Enneagram Type 6

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Enneagram 6 Nickname: “The Skeptic” or  “The Devil’s Advocate” (also called “The Guardian”, The Troubleshooter”, “The Traditionalist”, “The Loyalist”)

Type 6s are always looking for guidance and support. They don’t trust themselves to make good decisions and either look to others or do tons of research before moving forward. They are cautious folks full of doubts, anxiety and a tendency to catastrophize.  The attention of a 6 is on safety, which makes them good protectors. 6s are always scanning the horizon for danger and have a tendency towards being suspicious of the world. Type 6 people are team players, and are incredibly loyal. While fear and phobias are classic type 6 attributes, some 6s can display counter phobic tendencies. This means that some 6s react to their fear with apparent fearlessness but its because they are overcompensating for how afraid they really are.

Enneagram 6 Strengths

• Analytical
• Protective
• Seek structure
• Engaging
• Responsible
• Great researcher
• Likes to be prepared
• Intuitive
• Committed
• Reliable
• Cooperative
• Group oriented
• Loyal
• Perceptive

Enneagram 6 Challenges or Weaknesses

• Self-Doubting
• Tendency to catastrophize
• Not self reliant
• Doubting
• Ambivalent
• Blaming
• Authoritarian
• Defensive
• Panicky
• Anxious
• Suspicious
• Paranoid

Enneagram 6 Careers

• Business Owner
• Soldier
• Teacher
• Scientist
• Analyst
• Engineer (good problem solver)
• Bodyguard
• Social worker
• Child care worker
• Health and safety inspector
• Public notary
• Loan officer
• Paralegal
• Banker
• Actuarial scientist/insurance underwriter
• Forecaster (financial, political)
• Tactician
• Security
• Psychic
• Police

Basic fear: Of being having no support or guidance, and being unable to survive alone.
Basic desire: To find security and support.

Type 6 with a 5 wing is called “The Defender”
Type 6 with a 7 wing is called “The Buddy”

When 6s evolve they take on characteristics of type 9
When 6s are under stress they take on characteristics of type 3

Vice: Fear

Unconscious childhood message: It is not ok to trust yourself.
Lost childhood message: You are safe.

Famous & Fictional Enneagram 6s

Woody Allen is an example of an type 6 because of his trademark qualities of anxiety and paranoia.  Allen is also an INFJ, which is also known as “The Change Agent”.

Adolf Hitler (an example of a counter phobic 6)
Alexander Haig
Alan Arkin
Albert Brooks
Andy Rooney
Anthony Perkins
Archie Bunker
Ben Stiller
Billy Graham
Bob Dole
Bob Newhart
Brian Wilson
Bruce Springsteen
Candice Bergen
Carly Simon
Charles Manson
Che Guevara
Chris Rock
Chuck Norris
Cowardly Lion (Wizard of Oz)
David Letterman
Diane Keaton
Dustin Hoffman
Ed Harris
Ellen Barkin
Ellen DeGeneres
Gene Hackman
George H. W. Bush
Gilda Radner
Hugh Grant
Ian Hart
J. Edgar Hoover
Jack Lemmon
Jane Fonda
Jay Leno
Jessica Lange
John Cusack
John Hinckley, Jr.
John Turturro
Johnny Carson
Jon Stewart
Joseph McCarthy
Judi Dench
Julia Roberts
Kristin Scott-Thomas
Malcolm X
Marilyn Monroe
Meg Ryan
Meir Kahane
Mel Gibson
Michael Moore
Michelle Pfeiffer
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Neil Young
Oliver North
Patrick Swayze
Paul Newman
Phil Donahue
Princess Diana
Reggie Jackson
Rene Russo
Richard Nixon
Robert Blake
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Redford
Robin Wright Penn
Rock Hudson
Rosie Perez
Rush Limbaugh
Sally Field
Seymour Hersh
Steven Seagal
Sydney Pollack
Ted Kennedy
Teri Garr
Tom Clancy
Tom Hanks
Tom Selleck
Tommy Lee Jones
Walter Mondale
Woody Allen

If you like Personality Types, you can also check out the Myers Briggs Personality Types at these two links:

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