ENFJs are known as the "Protagonists" in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment. They are characterized as warm, outgoing, and charismatic individuals who are naturally drawn to leadership roles. ENFJs are also highly empathetic and compassionate, and they have a strong desire to make a positive impact on the world.
ENFJ and Myers Briggs Personality Test
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an introspective self-report questionnaire designed to identify a person's personality type, preferences, and strengths. It is based on the work of Carl Jung, who developed a theory of psychological types that categorized individuals based on their preferences for four key dichotomies:
Introversion (I) vs. Extraversion (E): Individuals who are more introspective and energized by solitude are categorized as introverts, while those who are more outgoing and energized by social interaction are categorized as extraverts.
Sensing (S) vs. Intuition (N): Individuals who focus on concrete details and facts are categorized as sensors, while those who prefer abstract concepts and possibilities are categorized as intuitives.
Thinking (T) vs. Feeling (F): Individuals who make decisions based on logic and reason are categorized as thinkers, while those who consider emotions and personal values are categorized as feelers.
Judging (J) vs. Perceiving (P): Individuals who prefer structure and closure are categorized as judgers, while those who are more flexible and adaptable are categorized as perceivers.
Read more and take a quick MBTI test to assess your personality.ENFJ Personality Type
ENFJs are altruistic, introspective, friendly, and idealistic. Their primary function is Extraverted Feeling, so they naturally work well in matters concerning other people. Their auxiliary function is Introverted Intuition which allows them to have a clear perception of the inner workings of the mind which makes them aware of other people's needs. The ENFJ is more reserved than other extraverted types. They refrain from expressing their own beliefs if it is in the best interest of those around them. ENFJs work more like chameleons or mirrors, rather than individuals to better suit other people. They are capable of expressing their own values, of course, but they would rather be supportive of others. However, they may sometimes feel alone in a group of many because they cannot be themselves (Butt “ENFJ”). ENFJs prefer things to be well-organized but do not like to be forced to deal with logic and facts that do not connect to people. They like the idea of possibilities and thus prefer planning over their own achievements. Some may have difficulty making decisions and will rely on others to make decisions for them. Further, the ENFJ may also judge things too quickly based on their own morals and values without first analyzing a situation objectively (“Portrait of an ENFJ”).
Jungian functional preference ordering:
Dominant: Extraverted Feeling
Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition
Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing
Inferior: Introverted Thinking
ENFJs generally have the following traits:
• Genuinely and warmly interested in people
• Value people's feelings
• Value structure and organization
• Value harmony, and good at creating it
• Exceptionally good people skills
• Dislike impersonal logic and analysis
• Strong organizational capabilities
• Loyal and honest
• Creative and imaginative
• Enjoy variety and new challenges
• Get personal satisfaction from helping others
• Extremely sensitive to criticism and discord
• Need approval from others to feel good about themselves
ENFJ Relationships
ENFJs put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into their relationships. To some extent, the ENFJ defines themselves by the closeness and authenticity of their personal relationships, and are therefore highly invested in the business of relationships. They have very good people skills, and are affectionate and considerate. They are warmly affirming and nurturing. They excel at bringing out the best in others, and warmly supporting them. They want responding affirmation from their relationships, although they have a problem asking for it. When a situation calls for it, the ENFJ will become very sharp and critical. After having made their point, they will return to their natural, warm selves. They may have a tendency to "smother" their loved ones, but are generally highly valued for their genuine warmth and caring natures.
Strengths
Most ENFJs will exhibit the following strengths with regards to relationship issues:
• Good verbal communication skills
• Very perceptive about people's thoughts and motives
• Motivational, inspirational; bring out the best in others
• Warmly affectionate and affirming
• Fun to be with - lively sense of humor, dramatic, energetic, optimistic
• Good money skills
• Able to "move on" after a love relationship has failed (although they blame themselves)
• Loyal and committed - they want lifelong relationships
• Strive for "win-win" situations
• Driven to meet other's needs
Weaknesses
Most ENFJs will exhibit the following weaknesses with regards to relationships issues:
• Tendency to be smothering and over-protective
• Tendency to be controlling and/or manipulative
• Don't pay enough attention to their own needs
• Tend to be critical of opinions and attitudes which don't match their own
• Sometimes unaware of social appropriateness or protocol
• Extremely sensitive to conflict, with a tendency to sweep things under the rug as an avoidance tactic
• Tendency to blame themselves when things go wrong, and not give themselves credit when things go right
• Their sharply defined value systems make them unbending in some areas
• They may be so attuned to what is socially accepted or expected that they're unable to assess whether something is "right" or "wrong" outside of what their social circle expects.
Potential Problem Areas
With any gift of strength, there is an associated weakness. Without "bad", there would be no "good". Without "difficult", there would be no "easy". We value our strengths, but we often curse and ignore our weaknesses. To grow as a person and get what we want out of life, we must not only capitalize upon our strengths, but also face our weaknesses and deal with them. That means taking a hard look at our personality type's potential problem areas. Most of the weaker characteristics found in ENFJs are due to their dominant Extraverted Feeling overvaluing what they see as objective values in the external world and thereby judging too much by the needs of others, or by appearances. This is primarily due to the ENFJ having not fully adapted their Introverted Intuitive function sufficiently for them to be able to discern the vast range of ways in which they might be being missing the underlying needs within themselves and being misled by such appearances. The ENFJ naturally looks outward to find value and satisfaction, and whilst it is essential that this direction be taken to fulfill their primary needs of relation and comfort, without the supportive balance of a well developed Intuitive function, ENFJs can overvalue the external world to the point where they lose sight of themselves, becoming fixed in their judgments about people and the world. In such cases, the ENFJ will tend to live in a rigid - and to others, somewhat surreal - world of definite values which often seems “overstated” or obsessively connected to other people or human situations.
Careers
• Consultant
• Psychologist / Counselor
• Social Worker
• Teacher / Professor
• Clergy
• Human Resources
• Writer
• Manager
• Event Coordinator
• Politician / Diplomat
Key Elements to Working with this Type
• The ENFJ works best by bringing out the shining qualities in others.
• ENFJs are harmonious people; avoid conflict.
• Provide the ENFJ with work relating to people.
• Offer constructive criticism because ENFJs are extremely sensitive to criticism.
• ENFJs need meaningful feedback.
Here are some additional interesting facts about ENFJs:
They make up about 2% of the population.
They are more likely to be women than men.
They are often found in leadership roles in business, government, and non-profit organizations.
They are known for their ability to connect with people from all walks of life.
If you are an ENFJ, you are a valuable asset to the world. Your warmth, empathy, and leadership skills make you a force for good. Embrace your strengths and use them to make a difference in the lives of others.