Enneagram Type 6: The Loyalist — Growing Through Trust
- Mechelle Wingle
- Aug 21
- 5 min read
Welcome back to our Enneagram series! Today, we’re exploring Type 6: The Loyalist — also known as The Advocate in Laura Miltenberger’s Enneagram Empowerment. Whether you’re a Type 6, know and love one, or simply want to better understand the people around you, this post will offer insight and support. Type 6 is one of the most relatable and prevalent types, with gifts that hold society together — and challenges that many of us experience in our own way.
Key Traits of the Type 6
Type 6s are:
Loyal, responsible, and committed
Caring and intuitive
Strategic and observant
Skeptical and cautious
Prone to worry, anxiety, and self-doubt
Famous Sixes include Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and — for fans of The Office — Dwight Schrute. Type 6s are often the glue of their communities, ever-vigilant and deeply invested in the people and causes they care about.
The Loyalist’s Core Lens
Sixes see the world through the lens of security. Everything is measured against the question: Is this safe?
Their primary motivation is to feel supported and secure, and their primary fear is being left without guidance or protection. This can lead them to put excessive trust in authority figures — or rebel against them entirely.
They are deeply loyal, often playing the role of devil’s advocate or group watchdog. While other types might rush into decisions, Sixes research, analyze, and plan. Once committed, they are steadfast and courageous defenders.
Common Inner Dialogue
Type 6s might say or feel:
“I worry about the future a lot.”
“I’m 100% committed to what I believe in.”
“It’s hard for me to turn my brain off and relax.”
“I want to make the right decision, but I second-guess myself constantly.”
“I care deeply and show up for the people I love.”
Childhood Origins
Many Sixes describe childhoods that lacked stability — where a parent’s moods were unpredictable, punishments confusing, or emotional support inconsistent. Some had to rely on an older sibling or parent as a “protector,” scanning their environment constantly for signs of danger.
These early patterns helped develop their incredible awareness — but also planted seeds of fear and doubt.
Growth for the Loyalist
1. Build Self-Trust
Sometimes what you need isn’t more bravery — it’s more belief in yourself. Track your wins, honor your follow-through, and start building a journal of “I did that” moments. This cultivates primal trust — the sense that you can handle what life throws at you.
2. Allow Ambiguity
Not every question has an answer. Not every decision has one “right” choice. Learning to hold uncertainty without panic is a huge step forward for Sixes.
Ask yourself: “What are some possible positive outcomes?”
3. Be Bigger Than Your Thoughts
Your mind is powerful, but you are more powerful than your mind. Practice observing your thoughts instead of becoming them. Not every fearful or critical thought needs to be acted on.
4. Calm the Nervous System
Anxious energy gets stuck if it’s not moved. Use physical activity to release it — but always follow with grounding:
Take a few breaths outside
Notice five things you see, four you feel, three you hear
Place your hands on your heart or feet on the floor and breathe
5. Embrace Emotional Risk
Try something new. Eat a food you’ve never had. Tell an embarrassing story. Speak up when it’s scary. Courage grows in tiny acts of self-trust.
Reframing the Inner Critic
Sixes can get caught in anxious, negative thinking. Here’s how to turn those thoughts around:
Old Thought: “That was a good decision — but probably just luck.”
Empowered Thought: “I weighed my options and made a good choice. I can trust myself.”
Old Thought: “They won’t go out with me again. I messed up by repeating myself.”
Empowered Thought: “I was nervous. That’s human. Most of the date went great!”
Old Thought: “I got sick from fish once — I can’t trust seafood restaurants.”
Empowered Thought: “One bad meal doesn’t mean all seafood is bad.”
The key is practicing possibility thinking — and remembering the world isn’t all danger.
Self-Care Tips for Type 6
For the Heart:
Go stargazing or watch a sunrise to tap into awe and calm
Create a playlist of songs that express your recent emotional landscape
Wrap your arms around yourself and give a deep, reassuring squeeze
For the Body:
After eating, ask how your food made you feel — emotionally, physically, spiritually
Exercise to release energy, then intentionally ground yourself afterward
Practice body scans to tune in to physical sensations and calm the mind
For the Mind:
Keep a self-trust journal: record promises you kept, small successes, brave moments
Take tiny emotional risks regularly
When you predict a negative outcome, write down two possible positive ones
The Wings and Stress Paths
Wing 5 (The Investigator): Brings discernment and research ability. Helps Sixes move from panic to informed action.
Wing 7 (The Enthusiast): Adds optimism and spontaneity. Helps break patterns of worst-case thinking.
Under stress, Sixes move toward Type 3 (The Achiever) and may become performance-focused, overworked, or overly concerned with image. For growth, they can take on the peace and calm of Type 9 (The Peacemaker) — becoming more adaptable and relaxed.
Type 6 in Relationship
With Type 1 (The Reformer): Aligned in loyalty and righteousness; may become rigid or moralistic.
With Type 2 (The Helper): Can be deeply supportive, but the Two’s intensity may overwhelm a cautious Six.
With Type 3 (The Achiever): Can be competitive or complementary, depending on stress levels.
With Type 4 (The Individualist): The Six’s group focus may clash with the Four’s individuality.
With Type 5 (The Investigator): Deep thinkers, often mirroring one another’s fears and strengths.
With Type 7 (The Enthusiast): Can balance or frustrate each other — caution vs. avoidance.
With Type 8 (The Challenger): Sixes often look to Eights as protectors, but can become dependent.
With Type 9 (The Peacemaker): A calming influence. Nines help Sixes soften their worry.
Final Thoughts
To all the Sixes reading this: your loyalty, your heart, your concern for others — it’s a gift to the world. We see your courage in your questions, your commitment in your caution, and your power in your protection.
You’re not broken because you worry.
You’re not weak because you fear.
You are brave — because you keep showing up anyway.
Next up: Type 7 — The Enthusiast. Don’t miss it!
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