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Beatrice Chestnut

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge

Threes and Sixes have some traits in common. Threes and some Sixes, and especially counterphobic Sixes, can be very hardworking, assertive, and forward-moving. Both Threes and Sixes specialize in reading people, though they do this for different reasons. Threes scan their audience to determine what others value to create an image of themselves that others will see as successful and admirable. Sixes read people to answer an inner sense of threat and protect themselves by looking for hidden agendas and ulterior motives. Both styles can be personable and friendly, with Threes looking for approval from others and Sixes wanting to create safety through knowing who their allies are. And both can also be practical and solution-focused, though Threes focus on goals and finding the most efficient path to get to the end-result, and Sixes prioritize anticipating problems and dangers so they can prepare and find fixes proactively.

Threes and Sixes also differ in specific ways. Threes focus on moving quickly and efficiently toward their goals, while Sixes can procrastinate for fear of doing it wrong or because they are looking for problems. Threes are skillful at matching an image of success and tend to appear confident in whatever they do, while Sixes can waver through doubting and questioning. Sixes can also become stuck in fear or paralyzed by overanalysis and imagining the worst-case scenario. When engaging in work tasks and in their lives in general, Threes pay attention to doing whatever it takes to achieve success and like to be recognized for their achievements. Sixes usually fear success and so may tend to sabotage themselves (sometimes in an effort to avoid attracting the attention of others). Related to this, while Threes are action-oriented and success-oriented, Sixes often avoid taking action that might lead to success because they fear that success leads to exposure and exposure may lead to being attacked. Being very goal-oriented, Threes work toward goals without slowing down long enough to think about what might go wrong, while Sixes almost always think of what could go wrong, which makes them skilled troubleshooters—they naturally think about potential obstacles in the process of accomplishing a particular task so they can prepare and account for them. Finally, Threes can usually work well with authorities, as long as they don’t interfere with Threes’ progress toward their goals, whereas Sixes tend to be suspicious of or rebellious toward authority figures, fearing they will use their power against them in unfair ways.

The Enneagram Institute

Misidentifications

These types are not often mistyped, but do have some similarities. Both can be very focused on work and performance, but can play very different roles in the workplace. Threes see themselves as soloists: they cooperate with others, but want to excel, to be the best at what they do. They need recognition and acknowledgement for their accomplishments, and as long as those are forthcoming, can be tireless workers. Sixes are hard workers, too, but unless they are moving to Three in stress, tend to feel awkward about taking the spotlight. ("Everyone takes pot shots at the guy out front.") Sixes work hard to ingratiate themselves with their superiors, to build up security, and because they want to convince others of their dependability. Threes tend to be smooth and composed: Sixes tend to be more nervous and awkward, although sometimes endearingly so.

Another common source of mistyping here comes from the sexual instinctual variant of type Six (see PT, 426-430). In short, some Sixes focus on cultivating personal magnetism and attractiveness like Threes, but their insecurities about their desirability matters is far more visible. Further, Threes tend to project a cool, emotional reserve, while Sixes project more volatile and intense feelings. Compare Threes Tom Cruise and Whitney Houston with Sixes Tom Hanks and Bonnie Raitt.