If you have ever read anything about Enneagram Type Six, you know that Sixes are walking contradictions. First, there are two subtypes: the phobic Six and the counterphobic Six.
Both are overly concerned with their safety, but they deal with this concern in very different ways. The phobic Six avoids danger, while the counterphobic Six challenges fear by putting themselves in uncomfortable situations.
Then there is the dependent, or reliant, Six and the self-reliant Six. A dependent Six wants someone else to decide for them and keep them safe. A self-reliant Six, however, does not believe it is safe to trust others with decisions about their security and well-being, at least most of the time. Because of this, they want to make their own decisions.
To make things even more complicated, a Six may switch between these two opposite approaches depending on the situation. However, the theme of being preoccupied with security, watching out for potential problems, and troubleshooting them is present in all cases.
Because of the ambivalent nature of this type, building an Enneagram Type Six test is difficult, as some statements may seem to contradict each other. No Type Six will check every box below, but if you score anywhere above 70 percent, you are likely a Six or have a very strong Six-Wing, which may mean you are a 7w6 or a 5w6. You can refer to the Type Six profile for more information.
I scan my environment for danger.
Uncertainty makes me very uncomfortable.
I hate to admit it, but I need constant reassurance in my personal relationships.
I’m definitely a very responsible person.
Making changes in my life feels difficult and uncomfortable.
I’m watchful and suspicious by nature.
I wish there were someone I could lean on.
Sometimes I feel like a coward and a hero at the same time.
I’m a little anxious even when everything is fine.
I’m concerned about money because money helps me feel secure.
Others can definitely rely on me.
Even some of the closest people in my life might one day turn against me.
At times, I get stuck overanalyzing things.
I always remember that people can be two-faced.
I keep my promises.
I need a stable and secure job; being an entrepreneur isn’t my cup of tea.
I use my good looks to influence others; being able to do that helps me feel less anxious.
I’ve probably missed many opportunities in life just because I wasn’t sure how things would work out.
I always think of worst-case scenarios.
I feel the fear and do it anyway.
I’m friendly.
I’m very protective.
I tend to choose the same things over and over again because I know they worked well for me in the past.
I don’t want to get into trouble with authority.
When planning a trip, I consider different scenarios, including what to do if our money gets stolen, if we lose our documents, or if we miss the plane.
I’m a future-oriented person.
Being friendly is my way of disarming potential enemies.
You will be very safe with me.
I often wonder whether something was said just to be polite.
I don’t trust easily.
I must admit I have passive-aggressive tendencies.
I’m very helpful.
I make up problems in my mind and then solve them before they even become real.
I’m either extremely confident or extremely insecure.
I always stay alert because the world is a dangerous place.
I force myself to face the things I fear.
I always make sure the bills are paid.
My way of dealing with danger is to understand the threat and its possible impact on my life, then prepare for it as much as possible.
Sometimes I act boldly or even aggressively just to show everyone that I’m not afraid and can’t be pushed around, even when the reality is different.
I’m a people-pleaser.
I often have mixed feelings and contradictory impulses. For example, I can be very calm and obedient for a while, and then suddenly decide to become more aggressive and rebellious. I switch back and forth between these states.
Gathering information helps me keep myself safe.
I own safety gear, just in case.
I feel inferior to others.
I look at the negative possibilities before allowing myself to consider the positive ones.
I can’t rest until all my tasks are done.
My constant “what ifs” are tiring.
I build alliances.
I take safety standards very seriously.
I’m not one of those people who don’t care what others think of them.
I try to guess or predict other people’s feelings and thoughts about me.
I like stability.
I always worry about my car getting stolen.
Despite my obsession with security, I could put myself in a dangerous situation to save someone, whether a person or an animal.
I make sarcastic comments.
Following rules gives me a sense of clarity, stability, and safety.
As a child, I was taught that it was not okay to show my fear, so I learned to hide it and challenge it by putting myself in uncomfortable situations.
As a child, I was taught that I shouldn’t be too strong and independent, so I learned to rely mostly on others, seek their support and advice, and avoid anything dangerous.
I love to plan everything in detail.
I put real effort into building and maintaining friendships.
I want my partner to make me feel secure and protected.
I’m somewhat indecisive.
I like things to be clear and precise.
Imagining the worst helps me prepare for it and possibly prevent it in advance.
Sometimes I force myself to make fast decisions just to stop ruminating about my options and possible outcomes.
I often second-guess my decisions.
I’m a fantastic researcher.
Sometimes I feel embarrassed by too much attention.
I get anxious at times.
I question the real motives behind other people’s actions.
I have a good sense of humor.
To do my job properly, I need clear guidelines.
I’m a loyal person.
When trying to support a friend in distress, I look for practical ways to solve their problem rather than just listen to them vent for hours.
I have an organized mind.
I need to know where I stand.
I tend to overcompensate for my flaws by putting a lot of effort into everything I do for others.
I’m a hard worker.
I’m prepared for all kinds of disasters.
I look for potential problems before it’s too late.
I prepare for the future.
I’m somewhere between an introvert and an extrovert.
Sometimes I fear getting too attached to someone or something because it would make me very vulnerable.
I tend to overcommit myself.
I’m probably more of a pessimist than an optimist.
I’m very sensitive to criticism.
I often feel strong emotions, but I do my best to hide them.
I’m never completely at ease.
I’m a good strategist.
Focusing on worst-case scenarios keeps me from taking action.
I tend to overprepare for everything.
I rely on myself because I can’t rely on other people in my life.
I often feel that other people are judging me, which makes me uncomfortable.
I’m a realist.
To keep enemies away, I want to appear strong, perhaps even a little intimidating.
I often blame others for making me feel bad.
I ask the hard questions.
I listen to what people say and try to understand what they really mean.
I support others and hope that one day they will support me.
Sometimes I’m relieved to hear bad news because I can deal with some problems better than I can deal with uncertainty.
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