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Beatrice Chestnut

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge

Eights and Nines have some similar characteristics. Both dislike being controlled by others, but they differ in how they respond to attempts at control from the outside. Eights openly rebel, fight against, and potentially actively overpower the other person. Nines take a much more passive approach to asserting control, often seeming to agree or go along, while passively resisting—saying “yes,” but acting out “no.” Both styles are part of the “self-forgetting” triad of types, and so both can forget their own needs and wants. Eights do this through excess and overwork, denying their physical vulnerabilities and taking on too many responsibilities. Nines do this through focusing on others and losing conscious contact with their own emotions and priorities. And both Eights and Nines can readily enjoy and seek out worldly comforts and pleasures.

Eights and Nines also differ in key ways. Eights’ primary focus of attention is on power and control, while Nines’ attention goes first to creating harmony and avoiding conflict. Disliking conflict and interpersonal tension, Nines often unconsciously avoid any internal sense of their own anger that might cause them to be at odds with someone else, while Eights have easier access to their anger, and may feel angry frequently and have a much easier time engaging in conflict. Eights are highly opinionated and are direct and straightforward in asserting their opinions, while Nines often do not know their position because they pay so much attention to understanding others’ perspectives. For Nines, having an opinion means risking conflict, so they are motivated to avoid their own positions, desires, and strong feelings.

Nines can see easily everyone’s point of view and are open to seeing many sides of an issue, while Eights see their own view most clearly and tend to see issues in terms of black and white. Indentifying with multiple perspectives makes Nines excellent mediators in that they can see all sides of an issue and are motivated to help create harmony and consensus. In contrast, Eights tend to want to assert their own opinions and have their own way. Nines have a difficult time making boundaries and saying no, while Eights have an easy time asserting their will and rejecting requests. Interpersonally, Eights are often perceived by others as being intimidating, while most people see Nines as likable, approachable, and friendly. Eights tend to have a big impact on others, while Nines can have a difficult time making an impact and can also be harder to contact interpersonally. Eights like to break the rules, make their own rules, and frequently rebel against authority, while Nines like structure and can more easily work with authority figures. And while people of both styles avoid a certain realm of internal experience—Eights deny their vulnerable, softer emotions, and Nines avoid or forget their anger and preferences—Eights are much more open about expressing themselves in the world and acting in forceful ways to get what they need and want.

The Enneagram Institute

Misidentifications

Eights with a Nine-wing can sometimes be mistaken for Nines with an Eight-wing, although this is not a common mistype. Eights are openly assertive and do not mind getting into conflicts to make their point. In fact, Eights often like to get into conflicts and debates, finding them energizing and a sign that the other person really cares about the issue. Nines dislike contention of any kind and if possible, would rather agree with the other to keep the peace. As they deteriorate down the Levels, Eights become angrier, more aggressive, and domineering: Nines become more passive, disengaged and depressive. Compare Nines Geena Davis and Walt Disney with Eights Susan Sarandon and John Huston.