9w8 | A Helpful Explanation For Enneagram Type 9 Wing 8

Knowing your Enneagram type can help you understand yourself better, but what about your Enneagram wing type? Some wing types can make you seem different from others with the same personality type due to the unique features resulting from the influence of each wing type. For example, a type nine can have an eight wing or one wing. In this article, we will be focusing on the Enneagram type 9 wing 8.

As a type nine with an eight wing, your personality can experience a striking influence from the enneagram eight’s characteristics. On average, an Enneagram 9w8 is more self-acting, aggressive, and stubborn in thought and behavior. In addition, the eight wing can influence a nine to be more impatient than other peacemakers.

Keep reading to find out more about the traits, behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses of an Enneagram 9w8. You can also conclude how you can benefit from your wing type’s influence and see a list of professions that would be the most fitting for an Enneagram type nine with an eight wing.

9w8 F.A.Q.’s

What Does 9w8 Mean?

‘9w8’ means ‘Nine with an Eight wing,’ or ‘Nine wing Eight.’  This title shows your Enneagram personality type’s number, a ‘w,’ which stands for ‘with a,’ or ‘wing,’ and your Enneagram wing type’s number. When displaying your dominant Enneagram personality and wing types, you can use an initialism rather than saying the whole phrase.

Source: Enneagram Texas

Enneagram 9w8 Description

Nines are usually known to mediate arguments and agree with others even if they don’t feel that way on the inside to avoid conflict. However, with the eight’s guidance, a nine can be more confrontational because of their aggression and stubbornness.   Being influenced by the eighth wing type, an Enneagram type nine can have attributes that compare and contrast one another.

For some, your wing type can have such a strong influence on your dominant Enneagram type that you might begin to question if it is genuinely your Enneagram number because of the contrast between your dominant and wing type. Reading a description of your personality type paired with your wing type can help you determine whether you’re really a type 9 wing 8.

enneagram type 9 wing 8

9w8 Traits

Type nine with the eighth wing are a part of the Gut Triad, so they are motivated by their instinct when making decisions and if lacking self-control can react out of anger. A nine with an eight wing desires to be stable and at peace and fears losing those they care about. Also known as ‘the Advisor,’ they are direct and don’t mind advising others to help them in the workplace.

9w8 Behaviors

9w8’s can be calm on the nine’s side but energetic and aggressive from the eight’s side. Type nines tend to sit back instead of going forward with their ideas because they are afraid of conflict, but they are more confident and assertive with an eight’s influence. They take less time planning because they somehow know that everything will work in their favor.

9w8 Strengths

As an Enneagram 9w8, you can work diligently even in a new space because you are quick at adjusting to your surroundings. You are good at getting yourself and a team going by implementing new ideas in the workplace. Your wing’s guidance enables you to encourage others, especially the underdogs who don’t receive enough praise for their work.

9w8 Weaknesses

Despite wanting to be at peace, an Enneagram 9w8 often contradicts their actions by causing conflict without meaning to. Nines with an eight wing tend to avoid getting themselves into a situation they know will be hard for them. They ignore their emotions because they would rather stay focused. This type is more complex because their ideals clash with one another.

Sources: Medium, Optimist Minds, Psychologia, Crystal

How To Benefit From An 8 Wing As An Enneagram 9

An Enneagram type nine can benefit from an eight wing by gaining an ability to uplift their workers while remaining assertive, making you the perfect boss. It would help if you remembered that you could use your clear intentions to end conflict instead of avoiding it and having it build up. As an Enneagram 9w8, you can be self-created and successful in business.

Source: Intuitive Enneagram

9w8 vs. 9w1

As a nine wing eight, you can be energetic and do not like feeling controlled by others. However, a type nine with a one wing is more focused on their work and will follow orders from a higher-up. Nines with an eight wing act on their behalf or as underdogs, while nines with a one wing tend to put others above themselves and help the needy.

Enneagram nines both desire to be at peace, but a 9w8 reacts to this desire by avoiding conflict, and a 9w1 by implementing them into reality. Nines with an eight wing are good at taking charge with their assertive attitude, while nines with a one wing make great leaders because they are modest and not power-hungry.

