Enneagram Type 6: The Security Expert

Core motivation: fear

Coping strategies: avoidance, counterphobic defense, building support networks, projection

Fundamental needs: security, support from others

Other names: The Loyalist, The Investigator, The Trustee

Enneagram test

Enneagram Type Six is very proactive, constantly scanning the environment for potential dangers.

Many Enneagram types are anxious about something. Type Eight is anxious about being vulnerable. Type Seven is anxious about missing out on life experiences. Type Three is anxious about other people’s perception of them. Type Six, however, is anxious about the world in general.

For a Six, the world is a dangerous place, and they had better take steps to protect themselves before trouble ever strikes. By focusing on prevention, Sixes relieve their anxiety and fear. They do this in several ways:

• Turning to others for help: building their own support networks of family and friends and taking other people’s advice.
• Taking refuge in their own strength: this may sound like it contradicts the point above, but Type Six is a walking contradiction, so it is not very surprising.
• Avoiding danger: they avoid dangerous situations or work on minimizing their impact.
• Facing danger directly: they may intentionally put themselves in dangerous situations. Once again, Sixes are full of contradictions. By actively seeking out what they fear, Sixes hope to become desensitized. This is also known as the counterphobic approach.

Beatrice Chestnut, an Enneagram expert and psychotherapist, believes that Sixes use psychological projection as their defense mechanism. Projection is a way to reduce anxiety by attributing one’s own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses to someone or something else.

In this case, Sixes may attribute fears and insecurities that originate inside themselves to the outside world. By doing this, Sixes distance themselves from these fears. After all, if the source of your fear is something or someone outside yourself, you can distance yourself from it. That way, you feel better inside, and the problem seems much more manageable.

Because Sixes constantly think about what might go wrong and prepare for potentially dangerous situations, they become great problem-solvers. Not only can they identify a problem, but they can also put a strategy in place.

This quality makes Sixes very valuable to others. Sixes know how to stay safe, and they can help others do the same. Although it may seem like they stress about “problems” much more than other people, Sixes often face less conflict, drama, and stress precisely because they are so prevention-focused.

Their habit of constantly looking for potential problems can make some Sixes appear negative or even paranoid. In many cases, this may affect their personal relationships as well. Many Sixes tend to doubt other people’s intentions. Sixes do not trust others by default; their trust has to be earned.

Sixes tend to second-guess and worry about almost everything. Not only do they doubt other people, but they also doubt themselves. What do they actually believe? What do they feel? What should they do? More often than not, Sixes cannot answer these questions with certainty.

Making decisions is not easy for a Six, and the longer they stay stuck in indecision, the more anxious they become. Some Sixes allow others to guide them, while others make a decision quickly and deal with the consequences later. This is the counterphobic attitude.

These may seem like two very different approaches — and they are — but the common theme is fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. Sixes with a counterphobic attitude may seem bold and decisive, but in reality, they are just as worried and doubtful as the more openly indecisive subtype.

Enneagram Type Six is probably the hardest type to identify. Because the Six is a walking contradiction, people with this personality type can appear very different from one another. Their behavior can range from timid and reserved to bold, outspoken, and even confrontational.

No matter how they cope, if they are mainly motivated by fear and the desire for security, they are Sixes. If their natural reaction to anything is to think about what could go wrong, they are Sixes.

The negative characteristics of Sixes are most visible in unhealthy Sixes. Healthy Sixes, however, have a lot going for them.

• Reliable. If Sixes make a promise, they will not let you down.
• Hardworking. No matter how tired they are, if there is unfinished work, they will not stop until everything is done.
• Helpful. Sixes sincerely care about other people and are willing to help when needed.
• Humble. Sixes do not like too much attention and do not seek recognition for their achievements or for what they do for others.
• Loyal. Once they make up their minds, Sixes are very loyal to the people and organizations they choose to trust. Friends, family, and co-workers can count on Sixes to be there for them.
• Organized. Great organizational skills require careful planning, punctuality, attention to detail, the ability to see the big picture, wise prioritization, prevention, and troubleshooting. Sixes are great at all of these things.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy

When Sixes are healthy, they are able to trust themselves and others. Healthy Sixes make great leaders and community builders who can lead others while also paying attention to their needs.

As Sixes become unhealthy, they begin to anticipate more and more problems. They become overly cautious and may develop a tendency to procrastinate.

At their lowest, Sixes become very dependent and fearful. They may blame others for their problems and imagine that completely innocent people are out to get them.

Wings

In the Enneagram model, there are no pure personality types, and each Six is affected by the two types next to it on the Enneagram wheel.

Each Six is affected by Type Five and Type Seven. This adds extra flavor to Type Six and forms two distinct wing types: the Six with a Seven-Wing (6w7) and the Six with a Five-Wing (6w5).

MBTI for Enneagram Type Six

Sixes are likely to test as ISTJs or ISFJs on the 16 personalities test.

They are also likely to belong to the Melancholic personality type according to the four temperaments model.

Famous Sixes

• Bruce Springsteen
• Patrick Swayze
• Princess Diana
• Marilyn Monroe

Enneagram Test Type Six: 100 Signs You Are a Six