Forming relationships with your peers can be difficult, but the Enneagram makes it 1000x easier. Since I'm writing from an Enneagram type 6 perspective, I'm going to walk through how each type reacts with a six. Obviously, everyone is different and the Enneagram is not completely accurate, however, I think it's fun to talk about and you might learn something new :)
Type One and Six: The Reformer and the Loyalist
The best way I can describe this relationship is to compare it to a hero and sidekick. Ones and sixes often tend to mistype as one another and personality-wise are quite similar. Both are hard workers and are driven to take the high road. However, Sixes offer up a sense a playfulness, warmth, and a greater emotional response when dealing with issues. Ones, on the other hand, are very serious and to the point. They are more sure of themselves and think more clearly under pressure than a six would. From my personal experience, type ones are amazing, and the relationship is never cookie-cutter.
Type Two and Six: The Helper and the Loyalist
Ugh literally the best. From experience, some of my closest friendships have been with type twos. A two's desire for intimacy and understanding mixed with a sixes desire for security make this relationship work so well. A two can knock down walls a six didn't even know they had. Two's can deal with a six's indecisive nature and pessimistic comments by offering a helping hand. The only downfall to this combination is that a six can feel pressured by a two's demand for their time and energy. But this can be avoided by setting clear boundaries.
Type Three and Six: The Achiever and the Loyalist
Despite this pairing being very rare, both of my closest friends are threes. And from personal experience, it is quite draining on me, however, I love them both and admire them greatly. A three's self-confidence and drive for success bring out the fear in type sixes. Sixes feel inspired by three's reassurance and drive for optimism. However, if the friendship becomes unstable, both types can become evasive. To try to keep up appearances, a three will tend to use the upper hand in the friendship to tear down the six. Thankfully, I have had nothing but positive and healthy encounters with threes. However, I would approach cautiously if you are a six.
Type Four and Six: The individualist and the Loyalist
Four is deemed the rarest Enneagram type and because of this, this paring is uncommon. Fours and sixes tend to butt heads a lot and have very different outlooks on life. Sixes are practical and like to have a plan that makes everyone happy and safe. Fours, however, tend to think with their heart and emotions in mind. This can cause a rift in the friendship because fours might think sixes are being insensitive when in reality a six is just being practical. Both types support each other well and offer unpredictable lightheartedness and humor. This makes this pairing very mature and unique. I have had some of the most meaningful conversations of my entire life with fours. I greatly value their opinions and their drive to put themselves first.
Type Five and Six: The Investigator and the Loyalist
I don't know any fives personally, however, my wing is a five so I have a soft spot for them. Fives are natural introverts that have strong observational skills. They tend to be calm, detached, and more sympathetic. This gives a six the opportunity to understand their anxieties better. Both crave independence, however, a five's tendency to isolate from others can fuel anxiety in a six's desire for relationship stability. From my experience, fives and sixes don't really get along well. I say this because I am a five and six. Fives trust in themselves too much and a six doesn't trust in themselves at all. It's very emotionally draining and can leave room for serious depressive moods.
Type Six and Six: The Loyalist and the Loyalist
Listen if you want to have the best conversation of your life, talk to a six. They are hilariously sarcastic and it's fun to banter with them. Because sixes tend to ignore their anxieties and feelings, the conversations you'll have aren't necessarily going to be 'heavy' topics. Sixes aren't wanting to talk about those things. (Not saying we don't ever talk about our lives, but we tend to be pretty private until we know we can trust you). Sixes are extremely loyal to each other, however, trust issues can get in the way, and worry can destroy the relationship. As a six that has dealt with other sixes, my advice would be to not act impulsively and share your worst-case scenarios with each other.
Type Seven and Six: The Enthusiast and the Loyalist
This is my personal opinion, and I'm sorry if I trigger anyone, but I think sixes and sevens are a match made in hell. All of my sisters are type sevens and it so mentally draining to be around them sometimes. It's like walking on eggshells. You never know what mood a seven is going to be in and they are extremely restless. A seven's desire to push themselves to outrageous limits and strive to seek happiness from others is counterintuitive to what a six wants. Sevens fear commitment while sixes crave it. Conversations between a six and seven can go south very fast. Seven believe sixes are pessimistic and let anxiety rule over their life. However, in reality, sixes arent prone to jumping headfirst into the first opportunity that comes their way. If you are a six that has type seven friends I truly envy you. Sevens are an amazingly brave and courageous type that crave adventure and spontaneity.
Type Eight and Six: The Challenger and the Loyalist
Both sixes and eights share the same mental type. Meaning they share the same ideology on trust and are on the defensive when faced with the world. Both types tend to not share their emotions and feeling, however Eghts are very direct with what they want. This can uplift a six and make them open to approaching challenges head-on. Eights admire a six's courage and affection when a six helps with an eight's 'inner struggle'. Not all sixes and eights get along so well. More timid sixes can come off as weak and annoying to Eights who might feel weighed down by their constant fears. This might cause a rift in this paring, but in the end, eights and sixes don't have time for unnecessary petty fights and tend to reconcile very quickly.
Type Nine and Six: The Peacemaker and Loyalist
This is the most common pairing out of all the Enneagram types. Honestly, it makes sense considering sixes tend to magnify the positive traits of a nine. In general, sixes are striving to be in a relationship that holds the same beliefs and lifestyles as them. This can be found in a lot of nines. Nines offer a genuine acceptance of sixes and tend not to question their issues and anxieties. Nines don't really ask for or expect much of a six. This puts the six in a mindset to just be themselves around each other. Personally, I think nines are wonderful. I admire their nonchalant attitude and even temper when faced with difficulty.
