Driver: Anger that the world is not a safe place
Motivation: to protect themselves and be in control
Focus: power and justice
Strategy: assert their independence
Dynamic
- protect themselves
- protect those too weak to protect themselves
- take charge
- test fairness of the teacher
Communication Style
- direct, brutal, honest truth
- state opinion as fact
- hate when they can’t add their opinion to class discussions
- precocious with profanity
Learning Style
- independent, minimal supervision
- enjoy class discussions, especially debates
- prefer the practical to theory
Work Ethic: Finding ‘The Truth’
- rules are seen a limit to independence
- unfair rules are challenged
- unenforced rules “don’t exist”
- push boundaries
- intensity makes Eights feel alive and real
- work with energy while work is challenging
- when bored, tend to look for trouble
- uncomfortable accepting new ideas passively
- need to challenge what they learn, seek proof to back it up
Ideal Classroom
- authority, confidence, and vision
- high engagement atmosphere of bold action
- vigorous debates
- fair class rules and clear consistent boundaries
Personality Cluster
Wings: Enthusiast (7) and Mediator (9)
Stress Arrow: Observer (5)
Withdraw, defeated, depressed. Self-loathing. Defensive and overreactive. Passive-aggression.
Security Arrow: Helper (2)
- Encourage concern for welfare of others eg by giving them responsibility
- Accept them as they are and help them to feel safe so they can reveal soft, gentle, caring side
- Help them understand ‘direct’ can be intimidating
> Unspoken Words – a case study
> Enneagram Personalities of Students
with thanks to Rob Fitzel www.fitzel.ca/enneagram/education/index.html
Compassionate Learning 