ENFJ Overview

ENFJ is a personality type that is often described as warm, empathetic, and charismatic. They are natural-born leaders who possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and motivate others. ENFJs are guided by their strong sense of values and beliefs, and they have a deep desire to help others and make a positive impact in the world.

ENFJs are known for their ability to connect with others on a deep and personal level. They have an uncanny ability to understand and empathize with the emotions of those around them, making them excellent communicators and problem-solvers. ENFJs are natural extroverts, and they thrive in social situations. They are often described as charming and charismatic, and they are adept at using their social skills to build relationships and influence others. ENFJs have a strong sense of purpose and vision, and they are often drawn to careers that allow them to make a difference in the lives of others.

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ENFJ Preferences

To understand what each letter in ENFJ means, the table below describes each the four traits while contrasting them with the opposite trait.

Description Opposite Trait
E (Extroverted) – ENFJs tend to focus on the external world and prefer social activities. They recharge their energy by being around people. I (Introverted) – Introverted individuals tend to focus on their inner world and prefer solitary activities. They recharge their energy by spending time alone.
N (Intuitive) – ENFJs tend to focus on the abstract and future possibilities, using their intuition to guide them. They rely on patterns and connections in the world around them. S (Sensing) – Sensing individuals tend to focus on the concrete and present reality, using their senses to guide them. They rely on facts and details in the world around them.
F (Feeling) – ENFJs tend to prioritize emotions and empathy in their decision-making. They value personal values and connections. T (Thinking) – Thinking individuals tend to prioritize logic and reason in their decision-making. They value objective analysis and accuracy.
J (Judging) – ENFJs tend to be structured and organized, preferring to stick to plans and schedules. They are decisive and action-oriented. P (Perceiving) – Perceiving individuals tend to be open-minded and curious, preferring to explore new ideas and experiences. They are flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.

ENFJ Themes and Characteristics

“Warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible. Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Find potential in everyone, want to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism. Sociable, facilitate others in a group, and provide inspiring leadership.”

Introduction To Type
Isabel Briggs Myers

“Communicate and share values. Succeeding at relationships. Realizing dreams—their own and others. Seek opportunities to grow together. Heeding the call to a life work or mission. Enjoying the creative process. Intuitive intellect. Reconcile the past and the future. Talent for seeing potential in others. Often find living in the present difficult.”

Neuroscience of Personality: Brain-Savvy Insights for All Types of People
Dario Nardi

Here are some common themes associated with the ENFJ personality type:

  • Empathy and Compassion: ENFJs have a natural ability to understand and relate to the feelings and needs of others. They are often caring and nurturing, and strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them.
  • Strong Communication Skills: ENFJs are skilled at expressing their ideas and emotions in a clear and engaging way. They are often great public speakers and are able to inspire and motivate others through their words.
  • Relationship Focus: ENFJs place a high value on building and maintaining strong, meaningful relationships with others. They are often very attuned to the emotional needs of those around them and work hard to create a supportive and nurturing environment for their loved ones.
  • Idealism: ENFJs are often driven by a strong sense of idealism and a desire to make the world a better place. They are deeply committed to social causes and often pursue careers in fields like education, healthcare, or social work.
  • Leadership Skills: ENFJs are natural leaders who are able to inspire and motivate others towards a common goal. They are often skilled at creating a vision for the future and bringing people together to work towards that vision.
  • People-Pleasing: ENFJs often prioritize the needs of others over their own, sometimes to their own detriment. They may struggle with setting boundaries or saying no, as they don’t want to disappoint or upset anyone.
  • Emotional Sensitivity: ENFJs are often highly attuned to their own emotions as well as the emotions of others. They may be deeply affected by the emotions of those around them, and may struggle with taking on the emotional burdens of others.
  • Collaboration: ENFJs often enjoy working in groups or teams, as they thrive in collaborative environments. They are able to bring people together and work towards a common goal, and are often skilled at mediating conflicts within the group.
  • Attention to Detail: Despite their big-picture thinking and visionary nature, ENFJs often have a strong attention to detail. They may be meticulous in their planning and execution, and are often skilled at juggling multiple tasks and projects at once.

