Whistling in the Dark: Sixes & Eights

In your "Heart" article about a work team led by a Five, Matt (Six) sounds to me like an Eight, or more specifically, me: "Straight from gut to mouth", "danger out there." But Six has no connection with Eight on the Enneagram. Any insights here?

Counterphobic Sixes can look like Eights in their external behavior. They can act like real tough guys, but their internal motivations are quite different. The "danger out there" is danger to be feared as opposed to "I'm King of the jungle" (from Eight). Sixes give their power away by focusing on (and accusing/criticizing) those they believe to be in power. I think of this as the Chicken Little Syndrome or as whistling in the dark. The Six's fear often shows up as avoidance of fear ("I'm not afraid. I'm NOT afraid!") Eights simply aren't afraid (they don't give themselves permission to be weak). Eights may whistle in the dark but it's because they're excited by danger. It's a manifestation of their passion for excess.

Tom Condon writes in The Enneagram Movie and Video Guide:

"There are two types of Sixes, phobic and counterphobic. Their reactions to being fearful are so different that outwardly they seem like separate Enneagram styles… When phobic Sixes sense danger, they lay low. They may act cautious, compliant or ambivalent in order to avoid potential attack. When a counterphobic Six senses danger, they often deliberately provoke it. They may act outspoken and aggressive, wanting to handle trouble before it handles them .. Some Sixes are absolutely phobic or counterphobic, but most exist along a continuum where they are more one than the other… Entranced counterphobic Sixes often have an edgy, restless quality. Many channel their energies into physical activity… The point of physical challenge is to expel fear by facing danger. Instead of being passively afraid, you take risks, stir up fear, and then beat it …"

Getting Over Your Fear of Fear

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