by Lindsey Brackett @LindsBrac

For developing authentic characters—and yourself—learning the Enneagram is a great place to start. This ancient tool suggests nine basic personality types for people, which are all focused on how a person’s underlying motivation (or core sin) influences behavior. Enneagram experts believe every person carries tendencies of the nine different types—which makes us (and our characters) incredibly complex. For this monthly series, it’s time to dive into the Enneagram Type Six.

One of my dear friends recently settled on Six as her Enneagram type, but she discovered this in a roundabout way. While reading Little Women she came to the scene where Beth expresses how uncomfortable she is opening presents in front of other people. My friend, ironically also a Beth, sent our group a text proclaiming whatever number fictional Beth is must be what she is as well. I laughed out loud a month later when I listened to the Popcast podcast on Enneagram for the Holidays in which a Type 6 listener mentioned this very same phobia.

But it’s not shyness that motivates a Six to dislike public displays of gifting. Rather Sixes are motivated by a constant sense of fear. Usually this core fear is that they will be without support or guidance, and a Six most desires reassurance and support. In this context it’s easy to see why they worry over gift opening, concerned they will not react appropriately and therefore will be neither giving nor receiving reassurance.

However, Sixes are not all paranoid and phobic. Though fear is their motivator, their behavior is actually characterized the most by loyalty. Other great adjectives for Sixes include:

• Responsible
• Reliable
• Trustworthy
• Practical

But like most things in life, this loyalty that makes a Six strong can also be a weakness as this type is likely to remain loyal to sinking ship, so to speak.

Think of Frodo in Lord of the Rings, whose author, J.R.R. Tolkien is also often characterized as a Six. Frodo is fiercely loyal to Gollum, and in the end, that loyalty nearly destroys him (and thank goodness it does destroy the ring). But would you call Frodo paranoid or overly suspicious? Probably not anymore than deemed necessary by his circumstances.

But their fear motivation does make Sixes incredibly complex as they often deal with this fear in one of two ways. Either they become overtly phobic chronic worriers, or they will attempt to counter their fear by defying authority.  In times of stress they may become unhealthy versions of a Type Three, arrogant and competitive. But when content and secure, Sixes exhibit characteristics similar to the laidback, optimistic Nine.

And don’t be fooled into thinking a Six doesn’t have a creative side—numerous famous actors and writers are Sixes. Among them: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, John Grisham, U2’s Bono, and Jennifer Aniston.

The next time you create a character with a fear complex, don’t give in to the temptation to keep them constantly wringing their hands. Instead, I hope this insight into the Enneagram Six will help you create a layered character who exhibits loyalty and bravery—even when faced with their greatest fear.

For more Enneagram Study:

Modern Mrs. Darcy

Enneagram.net

The Enneagram at Work

Enneagram and Coffee on Instagram

Eclectic Energies

Enneagram Types of 99 Fictional Characters

Don’t miss the rest of the posts in this series!

• Part 1: How to Use Enneagram to Type the Characters You Write
• Part 2: THE PERFECTIONIST: How to Type Your Characters with the Enneagram
• Part 3: Enneagram Type 2—How to Use Enneagram to Type the Characters You Write
• Part 4: Use Enneagram to Type the Characters You Write – Type Three
• Part 5: Use Enneagram to Type the Characters You Write – Type Four
• Part 6: Use Enneagram to Type the Characters You Write – Type Five
• Part 7: Use Enneagram To Type Your Characters – Type Six
• Part 8: Type Your Characters – Enneagram Seven
• Part 9: Type Your Characters – Enneagram Eight
• Part 10: Type Your Characters – Enneagram Nine

Because she’s a type 4 and therefore always seeking the unique, Lindsey P. Brackett writes southern fiction infused with her rural Georgia upbringing and Lowcountry roots. Her debut novel, Still Waters, released in 2017 and was named the 2018 Selah Book of the Year. Her latest novel, The Bridge Between, released in 2019. Someday she hopes to balance motherhood and writing full-time. Until then, she’s just very grateful for her public school system.

Connect with Lindsey and get her free novella, Magnolia Mistletoe, at lindseypbrackett.com or on Instagram @lindseypbrackett.