Enneagram 8's aka High "D's" & the Lost Art of Leadership Training

Pete and I really enjoy listening to Carey Niewhof's leadership podcast. Carey is definitely an out-of-the-box thinker with his finger on the pulse of what is happening spiritually and in the Christian church throughout North America, and he shares his insight with us, his audience, by interviewing cutting edge, and sometimes edgy, guests on his podcast.

Leadership training is almost an oxymoron these days. Our culture seems to have a degree of disdain for leaders. I think it's due to our modern society's attempt to level the playing field and obsess over equal rights. Strong, decisive choleric enneagram 8 high "D" leaders are almost frowned upon in favor of more collaborative, interpersonal phlegmatic enneagram 9 high "S" leaders.

There are fewer enneagram 8's than any other personality type, and it's no wonder. Can you imagine a world full of leaders with no followers? But there is a place for the few and far between strong leaders, and those types need training in leadership so they can learn to be diplomatic and patient, rather than forceful, tyrannical, self-centered bullies, which they can tend to be without a decent upbringing or proper training.

High "D" 8's tend to attract people with their natural sense of direction and purpose-driven influence, but they can be manipulative if left unchecked. Some of my favorite people are enneagram 8's, but some of my least favorite people are also 8's.

Carey Niewhof is an enneagram 8. That surprises me. He's so soft-spoken, kind, patient, and considerate, you could mistake him for an enneagram 9. Carey is passionate about...

https://careynieuwhof.com/about/

For most of his life, my husband Pete could never be mistaken for an enneagram 9, but now that he's older and wiser, he leans a little more to his 9 wing, making him a for more likable, relaxed, and sensitive not just as a leader, but as a human being. Like all of us, Pete was an unhealthy 8 in his younger days, but now he's a much healthier, mellower 8.

Pete was never a "my way or the highway" kind of guy, but, like a typical 8, he looks out for the good of the majority, rather than the individual, and never hesitates to stand up to anyone who's taking the culture in the wrong direction. He always sees the big picture and strives for strong decision making. Another thing about 8's is that they don't take things personally. They keep the progress of the team separate from their personal sensitivities, and that's why they can seem insensitive. Well, it's because they're not super sensitive.

One thing we strive to do with True North QUESTS is to identify natural leaders of any personality type, show them their worth and value, coach them to be the leaders we know they can be, and guide them toward their life calling.

If you're interested in coaching with us, please contact us at 530-598-5935. We'd love to hear from you and help you on your journey.