Enneagram

Type 6 - The
Loyalist
Conflicted between trust and distrust

People of this personality type essentially

feel insecure, as though there is nothing quite steady enough to hold onto. At
the core of the type Six personality is a kind of fear or anxiety. This anxiety
has a very deep source and can manifest in a variety of different styles,
making Sixes somewhat difficult to describe and to type. What all Sixes have
in common however, is the fear rooted at the center of their personality,
which manifests in worrying, and restless imaginings of everything that might
go wrong. This tendency makes Sixes gifted at trouble shooting, but also robs
the Six of much needed peace of mind and tends to deprive the personality of
spontaneity. The essential anxiety at the core of the type Six fixation tends to
permeate the personality with a sort of "defensive suspiciousness." Sixes don't
trust easily; they are often ambivalent about others, until the person has
absolutely proven herself, at which point they are likely to respond with
steadfast loyalty. The loyalty of the Six is something of a two edged sword
however, as Sixes are sometimes prone to stand by a friend, partner, job or
cause even long after it is time to move on.

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Sixes are generally looking for something or someone to believe in. This,
combined with their general suspiciousness, gives rise to a complicated
relationship to authority. The side of the Six which is looking for something to
believe in, is often very susceptible to the temptation to turn authority over
to an external source, whether it be in the form of an individual or a creed.
But the Six's tendency towards distrust and suspicion works against any sort of
faith in authority. Thus, two opposite pulls exist side by side in the personality
of enneatype Six, and assume different proportions in different individuals,
sometimes alternating within the same individual.
The truly confounding element when it comes to typing Sixes is that there are
two fundamentally different strategies that Sixes adopt for dealing with fear.
Some Sixes are basically phobic. Phobic Sixes are generally compliant,
affiliative and cooperative. Other Sixes adopt the opposite strategy of dealing
with fear, and become counterphobic, essentially taking a defiant stand
against whatever they find threatening. This is the Six who takes on authority
or who adopts a dare devil attitude towards physical danger. Counterphobic
Sixes can be agressive and, rather than looking for authorities, can adopt a
rebellious or anti-authoritarian demeanor. Counterphobic Sixes are often
unaware of the fear that motivates their actions. In fact, Sixes in general,
tend to be blind to the extent of their own anxiety. Because it is the constant
back drop to all of their emotions, Sixes are frequently unaware of its
existence, as they have nothing with which to contrast it.
Because Sixes so frequently fail to appreciate the extent of their own fear,
they often mistype themselves. It is common for instance, for female Sixes to
mistype as Twos, especially if they are identified with a helper role, but Sixes
have a much more ambivalent attitude towards relationships than do Twos,
who generally know exactly what they want. Sixes, failing to recognize their
anxiety, can mistype as Nines, but Nines have the ability to relax and to trust
in others, neither of which come easily to Sixes. Sixes can mistype as Fours,
especially if they have artistic inclinations, but they lack the Four's selfabsorption. They can mistype as Fives, especially if they are intellectual, as
many Sixes are, but unlike Fives, Sixes tend to be practical. Finally,
conterphobic Sixes can easily mistype as Eights, but they lack the Eight's selfcertainty.

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TYPE SIX: THE TROOPER

Sixes need security and they look for that security in loyalty to someone or
something outside themselves. They want boundaries within which to
operate, rules to follow, an authority figure to whom they can give their
allegiance. The rules or structure reduce uncertainty, as does loyalty.
Because they are so dependent on the expectations of others, they live with
a greater amount of anxiety than other types. Sixes are sensitive to the
possibility of worst case outcomes and so tend to imagine the worst,
without realizing that they have not paid equal attention to imagining the
best.
Sixes need security and they look for that security in loyalty to someone or
something outside themselves. They want boundaries within which to
operate, rules to follow, an authority figure to whom they can give their
allegiance. The rules or structure reduce uncertainty, as does loyalty.
Because they are so dependent on the expectations of others, they live with
a greater amount of anxiety than other types. Sixes are sensitive to the
possibility of worst case outcomes and so tend to imagine the worst,
without realizing that they have not paid equal attention to imagining the
best.
Possible Origins. Sixes report that they were raised by authorities who
were untrustworthy. Lack of trust commonly centered on punishment or
humiliation by parents, particularly when the parents were unpredictable
and erratic in how they dealt with the child. Sixes learned to hesitate, to
check out danger signals, to figure out the authority's position, before they
made a move themselves. The common theme is that of a child who felt
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unprotected, without a safe place to go.

