Social
Enneagram Type 6:
"Duty"

At 31, Naomi's Social Six (SO6) patterns had transformed her role in the friend group's camping weekends into an exercise in careful planning. What should have been relaxed getaways gradually became increasingly structured events under her well-intentioned coordination.

Her organizing style became more about preventing problems than enabling fun. Every activity needed a backup plan, each hike required checking weather reports multiple times, and group decisions got caught up in her endless 'what-if' scenarios. Each potential uncertainty triggered another precaution - from insisting everyone share their locations to repeatedly texting the group chat about bringing extra supplies.

Behind this behavior lay a deeper struggle: her inner saboteur kept her believing that her status and acceptance among her friends was tied to her role as the 'security warden', expressed through careful preparation, and that relaxed spontaneity might lead to problems she should have prevented.

Despite genuine efforts to help everyone have a good time, her cautious patterns created subtle tension. Even casual evening plans became subject to her concerned questioning, dampening the group's spontaneous energy with well-meant but persistent worrying.

The wake-up call came during their latest trip. While the group was discussing taking an impromptu detour to a nearby swimming hole, Naomi found herself listing all the potential risks, until her best friend gently interrupted: 'Nom, I know you want us to be safe, but sometimes the best memories come from just going with the flow.'

Something about those words made her realize how her constant caution was filtering all the joy out of their adventures.

Through Pi9™ Enneagram coaching, Naomi transformed her relationship with group security. Her natural care for others evolved from rigid caution into balanced consideration, allowing her to develop what she called her 'Flexible Care Practice' - discovering that true friendship includes trusting both herself and others to handle uncertainty.

Her role in the group shifted from designated worrier to engaged participant. While maintaining her gift for thoughtful planning, she learned to hold her concerns more lightly, discovering that genuine connection flows from shared experiences rather than perfect preparation. Each adventure became an opportunity for real enjoyment rather than risk management.

Behind this transformation lay a profound realization: group belonging comes from authentic participation rather than playing a protective role, and true friendship includes the freedom to sometimes just be part of the fun.

Through practice, she discovered that outings felt different when she wasn't carrying the weight of everyone's safety. Group activities began flowing with natural ease instead of careful orchestration, allowing space for both sensible precautions and spontaneous decisions.

The evidence of change emerged during their next camping trip. When someone suggested an unplanned hike to watch the sunset, she surprised herself by simply grabbing her water bottle and joining in.

Later, around the campfire, her best friend squeezed her hand and whispered: 'You know what? It's nice to have Naomi the friend here instead of Naomi the mother hen.' Their shared laughter in that moment told her she'd finally found her place - not as the group's protector, but as just another friend on the adventure.