Enneagram Type 6 (The Loyalist) Character Arc Worksheet

Forge tension and trust in your story with the Enneagram Type 6 Cheat Sheet, focusing on “The Loyalist” personality. Type 6 characters are loyal, security-oriented, and responsible, but often wrestle with anxiety and doubt. They can be the courageous guardians or the wary skeptics in your cast.

This guide by K.M. Weiland (author of Creating Character Arcs) outlines how a Type 6’s fundamental fear (of being without support or guidance) and desire (to find security and certainty) can fuel a Positive Arc of bravery and faith or a Negative Arc of paranoia and betrayal.

• Core Type 6 Characteristics: The cheat sheet provides a snapshot: basic fear (being unprepared, unsafe, or without support) and basic desire (to have security, guidance, and support). Typical traits: loyal, cautious, anxious, reliable, suspicious. Your Type 6 might always anticipate potential problems, seeking reassurance or over-preparing. Type 6s value trust and loyalty deeply (both from themselves and others).

• Positive Arc – From Anxiety to Inner Peace: The Positive Change Arc shows a Type 6 learning to overcome fear and trust themselves (and others) more. At the start, your Loyalist may cling to an authority, group, or belief system for guidance, or conversely, be very rebellious to prove they aren’t afraid. The Lie might be “I can’t trust myself to handle life alone” or “The world is too dangerous; I must depend on X or always be on guard.” Key beats: challenge (perhaps the authority they relied on falters or they are thrust into a situation where they must act on their own instinct), growth of trust (through experiences, they see that not everything is out to get them), Midpoint decision (they consciously decide to face a fear or take a stand despite uncertainty in a leap of faith moment), embracing the Truth (“I am more capable than I realized; I can find security within myself and reliable friends instead of endless worry”), and final act of courage (does something bold like standing up to a threat, commiting to a leadership role, or doing the right thing without needing someone to tell them).

• Negative Arc – From Anxiety to Dogmatism: The Negative Arc outlines how fear can consume a Type 6, leading to betrayal or collapse. Story beats might include: escalating doubt (the character starts questioning allies or guidance excessively, maybe misinterpreting signs as threats), misplaced loyalty or rebellion (they might double down on trusting the wrong person out of desperation, or conversely, suspiciously push away someone truly trying to help), crisis of fear (they make a wrong choice driven by panic), and consequences (they could end up isolated, having caused what they feared in a self-fulfilling prophecy, or they could end up as the very tyrant they feared).

• Two Separate Cheat Sheets: The Type 6 Cheat Sheet is organized into separate PDF/Word docs for quick scanning, with separate bullets for Positive and Negative Arcs and key traits. Keep it nearby to remind yourself at the Climax that a Positive Type 6 moment might involve conquering the urge to flee and instead standing firm for loved ones. The sheet will jog such ideas.

• Instant Access: After purchase, immediately download the PDF cheat sheet and all the bonuses, including links to dozens of resources and a Quick Tips sheet with more insight into Type 6's personality. No physical shipping needed. Use it during plotting or revisions to check that your Type 6’s actions line up with a believable path from fear to courage or vice versa.

By employing the Enneagram Type 6 Cheat Sheet, you’ll tap into the natural suspense and heartfelt loyalty these characters bring. Readers often identify with the fears of a Type 6, which means seeing your character gradually find courage can be incredibly satisfying. Conversely, watching them fall prey to fear can be deeply tragic or chilling. With this guide, you’ll navigate that line expertly. You can create a Loyalist whose journey – whether triumphant or tragic – will keep your audience invested every step of the way.

(If you’re enjoying these insights, we have cheat sheets for all 9 Enneagram types available, including a discounted bundle for the complete set. Develop each character in your story with confidence using this powerful framework!)