Those with the same Enneagram personality types can be completely different if they have different wing types. Wing types can either strengthen your personality type or contradict it if their qualities go against the typical ones of your dominant personality type. For example, an eight wing’s influence is very different from a one’s.

What Enneagram Wing Is Your Dominant Type?

Ordinarily, your personality type’s Enneagram wings have distinct enough characteristics that you can easily find your dominant wing type. However, some people are either able to relate to both wings or only one wing. Therefore, you can find your dominant Enneagram wing type by seeing the motivations of each wing type and determining which one suits you most.

Sources: Ian Morgan Cron, Enneagram Paths

The Best Enneagram Wings Test

We have chosen five of the best Enneagram tests based on accuracy, depth, and helpfulness so you can discover your dominant wing type and begin your Enneagram journey. Each test has its similarities and differences that make them excellent options. This list includes the Truity, Your Enneagram Coach, Cloverleaf, Crystal, and Integrative 9 online Enneagram tests.


enneagram wings test

The Truity online Enneagram personality test has 19 pages with 105 questions, so you will be sure to determine your Enneagram profile, including your dominant personality type, dominant wing type, and how much you relate to the other Enneagram types. The test takes about ten minutes to complete, is completely free, and has an impressive 4.8-star rating.

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Truity click, HERE!

Your Enneagram Coach

free enneagram test

The Your Enneagram Coach online Enneagram assessment can lead you to find your Enneagram type. It has 12 pages with quick questions about how you’d describe yourself, which you rate from one through five on how much you agree or disagree. The assessment itself comes up to an accuracy of about 80% but can be more exact after completing their Enneagram courses.

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Your Enneagram Coach click, HERE!


cloverleaf enneagram coaching review

The Cloverleaf online Enneagram personality assessment has 22 pages of easy questions for determining your Enneagram profile, including your dominant personality type, wing type, Enneagram triad, and an overview of your traits. The test takes about ten to 15 minutes to complete, requires no purchase, and you can get Enneagram advice by signing up via email.

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Cloverleaf click, HERE!


free enneagram tests

The Crystal online Enneagram personality test is a quick, free quiz where you rate the on-screen questions from one to five on how much you agree. This test can determine which dominant Enneagram personality type suits you most and shows you where to find a summarization of your Enneagram paired with your wing on their page.

To take the Free Enneagram Test offered by Crystal Knows click, HERE!

Integrative 9

enneagram business coaching

The Integrative 9 online Enneagram assessment has two different choices for different circumstances. The standard package is $60 and has 22 pages for helping people from home understand their Enneagram profiles. The professional package is $120 and has 44 pages. It shows you how you can use your Enneagram profile to improve your work.

For more information about the iEQ9 assessment or to purchase, CLICK HERE.

Enneagram 9w8 Career & Job Possibilities

Possible career paths for people who are Enneagram 9w8:

  • Veterinarian: Since 9w8’s like caring for those unable to care for themselves, working with animals as a veterinarian would be the perfect match for them.
  • Social Worker: 9w8’s don’t waver when they need to say something important, so serving others as social workers would be an excellent job choice.
  • Diplomat: Since 9w8’s are stubborn to get what they want and desire peace, being a diplomat who negotiates on behalf of human rights would be good for them.
  • Publicity Writer: 9w8’s are confident in their image, so a publicity writer who manages how a business looks to the public eye fits them.

Source: Crystal

You can find more career options for 9w8’s here: The Best Enneagram Type 9 Careers + Job Advice & Guidance.

An excellent guide for all job-hunting Enneagram types is the Enneagram Career Guide.

9w8 Summary

An Enneagram type nine wing eight has all the qualities of a nine with varying levels of influence from a type eight. As a 9w8, you are the peacemaker but aggressive at the same time. Nines stay silent when faced with opposing ideas to prevent conflict, and with the eight wing’s guidance, they are more stubborn and forward with their beliefs.

The core desire of an Enneagram 9w8 is to be balanced and peaceful. The message they want to hear from others is something along the lines of, “You won’t lose me; I’m right here.” A healthy 9w8 will be more humble and kind with others. This improvement can help them calm their fears.

Learning your dominant Enneagram wing type can be beneficial because you can learn how and why your mind works the way it does. Uncovering why you make certain choices and how your thoughts might confront or relate to your personality will help you understand your strengths and lead you to use them to their fullest potential.