The Motivator – Understanding the ENFP Personality Type
In the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator framework, personality types represent various approaches to life. Each one is a fascinating study with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. And people have succeeded immensely by understanding them better.
Most people take the MBTI in order to understand themselves. Understandably so. However, this tool is just as useful in understanding others, especially for managers and HR personnel.
There are 16 different MBTI personality types, which might seem like a daunting list to familiarize yourself with. Yet the benefits can be intense.
When we really know who we’re working with, we’re in a much better position to maximize their potential.
This is true across the board, including with the ENFP, or “Defender” category. Making up about 8.2% of the general population and 10.2% of women, it’s marked by amazing characteristics, including the tendency to see life as a unique gift that must be appreciated to its fullest. This outlook allows ENFPs to interact with others in some pretty positive ways.
When properly understood and encouraged, the ENFP personality type can definitely make the world a better place.
An ENFP’s Daily Life
The ENFP’s main way of observing the world – and therefore interacting with it – is from the inside out, mainly through their intuition. They have a fundamental joy in life that’s hard to beat and a strong moral code that involves being true to themselves.
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for them that their actions and values remain consistent. An ENFP who strays away from this necessity won’t end up being happy.
That might sound like an obvious statement that should apply to everyone, but it especially applies to ENFPs. They must have a sense of being authentic and following their moral convictions in order to feel that they are leading fulfilling lives.
Admittedly, they also have a strong desire to be accepted. Normally, their ethics win out when these tendencies come into conflict. But an ENFP may sometimes (particularly when younger) have a tendency to be “gushy,” dishonest, and generally “overdo” things in an attempt to gain approval.
If they figure out how to overcome that shortcoming, however, ENFPs can and do go on to become excellent at bringing out the best in other people. Combine that capability with full enthusiasm to take on life, and it should be no surprise that they’re usually well-liked.
With that said, this positive, ready-to-tackle-the-world attitude – which can too often encourage a chaotic lifestyle, or at least the appearance of such – can highly frustrate some people. This can be especially true of ENFPs’ own children, particularly those with strong inclinations toward assessing life more critically.
This temperament difference can mean the parent is perceived as being inconsistent and hard to understand. There’s also the chance for ENFPs to be controlling in how they raise their kids at times, which can cause further strife.
Then again, they may just as easily desire to be their child’s greatest friend instead. It can depend on the day and situation as much as the person and personality combination.
On the overwhelmingly positive parenting side, ENFPs and are very good about instilling their value systems in their offspring. That’s a priority on their part, and one that almost always bears fruit.
ENFP Strengths
Warm and gregarious, ENFPs are usually very intelligent and full of promise. A large part of that promise comes from how they’re traditionally passionate and excited about so much that comes their way.
The way they see the world, it truly is full of possibilities to see sights, do things, and help others adopt that same mentality. This mindset gives them a much greater capacity to uplift and encourage others than we see in other personality types.
It also means it isn’t hard to convince an ENFP into an activity. They’re usually game to try something new for the experience alone.
ENFPs possess a remarkably diverse array of abilities and aptitudes. If they’re interested in a project or study, they’re probably going to be good at it. Moreover, once they start something, they’re probably going to finish it.
Most ENFPs are excellent communicators. They value their interpersonal ties highly and are genuinely kind and interested in people.
Put another way, this personality type is relationship oriented. And they’ll remain loyal to those in their life just as long as they have strong moral principles to tie them down.
It should also be noted that ENFPs enjoy a little excitement in their lives. So they do often pair best with people who welcome change and novel experiences.
The ENFP may appear aimless and purposeless to casual observers (or more critical mindsets, as already noted). But in reality, they’re highly consistent individuals who uphold a strong sense of moral principles throughout their lives.
Challenges Faced by ENFPs
When an ENFP does go wrong, he or she can become highly skilled at manipulation. Endowed with the gift of gab, it’s easy and even instinctive for them to get others to sign on to their projects and plans.
And even the best of the best ENFPs aren’t immune to making grave mistakes in judgment. Although they possess a remarkable ability to intuitively discern the truth about people and circumstances, they can still get judgmental and draw incorrect conclusions.
In addition, when an ENFP finds himself or herself up against projects they’re not interested in, they can be more prone to ditching the task at hand. Or the relationship, for that matter, whether by withdrawing or by ending it altogether.
Their constant focus on potential outcomes may also cause them to grow disinterested in the current state of affairs. At the same time, they’re highly sensitive and aware of their surroundings, continuously scanning their environment… which means they’re more prone to suffering muscle tension.
Because they’re drawn to the world of thrilling possibilities, ENFPs tend to discount or outright overlook the minutiae of daily existence. They just don’t care about doing intricate maintenance-related duties and take no joy when they’re forced to complete such activities.
Coaching and Development for ENFPs
When ENFPs maintain their composure and focus, they tend to achieve great success in their pursuits. However, as previously noted, some of them have a tendency to give up on projects when they get enthusiastic about a new opportunity.
This flightiness naturally prevents them from ever reaching their full potential.
That’s why ENFPs should be encouraged to concentrate on seeing their tasks through to completion. And feel free to give them some time and space to process what you say. In contrast to other extraverted personality types, ENFPs actually require alone time in order to refocus and confirm that their actions align with their ideals.
Resistant to being categorized or controlled, they have a strong drive to be independent. And they don’t necessarily want to manage others either, hating to see anyone suppressed, no matter who.
In general, ENFPs are content people. But if they’re forced to perform boring chores or adhere to rigid timetables, they could get upset.
As a result, they function best in environments that allow them to be highly flexible. And they can equally thrive when they get to collaborate with others and share ideas.
Moreover, if they’re enthusiastic about their jobs, they can be highly productive with minimal guidance.
ENFPs in the Workplace
Charming, risk-takers, ENFPs are equally sensitive and people-oriented with a wide range of abilities. It’s really just a matter of whether they can stay focused and learn how to follow through. Because when they do achieve that state, their gifts can do so much to fulfill both themselves and those around them.
All told, potential career choices for ENFPs include:
- Consultant
- Teacher
- Actor
- Entrepreneur
- Advisor
- Diplomat or politician
- Journalist or writer
- Computer programmer, systems analyst, or computer scientist
- Television reporter.