Continuing our series on how each Enneagram Type are like as managers, we are looking at another head-centered Type manager today.
We started this series with the heart-centered Enneagram Types – Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4.
Then, we journeyed with the body-centered Enneagram Types – Type 8, Type 9 and Type 1.
Last week we, we focus on the wise and objective Type 5 managers and today, we look to the dependable and supportive Type 6 managers.
Type 6 Traits In A Managerial Nutshell
Type 6s are all about bringing stability to any team they are part of, or in this case, that they lead. Their worldview of the world being dangerous gives them the gifts of contingency planning and preparation, which makes them the perfect people to help troubleshoot any potential issues in their team’s processes.
Once Type 6s are committed to being there for their team, you can definitely count on them to be there to help their team clarify any doubts they have about any project they are working on. Type 6 managers will fight alongside their team and would not ever leave them in the lurch.
Type 6 managers would appreciate their team members to ‘walk the talk’ because congruency in actions and words are very important to them. Just as they are the trustworthy managers for their team, Type 6 managers, in turn, look for trustworthiness and dependability in their team members as well. Knowing that their team has got their back will allow them to cope with the anxiety that is always bubbling in their heads.
Becoming The Best Manager As A Type 6
In order for a Type 6 to upgrade their managerial skills, they would have to learn to:
Plan on the go.
Type 6s, when looking at any new projects or situations, would go into what can be termed as an ‘what-if’ cycle. This is where the Type 6’s mind would go through all the worst-case scenarios in their head. However, they do realise that they eventually ask the same ‘what-ifs’ again and again and this then causes them to be immobilised by the fear of “What if I get this wrong?.
6s as managers need to then learn to embrace this ‘what-if’ cycle, as that is what gives them the gift of preparation. But they also need to be aware that once they ask the same ‘what-ifs’ the second time around, they have to stop thinking and start doing what they need to do to set their plans in motion. Contingency planning on the go would be a good add-on skill to have for Type 6 managers as this means that then, they can give stability and yet at the same time, become more productive in their work and for the company in the long run.
Be courageous to see the good in them.
For Type 6 managers, they always think that they can do better. This is largely due to the fact that they are natural skeptics, even when it comes to their own abilities and strengths. This then leads them to not being able to receive compliments about what they have done well, which then leads them to feel anxious about ‘not being able to do things well’ when they are asked to lead on work projects.
Type 6s tend not to hear the compliments and affirmations they crave for. In fact, they often swat these compliments away by quickly saying ‘thank you’ or even by dismissing them by saying ‘It’s part of my job, nothing special’. However, we often tell Type 6s that if they do not even acknowledge the good they have in them, especially in terms of their abilities and strengths, how then would they be able to confident of themselves?
So, it is in that spirit that we say this to our Type 6 managers: to be a good manager to others is to be a good manager to yourself. The same care that you show to others is what you need to show to yourself to help you break out of the anxiety cycle of ‘not being good enough to do well’. Once, you learn how to allow the compliments people give you to sink into your hearts, you will then start to grow in cultivating a healthy awareness of who you are, what your strengths are and from there, self-confidence will grow.
An Encouragement to our Type 6 Managers
Your gifts come from the lens of your ‘worst-case’ scenarios. So, learn to embrace that side of you but also learn to balance it out with some healthy optimism about your strengths, your situations and the world around you.
When you are able to see silver linings even in the darkest clouds, then you will be able to see the light that is within yourself and everyone around you. It is then that you will begin to have faith in yourself and in others as well.
Here is one final reminder while dealing with a Type 6 manager – always do what you say will do – this will help them not only manage their anxiety better but also learn to have faith in the fact that you are supporting them as well.
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Want to learn how to find stability in cultivating healthy relationships with your team through the Enneagram? Contact us (link to: https://theenneagramacademy.com/#contact) to find out when our next course runs are. Also, enquire on how you can also use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset your course fees!
