• stand up for yourself and them
• be confident, strong and direct
• don't gossip about hem or betray their trust
• be vulnerable and share your feelings; see their tender side
• give them space to be alone
• acknowledge their contributions
• they often speak assertively; don't assume it's a personal attack
• ignore their screaming, cursing or stomping

What's good about being an Eight

• they are are independent and self-reliant
• they take charge and face challenge head on
• they are courageous, straightforward and honest
• they get all the enjoyment they can out of life
• they support empower and protect those close to them
• they uphold causes

What's difficult about being an Eight

• they overwhelm people with bluntness
• they are restless and impatient with other's incompetence
• they are disappointed when they stick their neck out for others and get no appreciation
• they never forget injuries or injustices
• they expect too much of themselves
• they get high blood pressure when people don't obey rules or when thing don't go right

Eights as Children

• are sometimes loners
• are independent, have an inner strength and fighting spirit
• seize control so they won't be controlled
• figure out others weaknesses
• attack verbally or physically when provoked
• take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Eights as Parents

• are often loyal, caring, involved, devoted and overprotective
• can be demanding , controlling and rigid

Source: Adapted from Riso, Don Richard with Russ Hudson, Personality Types:Using the Enneagram for Self Discovery,1996. Houghton Mifflin and Baron, Renee and Elizabeth Wagele, The Enneagram Made Easy, 1994, Harper Collins