levels of maturing for type 6

valiant hero
1: liberation
  • deeply trustworthy, emotionally available and bonded with others
  • provide support and guidance and access own inner guidance
  • feels supported by reality
  • let go of forced security and self-image
  • let go of belief that they have to rely on something/one outside themselves.
engaging friend
2: psychological capacity
  • reliable, engaging, trust-seeking
  • “i am a committed, responsible and dependable person”
  • emphasize reliability, trustworthiness, caution and questioning
  • reject their own inner guidance
  • basic fear: having no support and guidance
  • basic desire: to find security and support.
committed worker
3: social value
  • relate to others through cooperation, commitment and reliability
  • feel that they are good when all bases are covered and they are doing what is expected of them
  • desire: to create and sustain security systems
  • strategy: reinforce self-image through cooperation and commitment.
wake-up call depending on something outside myself for guidance
dutiful loyalist
4: imbalance (social role)
  • tend to depend on someone or something outside self for guidance
  • strong sense of camaraderie, obligation, faith, and doubt
  • desire reinforcement of their security and support.
  • take on social role of the responsible implementer.
ambivalent pessimist
5: interpersonal control
  • manipulate others by testing their loyalty and trust
  • fear (shadow) arises when they believe they are losing their support
  • insists on being seen as dependable and responsible
  • desire to resist demands or commitments.
authoritarian rebel
6: overcompensation
  • feel that their trust has been betrayed
  • stubborn, rebellious
  • blaming, cynical, short-tempered (us vs them mentality)
  • desire to prove their strength, value, and independence
  • undermine others and support systems by blaming and scapegoating.
red flag fear my own actions have harmed my security
overreacting dependent person
7: violation
  • lean heavily on support systems
  • little initiative and avoid responsibility
  • disparage self, hoping to illicit pity or rescue
  • desire to be rescued by strong ally
  • violate self-image of responsible implementer through defiance to others.

adapted from Riso & Hudson: Wisdom of the Enneagram