How Does a 6w5 Behave? (3+ Unique Strengths)

In this article we will discuss 6w5 enneagram. 

Enneagram is a system of typology which describes the personality of an individual as a number of interconnected personality types.

This has become popular in the spiritual and business domain but it is not widely accepted in evidence based psychology as it lacks empirical research. 

A summary of the 6w5 Personality

The 6w5 personality has some traits of the type 6 and some of the type 5, and these tend to be hardworking and loyal people. The 6w5 personality may also be intellectual, and cautious, and they may show a high degree of independence. The 6w5 personality may also be more serious, focused and introverted than other sixes.

Enneagram personality theory:

Enneagram personality is defined with the help of enneagram structure. It consists of a circle with nine distinct personalities.

The outer circle has an equilateral triangle inside which connects three of the nine points of the circle.

Rest of the points in the circle are connected through irregular hexagons. 

In simplest form, enneagram represents 9 distinct personality types and it grows complex when these 9 personalities give rise to 27 different personality subtypes.

Enneagram personalities are clustered in 3 X 3 arrangement giving rise to three centers. These three centers are instinctive, feeling and thinking.

The three personalities in each center have common characteristics of their center.

For example characteristics of personality type four has its relationship with feelings. 

The basic personality types:

The basic personality types described through enneagram are as follow:

1. Reformer
2. Helper
3. Achiever
4. Individualistic
5. Investigator
6. Loyalist
7. Enthusiast
8. Challenger 
9. Peacemaker

The Wings:

Enneagram researcher suggests that no one person has only one pure personality rather the dominant personality type is influenced by either one or both of its adjacent personality types.

These adjacent personality types are known as wings.

 These wings or adjacent personality types add up complementary or sometimes contradictory elements to individuals personality type.

It is important to take into account these wings in addition to dominant personality types as they are often known as the second side of one’s personality.

For example individuals with personality type eight will be influenced either by nice or seven which are adjacent to it. 

Type 6 overview:

Personality type 6 is known as ‘The Loyalist’. They are named loyalists as they are most loyal to their friends and family than any other type.

They would do anything for them. They are not only committed to their friends and family but also to their ideas and belief system.

One would find a type even committed to the idea that all ideas should be questioned before following them.

Sticking to beliefs does not necessarily mean that they are conventional.

They can be highly rebellious or even revolutionary. They would do anything to defend their belief system. 

The reason which makes type 6 this loyalist is that the least they want is to be abandoned or left out, which also constitutes their basic fear.

Due to this basic fear the major issue in their lives revolves around lack of self-confidence.

They tend to believe that they lack sufficient resources to solve their problem and have to rely on their support system to solve their problem.

Thus they try at best to create these support systems and maintain the system to the extent they can. 

6 are primary in the thinking center.

This implies that they have difficulty contacting with their inner guidance resulting in lack of confidence in their own self and reliance on an outer support system.

Being in the thinking center, does not mean that they do not rather they think and worry a lot.

They fear making important decisions on their own because of lack of self-confidence but they also resist others making important decisions for them.

They are unable to let other people take control but at the same time they also do not want to take responsibility by taking such important decisions, as such decisions can put them in front of the line. 

There are many wings for type 6, 6w2, 6w5 or 6w7.

6w5 is discussed in this blog.

 Type 5 overview:

Personality type 5 is known as ‘The investigators’. They are named as they are likely to be engaged with all kinds of questions.

They like to indulge in the working of the cosmos, microscopic world, the biosphere and even their inner world. They question the world of their imagination.

Not only questions, they also tend to find answers. They do not take different ideologies at their face values rather question them from all aspects and believe in it only if they have logical arguments for it. 

Type 5 personalities’ constant pursuit of knowledge is deeply ingrained in their insecurities about their capabilities to go on and do life on their own.

They think that they are unable to do basic things on their own thus they try to fulfill this void by constantly trying to know things which can boost their confidence.

They try to turn towards the safe place in their mind. They think by having safety of mind they will eventually figure out how to make pace with others. 

Type 5 tends to just sit and observe. They contemplate over how the world works and by observing they try to internalize this knowledge.

This internalized knowledge boosts their self-confidence. They also try to synthesize what they observe.

For example they can compose a symphony by listening to the sound of wind or water. They have this capability to synthesize their observations.

They often go out and talk about their synthesis. When people understand their observation or their world view, they feel appreciated and acknowledged.

And in this way their basic desire is fulfilled which is to be a capable and competent person.

