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Beatrice Chestnut

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge

Sixes and Sevens have some traits in common. Both are mental types and so both are primarily thinking-oriented, though they do think in different ways about different topics. Sevens focus on planning future activities, new and interesting ideas, and interrelating and synthesizing information. Sixes think about what might go wrong to proactively prepare for it, and they also think in contrarian terms, questioning ideas and opinions they hear from others in an effort to find what’s true or solve problems. Sixes and Sevens are both quick thinkers, however, with good imaginations, though Sixes tend to imagine worst-case scenarios, while Sevens imagine highly positive scenarios. Both types are “fear types,” though they both may or may not be actively aware of their fear. In particular, Sevens and counterphobic Sixes can look very much alike, as both move toward threats in the environment to face dangers—the Seven with charm and an engaging presentation and the counterphobic Six with strength and the willingness to intimidate. People of both types can get caught up in thinking too much and not move into action, with Sixes becoming caught up in doubt and Sevens being distracted by new ideas and multiple options or not wanting to commit to (or be limited by) a specific course of action.

Sixes and Sevens also differ in specific ways. Sevens tend to be very optimistic, while Sixes, who usually describe themselves as realistic, may look more pessimistic to outside observers when they draw attention to problems or threatening or negative possibilities. Sevens have a sunny outlook and reframe situations in positive terms, while Sixes tend to focus on what might go wrong so they can prepare for potential problems occurring. Sevens and Sixes have different styles when it comes to managing fears or concerns. Sevens move toward the source of fear with charm and pleasantries to disarm the fearful threat with soft power, while Sixes tend to be vigilant and watchful to see the threat coming ahead of time so they can prepare to meet it. Counter-phobic Sixes tend to move toward threatening situations with strength, while phobic Sixes withdraw from them, and Social Sixes obey one kind of authority or another as a way of coping with anxiety.

Sevens focus their attention on positive possibilities and interesting and fun things to do—they want to maintain good feelings and avoid pain and discomfort. Sixes can hardly avoid feeling pain and discomfort, as they focus their attention on self-doubting, questioning ideas and seeming realities, and detecting potential dangers. Sixes look for certainty and rarely, if ever, find it, or find it and hang on to it. Sevens are playful and adventurous, while Sixes are careful and strategic. Sevens plan for fun, while Sixes prepare for dealing with problems. Sevens see endless possibilities for interesting activities in an unconscious effort to keep a safe distance from anxiety and discomfort, while Sixes actually seek out problems to solve as a way of feeling safe. Sixes tend to have problems with authorities—they can be questioning and suspicious of authority and also rebellious and challenging of authority—while Sevens equalize authority and simply deny hierarchical power relationships, seeing themselves as being on the same level with and friendly with both superiors and subordinates. Sevens expect success and have a confident presentation, while Sixes expect things to go wrong and may a worried, even paranoid presentation. Sevens have difficulty with commitments, as they fear limits, while Sixes are very loyal and dedicated and committed once they trust someone or something.

The Enneagram Institute

Misidentifications

Sixes and Sevens can be mistyped when there is confusion between main type and wing: that is, between a Six with a Seven-wing and a Seven with a Six-wing. Both are Thinking types, and both are driven by anxiety, although they cope with their anxious feelings in strikingly different ways. Sixes tend to react to their anxiety by fretting and becoming more anxious. They may react counterphobically by reacting against their fears, but react they do. Further, anxiety tends to make Sixes more pessimistic and negative about themselves and their prospects. They can be full of self-doubt, while being suspicious of the motives of others.

Sevens, by contrast are extremely optimistic, and react to anxiety by looking for enjoyable distractions. Sevens suppress their self-doubt as much as possible, and try to keep everything upbeat. Sevens tend to deny the dark corners of their souls, sixes tend to get stuck in them. Sixes, however, have a heightened sense of responsibility and do not allow themselves to "goof off" until all of their obligations have been met. Sevens, for better or for worse, are far more spontaneous, and resist having too many expectations placed on them. They want to be free to come and go as they please, and find the Six's persistent sense of commitment potentially limiting and dull. Sixes tend to find the Seven's lifestyle flighty and irresponsible. In short, sixes seek out structure and guidelines: Sevens resist both. Compare David Letterman (a Six) with Jim Carey (a Seven).