People with an Enneagram type Six 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.
What is Enneagram Type 8
(The Protector)?
People with an Enneagram type Eight personality tend to be self-confident, powerful, and assertive in their behavior. They love engaging in debates and are skilled at making difficult decisions. They are fiercely independent and hate being reliant on others.
Communication
How can Sixes and Eights communicate effectively with each other?
Enneagram Sixes are driven by the need to feel safe and secure in their everyday lives, while Eights are motivated by their desire to remain in control of their own lives.
Sixes should be clear and direct when addressing Eights.
Eights should communicate logically with Sixes.
Resolving Conflict
How can Sixes and Eights resolve conflict?
Sixes should be open and honest with Eights; they need to share any issues directly with Eights, while avoiding any passive aggressive behavior. Eights should patiently listen to Sixes and calmly offer their own perspective. Sixes and Eights should work together toward a mutual compromise.
Building Trust
How can Sixes and Eights build trust?
Sixes are likely to trust Eights who are patient and loyal. Eights should show consistency and reliability in their relationships with Sixes by honoring set commitments and offering constant support.
Eights tend to trust Sixes who share their honest viewpoints. Sixes should also listen to and support Eights’ expressions of thoughts, ideas, and opinions.
Sixes tend to be trustworthy, hard-working, and warm, while Eights are generally outspoken, courageous, and direct.
Sixes bring practical decision-making to a workplace. Sixes can help Eights consider other viewpoints.
Eights offer fair, balanced thinking to a work environment; they can help Sixes feel more confident in their own abilities.
Dealing with Change
How can Sixes and Eights deal with change?
Because they prefer consistency and predictability, Sixes are likely to be disrupted by unexpected change. However, they are likely to adjust after taking time to assess and process the situation.
Eights tend to only be upset by change if it limits their personal autonomy.
Managing Stress
Sixes and Eights need to seek to understand what brings stress to the other type and should try to avoid causing it when possible.
Sixes are easily stressed 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
Eights are easily stressed by...
Being controlled by or subordinate to others
Feeling unimportant or insignificant
Others’ dishonesty or misdirected blame
Feeling out of control or helpless
Sixes should avoid being passive aggressive around Eights; they should, instead, directly communicate their thoughts.
Eights should avoid being overly critical of Sixes by including compliments and appreciation alongside constructive criticism.
Encouraging and Motivating
Sixes and Eights can encourage and motivate each other in their personal and professional lives.
Sixes are motivated by...
Consistent and trustworthy relationships
Time spent with people they love
Offering help and assistance to others
Advocating for personal beliefs and values
Eights are motivated by...
Taking charge and leading others
Feeling free, understood, and respected
Making decisions that help other people
Logical and practical ideas and solutions
Sixes can motivate Eights by engaging in occasional discussion or debate about a subject of interest.
Eights can encourage Sixes by spending time with them.
Enneagram Test
Complete the Enneagram test below to find your Enneagram type.
