You may be a Type 6
Sixes are driven to achieve a sense of safety (not necessarily physical) through control and precise planning. They highly value responsibility, predictability, and building relationships. As one of the more naturally anxious numbers, sixes benefit from working on self-awareness, managing their thoughts, and creating safety in the present moment.
Type 6 Overview
People are drawn to you because you are loyal and reliable. They feel safer with your support and never doubt that you will show up for them. You are thoughtful, aware of others’ needs, and like to connect people to helpful resources. You highly value preparedness in order to avoid worst-case scenarios. This value can make others appear prepared too and minimize any surprise distress. You are an excellent problem-solver, a naturally hard worker, and are willing to think deeply to resolve any problem. You can be fun-loving and inclusive and a great addition to any group event.
You experience distress because you worry about potential threats and this takes up the majority of your energy. You can be stuck in the past, analyzing where things could have been different to try (in vain) to prevent a repeat of any distress. You can impede progress by asking too many questions as a way of controlling outcomes. You can also get lost in considering too many points of view and confuse yourself away from your own thoughts and emotions.
You rely too much on your thoughts to explain your experiences; as a result, you can struggle to manage emotions. You are capable of over-complicating things by paying too much attention to details. You can suffer physical pain from constant internal mental chaos and fear management.
You are invaluable to society because you are the person we need in a crisis. Your familiarity with chaos causes you to bring calmness to a crisis. When you are grounded and unafraid, you are able to soothe others and build rapport in difficult situations. You are trustworthy and value the responsibility of keeping others’ trust. You are adaptable in groups; capable of being an effective leader or a successful member. You are empathetic and can see multiple sides to most situations, fostering inclusivity in groups.
You are thoughtful, aware of others’ needs, and like to connect people to helpful resources.
You worry about potential threats and this takes up the majority of your energy.
You are capable of over-complicating things by paying too much attention to details.
You are the person we need in a crisis; your familiarity with chaos causes you to bring calmness.
The Core of Type 6
What makes you a Type 6 is your core desires, motivations, fears, and goals. No two people are exactly the same, but all Type 6’s will have the following in common
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Core Desires
To have security, guidance, and support
to avoid fear and anxiety of the unknown
to be prepared for any perceived threat
to feel supported by others
to have certainty and reassurance
to feel in control
to fight against anxiety and insecurity
to prevent past negative events from reoccurring
to get others to understand and accept your personal perceptions
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Loving Messages
"You are safe and secure."
“You can trust yourself.”
“Your decisions are thoughtful and meaningful.”
“Your worries are from an abundance of desire for connection and to be helpful.”
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Natural Gifts
Attention to detail and improving systems
Commitment to complete a goal with a high degree of skill
Loyalty to principles
Consensus building; group leadership
Wisdom and discernment
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Core Fears
Feeling fear, regret, out of control, or under threat
Being without support, security, options or guidance
Being blamed, targeted alone, or physically abandoned
Being without people, systems, or things that provide a sense of safety
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Blind Spot
Anxiety
Scanning the horizon of life and trying to predict and prevent negative outcomes(especially worst-case scenarios); remaining in a constant state of apprehension and worry.
Overcoming these messages:
You don’t know what you’re doing.
You aren’t safe from the world or people’s choices.
You need to get it right or you won’t be okay.
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Triad Groups
Head - Center of Intelligence; emphasizes their thinking in order to manage fear and anxiety and create effective strategies
Compliant/Dutiful - attempts to meet personal needs by remaining committed and hard working
Emotional Realness - channels disappointment or conflict into engagement strategies
Pragmatist/Attachment - attach to positions in life that give them a sense of security and ease
Type 6 Support Types
Type 5 Wing (6w5)
Higher sense of independence, analytical nature, privacy, and desire for solitude. They may prefer independent hobbies more to social ones and anything that allows them to use their intense focus and cognitive skill. Thrive in established systems with strong leaders that minimize chaos.
Type 3 traits in Stress/Challenge
More fearful and anxious about failure or their public image, restless and distraction-seeking, and may be willing to be more vague or elusive than usual. Can also be more optimistic about achievement, goal-oriented, and focused on efficiency.
Type 7 Wing (6w7)
More adventurous, outgoing, humorous, and excitable. Do not feel as insecure in their shortcomings and more willing to take risks. They are more open to outside guidance and comfortable with nuance and the unknown.
Type 9 in Security/Growth
More relaxed and able to go with the flow as life unfolds, able to find more safety in their relationships through trust and vulnerable care. More willing to seek out their own entertainment and comfort instead of their perception of responsibility and duty. Open to support from others without paranoia or fear of abandonment.
How to try on Type 6
I suggest that you “try on” Type 6 and give yourself time to see how it fits you. Not every word and detail will be a perfect match, but it helps to see the traits come alive in your unique life.
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There is not a "best type"
It's common to read through the number types and think that one or two personalities sound like the best ones, but it's much less common for those to actually be your core type. Every number has its strengths and challenges and most often it feels like someone is reading your journal (how would they know that about me?) when you find your actual type!
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Understanding motivations vs excusing behavior
Each type has a set of core desires and fears that drive behaviors and perspectives. Each type also has its own spectrum of healthy, average, and unhealthy patterns. Using the Enneagram to excuse unhealthy patterns ("I'm a 6 so that's just how I am") will keep you stuck, whereas awareness and ownership of those same patterns can provide the skills we need to thrive in our roles and relationships.
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Don't just rely on a test to find your type
Enneagram tests are becoming highly accurate, but not all tests are created equal. Even the most reliable tests can be wrong because they are based on the test taker's level of self-awareness. Tests are a great starting place for narrowing down your type and trying on one or two to build the self-awareness to confirm the type. If tests aren't your thing, there are many podcasts or books that explain the types. Same rules apply.
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Understanding the connections between the numbers is key
One of the best parts of the Enneagram model is how dynamic it shows us we are and the ways in which our personality adapts to the situation. Every type has access to 4 other personality characteristics - 2 wing types (the numbers on either side of your type) and 2 other types, your Stress and Rest numbers. We can also understand our types more clearly by learning about unique groups of three types called Triads.
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The Enneagram is a tool, not a box
The power of the Enneagram exists in its ability to recognize who we are at our core - what we're most afraid of and what we most desire in life. It encourages us to use our strengths to thrive as well as uncover the (usually subconscious) barriers that keep us stuck and unhappy. You are wonderfully made and the world needs your healthiest self.
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Find a teacher or coach
There are many great ways to learn about the Enneagram types, but it can get oerwhelming quickly if you jump in alone. Getting a coach. counselor, or finding an Enneagram teacher to help guide you through the information is crucial. They can help you know the basic information but more importantly help you lean what your type looks like unique to you.
Ready to learn more?
Get the Type 6 Growth Guide
What’s Included:
Over 100 pages of tools I’ve used with my own clients, personalized for a Type 6
Roadblocks to growth
Self-care suggestions
The Quick Reference Guide for all Types (my favorite go-to)
A personalized workbook to build self-awareness and spark exploration