Motivated by a deep desire for support, guidance, and security, type 6 will go to great lengths to be prepared at all times — and loyal to the ones they love. Enneagram experts share insights on what makes the Loyalist tick, plus tips for finding more ease, trust, and recognition.
I often joke that my husband is nosy. He’s constantly grilling me with a “who, what, why, where, when” line of questioning over the most mundane things. He’s also the person who shows up hours early for a flight — and always has everything our family could possibly need on hand.
It was such a revelation for me to learn, while writing this very article, that my interrogating, overprepared, wonderful partner is a classic Enneagram type 6.
Type 6 is one of nine personality types that comprise the Enneagram framework. The Enneagram is a personality typing system that examines our deepest, most internal motivations (read: our biggest fears). According to Sarajane Case, author of The Enneagram Letters: A Poetic Exploration of Who You Thought You Had to Be and host of the Enneagram & Coffee podcast, the Enneagram types are defined by who you think you have to be — which is a notion based on your most prominent underlying fear. “For example,” Case shares with DailyOM, “do you have to be lovable? Do you have to be successful?” We unconsciously believe we have to operate in a certain way to ease our fears.
Another way 6s squelch their fear? By focusing their energy on being responsible and community-oriented.
In the case of type 6, it’s about a wish to be viewed as loyal and responsible. Cue my husband’s 101 questions, which I now understand don’t have to do with nosiness, but rather a desire to protect me in his own way.
Type 6: Your Defining Characteristics
You’re loyal … unless you’re not
Nicknamed the Loyalist, the 6 is motivated by a desire for support, guidance, or security — and the fear of losing that safety network — says Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober, MA, founder of Enneagram Ashton and author of The Enneagram Made Simple.
Adds Case, “I like to call type 6 ‘the Loyal Skeptic.’ They’re very loyal to their family or friends, but they ‘test’ new people, making sure that they’re trustworthy before offering support. They’re the most complicated of the types, in my opinion, usually a mix of internal contradictions.”
You’re ready for anything and everything
Type 6’s underlying fear of insecurity often manifests in being overly prepared — and the unnecessary worry that comes for the ride. “They can get caught up in worst-case-scenario thinking, focusing on what could go wrong,” explains Case. “They might be given the title of pessimist, but I’ve had 6s say to me, ‘It’s more that I want to guarantee that a good thing happens.’ Often that concern of being prepared is coming from a place of caregiving or self-preservation.”
You love the people in your life
Another way 6s squelch their fear? By focusing their energy on being responsible and community-oriented, says Whitmoyer-Ober. In fact, one of things I initially found attractive about my husband was his leadership role within his large, tight-knit group of friends.
You’re working on trusting yourself
Emotionally, the 6 can experience bouts of self-doubt, explains Case. “They might struggle to trust their inner authority, and they may allow other people to lead or guide them. However, they’re going to want that person to be someone they respect.”
Interested in learning more? Check out How to Communicate Like a Buddhist
Enneagram Type 6’s “Wings”: Type 5 and Type 7
Enneagram experts like Case believe we have access to what’s referred to as our “wings” — or the characteristics of our surrounding personality types. “The goal would be to balance those wings out, though we typically lean into one or the other,” she says.
The 6 has easiest access to types 5 and 7, Case adds. “Type 5 has the strongest boundaries, while 7 is the most risk-forward type.” Both of these inclinations can benefit the 6, who has a tendency to overgive — and overcontrol.
Navigating Relationships as a Type 6
When it comes to relationships, we all have certain pitfalls, and for the 6, there’s a proclivity to give their power away, Case shares. “It’s important to work on building your inner authority. Allow yourself to be an equal in your relationship, and not someone who has to either follow or resist.”
Another piece of advice from Case: Be cautious of being the devil’s advocate. “The 6s are so good at playing the other perspective because they’re internally always going back and forth. But in relationships, that perspective isn’t always needed [or appreciated].”
Last but not least, 6s can live more joyfully with others by leaning into their 7 wing. “I think 6s are some of the most fun people on the Enneagram,” Case says. “The 6 likes to gather people around and has this ability to let loose and have a really good time.”
Optimal Wellness Approaches for Enneagram Type 6
Type 6s benefit from doing things that make them feel safe and secure, such as mindfulness practices, Whitmoyer-Ober tells us.
Since they can have trust issues, Case encourages the 6 to go on what she calls “intuitive drives” (or walks). “Get in your car or walk to an intersection, and ask yourself, ‘Do I want to turn left or right?’ Give yourself a solid hour to let yourself go wherever your body wants.” This simple exercise helps build self-trust and connection to your intuition, strengthening your ability to feel safe in the unknown.
Case offers another beneficial practice for the 6: journaling. “Oftentimes, they’re afraid of this monster-in-the-closet scenario, that there’s a scary thing in there and they don’t really understand it, so they’re just going to avoid it. Instead, you can choose to open the proverbial closet, turn on the light, explore it, and write it out.” When you put your worst fears on paper, you’ll likely realize they’re not as scary as you might have thought.
Strengths and Needs in the Workplace
Not surprisingly, the 6 values safety and security in their careers, too, and are loyal, team-driven workers, according to Whitmoyer-Ober. “They typically work in fields that allow them to be detail-oriented, plan and prepare, and manage projects,” she explains. My husband’s an accountant, so that lands.
Case has found that 6s gravitate toward middle management. “They often want a stable, reliable position with a moderate amount of growth opportunity and not a lot of risk,” she says.
That said, 6s, in particular, require recognition at work. “Because they’re the most reliable, they might not get recognized for the amount of work they’re doing,” Case says. But they need to feel appreciated in order to feel secure in their job.
The 6 has a specific role in the office environment, notes Case. “They’re looking for what could go wrong. Their role isn’t in the brainstorming room — it’s in the implementation phase, and creating the systems and flow of work that will make things happen.”
Other Opportunities for Self-Development for Enneagram Type 6
The Enneagram can help bring awareness to the unconscious “character” we’ve been playing our entire lives, Case says. “The 6 thinks, ‘I have to be safe, secure, supported, and loyal.’ As they evolve into greater awareness of themselves and their behaviors, they start asking, ‘How can I choose a different path? Maybe I get to quit my job, maybe I get to say no to my mom, maybe I get to let someone else handle the logistics.’”
As this new (and sometimes uncomfortable) way of thinking and acting unfolds, it’s important for the 6 to have emotional support, such as a therapist, in place. “The 6 needs to develop healthy coping strategies to work through their anxiety or worry,” Whitmoyer-Ober points out.
When I first told my husband about the Enneagram and how easy it was for me to type him, he shrugged it off. But as I learned more and continued to share, my type 6 came around to the Enneagram, finding validation and gentle guidance.
