ENFJ (extraversion, intuition, feeling, judging) is a four-letter acronym used to represent one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. People with the ENFJ personality type tend to be responsible, outgoing, and loyal.
An Overview of the ENFJ Personality Type
ENFJs draw energy from engaging with others (Extraversion), favor conceptual thinking and exploring potential outcomes over focusing on concrete facts (Intuition), rely on personal values and emotional considerations when making decisions (Feeling), and appreciate order and planned outcomes rather than unpredictability (Judging).
ENFJs are often described as warm, empathetic, and supportive individuals who are deeply invested in the well-being of others and strive to help them achieve their potential.
They are highly attuned to the emotions of others, and their charming presence can attract the attention of just about anyone.
They tend to make good leaders as they are highly capable of facilitating agreement among diverse groups of people.
They are charismatic, have excellent communication skills, and are typically very organized and goal-oriented. However, they can sometimes neglect their needs while caring for others and might struggle with taking criticism or dealing with conflict.
Famous ENFJs include Oprah Winfrey, Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Maslow, Barack Obama, Pope John Paul II, and Maya Angelou.
ENFJ is one of the less common types in the population, especially for men. Among men, ENFJ is the second-rarest type. ENFJs make up:
- 3% of the general population
- 2% of men
- 2% of women
ENFJs are sometimes referred to as “the Giver,” “the Protagonist,” or “the Teacher.” ISTP is the opposite personality type of ENFJ.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Affectionate | Self-sacrificing |
| Harmonious | Overprotective |
| Reliable | Indecisive |
| Altruistic | Overly Idealistic |
| Sociable | Manipulative |
Key ENFJ Characteristics
ENFJs have magnetic personalities. They are capable of forming friendships with all types of people and can captivate a wide audience with their irresistible charm.
- As extroverts, ENFJs love spending time with other people. They like to be the center of attention and thrive on the energy from being in the company of others.
- They have excellent people skills and a unique ability to communicate proficiently whether in large crowds or small groups.
- ENFJs tend to have large social circles as they work hard to maintain strong relationships and will go to great lengths to care for their loved ones.
- However, while ENFJs are highly sociable, they do need time alone to recuperate and organize their thoughts.
ENFJs are remarkably empathetic . They have a unique ability to understand what others feel while also recognizing the importance of allowing others to express themselves fully.
They enjoy helping others solve their personal problems as they strive to have a positive impact on the world around them.
But, ENFJs can sometimes be too empathetic to the point of being over-involved. They can tend to
take on other people’s problems as their own.
ENFJs have strong value systems. They preach authenticity and altruism and harbor a deep desire to be a force of positivity in the world.
- They can be incredibly persuasive and influential, motivated to change people’s minds by their genuine desire to do the right thing and help others realize their potential.
- They are driven to stand up for the people and ideas that they believe in because they genuinely believe they can make an impactful difference.
People with the ENFJ personality type can make great leaders. They tend to be idealists who are driven to implement their visions and achieve their goals in order to benefit society.
- They are motivating and inspirational and feel passionate about the potential for humanity. ENFJs feel a personal responsibility to make the world a better place.
- They can intuitively see opportunities for improvement in others and thus love to support people in becoming the best versions of themselves.
- They are also skilled at establishing harmony among diverse groups of people as their charisma can easily persuade others to their ideas.
- They are so interested in devoting their time to others, though, that sometimes they neglect their own needs in the process.
Cognitive Functions of an ENFJ
The MBTI suggests that the four different cognitive functions (thinking, feeling, intuition, and sensing) form a hierarchy where each function is either directed outwardly (extroverted) or inwardly (introverted). The order of these functions determines one’s personality.
The dominant function is the primary aspect of personality, while the auxiliary and tertiary functions play supportive roles.
Dominant: Extraverted Feeling
- ENFJs are outward-turning individuals who love being surrounded by others. They have engaging social behavior and draw energy from their social relationships.
- They are intuitively aware of other people’s feelings and tend to place the needs of others before their own.
- When making decisions, ENFJs tend to place a stronger emphasis on subjective emotions than on logic and facts. They are primarily concerned with how a decision will impact others.
Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition
- ENFJs like to think about the distant future rather than focus on the here and now.
- They create unique ideas, thoughts, and patterns as they process information about the world around them in order to make sense of complex or abstract concepts.
Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing
- This function of the ENFJ personality can lead these individuals to take in concrete details and sensory information from their environment, allowing them to appreciate the present moment.
- While ENFJs like to think about the distant future, they tend to be very aware of their immediate surroundings.
Inferior: Introverted Thinking
- ENFJs are highly organized and structured individuals who like to stick to a predictable schedule and routine.
- They want to feel in control of the world around
them. However, this is an inferior function, so many ENFJs do not feel confident in their own ability to be balanced and in control.
ENFJ Hobbies, Interests, and Careers
ENFJs are highly attuned to people’s feelings and needs, and they tend to be most passionate about
careers that enable them to help other people reach their full potential.
ENFJs are enthusiastic problem-solvers who are particularly skilled at resolving conflicts and creating harmony.
They can excel in essentially any people-oriented field, but tend to feel particularly motivated when they can help others learn and grow.