Flawed Sixes are uncomfortable with acting independently. They prefer
being told what to do; they are more comfortable as followers than as
leaders, even when obedience is not in their own (or their group's) best
interests. They expect obedience and loyalty not only from themselves but
also from others in the group of which they are part. They are excessively
cautious, especially in winning situations.
As managers, when faced with a tough decision, they slow down and let
details slide drastically. They defer to authority and likewise expect their
own subordinates to defer to them: "I had to do it, now you have to do it."
Cold, aloof Sixes will be seen as slave drivers: others will be seen as
paternalistic. They are not particularly trusting of other people's good
intentions and are always searching for the hidden motive.
Well-adapted Sixes are those who have come to know and respect their
own value. They have found a personal worth that comes from within
rather than from some outside authority figure. They retain the appealing
qualities that enable them to form close relationships and are now able to
express deep feelings in these relationships. They bring with them a
healthy version of their ability to take direction.
As managers they become independent-minded in relations upward, and
more tolerant of independent thinking and action on the part of their
subordinates. They learn to question the status quo and become more openminded toward new ideas or toward values that differ from their own. They
are highly productive and bring out similar behavior in their subordinates.
They make excellent leaders in the loyal opposition position.

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Occupations. Sixes can be tremendous assets in business because they are

extremely hard workers and because they are loyal and dependable Sixes
can perform well as executives because of their devotion to the
organization and strong sense of responsibility, but they may do best if they
operate within a framework As executives, they can make an excellent '2
person, even in the highest levels They may not, however, be effective as
the top person Hierarchical environments with clearly defined lines of
authority and clearly defined problem areas are attractive to Sixes.
Finding Oneself.
Sixes probably will agree with most of the following statements.
1. It's easy for me to identify with underdog causes.
2. Loyalty to a group is very important to me.
3. I often look for hidden meaning in other people's behavior.
4. I take a long time to make up my mind because I need to explore the
options fully.
5. Sometimes I get caught in "nonstop taking" talking and analysis
replace acting.
6. I like to be very sure where other people stand before acting.
7. I often tend to operate out of a sense of duty and responsibility.
8. I sometimes think that I run on a negative memory track.
9. I prefer to have things scheduled rather than open-ended.

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10.It bothers me that I may outdo my parents.

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The Questioner (the Six)

Questioners are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their
personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.
How to Get Along with Me

Be direct and clear.

Listen to me carefully.

Don't judge me for my anxiety.

Work things through with me.

Reassure me that everything is OK between us.

Laugh and make jokes with me.

Gently push me toward new experiences.

Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Six

being committed and faithful to family and friends

being responsible and hardworking

being compassionate toward others

having intellect and wit

being a nonconformist

confronting danger bravely

being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Six

the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind

procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself

fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of

exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger

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wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right

being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Sixes as Children Often

are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn

are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger

form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent

look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and

rebel

are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families,

and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Sixes as Parents

are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty

are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence

worry more than most that their children will get hurt

sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

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Dynamics of Type 6: Skeptic

World View: The world is a threatening place. I need to look to authority, but I
question it.
Basic Desire: to be secure
Basic Fear: of being abandoned

Healthy loop controlled by Basic Desire:

Need to be secure -> loyal -> security -> Need to be secure
In the healthy state, the need to be secure induces Type Sixes to be loyal to
others, especially the authority. This increases their security among others,
which satisfies their need and a balance is reached.

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In the average state, when Sixes' are not not being so loyal to others, they start
to feel insecure among others. This increases the need to be secure, which
helps Sixes to again seek out authority and become loyal to it, or become more
loyal to others around them. Thus the balancing loop can help Sixes to recover.
Unhealthy loop controlled by Basic Fear:
Fear of being abandoned -> distrust others -> security -> Fear of being
abandoned
In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being abandoned can cause Type Sixes
to become suspicious of others and start to distrust others. This reduces their
sense of security, which further increases Sixes' basic fear. The cycle continues
to build up.
Insight:
We can see from the diagram that a way to help break the control of the basic
fear is to weaken the unhealthy loop. Sixes can refrain from distrusting others,
and begin to be more loyal to others. This will make them feel more secure,
thus reduce their fear of being abandoned.

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Enneagram Type 6: The Loyal Skeptic

Lost essential quality: Faith in self, others and the universe.

Compensating belief: The world is dangerous, threatening. People cant be trusted. You
must seek or defy security, avoid or face danger.
Attention/coping strategy: Becoming vigilant, questioning or doubting. Scanning for
what can go wrong. Seeking certainty either by defying security and facing danger
(the counter-phobic style) or by seeking security and avoiding danger (the phobic
style).
Trap: Seeking certainty for which there is never enough proof.
Driving energy: Fear associated with all the possible dangers or hazards.
Avoidance: Becoming helpless and defenseless, avoided either by aligning with
authority (the phobic style) or by defying it (the counter-phobic style).
Strengths: Spotting hazards, heightened intuition, loyalty, thoughtfulness.
Paradox: Seeking too much certainty in an uncertain world creates more uncertainty
and anxiety.
Path of development:

Accept insecurity as part of life

Develop inner faith in self, others and the world

Recognize that both flight and fight are reactions to fear

Observe fear and calm it

Move ahead in spite of fear

Ultimate task: Reclaiming trust in yourself, others and the world, and living
comfortably with uncertainty.

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Type 6: The Loyal Skeptic

Fear
How did fear and anxiety come up? How did I get alarmed or apprehensive? What
did I avoid because it felt threatening or fearful (phobic direction)? What did I
challenge because it felt threatening or fearful (counterphobic direction)? How was
I over-cautious (phobic) or under-cautious (counterphobic)?
Basis: Sixes believe that the world is a dangerous place and you cant trust it.
Their attention naturally goes to what seems threatening.
Imagination
What situations did I magnify in my mind? What negative spin or worst-case
scenario thinking preoccupied me? What inferences and implications occurred to
me? What felt potentially threatening? What did I project from my mind onto
others?
Basis: Mistrust and fear naturally lead to worst-case thinking and amplification of
hazards.
Doubt/contrary thinking
How did I question and doubt in my internal dialogue? How was I a devils
advocate? How was I ambivalent about a course of action or a person?
Basis: Sixes coping strategy involves questioning, doubting and testing, which
only makes sense when you lose faith and fall into mistrust.

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The Basic Proposition

You lost sight of the fundamental principle that we all begin with faith in
ourselves, in others and in the universe, and came to believe instead that the
world is hazardous, unpredictable and untrustworthy. So you attempt to control
life and feel more certainty by gaining (or defying) security, and avoiding (or
facing) perceived harm through vigilance, questioning and battling (or escaping)
hazards. At the same time, you develop fear and doubt, or just incessant
questioning concerning potential threats to safety and security. Your attention
naturally goes to hazards and potential worst-case scenarios, and how to deal
with them.
The central issue for healing : The task for Loyal Skeptics is more obvious
and straightforward than for any other type. The child who experienced the world
as hazardous, unpredictable and threatening, and fell naturally into fear and
doubt, needs to regain faith and trust in oneself, in other people and in the
world. Faith is a big stretch for the Loyal Skeptic since faith comes before proof.
This means staying with situations that frighten you and cultivating the courage
to go into and through the fear. Notice and resist the impulse to move away from
fear (the phobics habit), or challenge fear (the counterphobics habit). Either
way, your path of development goes right through fear and doubt. Learn to trust
that you already know how to cope and that you dont need to keep proving
yourself.
Six healing and growth commitments for Type Sixes:

Reclaim faith in yourself, others and the universe

Work at distinguishing true impressions from projections

Relinquish the quest for certainty and control as a substitute for faith

Balance the tendency to put a negative spin on situations with more

positive outlooks

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Welcome fear and move ahead

Become your own authority

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