The Myers-Briggs ENFP (Extroversion, Introversion, Feeling, Perception) personality type highlights the characteristics of a crusader. These individuals are free-spirited, charming, energetic, understanding, and independent. Instead of enjoying events for the thrill, they aspire to make social and emotional connections with others. ENFPs’ energetic and curious nature makes them ideal investigators and problem solvers. Further, they have a keen ability to perceive details often overlooked by others, which helps them to forge such connections.
ENFPs are likely to view life as one complex puzzle; therefore, they spend much of their time trying to figure out the meaning of life. They are sincere believers that everyone and everything in the universe has a connection, so they thrive on paying attention to minute details that may connect people or events. Their self-esteem is correlated to whether or not they can express their findings, regarding their creative solutions to the world’s problems. If they do not have the freedom (time or space) to be innovative, they may lose patience and become bored. Stress can make them feel trapped, as they flourish from independence and creativity.
A strength of ENFPs is that they are proficient at switching from an enthusiastic, determined optimist in the workplace to an artistic and vibrant free-spirit on the dance floor, often with a quickness that startles even their closest friends and family members. These individuals firmly believe that everyone should express their feelings of compassion and empathy toward others so that the world can be a better place. On the other hand, a weakness of ENFPs is that they tend to be highly sensitive and emotional, so when they hurt someone’s feelings, it fills them with regret and sadness. Additionally, these individuals may sometimes misinterpret what others are trying to tell them, which can lead to unnecessary complications.
Higher than other personality types, ENFPs account for 7 percent of the general population. This personality type does rather well at work. Two factors that contribute to their success and productivity are a chance to explore new ideas and offer new suggestions, and an opportunity to work with others who share their excitement and passion, when it comes to improving the workplace. ENFPs do not particularly like hierarchy systems and would prefer if everyone was on an even playing field.
ENFP personality types are dynamic listeners. They are also warm, open-minded, and creative individuals, who tend to shine when given process-improvement projects. Managers tend to rely on these individuals to boost morale in the in the work place and motivate employees to do their best. ENFPs are also highly adaptive and growth-oriented. They are willing and eager to learn new skills. They have the ability to quickly analyze situations and understand the perspectives of others.
ENFPs do not do well under micromanagement. This circumstance may lead an ENFP to stop working, mostly out of frustration. To an ENFP, a supervisor only needs to express his or her desires, and then the ENFP can complete the task. When a supervisor watches too intently or impedes their space, an ENFP can become easily annoyed. Freedom is the key with ENFPs. However, their attention to detail may not be as sharp as some employers prefer, so some level of supervision may be beneficial.
ENFPs do best in jobs that allow them to express their creativity and challenge them to learn new things. These individuals are most successful as psychologists, counselors, engineers, teachers, politicians, diplomats, and detectives. They also do well in human service positions and as reporters, writers, and analysts.
Relationship Qualities
People with ENFP personalities tend to have good relationships with others. In fact, when it comes to relationships, especially romantic ones, they are excited to share their lives with their long-term partners. ENFPs love sharing their ideas with loved ones and jump at the chance to create thrilling experiences for their partners. They want to experience everything that life has to offer. ENFPs love dating, and relationships are special, joyous aspects of life that consist of mutual imagination, exploration, and connection with someone special. ENFP personality types take their relationships seriously. They are best known for their unrestrained and firm devotion to their partners. Moreover, ENFP personality types tend to be irresistible to others, especially romantic partners; they are warm, fun, exciting, and enchanting. Their level of support, commitment, and devotion leads to strong, lasting bonds.
ENFPs also make good friends. They are cheerful, optimistic, supportive, loyal, dependable, open-minded, warm, sincere, and empathetic. They are adept at getting people to open up; therefore, they typically have a lot of friends. ENFPs also make good friends, because they view friendships as opportunities to connect with others in the universe, and to “better” themselves and the world around them.
People with ENFP personality types are great parents. They appreciate all things—old and new, ugly and beautiful. It is this wonder that ENFP parents share with their growing children, every day. ENFP parents provide their children with a stellar combination of unconditional love and support, and an unfettered environment surrounded by freedom, independence, and creativity. ENFP parents tend to be playful and nurturing. They love watching their children learn, play, and develop. They also love seeing the excitement in their children’s eyes when they discover something new.
- R. Y. Langham, PhD, Author Melissa Lavery, MS, Editor
