While each personality type has distinctive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, there are no clear boundaries where one personality type ends and another one begins. Take the Enneagram test.
Like all other types, type 8 interacts with its “neighbors” — type 7 and type 9.
It means that type Eight personality will have some traits of type 7 and type 9.
8w7 (also known as “the Maverick”) stands for the Eight with a Seven-Wing. Depending on the person, 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 type Eight and 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 type Eight, they pursue their desires very aggressively and will usually achieve their goals.
Thanks to their Seven-Wing, people with 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.
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 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 the initiative — their desire to build is expressed in their projects and businesses.
Their Seven-Wing helps them see possibilities. And their core type Eight helps them pursue their objectives relentlessly, without getting distracted by other shiny objects.
Thanks to 8w7 search for both power and experiences, they are attracted to 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. However, if their Seven-Wing is very strong, they will pick their battles carefully 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 can switch quickly to other subjects.
It’s important to mention that all the negative aspects of 8w7 personality type are more evident 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 aggressively express their power. They know the loudest person in the room is often the weakest one and don’t need to show off their impressive power.
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.
For more information on 8w7, it may be useful to read through the two core personalities’ profiles — type Seven here and type 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.
Enneagram Test Type 8: 100 Signs You Are an Eight