Personality Type 8: The Leader. You want to be open, honest, direct and straightforward.
Personality Type 8: The Leader. More importantly, you want to be independent, make your own decisions and direct your own course. You see yourself as assertive, decisive and resourceful. You would like others to see you as strong, fair-minded and magnanimous. Your idealized image is that you are protective and powerful.
You are charismatic and exude confidence. You have a take-charge, no nonsense, can do attitude. You have great pride in your ability to face, endure and overcome adversity, believing that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Your word is your bond and you do not suffer fools gladly. People are occasionally intimidated by you and have a tendency to misinterpret your direct manner as insensitivity.
You believe that being true to yourself means that you say what you mean and mean what you say. You stand up for your beliefs and perceive backing down as a sign of weakness – even though at times doing so may be common sense and in your own best interest.
Your greatest strength is your sense of justice and desire to protect the weak, vulnerable, down-trodden and under-represented. Bighearted and generous by nature, you willingly protect others even at your own expense. A person of your word, you stand up for what you believe in and deliver what have you promised.
Your Mantra
True strength comes from surrendering the need to have power and control. Remember that sensitivity to others and acknowledging your own tender emotions is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Cynicism and insensitive teasing are red flags that you are feeling hurt and disempowered.
Source: The Enneagram Institute.