When they put forward different worldview they are perceived as competent. 

6w5 personality:

6w5 personalities have basic personality type 6 with an influence of personality type 5, known as wing.

These personalities have characteristics of the personality types. 

6w5 personality overview:

6w5 are a combination of both type 5 and type 6 personality type.

Both personality types look for security but their approaches towards security are entirely different from each other.

Type 5 tends to rely on their own self and their inner self for a support system while type 6 relies on others to solve their problems.

6w5 being a combination of both personalities tend to use both approaches for their support. 

6w5 are less likely to rely on others to meet their needs and usually deal with type 6 anxiety alone on their own.

They are more pessimistic and detached from others as compared to all other subtypes.

Type 6 tendencies to take others as a threat and the tendency of type 5 personality to generally withdraw from others reinforces each other’s 6 and 5 characteristics and make 6w5 more withdrawn from others.

These qualities make 6w5 extremely introverts. They usually have only one or two friends, as they try to be on their own.

It is difficult to gain their trust and it takes a lot of time to develop a relationship with them. 

6w5 usually seems like 1 as they are serious, controlled and deeply committed to their religious or political beliefs.

On the other hand they can also be outspoken about their beliefs.

Healthy personalities combine type 6personal engagement and organization and type 5’s perceptiveness and curiosity.

6w5 intellect depends on how much wing 5 influences basic 6. 

The most ingrained fear of 6w5 is to lose their guidance and stability. This fear is reflected in their skeptic outlook towards the world. 

The basic desire of 6w5 is to have security and solid grounds. To fulfill this desire they are likely to develop strong meaningful connections with others.

As being introverts, the relationships developed by them are usually strong and meaningful. 

6w5 strengths:

According to enneagram institute every personality type has certain strengths which become apparent in different settings where they meet individuals from diverse backgrounds. 

6w5 strengths include:

1. Their strength lies in solving their problems effectively and efficiently. 
2. In the big picture, they do not forget little specific details. 
3. They are able to work independently and complete the desired task on their own without any outside help 
4. They have deep ingrained passion to get as much knowledge as they can which make them well equipped with a lot of different kind of information 

6w5 Weaknesses:

Weaknesses of 6w5 include the following:

1. They have to struggle a lot to deal with their negative thinking. They cannot overcome negative thinking as easily as other subtypes 
2. They have a tendency to withdraw from others which might affect their activities at the workplace or school where it is necessary to work as a team.
3. They have difficulty in expressing their own emotions which can be proved troublesome in their interpersonal relationships. 
4. 6w5 are often perceived as cold as they are usually inclined to withdraw from others and work on their own. This perception can have negative effects on their relationship with others.

Dealing with 6w5:

To develop a strong and effective relationship with 6w5, it is suggested to follow following patterns:

1. When communicating with 6w5, it is important to give them space they need and only offer support when it is asked for. 
2. Communication can be made better with 6w5 by expressing the idea clearly and concisely. One should give room to them to express their idea and listen to their ideas.
3. Small talks are usually avoided by 6w5 given their nature of being introverted. Thus it is better to clearly state the objective of communication to them and encourage them to share their ideas and thoughts. 
4. They usually prefer constructive feedback which makes them feel secure. One should give them specific ways to improve while giving them feedback. 
5. To solve a conflict with 6w5, one should be upfront and support their arguments with logic. A person should give them assurance and work in a mutual way with them to solve a problem. 

6w5 Motivations:

Behavior of 6w5 is motivated by following:

1. They are usually motivated when they are in reliable relationship and have a secure job
2. Being valued and appreciated by other makes them to work effectively and efficiently 
3. They are motivated when they are advocating for underdogs.
4. They feel at highest when they are able to find a solution to a complex problem

6w5 Stress:

6w5 usually feel stressed when:

They are confronted with unexpected changes in their course of life or it becomes inconsistent 

They feel like they are being rejected and not worthy enough 

They are unable to make effective decision or the decision made by them is unhelpful

They are stuck in a situation where they need to express themselves emotionally. 

Conclusion:

6w5 personalities are a mixture of elements of type 5 and type 6. They reinforce each other but can be contradictory too sometimes.

Their basic desire is to seek support and intellect is defined by influence of wing 5 on basic type 6. 6w5 usually have difficulty expressing their emotions. 

FAQs about 6WS enneagram 

References:

crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-6-wing-5

crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-6-wing-5

enneagraminstitute.com/type-6

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