While each personality type has distinctive patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, there is no clear boundaries where one personality type ends and another one begins. Like all other types, the type 8 interacts with its “neighbors” — the type 7 and the type 9.
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This means that the type Eight personality will have some traits of the type 7 and the type 9.
8w7 (also known as “the Maverick”) stands for the Eight with a Seven-Wing. Depending on each individual case, the Seven-Wing can be strong, weak or anything in between.
The core personality type Eight defines all fundamental needs and motivation behind 8w7 actions while the Seven-Wing gives this personality type extra flavor.
The combination of the type Eight and the type Seven characteristics produces a very worldly, materialistic and aggressive personality type. People with this personality type (8w7) are very ambitious and are interested in accumulating lots of resources. Because their core personality type is the type Eight, they pursue their desires very aggressively and will usually achieve their goals.
Thanks to their Seven-Wing, people with the personality type 8w7 appreciate life and all it has to offer. Because they are still Eights, there is an underlying theme of control in their desire to experience the best of this world — they feel like there is a lot to experience and they are not willing to let these things and experiences escape them.
The type Eight can be very impulsive, and its combination with the Seven-Wing produces big spenders who feel like they deserve the things they buy.
However, because of their fundamental need of control, 8w7 people will not ruin themselves by accumulating debts they can’t pay off. While their need to accumulate resources to feel in control and their urge to splurge obviously contradict each other, 8w7 solve this puzzle by working extra hard and buying the best they can afford.
8w7 are very proactive people with entrepreneurial skills. The Seven’s agile mind and curiosity combined with the Eight’s ability to think strategically and confront problems head on make great business people.
8w7 are comfortable at taking initiative — their desire to build is expressed in their projects and businesses. Their Seven-Wing helps them see possibilities while their core type Eight helps them to pursue their objectives relentlessly without getting distracted by other shiny objects.
Thanks to 8w7 search for both power and experiences, they are attracted to both achievement and stimulation at the same time. This results in a work-hard-play-hard approach to life. Long days at the office, frequent parties and social events, extensive travel — the lifestyle 8w7 want to live.
Like all Eight’s subtypes, Enneagram 8 Wing 7 is very assertive and direct. They say what they think and are often regarded as blunt. Whenever they are unhappy about something, others will know it (unless of course, their Seven-Wing is very strong, in which case they will pick their battles and let the unimportant slide).
In addition, 8w7 don’t typically concern themselves with other people’s opinions or how they come across. 8w7 don’t hesitate to express their unhappiness or anger, but once they are done venting, they are able to switch quickly to other subjects.
It’s important to mention that all the negative aspects of 8w7 personality are more obvious in unhealthy types. Just like core types, subtypes also have different health levels.
For example, while an unhealthy 8w7 can become bossy and controlling, a healthy 8w7 possesses quiet strength and confidence.
Healthy 8w7 don’t express their power in an aggressive manner. They know the loudest person in the room is often the weakest one and don’t have a need to show off their impressive power.
In fact, because they value freedom, they want others to be free as well. Not only do they not attempt to control others, but they also use their power and authority to fight bullies to set others free.
To understand the 8w7 type better, it’s recommended to read through the two core personalities’ profiles — the Seven here and the Eight here.
You may also be interested in reading the 7w8 profile. It is common for 8w7 to mistype as 7w8 and vice-versa, this page also discusses the difference between the two.
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