Enneagram Type 6 Personality - The Loyalist - Loyal Sceptic

Enneagram 6 - Loyal Sceptic Description

The gifts of the Enneagram Six include:

• Devotion: Sixes are committed to what they value, expressing duty and care in service of people, responsibilities and causes.
• Courage: Sixes often courageously take a stand on behalf of the greater good, despite concerns and risks.
• Preparedness: Being alert and risk-aware, Sixes pay attention to what is going on in their world and act to minimise risks and threats.
• Trustworthiness: Once Sixes make a decision or commitment, they stick to it. They also respect rules and authority, as long as they feel like they can trust the source or intention.
• Team-Oriented: Sixes enjoy the co-operation and collaboration of groups and thrive in a healthy team environment.

Typical Action Patterns

There are two ways in which the Enneagram 6 pattern manifests. If it manifests as the phobic pattern, the Six is likely to be very hesitant and cautious as they try to avoid anxious situations and guard against the risk of things going wrong. If it manifests as the counter-phobic pattern, the Six tries to work through anxiety by meeting fearful situations head-on. Most Sixes fall between these two extremes and will move between these tendencies depending on the circumstances and their life context. Most Sixes show some form of risk-taking behaviour as a way of proving to the world and to themselves that they are not afraid. These behaviours may vary from verbal acts of courage to extremely high risk activities. Sixes with a strong counter-phobic pattern are likely to display these activities more frequently than those who have a more phobic pattern. Sixes are known for their ability to work with consistency and with dedication over time. As they take responsibility very seriously, they tend to fully commit to the job or task at hand and demonstrate loyalty and courage.

Typical Thinking Patterns

In their desire to avoid problems, Sixes tend to apply themselves to potential risks and threats in a highly analytical way. This also makes them very attuned to their environment, scanning for possible problems and challenges. Sixes are able to solve and prevent problems, but may also be very sceptical of solutions that seem too easy or simple. This "yes, but" pattern can lead to frequently and overtly challenging both solutions and authority. Sixes are very aware of authority in their thinking. While they hope to have the support and protection of people in authority, they are also very wary of being let down, disappointed or betrayed by those very same people. The Six's internal dialogue is likely to follow a process of asking lots of questions of themselves or consulting an 'internal committee'. They ask questions not only about what is obvious and readily apparent, but also about what is unexpressed and hidden.

Typical Feeling Patterns

Sixes are very familiar with feelings of anxiety and tend to focus on worst-case scenarios in everyday life. These feelings could range from unease, concern and mild worry to panic, dread and terror. As an emotionally reactive style, Sixes have immediate and easy access to their feelings but will also replay concerns and anxieties over time. Even though they are pleased when things go well, Sixes tend not to dwell on positive emotions too much. Sixes tend to project their feelings onto others without necessarily testing them, as an unconscious behavioural pattern. In a bid to manage anxiety, the Six tends to project their own feelings, thoughts, hopes and fears onto others, thereby negating their impact on the Six. They often resist and challenge people because of their own doubts.

Blind Spots

• Sixes constantly focus on the things that can go wrong, therefore, their tentative and cautious approach may seem to others like stubbornness, pessimism and negative behaviour.
• Sixes tend to worry a lot about what might happen and their ability to deal with it, which can lead to seeming insecure. Others may then doubt the ability of the Six to take care of things. This questioning of their ability is what the Six is trying to avoid, yet their cautious approach may create just that.
• Despite being very focused on loyalty and issues of trust, the Six is naturally inclined towards scepticism and wondering whether people can be trusted. This may impact negatively on their interactions and relationships. By focusing on trustworthiness so much, Sixes make it difficult for people to consistently trust them.
• Projection is a core issue for the Six. Projecting fears onto the people around them may be a way to avoid owning their own emotions, concerns and worries.

Growth through the wings

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Enneagram 6 Subtypes

The Enneagram Six's drive to create security and support is expressed differently by the three Subtypes.

Self Preservation
Instinct

Subtype Key:
Warmth

The anxiety of the Six blends with the SP instinct to make fear and insecurity a theme for this cautious subtype. To feel safe, they build strong alliances and with others and show personal warmth. They are sincerely affectionate and warm-hearted in their interactions with others. They repress anger and are hesitant to share opinions, preferring to be cautious than risk mistakes.

One-on-One
(Sexual) Instinct

Subtype Key:
Intimidation (countertype)

This one-on-one dominant instinct Six countertype tends to be bold, assertive or even intimidating, which may lead to mistyping as an Eight. The SX Six is counter-phobic, believing that the best defense is a good offence and reacting against typical Six fears by running towards any fear or danger. This head-on approach may appear rebellious or something of a daredevil. Their need to feel strength and safety makes it difficult to connect to their doubts or feelings of vulnerability

Social
(Or Group) Instinct

Subtype Key:
Duty

This Six subtype connects to social ideals, working for a cause or standing up for the weak. They tend to be more ‘black and white’ than the shades of grey seen by other Sixes. They may seem like an Ennea One as they are precise and careful and prefer to follow rules and procedures. Highly rational and dutiful, they work to encourage compliance to rules or collective norms, and to ensure that everyone knows what is expected of them. They look for a system to trust to balance their self doubt. They can be out of tune with their personal feelings.