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The ENFJ personality type (extraversion, sensing, feeling and judging) is widely recognized as one of the 16 personalities under the Jungian Personality Type Indicator.
The ENFJ personality type stands out in the crowd as a people person. They have an innate ability to build lasting friendships with all kinds of people, regardless of their personality type.
It doesn’t matter if the individual is introverted or reserved, as the ENFJ possesses the ability to forge a connection with them. This quality makes them a great fit for leadership roles, especially in communal environments that require a strong focus on people. With their heightened emotional intelligence, ENFJs can instinctively sense how others feel and act accordingly, which gives them the ability to influence or manipulate others to some extent. However, it is worth noting that their strong moral values and the desire to elevate others generally balances out any negative effects of their interpersonal abilities. Comparatively speaking, the ENFJ personality is The opposite of the ISTP personality type.
Who are the Givers?
Givers, known as ENFJs, exemplify a deep-rooted sense of purpose and a desire to better the world around them. Bearing a thoughtful and idealistic outlook, these personalities exhibit remarkable compassion and a willingness to navigate difficult paths to achieve their goals. As natural leaders, they have been known to take charge in various roles such as politics, instruction, and coaching.
The passion and charisma displayed by Givers enable them to motivate and inspire people from all walks of life, including their family and friends. For them, nothing is more gratifying than seeing people close to them succeed and grow. Givers cherish authenticity and selflessness dearly and are not afraid to express their values.
Whenever they come across anything they deem unjust, they voice their concerns and oppositions but with a tactful approach. Their innate sensitivity and perceptive qualities enable them to connect with people on a deeper level and persuade others to see things from a new perspective.
ENFJ Characteristics
ENFJs are known to be very social individuals who enjoy spending time with others, making them less likely to feel lonely. They have excellent people skills and tend to be warm, supportive and affectionate. One of the most fulfilling aspects of their personality is their ability to encourage and help others.
However, ENFJs can sometimes neglect their own needs and focus too much on helping others. As a result, they may blame themselves if things go wrong and not give themselves enough credit if things go well. It’s important for them to set aside time for themselves and attend to their own needs.
ENFJs are natural consensus builders and can inspire and motivate a diverse group of people. Their leadership skills are exceptional, making them outstanding leaders. It’s also worth noting that there are two different types of ENFJs: the assertive ENFJ-A and the more introspective ENFJ-T.
Overall, although ENFJs love spending time with others, they also need time alone to process their thoughts.
ENFJs Strenghts
Outgoing and warm-hearted
Empathetic
Wide social circle
Encouraging
Organized
Affectionate
Persuasive
ENFJs Weaknesses
Approval-seeking
Overly sensitive
Indecisive
Self-sacrificing
Rigid and uncompromising
Overprotective
Manipulative
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ENFJ Cognitive functions
When we talk about individual personalities, we are actually talking about cognitive functions that are unique to every individual. These cognitive functions are sensing, thinking, feeling, and intuition, and each of these functions varies in terms of dominance. The way these functions are ordered hierarchically can play a significant role in how each person perceives and interacts with the world.
It is also worth noting that these functions can be either extraverted or introverted. The extraverted functions are the ones that are more focused on external factors, such as interacting with others and responding to the world around us. On the other hand, introverted functions are those that are primarily focused on internal processes like self-reflection and analysis.
The variation in these different cognitive functions and their focus allows for endless possibilities when it comes to understanding people and their unique personalities. By understanding these functions, we can gain better insight into ourselves and those around us, leading to greater understanding and more meaningful relationships.
Dominant: Extraverted Feeling
ENFJs, otherwise known as the Givers or Protagonists, possess an admirable quality of being very engaging in their social behaviours and maintaining harmonious relationships. Not only this, but they are also very empathetic and sensitive to the emotions of others, so much so that they often put aside their own needs to ensure that others are happy. This highlights their selfless nature, showing that they are always willing to help and support those around them. In addition, Givers have a strong tendency to weigh personal feelings rather than objective reasoning when making decisions. Their concern greatly revolves around how their choices will impact the people involved and affected by them. Their ability to recognize the value of relationships and to keep them harmonious is what makes them stand out from the crowd and be appreciated by others.
Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition
The ENFJs’ ability to constantly envision the future is a major aspect of their personality. They possess exceptional skills to focus on the larger goal, which can sometimes lead to them overlooking or neglecting the immediate details. Their forward-thinking mentality grants them the potential to make better long-term plans, making their presence vital in any organization.
ENFJs possess an introverted intuition that processes data about the world in a unique way. This converts the collected information into a usable form that enables them to come up with ideas, thoughts and spot patterns. Due to this, they can make sense of complex or abstract data, making them exceptional thinkers. With this ability, they can analyze any situation and come up with an appropriate plan of action that can be applied to achieve a desired outcome.
Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing
The ENFJ personality type is known for its strong preference for Extraverted Sensing, which allows them to fully immerse themselves in their surroundings. They are highly attuned to concrete details and sensory input from the environment and actively seek out novel and interesting experiences. Their natural curiosity and desire for new sensations drive them to explore and learn as much as possible.
This heightened awareness of the present moment also allows ENFJs to appreciate aesthetics on a deep level. They are often drawn to visually pleasing spaces and have a natural talent for creating an inviting atmosphere. This skill can be seen in their personal spaces but also extends to their interactions with others. ENFJs are likely to create a warm and welcoming environment that makes others feel comfortable and at ease.
