation
Avoidance: Rejection and betrayal
Blind Spot: Forgetting to see the positive side

Essential Qualities: Joy, Freedom, Positivity
True Self: Optimistic, Enthusiastic, Spontaneous, Charming, Imaginative, Entertaining, Visionary, Engaging, Playful, Versatile
Adapted Self: Impulsive, Superficial, Distracted, Restless, Unreliable, Inconsistent, Excessive, Flighty, Escapist
Basic Desire: To be happy, free, and satisfied – to be fulfilled
Basic Fear: Of being trapped and deprived
Avoidance: Limitations and deprivations
Blind Spot: Feeling Negative emotions