Enneagram 6 – The Loyalist, Skeptic

Learn about the Enneagram 6 types. Committed, practical and witty

Enneagram Type 6

Enneagram type 6s are also known as the skeptic or loyalist. This personality type is loyal, hard-working and engaging. They want to feel safe and fear being without support. 

Sixes have a basic desire in having security and support. They are very loyal and want to build close relationships with others.

Let’s look at this type, who they are, their characteristics, wings, stresses and more. 

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Need

Type 6 Enneagrams need to feel sure or certain.

Characteristics

Type 6s are committed, practical and witty, they are worst-case-scenario thinkers who are motivated by fear and the need for security. Enneagram 6s are engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.

Character of God

Here is the character of God for an Enneagram 6: The steadfastness of God.

• Learn about Character of God

How We Distort That Characteristic

Enneagram Type 6s distort this characteristic by doubting excessively.

Type 6 fall into the head triad, motivated and fueled by fear.

• Learn more about Triads

Harmonic Approach – Reactive

Enneagram 6  fall into the Reactive Approach in regards to Harmonic Approach. Sixes are emotionally reactive under stress.

• Sixes can get into conflict by being too pessimistic, suspicious, and doubtful.
• Sixes tend to be very anxious people. They are always on the watch for dangers and threats.
• When conflicts or threats occur, their anxiety comes out, often as long rants, hysterical overreactions, and feelings of inferiority.
• Sixes want to trust others (and others often put their faith in Sixes), but remain wary of problems.
• Sometimes they let their guard down (when within the confines of the authority/belief). Other times, they keep their guard up to ensure that others do not take advantage of them.

source: fitzel.ca

• Learn more about Harmonic Approach

Wings of Enneagram 6

Enneagram 6 wings are 6w5 or 6w6 . No one is a pure personality type: everyone is a unique mixture of his or her basic type and usually one of the two types adjacent to it on the circumference of the Enneagram. One of the two types adjacent to your basic type is called your wing.

6w5 – More introverted, intellectual, cautious, self-controlled and apt to seek security through allegiance to an authority figure. Because they over analyze things for too long without taking action, these Sixes can suffer from analysis paralysis.

6w7 – Delightful surprise, reflects playfulness of a Seven. Far more extroverted and willing to sacrifice themselves for loved ones than 6w5.

Learn about Wings

Stress and Security

Here are what stress and security types that Enneagram type 6s go to when in stress or (security) success. 

STRESS – THREE – Become workaholics who pursue material success or hoard resources to make themselves feel more secure. They won’t try anything they don’t think they can do successfully – which, since they already lack confidence, means they are reluctant to take necessary risks.

SECURITY – NINE – Less prone to getting worked up about potential threats in their environment, feel less anxious about life in general.

Learn about Stress and Security

Sin and Counter Virtue

The deadly sin and counter virtue that Enneagram 6 need to watch for are:  

DEADLY SIN: FEAR
Needing to feel secures, Sixes rehearse the worst-case scenarios and seek out and attach to strong authority figures and belief systems.

COUNTER VIRTUE TO CULTIVATE: FAITH
Sixes can develop faith that renders worst-case-scenario planning unnecessary and learn to trust their inner compass to guide them to making good decisions.

• Learn about Sin and Counter Virtue

Best Careers for Enneagram 6

Reliable people – here are careers that a typical Enneagram 6 would be successful in: 

• Executive Assistant
• Au Pair
• Security Officers
• Teachers
• Caretakers

Enneagram 6 Resources

• Enneagram 6 Images