This article will explain how a self preservation 6w5 behaves and also introduce this enneagram along with its fears and desires so the readers have a complete understanding of the topic with enough background context.
Self Preservation 6w5s – What Are They Like?
The self preservation 6w5 has the following habits or traits:
- Play It Safe With Everyone
- Friendly
- Cry For Help Far Too Often
- Creative
- Desire To Appear Harmless
Before we look at these traits in detail, let us explore the 6w5 enneagram and its fears and desires.
The Guardian: Enneagram Type 6w5
Compared to most type 6 enneagrams, this one is more serious and focused on what they want to do! The type 6w5 enneagram is mostly made up of traits from the type 6 enneagram but also shares some with the type 5 enneagram too! Some traits that describe them include hard working, independent, intellectual and cautious. Although they are independent, they are very loyal to their loved ones and the people they genuinely care about.
These enneagrams prefer to take things for as they are. They are logical and analytical. They want things to make sense and not just accept things just because someone said them or they have some sentimental value. Furthermore, this enneagram type likes to weigh the pros and cons of certain behaviours, actions, events, things or individuals especially when they need to make a decision. Why? Well of course because they are analytical. They do not like passing judgement on someone or something until they fully scrutinize it in a manner that is just and objective.
However, this very same enneagram type is fearful of losing their stability. They want to remain strong and independent. They do not want to become weak, dependent or confused or even lose track of what it is they do. So, this is one reason why they tend to work so hard in what it is they want to achieve!
Sometimes their fears get the best of them and they engage in behaviours that are not so healthy. The enneagram 6w5 type has the habit of projecting their fears onto others. They will view people in light of their own fears, insecurities, problems and desires or unmet needs.
Regardless of that, these enneagrams seek support and guidance. They value the advice and input from others although at the end they will take their own decision. They want to feel supported and loved especially by those to whom they are very loyal to. This is regardless of their independent behaviour and self confidence.
Fears & Desires
The 6w5 enneagram is scared of losing their guidance and stability. They like to be independent and do not want to have to depend on others so much. They prefer doing things their own way and having some control over their life. They realize this is only possible if they have a stable future and are well guided.
Compared to sixes, they prefer more independence instead of relying on their friends whom they fear may desert them at the most needed moment. Hence, they build themself in a way that they can rely on their own self for whatever they need or in times of difficulty.
They have a strong desire for security, which they tend to show by protecting themselves and others. They seek close and stable relationships. When they are open and vulnerable, they do tend to lean towards people they consider close. Hence, regardless of a deep desire to become independent, they do seek strong networks that they can depend on because in the end it is usually the people around us who bail us out when things get bad.
Guardians tend to defend themselves by projecting their own feelings onto others, which can often enhance their distrust of the world. This also leads to them behaving in a way that is not likeable or confusing and people may start to stay away from them. This extra line of defense they build can backfire because people will notice the change in their behaviour and will not like it. Thus, the 6w5 enneagram should try and control how they feel and how they view others.
Self Preservation 6w5s – What Are They Like?
The self preservation 6w5 has the following habits or traits:
- Play It Safe With Everyone
- Friendly
- Cry For Help Far Too Often
- Creative
- Desire To Appear Harmless
Let us take a look at these traits in detail!
Play It Safe With Everyone
The 6w5 enneagram in the self preservation mode likes to play it safe with everyone and they do not want to get into the bad books of anyone. Hence, they keep good relations with whoever they come across especially if they are powerful or have resources that can either help them or for that case make problems for them!
This is where their traits of loyalty and submission come into play and they like to be there for people who are in their network. They will go the extra mile to please them and hence be on their good side. They do this because they are afraid they will lose the support of these people as well as the stability and guidance they bring along.
In general, they will not seem difficult nor will they be very assertive because they prefer to go along with what other people want rather than push their own desires or beliefs ahead.
Friendly
This enneagram type is quite friendly. They do not have any restrictions or lack of resources when it comes to extending a hand of help. They appear to be warm and approachable – people are not afraid of them but feel comfortable in being with them or around them.
This enneagram type, especially in self preservation, becomes extra friendly because they do not want to hurt or upset anyone. They want to please others and ensure they are happy with them. This is because they greatly value the support and assistance they gain from people around them. They are also always looking to extend their network and one of the ways to do so is be friendly and allow people the liberty to get to know them.
Cry For Help Far Too Often
Do not be deceived. This enneagram type has the habit of appearing helpless and wants others to view them as in need of their support. They will often show their helpless side and not the side where they are doing well. This is because they are in constant desire of getting support from others – it makes things easy and they are not confident in their own abilities either.
In self preservation mode, they are in extra need of the support of others and hence they will show their own self as someone who is in a pile of problems. Hence, it is advisable to not listen to each and everything they tell you.
Playing the victim is something they do although they will have the sufficient resources or skills to get out of a situation they have put forth. The 6w5 self preservation enneagram does this so they feel safe and content because they do not want to near a time when they have no one hence they engage in repeated cries of help when in reality they are doing fine.
Creative
One of the results of becoming a self preservation 6w5 is that this enneagram becomes quite creative and this is possible because of their desire to find ways to become more and more stable and independent. They want to come up with multiple ways of achieving what they want to achieve so they feel more confident.
With this trait, they are good with ideas and solutions and will be very useful to have on a team or project that requires some degree of innovation or creativity. They will contribute by giving interesting ideas or new but practical ideas to solve a problem.
Desire To Appear Harmless
Another way they keep themselves out of trouble and in the good books of people is by appearing harmless. They do not want to seem like a threat to anyone because this will deprive them of any support they are receiving from that person.
Conclusion
This article took a look at the self preservation 6w5 enneagram and discussed the traits it exhibits. The article also highlighted this enneagram’s fears and desires and introduced it in detail to the readers.
References
https://www.enneagramcentral.com/Enneagram/Subtypes/SubtypeSixallthree.html