What to Know about Enneagram Type Six

Enneagram Type 6 is nicknamed “The Loyalist.” They are slow to trust, but once they do, they will stick by you for life. 

Sixes are very anxious and like to plan for what might happen. They are good at thinking of all possible scenarios for an outcome but are biased toward worst-case scenarios. They’re great planners and are usually calm in a crisis because they have already prepared for the worst in their minds.

Below, you will find an overview of what motivates Enneagram Type 6 and things they can work on to improve their daily lives.

Enneagram Type 6’s Focus of Attention

→ Scanning for Risks and Threats

Type Sixes are constantly scanning their environment for potential danger. They are always trying to determine what risks are involved in what they’re doing. This fear can lead them to procrastinate on what needs to be done.

→ Looking Out for Potential Problems

Type Sixes are typically worst-case scenarios. They always look ahead to what could go wrong, making them great contingency planners.  If the worst happens, Sixes will be ready. They are fantastic to have in a crisis because they will stay calm and know what needs to be done.

→ Authority Figures

Type Sixes either put a lot of trust into authority figures or are anti-authoritarian, depending on their subtype (learn more about subtypes here).

Social 6 puts a lot of trust into an authority and feels safe knowing they have someone to follow. Sexual 6s mistrust authority and are one of the biggest rebels on the Enneagram. Self-Preservation 6s can fall somewhere in the middle. 

Sixes generally don’t like being in authority themselves and will often be happy with playing second fiddle to whoever is in charge.

Type 6’s Passion: Fear

The passion (or vice) of Enneagram Type 6 is FEAR. (Learn about the Enneagram Type Passions here.)

While we all experience fear in some form or another, Six’s FEAR is emotional-based, and they are fearful in a general sense, not just about one thing or another. 

The passion of FEAR makes Sixes very anxious people. They are frequently tense and uneasy even thinking about the anticipation of danger, especially when it is unknown. 

Type 6’s FEAR can cause problems in their hesitation to do things. Sixes are big procrastinators because they always want to know what will happen before they act.

They’re so busy thinking about all the possible dangers that they forget to do the thing itself!

Type 6’s Strengths and Struggles

Strengths

• Analytical and insightful

• Great problem-solvers

• Responsible

• Good at troubleshooting

• Very loyal once they trust you

• Responsible and smart

• Have a great sense of humor

Struggles

• Have a hard time trusting people and themselves

• Their fear and anxiety can hold them back from doing

• Can see problems even if they’re not there

• Don’t make decisions very easily

• Always suspicious, especially when they receive compliments

Things for Enneagram Type 6 to Work On

📍 Work on trusting yourself more. Have more faith in your gut decisions instead of going back and forth between different possibilities.

📍 Learn to live with a certain degree of uncertainty. Know that certainties aren’t always a sure thing. > Put yourself into action without hesitation. Be confident that what you’re doing is the best way. This can help your tendency to procrastinate.

If Someone You Love is a Type 6

❣️ While it may seem like they’re arguing with you, remember that Sixes are contrarian thinkers. They may not always agree with what you have to say or will come back with a differing opinion, but this is their unique way of communicating. 

❣️ Try to show more empathy when they bring up their concerns or are anxious. They will feel safer having you to lean on and know you will listen to them as they discuss their concerns. 

❣️ Know that trust is your most important attribute with a Six. Nurture their trust in you by being open and honest with them. Don’t give them reasons to doubt what you say or do.