Wings for Enneagram Type 6
Enneagram Type 6
Summary
As a Type 6 (The Faithful Guardian or Loyalist), you are driven to have security, guidance, and support. You are often humorous, reliable, hardworking, and steady. You can foresee problems, and you are a loyal team player. However, you can struggle with internal fear, uncertainty, and worst-case thinking because you experience the world as dangerous, doubt yourself, and look to outside sources to help you make decisions.
You are connected to the two numbers on the right and left of the Enneagram diagram. We call these numbers wings. As a Type 6, your wings are Type 5 (The Analytical Investigator or Thinker) and Type 7 (Enthusiastic Optimist or Entertainer).
Just as wings are connected to the body of a bird, your Enneagram wings are always the numbers directly beside your main type.
These wings bring balance and nuance to your main type, offering you unique traits from both connections. However, the way we use our wings mirrors our level of health. When we are healthy and mindful, our wings can be strong and supportive, helping us navigate life with greater agility and balance. But if we are unhealthy or unaware, our wings—like a bird’s damaged wings—may hinder rather than help us.
Understanding your Enneagram wings provides a deeper and more nuanced understanding of yourself, especially when it comes to internal conflicts. It explains why you may exhibit traits seemingly contradictory to your main type. This awareness allows for greater self-compassion and the ability to leverage the strengths of both your main type and wings.
Both wings are always present, and you use them in varying degrees depending on your current circumstances and needs, much like a bird adjusts its use of each wing based on navigational requirements. By cultivating mindfulness and understanding how to use them effectively, you can allow your wings to benefit you when you need them most, enabling you to respond intentionally and with greater flexibility. This awareness lets you soar rather than struggle.
Enneagram Type 6 Wing 5:
The Defender (6w5)
The 6w5, also known as The Defender, merges the Type 6's desire to have security, guidance, and support with the Type 5's desire to be knowledgeable, capable, and competent. This combination creates an individual who is observant, wise, curious, analytical, intellectual, insightful, emotionally distant, and independent. The 6w5 may feel an inner tension between their desire to be secure and their desire to be competent.
✅ Healthy 6w5
⚠️ Average 6w5
❌ Unhealthy 6w5
💡Expert Insight: Mistyped as Type 5 - Both Types are in the Thinking Triad, but 5s are bolder in their positions and only trust their minds, while Type 6s don’t trust their minds and seek advice.
Enneagram Type 6 Wing 7
The Buddy (6w7)
The 6w7, also known as The Buddy, combines the Type 6's desire to have security, guidance, and support with the Type 7's desire to be happy, fully satisfied, and content. This combination creates an individual who is outgoing, distracted, friendly, and likes to have fun. The 6w7 may feel an inner tension between their desire to be secure and their desire to be happy and content.
✅ Healthy 6w7
⚠️ Average 6w7
❌ Unhealthy 6w7
💡Expert Insight: Mistyped as Type 7 - Both are in the Thinking Triad, but Type 7s are self-focused and reframe negative situations so they are not trapped in pain or boredom. Type 6s, on the other hand, are others-focused and don’t usually reframe negative circumstances.
Remember, both wings are always present:
Both wings are always part of you, influencing your actions to varying degrees depending on the situation.
The key is to recognize which wing is at play and intentionally choose your response.
By aligning your wings with truth and embracing all aspects of yourself, you allow them to support your journey toward growth and transformation.
Next Steps in Learning for Enneagram Type 6:
Enneagram Internal Profile (EIP)
As you explore how your wings influence your Type 6 personality, you might be curious to understand even more about the different parts that make up who you are. At Your Enneagram Coach, we've developed a unique approach called the Enneagram Internal Profile (EIP), which goes beyond just your main type and wings.
EIP reveals the distinct "parts" within you, like the Wounded Child and Beloved Child, as well as how your wings and paths (Enneagram arrows) interact to create your unique inner world. This can be a powerful tool for self-understanding and growth. If you're intrigued to discover more about how EIP can help you, we invite you to:
