Enneagram 6 and 8 Relationship
Are you interested in the Enneagram 6 and 8 relationship? This guide is for you!
Enneagram Type 6 – The Loyal Caretaker
Skeptical, Loyal, Brave, Seeker of Solutions, Defender, Caretaker, Inquisitive, Devil’s Advocate
Enneagram Type 8 – The Protective Contender
Contender, Protective, Leader, Champ, Solitary, Revolutionary, Boss, One Who Negotiates
Core Patterns of Types Six and Eight
Sixes are ruled by the Thinking Triad. They tend to be skeptical, analytical, loyal, and quick-witted. Eights, however, are ruled by the Gut or Intuition.
Eights tend to be very intense individuals, bold and lusting. In their hearts, Sixes always seem to be worrying about catastrophic events.
Eights hide from any indication that they are weak in any way, and tend to display bravado.
They barrel through life seemingly without vulnerability. Both of these personality types show strong responses to the world in which they live.
They act with integrity and are passionate, intense individuals.
Values Shared by Types Eight and Six
Types Eight and Six are very different, indeed, in many ways.
However, they do share some important traits, all of which relate to their perception of the world and its inhabitants.
Both Sixes and Type Eights operate from the perspective that it is unwise to trust anyone at all and that the world is a dangerous place to live.
Both find the unpredictability of the world disheartening and alarming.
Both of them work on coming up with the strongest defenses possible to cope with their fear.
Both members of this couple place a lot of value on acting with integrity, on their sense of honor, hard work, and the perception of themselves as people of courage.
Types Eight and Six are not shy about standing up for their beliefs.
Both of them believe in fighting for the underdog, and both of them are unstoppable when it comes to pursuing what they feel is the right thing to say or do.
Sixes and Eights feel fiercely protective of their family and the other people that they love who are in their lies. They try their best to protect these people as well.
How Types Eight and Six Complement One Another
One thing that Types Eight and Six have in common is their perspectives on the world. However, each expresses it very differently from the other.
Sixes and Eights are aware that their responses to the world are almost opposite, but they feel that these views are what balance out the relationship and make it work more than any other single factor.
Type Sixes are more cautious than Eights and are more analytical, viewing circumstances from various angles and trying to figure out the most feasible.
Eights tend to charge forward, and rather than acknowledge their fears or vulnerabilities, they take control blindly.
To the outsider, this may seem an odd combination, but what one lacks, the other fulfills, especially in situations such as this one.
Sixes bring a sense of connectedness to the situation, and together, they offer a concentric melding of the minds.
Where Type Six lacks a straightforward, decisive personality, Eights have exactly that. And where Eights lack the sense of playfulness and sensitivity that are needed to interact with people in the world more effectively, Sixes can provide that.
This is where the balance comes into play, and is the complement that binds these two together so solidly.
They fit together like pieces of a puzzle, and it is a puzzle that people on the outside cannot fully understand, but among themselves, is understood perfectly.
As Eights jump into matters with both feet before even considering the consequences, Sixes can advise them using their own clarity and perspective.
Eights listen carefully to their partners, but also take the type of risks that Sixes simply will not take.
Because they both deeply fear others and mistrust them immensely, this gives them a chance to form a bond that is permanently based on their trust and respect for one another.
One thing this pair has in common is each’s understanding of the other’s motivations. This gives them peace in what they view as a threatening world.
These uncanny coping strategies enable this couple to form a well-resourced network of friends and other social connections. It also helps them deal with any challenges or problems they may face.
When they move in the same direction and as a team seeking identical goals, they can be quite supportive of one another and very productive.
How You Can Get Into Trouble
Eights and Sixes are both reactionary individuals. They share huge fears about the world and are both quite passionate about it. They can also get into major trouble surrounding these things.
As previously mentioned, they have different perspectives, and, thus, different operating styles. Sixes are cautious, and Eights fling themselves before the world and throw caution to the wind.
You will often find this pair attempting to take control of a situation to help quell their fears. Each feels that if he or she is in control, the outcome is apt to be better than if they had allowed someone on the outside to run things.
This can cause trouble when neither of them really knows what they are doing beyond the point of “running the show.”
Eights are especially vulnerable in these situations because they are convincing in their leadership abilities, but they will try to lead in areas they know nothing about. It can result in hardships for themselves and their Six partners.
Sixes can feel humiliated and embarrassed in these situations, which will inevitably lead to unpleasantries between the two. Both are prone to play the blame game, blaming the other for anything that goes wrong.
Eights can view Sixes as overly cautious, which tries their patience. Eights can be viewed by their Type Six partners as not being cautious enough.
When either party becomes fed up with the ways of the other, major arguments can break out, and if not resolved quickly, they can lead to major resentment and scorn.
It can also lead to the end of the relationship if not resolved relatively quickly.
What Each Type Sixes and Eights Need To Be Aware Of
Type Eights are afraid of showing others that they possess any vulnerability, and so are overly susceptible to jokes, criticism, and to taking things personally.
They can seem paranoid at times, ask too many questions, and can experience mood swings. Sixes can share some of the paranoia and also be generally suspicious of other people’s motives.
However, while Type Eights become domineering and loud, Sixes will try to do what it takes to smooth things over and to make things right.
It can be helpful for Type Eights to be aware of how domineering they seem to their Six partners.
Sixes need to understand their trend toward looking at the worst possible thing that could happen because in either of them, these traits will not positively serve the relationship.
If Eights find themselves in a role that is not a leadership role, they become depressed and surly. They seek out others who are authoritative figures who understand how to take command of a situation.
Sixes need to be more mindful of their negativity and how it can affect their partners.
Both of them must be aware of the other’s respect for personal honesty, responsibility, accountability, and no-nonsense communication.
Type Sixes stick to their projects with diligence when in a work environment.
Even so, they need the space and permission to express their concerns and ideas without being interrupted or contradicted while they are talking.
Eights need to be aware that their partners are very skeptical when attempting anything out of the ordinary, whether expressing an idea or trying an activity.
Sixes need to understand that their partners become domineering because underneath the bravado lies fear.
Clear and honest communication is crucial when it comes to each understanding the inner workings of the other’s mind. This is the only key to unlocking the peace and harmony that form the potential that this pairing is capable of.
How Type Sixes and Eights Support One Another
Most relationships rely upon trust as an important element. Sixes and Eights count on it even more so. Building and maintaining trust is key to a successful relationship with this couple.
Each needs to devote real time and energy toward building and maintaining it. It is the most supportive thing that one can do for the other.
They can support one another by establishing strong communication skills and learning to be assertive regarding feedback.
The recipient of these things should listen attentively and be open-minded, even if it hurts, because in the long run, it will pay off.
They also need to respect one another’s differences and to be accepting of them, even when they might otherwise view them as conflicting with their own beliefs and ideals.
Conclusion
Sixes can be shy and retiring, and Eights can be domineering and act without much thought. However, this particular combination of traits in this pairing has a way of fitting together to fulfilling outcomes.
This is a couple that is difficult to understand for outsiders, but that can work very harmoniously as a team, whether romantically, as friends, or in the workplace.
They understand their differences, and they know how to make them work in their favor. This couple can last permanently.
