Enneagram Type 6: The Loyalist | My Own Terms (2024)

Enneagram

Enneagram sixes tend to be very responsible and diligent. The enneagram 6 wants to create safety and avoid perceived dangers.

Type sixes crave meaningful and strong relationships with others. They’re extremely loyal to those lucky enough to be in their inner circle.

The enneagram 6 has a basic fear of losing their support system and stability. While healthy sixes value relationships and maintain them with loyalty, unhealthy sixes use them as a protective shield.

Sixes like to feel safe, so they prefer predictability to new experiences or environments.

The enneagram 6 is usually a firm believer in Murphy’s Law, “what can go wrong, will go wrong” (at least so they think). They’re over thinkers and fear they’ll make the wrong decision because they’re always anticipating problems.

An enneagram 6 has a basic desire to feel safe. They try to achieve this desire by being loyal to those around them. Their rationality is that if they are loyal, they will have people who reciprocate that loyalty back to them.

Ironically, even though a type six values loyalty they struggle to trust others. They deflect by projecting their own feelings onto others.

Each Enneagram will have different motivators, since they are all driven by different value systems. Enneagram 6 personality types are motivated by security and loyalty.

Here Are Some Examples:

• Relationships that are long-term and can be trusted.
• Helping others out when in need.
• Sticking up for their personal values.
• Spending quality time with loved ones.

Every Enneagram responds to stress differently and will have different triggers.

An Enneagram 6 will be stressed by:

• People who are untrustworthy or unpredictable.
• Negativity.
• Feeling like they are not wanted.
• Making the wrong decision.

An enneagram type 6 will be happiest in a work environment that makes them feel secure and appreciated. Type sixes like jobs that are stable, even potentially routine in nature.

They will thrive in a space that allows them to build relationships and doesn’t require them to make any impulsive decisions.

Energizers For An Enneagram 6 In The Workplace:

• Security and supportiveness.
• Having a boss that trusts them.
• Peers that want to connect with them on a personal level.
• Having direct reports that value their ideas.

Things That Drain An Enneagram 6 In The Workplace:

• Inconsistency or instability.
• Authority figures that criticizes their ideas.
• Peers who are unpredictable or are emotionally unstable.
• Having direct reports that are lazy.

The enneagram type 6 is a trustworthy hard worker. If they’re in an environment that supports their needs, they will be extremely loyal to the company’s cause.

Jobs That Best Suit An Enneagram 6

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

When enneagram type sixes work with individuals who have realistic and positive mindsets, they’ll be loyal and supportive.

If the enneagram 6 works with another 6 type, they have to make sure they do not feed off of each other’s anxieties. This is especially important when making decisions.

An Enneagram 6 Will Work Best With People Who:

• Are predictable.
• Appreciate their efforts.
• Are not over thinkers when it comes to decision making.

An Enneagram 6 Might Clash With Coworkers When They:

• They are constantly looking at the negative side of things.
• Lash out at those who make the wrong decision.
• Do not feel important.

In healthy relationships, an enneagram 6 will be loyal and supportive until the end. They’ll do best with a partner who is positive, realistic, and doesn’t send mixed signals.

If these enneagram types date a fellow 6, they need to make a conscious effort not to dwell on the negatives.

In A Romantic Relationship, An Enneagram 6 Brings These Strengths To The Table:

• Good decision making skills.
• Will stick by their partner’s side through difficult issues.
• Unbreakable loyalty.

In A Romantic Relationship, An Enneagram 6 May Have Difficulty:

• Being calm under stress.
• Making big decisions.
• Stepping away from toxic relationships.

Enneagram sixes are loyal, even to a fault at times. They use their ability to develop loyal bonds to feel safe because their basic fear is to have no security.

In order to avoid becoming overly dependent on those around them, sixes should make time for self discovery and personal growth.

Sixes feel most stressed when it feels like everything falling apart around them. They crave stability and if their safety net begins to fall apart they will panic. They are not the most optimistic personality type, so they often will expect the worst and worry about making the wrong choices.

If you want to work well with a type six, be considerate of their need to feel secure (both in their job and with you). Once a 6 feels safe, they’ll be willing to open up and share their ideas with you. A happy six is someone you’ll want on your businesses’ side. Once you gain their loyalty, they’ll be there for you and the business through thick and thin.

In relationships, both personal and romantic, enneagram sixes do well with partners who are loyal and positive. Being able to have that feeling of security and trust makes a 6 feel like their loyalty is being reciprocated. Having a positive attitude will go a long way in balancing out some of the 6’s irrational fears and anxieties.