Type 6

The loyal, the skeptical

Overview

6s are attracted to loyalty, have a lot of admiration for it and often embody it. They want a safer world. They are often perceived as faithful, devoted, careful and reliable. They are sceptical, suspicious and imaginative beings that don’t like to be caught off guard. Thus, they tend to anticipate problems and dangers. They question everything that has not been proven and pay a lot of attention to people’s hidden intentions. 6s can appear to be very contradictory because they are strongly affected by fear, which can make them react differently, depending on whether they face their fears or not (if they act as “phobic” or “counterphobic” 6s). In this way, they sometimes overcome their fears and surprise people with unexpected acts of bravery.

Avoidance compulsion

6s search at all costs, and often subconsciously, to avoid deviance. They do everything they can to avoid ambiguity, whether it be about ideas, relationships, roles or situations. They avoid everything that is different to the groups or ideas that they associate themselves with, and question everything that has not been proven. Deep down, a 6’s greatest fear is to find themselves alone and without protection.

Center of attention and motivation

6’s attention is mainly focused around contradictions that awaken their scepticism, and the hidden intentions they can feel in others. All this sets off feelings of fear and doubt. They then tend to imagine and focus on the worst case scenario possible. They have contradictory reactions to their fears. 6s are sometimes known to be « phobic », withdrawing because of their fears, doubts and thoughts, and other times react as « counterphobics », facing their fears in search of clarity.
6s are motivated by the search for clarity and safety. They look for stability and often need a protective authority that they can trust. Being very sceptical, they need to put others to the test before deciding whether they are worthy of their loyalty. They need to be reassured and encouraged by those close to their hearts.

Vice and defense mechanism

When they are in the grips of their compulsion (avoiding deviance), 6s’ egos makes them afraid. Their compulsion is often set off by an unpredicted change. In an anxious state, searching for security, they are thus under excessive doubt which often leads them to a feeling of persecution. They are on guard and picture the worst possible situations that they fear the most. Their defence mechanism is projection: they project their fears onto others. This way, they deal with uncomfortable feelings like fear or doubt by thinking that they are caused by others. By associating the feelings or thoughts with which they don’t want to associate, with others, they are expelling them from inside them and feel safer.

In harmony

When they are at peace with themselves and manage their compulsion, 6s are perceptive, trustworthy, brave, warm, protective, reflective, helpful and responsible. They are at ease when they feel completely safe and when future concerns are minimal. Then, they lean towards their integration type (type 9) and the latter’s positive traits are incorporated into their behaviour. This way, they become more relaxed, positive and peaceful.

In imbalance

In the grips of their compulsion, 6s can become too vigilant, suspicious, pessimistic , indecisive, anxious and distant.
If the situation doesn’t improve, they lean towards their disintegration type (type 3) and the latter’s negative traits are incorporated into their behaviour. Thus, they can become more rigid, reckless, selfish, manipulative and accusing.

Wings

Type 6’s neighbouring types are 5 and 7. The “wing” is the neighbouring type that appears to have the most influence on the base type.
6w5s are introverted, serious and careful, but can also be more distant and intellectually arrogant.
6w7s are more sociable, energetic and cheerful but can also be more impulsive and materialistic.

What is the enneagram type of your friends?