Overall, the combination of their Extraverted Sensing and appreciation for aesthetics makes ENFJs natural explorers and creators who are able to bring beauty and joy into the world around them.
Inferior: Introverted Thinking
ENFJs are organized and enjoy structure and careful planning. Sticking to a predictable schedule helps ENFJs feel in control of the world around them.
Because this is an inferior function, ENFPs may not have a great deal of confidence in their own ability to be logical and organized.
Developing this function can help people with this personality type feel more balanced and in control of their decision-making process. Neglecting this aspect of personality can lead to relying solely on personal values when making decisions.
ENFJ Personal Relationships
ENFJs are known for their high regard for others and their ability to foster warm and nurturing relationships. Their altruistic tendencies make them great listeners, and they are always interested in helping others. However, their overbearing nature can sometimes be misinterpreted. Yet, with their genuine concern and care, they are usually well-liked by those they surround themselves with. As parents, ENFJs are incredibly loving and supportive, but sometimes, they can fall into the trap of being too controlling and “helicopter-like”. In order to maintain a healthy relationship with their children, ENFJs must remember to allow them to explore and develop their own identity, especially once they reach adolescence. Social settings are where ENFJs shine, as they enjoy spending time with others and are energized by social interactions. Their ability to relate to others makes them fun to be around, and they often bring out the best in those they spend time with.
ENFJ Career Paths
ENFJs are social beings who thrive on helping others. They enjoy careers that allow them to interact with people and make a meaningful impact in their lives. Their natural communication and organizational skills make them excellent leaders and managers who can create a harmonious work environment. ENFJs invest their time and energy in organizing team activities and motivating each individual to achieve their best potential. They also excel in conflict resolution, always knowing how to diffuse tense situations and prevent further disagreements.
If you’re an ENFJ looking for a career that suits your strengths, consider
- counselling,
- teaching,
- psychology,
- social work,
- human resources
- management,
- sales, or
- leadership positions.
These professions are perfect for those who are passionate about helping others and have a talent for building strong relationships with others. By pursuing these careers, ENFJs can live fulfilling lives while making a positive impact on individuals and society as a whole.
Tips for Interacting With ENFJs
Friendships
One of the best ways to be a good friend to an ENFJ is to accept the care and support that they naturally offer. People with this personality type enjoy helping their friends, and it is important to show that you accept and appreciate what they have to offer.
However, it is also important that you offer your support in return. ENFJs are not always good at asking for help when they need it. In many cases, simply being willing to listen to whatever they have to share can be very helpful.
Parenting
ENFJ parenting style may bring both benefits and challenges to their children. On one hand, ENFJ parents are very involved in their children’s lives, but on the other hand, they set high expectations that could be hard to meet. Children of ENFJs might become overwhelmed and stifled by their parents’ hands-on approach to parenting.
Parents of ENFJ children should appreciate their kids’ empathetic and caring nature, which sometimes leads them to put others’ needs before their own. However, these children might find it hard to show their struggles and receive support from others.
As a parent, it’s vital to encourage your child, if they have a Giver personality, to become a caring and compassionate person and not forget their own emotional well-being. Understanding and acknowledging the challenges and strengths of parenting an ENFJ child could help cultivate a lasting and fulfilling parent-child relationship.
Relationships
The sensitivity of ENFJs towards others’ feelings is quite remarkable. It is essential to note that your happiness is not only valuable to you but also vital to your partner. In order to cater to your needs, your partner may even place their own desires and wishes at the bottom of their priority list. This selfless nature of ENFJs reflects their immense dedication towards ensuring that their partner’s needs are always met.
Therefore, it is imperative to show your ENFJ partner how much you value their care and support. Acknowledging their efforts can be a fantastic way to appreciate them and make them feel cherished. Additionally, it is crucial to reciprocate their kindness by taking care of them and fulfilling their needs, even if they find it challenging to ask for help. This way, both partners can support and cherish one another, making the relationship even stronger.
Interesting Facts about ENFJs
- On personality trait scales, scored as Active, Pleasant, Sociable, Demanding, Impatient, Appreciative, and Compromising
- Most likely of all types to cope with stress by exercising
- Most likely of all types to believe in a higher spiritual power
- Ranked by psychologists as among least likely to have trouble in school
- Personal values include Friendships, Education & Learning, Creativity, and Community Service
- Among types highest in job satisfaction, but also among most likely to report plans to leave their jobs
- Commonly found in careers in religion, teaching, and the arts.
How rare is the ENFJ personality type?
ENFJ is one of the less common types in the population, especially for men. ENFJs make up:
- 2.2% of the general population
- 2.8% of women
- 1.4% of men
ENFJ Famous Persons
Famous ENFJs include:
- Oprah Winfrey
- Pope John Paul II
- Maya Angelou
- Meghan Markle
- Michael Jordan
- Reese Witherspoon
- Margaret Mead
- Ralph Nader
- Abraham Maslow
- Dr. Phil McGraw
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
ENFJ Book Recommendations
Here is a collection of the best books and other items on the market for the ENFJ personality type:
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Your Thoughts about the ENFJ Personality Type
It’s highly recommended that you jot down any ideas or reflections that come to mind regarding the ENFJ personality type, including related behaviours, emotions, situations, or other associations you may make. This way, you can refer back to them on your Dashboard or Reflect pop-ups, compare them with your current behaviours, and make any necessary adjustments to keep evolving. Learn more about this feature and how it can benefit you.
