Enneagram Personality Type 6

September 22, 2014
Day 145

A LOT of people are Sixes. 

That doesn't mean you're one of them, but it does seem like we all know them quite well, sometimes better than they know themselves. 

The wordplay here is important.  Sixes say "us" and "them" a lot, and they think in terms of us and them quite frequently too.  Sixes are fear-based types, but they're also fiercely loyal people, loyal to friends, family, their country, their religion, and lots of other associations.  And as fear-based as they can be, they can likewise be dramatically courageous when the situation calls for it.

The Enneagram Six is known as the loyalist.  A Six is the type of man or woman who enjoys being a follower, not in some kind of subservient manner, but because they genuinely enjoy being one of the troops.  They relish being at the service of others as a working bee, and not the queen.

Of the Sixes I've known and know, almost all are easily identifiable.  When they're at their best, they're relaxed and easy going, working hard but not stressing about the work, or really anything.  When they're stressed though, they get a little sillier.  They jump into the spotlight more often, or otherwise out-stage others, possibly for fear of being trampled themselves.

In the Winnie The Pooh stories, Piglet is a 6.  He's sweet and lovable, but needs Pooh's leadership and advice.  He often feels as small as he is, and when he gets really stressed out, he becomes an absolute bundle of nerves. 

Famous Enneagram Sixes include Larry David, Meg Ryan, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Selleck, Penny Marshall, Julia Roberts, Mel Gibson, Woody Allen, Rosie Perez, and Albert Brooks.

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