When is The Boss not the boss? While Enneagram Type 8s are known as “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen, affectionately called ‘The Boss’, is another version, and is probably an Enneagram 6 leader.
Type 6 is known as The Loyal Skeptic and can be the most complex of the nine types. In describing his songs, Bruce has said, “Pessimism and optimism are slammed up against each other in my records, the tension between them is where it’s all at. It’s what lights the fire.”
“This pretty much describes Type 6’s world view in a nutshell,” says Wendy Appel, a founding partner of Trilogy Effect, the leadership development experts. “They are a study in contradiction! They are courageous, but they can also be a bit anxious. They are optimistic, yet at the same time, they are fearful.”
The Enneagram framework has nine distinct personality types and is one of the tools used by Trilogy Effect’s executive coaches. With it, they help leaders to build self-awareness and understand that the way they look at the world can impact their career trajectory.
Enneagram 6 leaders are dedicated and responsible. Other Types can be more independent, but Type 6 takes pleasure in being cooperative. Their perspective is, “We’re in this together.”
Leaders That Plan Ahead
Planning and researching are strong suits of this Type. “Why would you have one plan when you could have plans B, C, and D?” asks Trilogy Effect Partner Mary Beth Sawicki. “Type 6 leaders are always looking down the road for where things can go wrong.”
The Enneagram 6 is head centered. These leaders are intellectually curious; good at solving problems and at planning for the future.
Also, Type 6s want to feel safe and secure, not just for themselves but for the whole team. Their motivation is to boost their sense of security, by taking care of the whole group. This way every individual feels supported. And as leaders, Type 6s tend to be profoundly likable.
Mary Beth explains, “They have this disarming way about them. Because they are oriented towards the achievements of the team and the greater good, rather than seeking the spotlight themselves, they can be seen as humble in their leadership style.”
Enneagram 6 people can be reluctant leaders, but they are courageous and will take responsibility for what needs to be done. Often, they come into their own in times of crisis.
Crisis Leadership
“This Type is great in an emergency because they're always contingency planning. They tend to be quite strategic in their approach,” says Heather Marasse, Trilogy Effect’s Managing Partner. “Type 6s think everything through in detail and across multiple scenarios.”
Being head-centered, they are always thinking. Sometimes, however, it means overthinking everything and can lead to an erosion of trust.
“Agonizing over things can lead to ‘analysis paralysis’ and a lack of clarity of thought,” explains Mary Beth. “It can also result in the development of unhealthy skepticism. Type 6s look for hidden agendas and don’t always trust the person’s stated motivations. They can also be overly cautious in forecasting outcomes.”
Team members can find this negativity frustrating. The constant questioning from Enneagram 6 bosses can undermine their self-confidence.
Leadership Tips for Enneagram 6
When you think of their ‘let’s build it together’ perspective, you know that collaboration is fundamental to the Type 6 leadership style. But they can often take this too far.
“These leaders grow by learning to acknowledge their inner authority,” says Mary Beth. “Sounding out others can lead to good decisions, but it can slow things down unnecessarily when you’re already confident about which way to go.”
To be at their best as leaders, Type 6s will benefit by finding ways to quiet their busy minds. Practicing daily meditation or exercise are great options. The ‘thinking break’ gives Type 6 the space to look for the positive in situations and focus on the here and now, instead of worrying what the future may, or may not, hold.