What do you mean by “observable patterns”?
One of the difficulties of the Enneagram is that it focuses on internal motivations rather than external behaviors. Additionally, determining one’s type does require a certain level of self-knowledge. For instance, do you go around thinking, “Hmm…what I really fear here is that I’m unworthy of being loved,” or “I suppose that I’m just falling prey to the deadly sin of avarice here”? As a result, it can be hard to tell what another person’s Enneagram type might be, and it might even be tough to tell what your own type is (I’ve personally spent time bouncing back-and-forth among types). So, in order to combat this problem, I’ve put together some short profiles of what might be more observable about each type from the outside looking in and/or what each of us might actually say our surface motivations and defense mechanisms are. I’ve designed these patterns, so that you can watch your behavior for these signs to try and verify what type you are from the outside-working-in. Now, you may not need this progression. Many people can go from the inside-working-out, but I can’t. If you are like me, then I hope this helps you.
Also, if you read through the patterns of a type and say to yourself, “Well, yeah, but isn’t everyone like that?” You may have just found your type.
[If you want to investigate the full traditional descriptions, the best place to go is the Enneagram Institute here: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions]
Type Six
How do you pay attention? – The Six style of attention can best be termed as “vigilance.” In any situation, a Six pays attention to how things could go wrong, anticipating the worst-case-scenario. As part of this attention style, Sixes also excel at trouble shooting, covering the bases, and finding the exits. As a Six, you are great in a crisis, even if you might have a little difficulty relaxing once the danger is past.
Note: There are actually two recognized kinds of Sixes – the phobic and the counter-phobic. While all Sixes pay attention in the way described above, what they do with that vigilance can differ markedly. Think about this difference in terms of the fight-or-flight response. Phobic Sixes approach danger, well, by not approaching it. That doesn’t necessarily mean running in the other direction, but a phobic Six tries to circumvent danger by preparation and planning. Also, if you are a phobic Six, you might find that you have a natural reaction in new situations to be overly friendly. Now, counter-phobic Sixes are every bit as vigilant as phobic Sixes, but they are the “face your fear” group. If you are a counter-phobic Six, then you don’t back down from danger. You take a deep breath, still probably feel a touch of anxiety, and you charge forward. After all, the best defense is a good offense.
What do you know intuitively? (i.e., the “superpower” that others notice) – As a Six, you have an intuitive knowledge of the intentions of others. Remember, this series is about how you can tell type from the outside-in. You may not think you are great at telling others intentions, but you are constantly vigilant about what others may intend. That practice pays off. All of that attention spent on intentions helps you to get very good at guessing over time, and others will be amazed at how accurate these guesses of yours are.
Defense Mechanisms:
Projection – All of that time spent on vigilance has an unfortunate downside. It is easy to slip into projecting your own intentions and fears onto others. While every type uses projection to an extent, as a Six, this is where you make your home. If you think dangers are surrounding you from all sides, then chances are that is a feeling rising up from within much more than what is coming from everyone else.
Secondary Motivations:
If you have a high degree of self-knowledge, then you might see how your motivations spring from a core desire to be safe and secure (I’m only good if I do what is expected of me [which maintains my network of support].) but – for the rest of us – you might see these motivations instead…
On a good day – I want to be liked. I want to have the approval of an authority that I respect. I want to see everyone win. We’re all on the same team!
On a bad day – I want to test the attitudes of others toward me [phobic]. I want to assert myself to overcome my fears [counter-phobic].
Warning signs – You may be getting unhealthy when you begin to act in certain ways just to gain reassurance or ingratiate yourself to whomever you see as an authority. You are getting very unhealthy when you start planning ways to ensure that your authority figure will come to your aid.
Recurring Temptation:
Each type has a recurring temptation (remember, these are the seven deadly sins, just under a different name) that starts the “snowball” rolling down the hill to being unhealthy. As a Six, the lie that seems so, so, SO “true” is that you can’t act on your own. It is true that “no man is an island,” but that is not a truth you need to be taught. If you find yourself starting to become dependent and “clingy” on others, then beware!
Reminder:
Just like the seven deadly sins, we all have the energies of all of the Enneagram types. Even if you identified a lot with what is written above, stay tuned for the other types. You might just identify with another type more closely.
Credit:
These observations chiefly come from The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life by Helen Palmer and Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types by Don Richard Riso