GUIDANCE

SIX | GUIDANCE

At their best, Sixes are internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others. Loyal and trustworthy, Sixes want to feel safe and secure to avoid feeling anxious.  

Their focus tends to go towards safety and security. When threatened, many hesitate, while others prefer to stay in the "strength-mode" and move against feelings of fear and anxiety.

Their challenge is to learn to trust themselves as well as other people as they become more flexible and develop the courage to act; even in the presence of doubt or ambivalence.  

We can support the Sixes in our lives by encouraging them to notice the positives, develop trust, appreciate their own strengths and take positive action. In conflict, Sixes want reassurance, therefore, stay steady and loyal; be consistent and trustworthy; and disclose personal feelings and thoughts

Strengths:                        Loyal, courageous, attentive to people and                                                problems, often strategic thinkers

Challenges:                     Suspicious, pessimistic, doubtful

Speaking Style:              Setting limits on themselves and others, having serious questions, and playing devil's advocate.  

Basic Proposition
The original state of faith in self, others, and the universe goes into the background in a world that Type Sixes perceive is threatening, hazardous, unpredictable and untrustworthy. Sixes come to believe that they can assure life and certainty through avoiding (the phobic stance) or facing danger (the counter-phobic stance) through vigilance, an active imagination, questioning, and either escaping or battling the perceived hazards. Concurrently, they develop fear, which may be hidden or unrecognized, that shows up as doubt and questioning, concerning what might threaten their safety and security. Sixes’ attention naturally goes to what could go wrong, potential hazards, worst cases and how to deal with them. Projection glues the structure together by helping them attribute inner concerns and fears to others and external situations, in order to avoid or challenge. Their ultimate concern or fear is ending up helpless and defenseless or unable to rely on themselves to cope with life. As compensation, Type Sixes sometimes control and dominate by testing and doubting others, blaming, challenging authority, going to negatives, magnifying situations, and being secretive.

 Basic Propositions were written by Dr. David Daniels, M.D.