
8 Gate of Contribution: Human Design Explained for Business & Sun Transit
- by Iva Grcic
- May 15, 2024
Human Design Gate 8 is located in the Throat Center and is the energetic powerhouse for creative and authentic expression.
It’s all about contributing your true self to the world and letting your individuality shine in all you do.
Whether you’re speaking on stage, writing a book, or leading a team, Gate 8 encourages you to do so with integrity and authenticity.
I love integrating insights from Human Design’s sister system, the Gene Keys, where this Gate, aka Gene Key, is one of STYLE.
The Shadow: Mediocrity
The shadow of Gate 8 manifests as Mediocrity, which can creep into your work as a subtle undercurrent that dilutes the power of your true expression.
This shadow can appear in two forms:
The Repressive Side: Wooden
Here, you might find yourself holding back your true thoughts or conforming to what you think others expect of you. This repression makes your expression feel stiff, uninspired, or overly cautious, lacking the vibrancy and passion that truly connect with others.
This shadow might manifest as a reluctance to share your innovative ideas out of fear they are too unconventional or won’t be accepted.
You may hold back your true self, delivering messages that lack your personal touch, and as a result, fail to truly connect with your audience.
Transforming Woodenness
The key to transforming this shadow is to reconnect with your passion and what drives you at your core.
Begin by identifying what truly lights you up—whether it’s a specific topic, a hobby, or a cause. Allow yourself small, safe spaces to express these passions and gradually integrate this enthusiasm into your larger work.
Remember, your unique insights and energies are not just valuable; they are essential to feeling deeply fulfilled.
The Reactive Side: Artificial
On the flip side, the fear of not standing out may drive you to adopt a persona or an exaggerated version of yourself that’s inauthentic or forced. This can make your leadership style come off as insincere or superficial.
Your communications could feel forced or inauthentic, which savvy audiences can sense and may scroll away from.
Overcoming Artificiality
To overcome this, it’s crucial to cultivate authenticity. Start by practicing mindfulness and self-awareness—reflect on why you feel the need to put on a facade and what fears are driving these behaviors.
Navigating the shadows of Gate 8 is a powerful journey of self-discovery and expression. As you work through these aspects, you’ll find that embracing your genuine style not only feels more natural but also resonates more deeply with those around you.
This authenticity in your expression is what truly makes you a magnetic leader. And the Gift of Human Design Gate 8 will tell you what it takes to activate that magnetism.
The Gift: Contribution with Style
This Gate’s gift isn’t just about aesthetics, but about finding and embracing your unique style of expression that resonates deeply with who you are and allows you to make a contribution through the expression of your truth.
Your style becomes your signature in the world, a blend of your values, beliefs, and experiences that no one else can replicate.
This authentic style is what makes you memorable and impactful as a leader. It’s what draws people to your message and makes them stick around.
Style isn’t just about aesthetics or superficial appearances, but about the essence of your being, the unique imprint you leave on everything you touch.
It’s about letting your quirks, your passions, and your unique perspectives shine through.
When you communicate—whether through writing, speaking, or video — let your style be distinctly yours.
Think about how your favorite artists or writers captivate you with their unmistakable voice. It’s the words they choose, the tone they use, the quirks they allow to come out, that make you love them.
You, too, have that magnetic energy. Unleash it by clearing Shame and Fear of Judgement & Rejection using somatic + subconscious tools like EFT Tapping and Breathwork.
(You can grab my free 6 Liberation Layers ebook where I take you through an EFT Tapping to clear the fear of judgement!)
Aligning Your Work with Your Values
Your style also reflects your values. It’s a powerful tool for aligning your work with what you stand for.
Every choice you make, from the types of projects you undertake to the people you choose to collaborate with, should resonate with your core values.
This congruence creates a strong, cohesive brand that people trust and relate to. Your audience can feel the integrity in your style, and this builds lasting connections.
When your style is authentic, and you message infused with personality, your content naturally becomes more impactful and memorable.
You’re not just sharing information; you’re creating experiences.
Your presentations, your social media posts, your videos—all these become conduits for your unique energy.
People don’t just come to you for knowledge… they come for the experience you create through the stories and analogies you use.
This is what sets you apart in a crowded field and keeps your audience coming back for more.
Leading with Confidence and Creativity
Embracing your style in leadership means leading with confidence and creativity. It’s about being bold in your decisions, daring in your visions, and unapologetic in your authenticity.
When you are comfortable in your skin, it shows. This confidence inspires your team, your followers, and your peers. It encourages them to also find and embrace their unique styles, creating a culture of authenticity and innovation.
Embracing the gift of Style in Gate 8 is a celebration of all that you are. It’s an invitation to express yourself fully and fearlessly in every aspect of your leadership.
It’s not just about standing out… it’s about making a real difference, about leaving a legacy that is entirely, beautifully, unequivocally yours.
Key Themes of Gate 8
- Authentic Self-Expression: It’s about being genuine and authentic in how you show up in the world, sharing your unique voice without fear.
- Creative Contribution: It’s about using your natural talents and passions to make a difference, to add beauty and innovation to whatever you touch.
- Alignment with Integrity: Gate 8 calls you to align your actions with your values and beliefs. It’s about ensuring that what you say and do resonates deeply with who you truly are, not what is popular.
- Influence through Individuality: It celebrates the power of being different and shows how your unique qualities can inspire and influence those around you.
- Leadership through Example: This gate often positions you as a role model, leading by example. Your authenticity and integrity naturally inspire others to follow suit and express their true selves.
- Connecting through Creativity: Whether it’s art, business, or innovation, it’s about forging connections where everyone is encouraged to creatively express themselves.
- Encouraging Authenticity in Others: Not only are you expressing your true self, but you’re also encouraging others to do the same. This gate supports environments where authenticity is celebrated and cherished.
- Impact on Social Change: With its strong drive for integrity and authentic expression, Gate 8 drives you to advocate for truth and authenticity in societal structures.
- Personal Branding: It helps you craft a brand that truly reflects your inner self and resonates with others on a genuine level.
- Empowerment through Expression: By embracing and expressing your true self, you empower yourself and pave the way for others to do the same. This creates a ripple effect of authenticity and self-realization.
Gate 8 in Business
If you’re someone with Gate 8 in your Human Design, you’re set up for an incredible journey, especially when it comes to growing your heart-centered business.
Whether it’s your branding, your content, or the way you connect with your audience, authenticity should be your signature.
This isn’t just about standing out in the market… it’s about resonating on a deeper level with your audience, building trust, and fostering loyalty by sharing your quirks, mistakes, and relatable feelings.
In your expression, it’s also about the words you choose to use, and analogies + stories you use to illustrate points. This is what makes content engaging and memorable.
Drive Innovation Through Authenticity
Your journey with Gate 8 will push you to innovate, not by looking outward, but by diving deeper into your own unique insights and perspectives.
The more you align with your true self, the more naturally innovation will come. This is because our inner guidance, should we dare to listen to it above all else, is guidance from our Higher Self which knows the fastest path to our goals because it operates in the 5D where time doesn’t exist.
Consult your Higher Self, which speaks to you through your body’s nudges and intuition, to create offerings that genuinely reflect what you stand for and solve real problems for your clients in ways only you can.
Overcome the Shadow: Break Through Mediocrity
One of the challenges you’ll face is that you might feel tempted to conform to industry norms or imitate what’s supposedly a “successful” style.
Resist this. Authenticity is your greatest asset.
When you feel stuck or uninspired, remind yourself why you started. Take a break and go out into nature to reconnect with your passion and let that authenticity drive your content and offerings.
Communicate with Impact
Communication is a massive part of your journey with Gate 8. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it that will capture hearts and minds.
Develop your communication skills to ensure you can clearly and powerfully convey your ideas.
Remember, the goal is to make complex concepts accessible and relatable, not dumb them down.
Train yourself to use stories, metaphors, and simplicity to make your points stick.
Jen Sincero, for example, has a distinct, character-full, fun and memorable tone of voice. Check out her expression via her books “You are a badass” (that you can read for free for a month on Scribd‘s platform).
Ultimately, your journey with Gate 8 is about much more than just business growth. It’s about making a profound impact, inspiring change, and leading with heart.
Every challenge you face is an opportunity to deepen your authenticity and refine your message.
Keep pushing the boundaries, keep being true to yourself, and watch as your business transforms not just your life, but the lives of everyone it touches.
Sun Transit in Gate 8
Get ready for a week where your true self demands to be seen and heard!
As the Sun transits through Human Design Gate 8, the energy is all about showcasing your authentic self in all that you do.
Whether it’s through your work, your conversations, or your creative expressions, this is the time to let your unique personality shine.
This week you might feel an inner surge of creativity begging to be unleashed. Gate 8 encourages you not just to think outside the box but to redefine the box entirely.
This could be a great week to start a new project, revamp an old one, or simply bring a fresh perspective to your daily tasks.
Trust these creative impulses—they’re your soul’s way of guiding you to express more of who you truly are.
Also, pay close attention to how you’re communicating this week. Gate 8 is about not only what you say but how you say it.
Are you being true to yourself in your communications?
Are your words reflecting your inner values and passions?
This week, experiment with aligning your speech and writing more closely with your authentic self. Notice how it feels when you speak or write from a place of genuine self-expression.
Remember, your unique style is not just a personal trait—it’s a gift that can enrich the world around you. This week, embrace that gift fully. Share your thoughts, your art, your solutions, and watch as they resonate with and inspire others.
Your authentic voice is not just valuable, but essential to the tapestry of collective human expression that moves us toward a New Earth.
Let your authenticity shine brightly, touch others, and ignite the creative sparks all around you. This isn’t just about being yourself… it’s about boldly and beautifully owning who you are and making your mark on the world.
…
P.S. There’s sooo much more to discover about yourself through Human Design.
I invite you to grab your chart and enter the HD Vault.
It’s a free Notion board that I’ve made in collaboration with other Human Design experts, and filled it with videos, books, podcasts, chart explanations, free trainings, embodiment journal, and of course a Business section.
Enjoy