Many people have benefited from using Enneagram personality typing over the years. This includes the employees of large corporations and small businesses—where human resources departments have aided individuals in their career choices. The Enneagram can also identify the characteristics of patients in mental healthcare facilities.
Another popular area where people refer to the Enneagram system is relationships and compatibility. Knowing your and your partner’s type can give people a better understanding of what can inspire or trigger the relationship. Speaking of relationships, today, we’ll solely focus on Enneagram Type Six and Type Seven. We’ll go over both individuals, as well as their compatibility score, positives of the pairing, and potential issues to watch out for.
Type 6 Compatibility With Type 7
Some conditions that may influence the compatibility between Enneagram Type 6 and Type 7 are the dominant wings of the individual Sixes and Sevens, their state of integration and disintegration, EnneaDyads, and the attachment styles of the individuals.
It’s not uncommon knowledge that men and women choose their partners differently in relation to their personalities. However, using the data from 324 couples, a Walden university dissertation determined that men and women also show differing compatibility levels with personality types.
Compatibility Score
Considering the above, the Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7, at 20%, could well change accordingly.
EnneaDyads
With insecure attachment styles, EnneaDyads may affect the success based on either the Allied and Integrative categories, or in the following order
- Ally
- Woman is 6 and man is 5/Man is 6 and woman is 7
- Woman is 7 and man is 6/Man is 7 and woman is 8
- Disintegrative
- Woman is 6 and man is 9/Man is 6 and woman is 3
- Woman is 7 and man is 5/Man is 7 and woman is 1
- Integrative
- Woman is 6 and man is 3/Man is 6 and woman is 9
- Woman is 7 and man is 1/Man is 7 and woman is 5
- Matching
- Woman and man are both 6
- Woman and man are both 7
- Shadow
- Woman is 6 and man is 7/Man is 6 and woman is 5
- Woman is 7 and man is 8/Man is 7 and woman is 6
- Non-related
- Either the man or woman is 6 and their partner is 1, 2, 4, or 8
- Either the man or woman is 7 and their partner is 2, 3, 4, or 9
Anxiety and Avoidance in Attachment Styles
If both partners show secure attachment styles, they’re most likely to triumph in their relationships. When couples share a growth or stress experience, they may acquire an “earned” secure attachment style, and this can be equally effective. Mismatched (one secure and one insecure) attachment styles follow closely in terms of relationship success rates.
The dyadic effect usually comes into play when both partners have insecure attachment styles, such as in Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7—Sixes, with high anxiety and high avoidance, and Sevens, with low anxiety and high avoidance.
Wings, Growth, and Stress
Five, Six, Seven, and Nine—the wings of Sixes and Sevens—also have insecure attachments, so again, EnneaDyads may take effect within Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7.
The changes in personality during integration and disintegration may also alter the match of this pairing.
What Each Type Brings to the Relationship
The individual characteristics of core Sixes and Sevens affect the rating of Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7.
Enneagram Type 6: The Loyalist
Sixes may value the people in their circle rather than actual organizations, as this is where they place their loyalty. Because they lack self-assurance, Sixes may fear rejection or betrayal. This also results in Sixes being averse to challenges and needy of predictability in their personal and work lives.
Their lack of trust in the motives of others makes Sixes cautious when forming relationships. “Phobic” Sixes might skirt issues that make them anxious, and “counter-phobic” Sixes will probably see them as a challenge that they need to conquer.
Sixes are outstanding during crisis management, and this is probably a spinoff of their problem-solving skills and their innate tendency to expect the worst.
Enneagram Type 7: The Enthusiast
This happy-go-lucky Enneagram Type may lean toward the fun and exciting. They are easily bored and love new challenges. Their work ethic may be lacking unless they’re assigned exciting tasks where they can explore their creativity. However, they may quickly lose interest and feel a need to escape.
Although Sevens may be averse to conflict, they are probably unconcerned with following societal and organizational rules. Their lack of concern for traditions and the well-being of others may stem from their eternal optimism.
Charming and confident, Sevens usually keep their relationships fresh and exciting and thrive on persuading others to join in on their adventures.
Enneagram Wing Contribution
The dominant wings of Sixes and Sevens may also play a role in Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7.
Enneagram Type 6w5, Type 6w7, Type 7w6, and Type 7w8
When Sixes have a dominant Five wing, they may be less concerned with the perceptions of others. While they may still feel a sense of loyalty to others, this may not be laced with the fears and doubts that are normally present in Sixes.
Five’s attachment style: insecure.
A dominant Seven wing will bring a level of confidence to Sixes. They may seek the pleasures of life and new experiences, but will probably bore more easily and feel less of a need to remain loyal.
Seven’s attachment style: insecure
When Seven is the dominant wing of Six, their need to experience life to the full may be a little dampened. And while wings affect individuals to varying degrees, a 7w6 might have a greater sense of personal commitment.
Six’s attachment style: insecure
A Seven with a dominant wing in Eight could be more exacting in conflicts, motivated to succeed, and controlling. However, they will probably still be inclined to pursue adventure and frivolities.
Eight’s attachment style: insecure
Positives of This Pairing
Enneagram Type 6 together with Type 7 is a strong case of two well-rounded halves making a safe whole. Sixes may enjoy the optimism and cheer that Sevens bring into their home. And Sevens will probably respect the warmth, loyalty, and structure of Sixes.
When organizing, Sevens will probably be more than happy to hand Sixes the reins. If the couple is planning an outing, social event, or adventure, Sevens will arrange this with dependable speed and enthusiasm.
Sevens may teach Sixes that they have as much right to feel safe, confident, decisive, and positive as anyone. Sixes could help ground Sevens and Sevens might realize that tackling the occasional serious matter will not necessarily lead to them having a boring life.
Potential Issues
The precise circumstances that may complement the value of Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7 are the same matters that may cause problems in this relationship.
Sixes, who thrive on solid structures, may grow frustrated with Sevens for their unruly behavior and lack of commitment to anything that forces them to deal with the many stresses that life presents.
Sevens may consider Sixes to be staid, pessimistic, boring, and incapable of enjoying all the wonderful experiences that life offers.
As Sixes become more anxious over the state of their feelings, they may lose trust in their Seven partners. As Sevens feel stifled within the relationship, they may seek alternative sources of entertainment.
Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7 might fail if Sixes and Sevens then face a downward spiral within their relationship. It may be difficult for them to recover.
Conclusion
As different as Sixes and Sevens are, as a couple, they bring a great many unionized characteristics. While these vast incongruities could, occasionally, cause conflict between the two, it often benefits them. Within their household, this combination of personality traits could function like a well-oiled machine.
So, Enneagram Type 6 compatibility with Type 7 could present a wonderful companionship, as outlined, or lead them to seek space from their partner.
To discover your Enneagram type, complete the Enneagram Personality Test.