Enneagram Type 6

The Loyalist

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What is an Enneagram Type 6 (The Loyalist)?
People with an Enneagram Type 6 personality tend to be engaging, hard-working, and responsible in their behavior. They want to feel safe and tend to be concerned with outside threats. They are very loyal and want to build close relationships with others.

Enneagram 6 Personality Traits

Basic Desire

The most basic desire of the Enneagram Type 6 is to feel secure, which they are likely to seek through loyalty to others. They work hard to build strong, stable relationships. Sixes want to feel that they can truly trust others to support them.

Though people who identify as a Type 6 value such strong loyalty, they may have difficulty trusting others and defend themselves by projecting their own feelings, positive or negative.

Basic Fear

The basic fear of the Type 6 is losing their personal support and stability. They usually crave predictable, safe environments. Sixes tend to have an “expect the worst, hope for the best,” mentality. They may express this fear by overthinking decision-making.

In summary, Enneagram 6 personalities tend to...

  • Seek security and stability from others
  • Fear losing their support systems
  • Work hard and act responsibly
  • Project their feelings in hard times
  • Value loyalty and trust in relationships

Enneagram 6 Strengths

Every personality archetype has strengths and blind spots, and these are often amplified in professional settings where we often encounter a diverse group of people with vastly different backgrounds and value systems.

Enneagram 6 Strengths

Strengths that are typically associated with the Enneagram 6 personality include...

  • Making responsible and practical choices
  • Honoring commitments to people and plans
  • Protecting and caring for others
  • Recognizing and thinking about other perspectives
  • Ability to consider both logic and emotion

Enneagram 6 Weaknesses

Enneagram 6 Weaknessess

Weaknesses that are typically associated with the Enneagram 6 personality include...

  • Difficulty controlling anxious thoughts
  • Tendency to expect the worst outcome or be pessimistic
  • Fearing important or major life decisions
  • High levels of self-doubt and insecurity

Enneagram 6 Growth

Enneagram 6 Growth

Growth opportunities that are typically associated with the Enneagram 6 personality include...

  • Understanding the limits of their control
  • Avoiding magnifying or dramatizing problems
  • Developing a confidence in themselves and their abilities
  • Focusing on what has gone well, rather than anticipating failure

How Enneagram 6 personalities like to work

Enneagram 6 Working

Communicating with an Enneagram 6

Help them to feel safe and comfortable sharing by listening and offering support.
Enneagram 6 Meeting

Meeting with an Enneagram 6

Abide by a scheduled meeting time and be supportive and encouraging.
Enneagram 6 Emailing

Emailing an Enneagram 6

Explain the purpose directly and practically, avoiding small-talk.
Enneagram 6 Feedback

Giving feedback to an Enneagram 6

Keep feedback on the gentler side; express encouragements and constructive criticism.
Enneagram 6 Conflict

Resolving conflict with an Enneagram 6

Calmly and logically address the situation and your own point-of-view; help sixes to feel safe and secure when expressing themselves.

Enneagram 6 Motivations

When people experience pain, stress, or dissatisfaction, it can usually be attributed to energy-draining activities. Therefore, it’s important to know what kinds of activities energize each personality type and which activities drain them.

Enneagram 6 Motivations

Enneagram 6s tend to be motivated and energized by...

  • Consistent and trustworthy relationships
  • Offering help and assistance to others
  • Advocating for personal beliefs and values
  • Time spent with people they love

Enneagram 6 Stress

Enneagram 6 Stress

Enneagram 6s tend to be stressed and drained by...

  • Unreliable people and relationships
  • Negativity in their work or personal environment
  • Feeling as though they aren’t needed
  • Failing or making the wrong decision

Enneagram 6 Careers

Type Sixes tend to thrive in environments that value their abilities and offer them security. They enjoy stable work that allows them to build solid relationships and make safe, well-thought-out decisions.

Enneagram 6 Energized at Work

Enneagram 6s feel energized at work when...

  • They are safe and supported
  • Their boss trusts and appreciates their input
  • Their peers take the time to connect with them personally
  • Their direct reports appreciate their suggestions
Enneagram 6 Drained at Work

Enneagram 6s feel drained at work when...

  • They feel like the work environment is inconsistent or unstable 
  • Their boss criticizes their suggestions
  • Their peers are unpredictable or emotionally overwhelming
  • Their direct reports are unreliable or lazy

Sixes are pragmatic and trustworthy. They are hardworking, dedicating themselves to a cause until the very end.

Enneagram 6 Common Jobs

Common jobs for people with Enneagram 6 personality types

  • Paralegal
  • Banker
  • Professor
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Police Officer
  • Nurse
  • Caregiver

Enneagram 6 Relationships (Professional)

When type Sixes work alongside people who are more optimistic and idealistic, they can be supportive, practical colleagues. If they work with another Six, they will likely need to consciously consider the positive and avoid becoming too worried about the risks when making decisions.

Enneagram 6 Work Well With

Enneagram 6s tend to work well with others who...

  • Are stable and predictable
  • Share appreciation for their hard work
  • Avoid being overly emotional when making decisions
Enneagram 6 Obstacles

Enneagram 6s may hit obstacles in professional relationships when they...

  • Focus too intensely on the negative aspects of a situation
  • React strongly when someone makes the wrong decision
  • Feel unimportant or unnecessary to coworkers

Enneagram 6 Relationships (Romantic)

Type Sixes can be practical, loyal partners, especially when with someone who more free-spirited and idealistic. When in a relationship with another Six, they avoid overwhelming or stressing one other by focusing on the positive aspects of an issue.

Enneagram 6 Romantic Strengths

In a romantic relationship, Enneagram 6s bring strengths like...

  • Making balanced, thoughtful decisions
  • Dedication to working through difficult issues
  • Unwavering loyalty to their partner
Enneagram 6 Reomantic Troubles

In romantic relationships, Enneagram 6s may have trouble...

  • Remaining calm in tense discussions
  • Facing difficult, important decisions
  • Letting go of unhealthy relationships

Famous Examples of Enneagram 6s

Enneagram 6 Example Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck

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ENFJ I 6
Enneagram 6 Example David Sedaris
David Sedaris

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ENTP Id 6
Enneagram 6 Example Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks

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ENTP Id 6
Enneagram 6 Example Joe Biden
Joe Biden

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ESFJ Si 6
Enneagram 6 Example Ellen Degeneres
Ellen Degeneres

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ESFJ SI 6
Enneagram 6 Example Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron

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ESFJ SI 6
Enneagram 6 Example Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales

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ESFP Is 6
Enneagram 6 Example David Letterman
David Letterman

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ESTP DI 6
Enneagram 6 Example Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson

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ESTP Id 6
Enneagram 6 Example J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien

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INFP Sc 6

Enneagram 6 Wings

Click a link below to explore the wings for Enneagram 6

6w5

6

6w7


Enneagram 6 Slide Show

Click through the slides below to learn more about Enneagram 6s:


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Related Personality Types

Below are the DISC and 16-Personality types that are similar to Enneagram Type 6. 

DISC Type Sc, CS, or CS

16-Personality Type ESTJ, ISTJ, ISFJ, or ESFJ

You can find your DISC, Enneagram, and 16-Personality types by taking Crystal's free personality test.


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