LOOKING INTO THE 'PERSONALITY 6' TYPE
BACKGROUND TO THE ENNEAGRAM
The Enneagram is an ancient tool for personal understanding, development and transformation. It is a personality profiling system that can provide data that helps us understand that we need to go beyond our habitual responses in order to better understand, relate to and connect with other people and the world we are a part of.
Each personality has its own unique defence mechanism. Each of us believes that our strategy for survival is the right one. These strategies feel right. Sometimes, though, they lead us and others astray. The Enneagram provides a framework to guide and support a personal shift away from the survival strategy to an understanding of the other positions and more conscious behaviour. It is useful to be in a community (or team) where constructive feedback can be provided to help us better manage our defence mechanisms.
TYPE 6 - THE QUESTIONER
Also called the Loyalist, Devil’s Advocate, Loyal Sceptic, Trooper, Strategist, Sceptic
Psychological defence is to question or doubt
- Watch for hidden motives of others, and can often see hidden agendas.
- Alert to what might go wrong.
- Good at problem finding and solving.
- Seek ways to ensure their safety and security and situations which provide protection.
- Generally loyal, warm, faithful and dutiful, but wary of authority and often suspicious, even of those closest to them.
- Either submit to authority or challenge head on. (Flight or fight).
- Can sometimes be known to procrastinate.
- Can be a little cynical and are often quite witty and funny.
STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR TYPE 6
- Develop trust, notice the preoccupation with what might go wrong.
- Pay attention to the positives, check out fears and concerns with others.
- Recognise your fear may not be real.
- Follow your own inner guidance.
- Move to point 9 relax point. Ask: “What happens when I get out of my head and into my body?”
- Trust yourself, be courageous, don’t do so many “what ifs.”
- Recognise fight or flight impulses as signs you need to take a reality check.
- Trust others.
- Set limits to your procrastination and analysis.
- Take one step at a time.
- Set mini goals.
- Allow yourself to be in your feelings.
- Activate your body.
- Move forward.
- Have faith in your ability.
- Practice trusting others.
Daily activity: Shift your focus away from what could go wrong, trust your own authority, test your perceptions or doubts with others.
Author: Veronica Lunn
Veronica has had significant experience working with large and small organizations, industry groups and individuals, providing workshops, seminars, forums and one on one coaching. With a strong background working with local government and state government, as well as the private sector, Veronica is an accredited Enneagram practitioner and teacher and brings high level facilitation and relationship skills to Griffith Consulting.
For more information about Veronica or the Enneagram, please contact us here, today.