ENFJ Areas For Growth

Some challenges and areas for growth for ENFJs include:

  • Setting Boundaries: ENFJs may have difficulty setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, as they often prioritize the needs of others over their own. It can be important for ENFJs to learn how to say “no” and take time for themselves without feeling guilty.
  • Self-Care: ENFJs may have a tendency to neglect their own needs and prioritize the needs of others. It can be important for ENFJs to practice self-care and make time for activities that recharge their own batteries.
  • Perfectionism: ENFJs may have high standards for themselves and others, which can lead to feelings of self-doubt and anxiety. It can be important for ENFJs to recognize that perfectionism is often unrealistic and to practice self-compassion.
  • Conflict Avoidance: ENFJs may have a tendency to avoid conflict in order to maintain harmony, which can lead to unresolved issues and resentment. It can be important for ENFJs to learn how to effectively address conflicts and assert their own needs in a healthy way.
  • Taking Feedback: ENFJs may struggle with receiving criticism or feedback, as they may take it personally or feel like they have failed. It can be important for ENFJs to learn how to separate themselves from their work and to view feedback as an opportunity for growth.
  • Boundaries in Relationships: ENFJs may have a tendency to become overly invested in their relationships and may struggle with setting healthy boundaries. It can be important for ENFJs to communicate their needs and expectations clearly in their relationships.
  • Recognizing and Expressing Emotions: ENFJs may have a tendency to focus on the emotions of others and neglect their own emotional needs. It can be important for ENFJs to practice self-reflection and to learn how to express their own emotions in a healthy way.
  • Flexibility: ENFJs may struggle with being flexible or adapting to changes, as they may have a strong sense of how things “should” be. It can be important for ENFJs to practice flexibility and to recognize that change can lead to growth and new opportunities.
  • Self-Awareness: ENFJs may be so focused on the needs of others that they neglect their own personal growth and development. It can be important for ENFJs to practice self-reflection and self-awareness in order to identify their own strengths and weaknesses, and to work towards personal growth and development.

ENFJ Careers

“ENFJs do well in many fields, for example, as teachers, clergy, career and personal counselors, and psychiatrists.”

Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type
Isabel Briggs Myers & Peter B. Myers

“The media and the ministry are populated with talented ENFJs, and they make excellent therapists, educators, and primary care physicians. They should avoid occupations that do not make use of their interpersonal talents (accounting, law practice, the military); otherwise, almost any activity where sustained personal contact is involved suits their diplomatic skills.”

Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence: 2
David Keirsey

“Occupational trends identified: religion, arts.”

MBTI Manual
Isabel Briggs Myers

“ENFJs are drawn to careers that serve others with minimal potential for interpersonal conflict. Work that involves too many specific details, an abundance of paperwork, or too much time alone will be boring if not stressful to ENFJs. They are especially drawn to religious organisations, academia, and psychological services.”

Type Talk
Otto Kroeger, Janet M. Thuesen

ENFJs tend to thrive in careers that allow them to help others and make a positive impact in the world. They are often drawn to careers in counseling, social work, or education, where they can use their empathy and compassion to assist those in need. ENFJs are also natural leaders, and may be drawn to management or leadership roles where they can inspire and motivate others to work towards a common goal.

Another career path that may be well-suited for ENFJs is in the field of politics or public service. ENFJs have a strong sense of social responsibility and may be passionate about making a difference at a larger scale. They may be drawn to careers as politicians, lobbyists, or public servants, where they can work towards creating positive change in society. ENFJs’ strong communication and interpersonal skills can also make them effective public speakers and advocates for causes they believe in.

Ultimately, ENFJs tend to thrive in careers that align with their values and allow them to make a meaningful impact on the world.

ENFJ Resources & Links

Links and resources from various websites for ENFJs grouped by topic. 

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