Another Wednesday has come and gone! It is that time of the week where we explore how each Type shows up as a manager in your office. We have gone through what a Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 manager is like.
This week, we focus on the authoritative and decisive Type 8 managers.
Type 8 Traits In A Managerial Nutshell
8s embody authority which makes them natural choices for a leadership role, which gives them the control of the office hierarchy. Type 8s are natural protectors and if you are in their team and gets bullied by someone else, you can be sure that your Type 8 manager will be first on the scene fighting for you in the name of justice.
Type 8s demand honesty from their team, especially if they have made a mistake. They also don’t like too much context given to them when being presented with work problems. They would prefer their team to present the problem first, solutions second and context when needed. They love it when their team mates are decisive and to the point as that also signals to them that everyone are competent enough to take control of their tasks and have no need for the Type 8 manager’s intervention.
Becoming The Best Manager As A Type 8
In order for a Type 8 to upgrade their managerial skills, they would have to learn to be:
More responsive and less reactive.
When mistakes happen, Type 8 managers can be very quick to jump to conclusions and ‘execute’ the person first before actually finding out why the mistake happened in the first place. This is where the 8s need to slow down and go deeper into finding out the facts first before deciding to judge them as being incompetent, or worse, kick them out of the team.
If 8s are able to also grow in their child-like faith to see that everyone is doing their best, then they will be able to see the best in their team and not be so quick to throw them out for the tiniest infractions.
More nurturing and supportive.
We often say in our workshops that 8s, like everyone else on the Enneagram, have a strong message to give to the people around them. 8s need to learn to cushion their message to make it less abrasive and more palatable, so that it can have a wider reach and impact.
8s also then need to look at their team and use their power and assertiveness to be more nurturing and supportive. If they are able to do this, then the 8s can teach their team to be more assertive for themselves and to fight their own battles, instead of relying heavily on them. In the long run, they would find that their teams would be more productive as they feel more motivated, validated and more secure with a strong leader like the 8 at the helm.
An Encouragement to our Type 8 Managers
Being vulnerable takes more strength than you think. So take a chance and show the emotions and vulnerability with your team, so that they can see you for who you are and not just the position you embody.
You do not need to shoulder everything and to protect everyone. Sometimes, allowing people to take care of you and stand up for you allows them to find the strength they did not think they had. Thank you for being the strong, decisive one in the office. However, know that you are worth being taken care of and to be seen too.
So that is a Type 8 manager in a nutshell. In closing, here are some tips for you when dealing with them – be honest, direct and to the point when working with an 8. Say things as is, don’t worry, they can take it.
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Want to learn how you can use your strengths to optimise your team? Come for our Enneagram Level 1 courses today! Contact us (link to: https://theenneagramacademy.com/#contact) to find out how you can also use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset your course fees and when our next course dates are!