Because their primary goal is to encourage other people to become better versions of themselves, ENFJs make successful psychologists, teachers, counselors, social workers, coaches, and human resource managers.
ENFJs also thrive in leadership and managerial roles. They are able to utilize their strong communication and planning skills to naturally organize people to take advantage of each individual’s unique talents, and as a result, put their ideas into action.
In their free time, ENFJs enjoy organizing social events, reading, engaging with the arts, visiting museums, telling stories, listening to music, writing, and cooking.
ENFJ Work Environments
ENFJs can find ways to serve and inspire others in nearly any work environment. They adapt well to different situations and different types of people.
However, the ideal work environment for an ENFJ is one that is harmonious, progressive, and people-centered. They enjoy working on a team where everyone can feel comfortable expressing their opinions and is motivated by the same core vision.
They thrive in environments that emphasize a clear humanitarian mission and are aligned with their personal values.
ENFJs look for work that allows them to support others and encourage their growth.
ENFJ Personal Relationships
ENFJs value their relationships with other people highly. They have outgoing, extroverted personalities and love to surround themselves with people.
They are good at connecting with various people and forming friendships from all walks of life. ENFJs make caring and generous friends.
They invest much time and energy into helping people solve their problems. ENFJs are particularly good at relating to others and bringing out the best in the people around them.
Typically, ENFJs are well-liked individuals, as their friends and family appreciate their genuine concern and care.
However, sometimes they can come off as overbearing and overinvolved. ENFJs are natural leaders and mentors, but they need to know when to allow others to solve their problems and grow without pushing too hard.
As partners, ENFJs are nurturing, affectionate, and enthusiastically supportive. When ENFJs fall in love, they tend to feel deeply.
They take dating and relationships seriously and are not afraid to make the first move when they find someone who meets their standards.
ENFJs are highly sensitive to their partners’ feelings and are ready to help whenever the opportunity arises. They enjoy caring for their significant others and encouraging them to explore their greatest potential.
When in a longer-term relationship, ENFJs will even take on their partners’ goals as their own.
Tips for Interacting With ENFJs
Friendships
The ideal friend for an ENFJ appreciates their compassion and support, and accepts the care that they naturally offer.
As people with this personality type enjoy helping others, it is important to make an ENFJ feel appreciated and acknowledged.
It is also important to make an effort to understand the ENFJ’s feelings and values and offer your own support in return.
Relationships
Similarly, as the significant other of an ENFJ, you should let your partner know how much you appreciate their generosity and care.
ENFJs believe relationships are built on trust and mutual support, so you should also be willing to provide the same love and kindness in return.
Parenting
As parents, ENFJs tend to have a more hands-on approach. They take a very active role in their children’s lives and enjoy guiding them through the world.
They can be overprotective and stifling, making it difficult for their children to learn and explore on their own.
They can also hold high expectations for their kids and become disappointed when they do not live up to these expectations.
However, they love their children deeply and tend to create encouraging and supportive home lives.
Test
Answer these questions to find out if ENFJ might be your personality type:
- Do you often find yourself naturally taking on leadership roles in group situations?
- Are you highly attuned to others’ emotions and needs?
- Do you enjoy spending time with people and feel energized by social interactions?
- When making decisions, do you tend to prioritize how they will impact others over purely logical considerations?
- Are you often described as charismatic, warm, or inspiring by others?
- Do you have a strong desire to help others reach their full potential?
- Are you skilled at facilitating harmony and agreement among diverse groups of people?
- Do you prefer planning and structure over spontaneity in your daily life?
- Are you driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the world and society?
- Do you sometimes neglect your own needs while caring for others?
If you answer “yes” to most of these questions, you may have ENFJ personality traits. However, remember that personality is complex, and a professional assessment would be needed for a definitive personality type determination.
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What is an ENFJ personality?
An ENFJ personality, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, is characterized by the preferences for Extroverted (E), Intuitive (N), Feeling (F), and Judging (J). ENFJs are warm, empathetic, and charismatic individuals who excel in understanding and connecting with others. They are natural leaders, often driven by a desire to help people and positively impact the world.
ENFJs are skilled communicators, able to inspire and motivate those around them. They tend to be well-organized and value harmony in their relationships. However, they may struggle with taking criticism or setting personal boundaries, as they are highly attuned to the emotions and needs of others.
Is ENFJ a rare personality?
ENFJ is a relatively rare personality type, making up about 2-3% of the general population. As extroverted, intuitive, feeling, and judging individuals, ENFJs are known for their warmth, empathy, and leadership abilities.
Although not as rare as some other personality types, their unique combination of traits allows them to significantly impact their personal and professional lives, often excelling in roles that involve helping, teaching, or inspiring others.
Sources
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Myers, I. B. (1962). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Manual (1962).
Myers, K. D., & Kirby, L. D. (2015). Introduction to type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment. Sunnyvale, CA: CPP.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. (2019, May 28). New World Encyclopedia, . Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator&oldid=1020015.
Myers, Isabel B.; Myers, Peter B. (1995) [1980]. Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Mountain View, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89106-074-1.
Pittenger, D. J. (2005). Cautionary Comments Regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 57(3), 210-221.
The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. The Myers & Briggs Foundation: MBTI Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
