Enneagram Series: Type Six

The enneagram is a system that shows us the nine ways that the people in the world default to in life. It explains the “why” of all that we do, think, and feel. There are nine types based on our core motivations and fear so that we can grow as an individual in order to thrive in our life.The enneagram answers the questions:  WHO are you? WHY are you? and HOW and WHAT do you want to change?  Each week we will examine one of the types so if you missed any of the weeks, you can get caught up by clicking the link in my bio to read the whole blog series.

​​The Pros and Cons of Being Enneagram Type Six

Sixes are the loyal and committed type. They crave security in their relationships and everyday life. This craving for security fosters responsibility, reliability, anxiety, and suspicion. At their healthiest, sixes can make amazing friends as they are reliable, loyal, and trustworthy. They work hard to keep their life safe, secure, and comfortable. A six’s greatest fear is to be left alone with no support or safety net. They dream of feeling safe, secure, and supported in their life.

The Pros

Loyal

Sixes are known to be the “Loyalists” for a reason. They are fiercely loyal to the people they care about. They also build loyalty toward their beliefs and ideas. Sixes will stand by the people and things that they believe in, regardless of the possible consequences. They make amazing friends and employees as they will stand up for the things they truly care about.

Courageous

As I mentioned before, when a six believes in something, they will stand for it. Sixes stand up for what they believe in with great courage and bravery. They will not step down from a fight when it comes to defending the things and people they believe in.

Cooperative

Sixes are great at working with others. When a six is at their healthiest, they can be amazing teammates who can lead their pack to success. Sixes can be great at compromise and commitment. They will work with you to ensure that the relationship is as healthy and happy as possible.

Lovable

Sixes are great at developing and nurturing their relationships. Relationships are a top priority for sixes, so they work to ensure that they can make the people around them feel loved, happy, and healthy. A six’s tendency toward being caring and devoted in their relationship makes them truly lovable and enjoyable to be around.

Perceptive

Sixes are great at reading the world around them. When somebody does not have the best intentions for them, a six will typically have the intuition to pick up on the situation. Sixes work to maintain awareness of others’ attitudes toward them. This helps sixes ensure that the people they surround themselves with are truly loyal and supportive. 

The Cons

Suspicious

Sixes pride themselves on having an intuition about the people around them. They are constantly scrutinizing their relationships, observing the attitudes of their friends, family, and colleagues. This can begin to harm the six’s happiness, though. The more a six focuses on finding issues in their relationships, the less they will be able to focus on the blessings in their relationships.

Low Confidence

Sixes struggle to look within themselves for guidance. They would much rather depend on others to guide them in making decisions. This dependency on others can destroy a six’s self-confidence. The more a six depends on others to make their decisions, support them, or help them feel safe, the less they will be able to depend on themselves to feel this way independently.

Close-Minded

Six’s tendencies toward loyalty around their beliefs and ideas can make it difficult for them to be open-minded to new perspectives and ideas. While it is great to have strong beliefs in place, being close-minded to new perceptions can prevent six’s from developing new beliefs as they obtain new knowledge.

Pessimistic

Sixes can fall into pessimistic thinking patterns when things go wrong. This can cause them to lash out at their loved ones and fall into deeply low moods. Sixes can react to these pessimistic thoughts by pushing others away and falling into deep pits of despair.  

Doubt

Sixes can fall into doubtful patterns of thinking. They may begin to create issues that are not really present in their relationships. This can lead to sixes creating drama out of seemingly nothing, destroying the relationships they so deeply value. 

Tips For Growth as a Type Six

Develop Your Confidence

When you feel confident in yourself, your ability to get through anything, and your decision-making, your relationships become more secure and healthy. Sixes can have a tendency to place their self-worth in the way they are seen by others, which is what leads to doubt and suspicion within their relationships. Find ways to build confidence in the amazing person that you are. You can try to build your confidence by:- Positive Affirmations- Switching from Negative Thinking Patterns- Becoming More Self-Aware- Therapy 

Become Aware of Negative Thinking

Your pessimistic thinking can lead to greater issues than you would believe. Work to develop your self-awareness when it comes to your thinking patterns. If you catch yourself falling down a pessimistic rabbit hole, take a breath and try to view the situation from a more positive perception.

Develop a Deeper Understanding of Your Anxieties

We all feel anxious from time to time. Understanding the thoughts and situations that make you feel anxious about yourself or your relationships can help you begin to work through them. When you are feeling anxious, consider the situation.

Work on Your Trust

Sixes can struggle greatly with trusting others. Work on building more trusting relationships. Allow yourself to open up to somebody. You might face moments of broken trust and unloyalty. Understand that situations like that mean nothing about you or the other people in your life. If one person breaks your trust, it does not mean that everybody will.

Decide for Yourself

While our friends and family members can be great sources to turn to for advice, you must learn to make decisions on your own. Developing a dependency on the decisions of others will do nothing to build your confidence in yourself. Make a conscious effort to decide on a few things without consulting anybody else’s opinions first. You can make great decisions for yourself, too.When sixes are at their best, they can be amazing friends. They are reliable, trusting, loyal, and courageous. They will always stand for what they believe in and would leave none of their loved ones in the dust. Sixes must work on caring for their mental health and confidence in order to truly be the best that they can be. Want to learn more?  Working with me as a coach or as a therapist starts with finding out your Enneagram type and more information than you could ever want!   You can learn more about coaching services on my sister site: Strange name?  Yep.   Since I love all things Fiji, Tabu Soro means Never Give Up in Fijian.  Perfect name for those I partner with in coaching services!  Check it out…  

Whether as a coach, or a therapist, my goal is to partner with you to determine the best version of you.  Schedule a Complimentary Consultation Call today – on either site – we can figure out your journey path to get to where you want to be.    

I provide online therapy in Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania.  In addition, I am able to offer coaching services in all states, as well as internationally. I specialize in treating imposter syndrome, burnout, and anxiety using The Daring Way™ and offer online workshops to clients who want to overcome shame. Contact me today – for either avenue (virtual coaching or online therapy) and let’s be rockstars together!If you want to know more about me you can read about me as a therapist. Or, if you’re curious about my therapy practice then check out my FAQs, or read my mental health blog.   To learn more about coaching services check out more info at TABU SORO Coaching.Until then, take care of you and know that we are in this together –