Update on: 17.09.2024
Every person has his very own personality, which makes him an individual. Nevertheless, there are certain behavioural patterns and structures that can be observed in clusters. The Myers-Briggs personality model differentiates between 16 different personality types. One of these is the ENFJ personality, which we will look at in more detail below.
The abbreviation ENFJ stands for the following Character traits:
Let's take a compact look at what this means in detail:
Extroversion
Extroverts like to be the center of attention. They are very outgoing and are not afraid to approach other people openly.
intuition
Intuitive people have a strong sense for unspoken things. They like to make decisions based on their gut. There are usually no rational reasons why a decision feels right.
Probe
Feelers like to take care of their fellow humans. Their behavior and decisions are strongly influenced by their emotions.
Appraiser
Evaluators love factual information. They also appreciate order and control in their lives. They do not like surprises at all.
Because of all these qualities, the ENFJ personality is also called the protagonist.
The ENFJ does not bear the title of protagonist for nothing: he always behaves like a main character from a film or literature. People of this personality type radiate incredible Charisma and passion. They are able to inspire other people for their projects. They often hold influential professional positions.
Surely you have already met personalities in your life who literally fill the whole room with their mere presence. ENFJs have a very attractive effect on their fellow men. This is mainly due to their Authenticity, their altruism, and their sincere compassion. They have a sincere interest in their fellow human beings and successfully manage to support and encourage others.
However, there is a flip side to this coin: the ENFJ tends to get too emotionally involved in the problems of others. Sometimes the boundaries become blurred. ENFJs suddenly suspect emotional problems in themselves that do not exist. In his unstoppable enthusiasm, the ENFJ also tends to push other people to actions for which they are not (yet) ready.
The ENFJ personality shines with the following strengths:
The protagonist's greatest goal in life is to make the world a better place. He believes in the good in people and tries to motivate others as well to do something good for the community. He has no ulterior motives in doing so. He is not interested in personal gain. Protagonists feel the greatest fulfillment when they have been able to make someone else happy.
ENFJs are crowd pleasers. They are sensitive to the moods and emotions of their fellow human beings and are able to interpret moods correctly. This characteristic enables them to adapt their communication behavior to the Needs of their respective counterparts without losing authenticity. Accordingly, they can converse with a wide variety of people without any problems.
Protagonists do not aspire to leadership positions of their own accord. Rather, they occupy them because others want them to do so. With their enthusiasm and strong personality, they serve as role models and are therefore born leaders. They know how to lovingly lead people towards a certain goal without giving them the feeling of being controlled by others.
ENFJ personalities accept the opinion of their fellow human beings, even if it contradicts their own view. As long as there is a constructive exchange with reasonable arguments, protagonists behave very tolerant and sociable. Thus, they are the perfect team players. It is important to them that everyone is allowed to express their opinion freely.
When ENFJs are committed to a cause, they persevere. They don't give up just because unexpected difficulties arise. Once a project is started, it will be completed. When an ENFJ personality makes a promise to you, you can be absolutely sure that they will keep it - against all odds.
Despite all the advantageous character traits, the ENFJ personality also struggles with some weaknesses. These include:
ENFJ personalities take their fellow human beings seriously. This also includes criticism. Sometimes, however, they take critical remarks a little too much to heart. They feel responsible for solving all the problems of their environment. If they do not succeed, they perceive this as a personal failure. ENFJs have to learn that they cannot be responsible for the whole world.
Protagonists all too often make other people's problems their own. In doing so, they strive so obsessively for a solution that they not infrequently get bogged down in the process. The end result is that they have helped no one in a constructive way and feel bad about themselves. Here it would help to gain a little distance and to loosen emotional entanglements.
ENFJ personalities define themselves by their own, usually very strict standards. If they cannot (or no longer) live up to their personal ideal image, their Self-esteem. Their insecurity manifests itself in desperate-seeming requests for outside feedback. How can I improve myself? This thought always drives the ENFJ. Defeats are difficult for these personalities to cope with.
ENFJ personalities sometimes give a rather naive impression because of their idealism. They are completely stunned when they find that other people are fighting against them personally or their principles. However, ENFJs are not angry in such cases, but develop compassion for the people who they believe are unable to see the big picture.
If there are momentous decisions to be made in the protagonist's life, they can fall into a kind of rigidity. ENFJs want to do everything right and not harm anyone. With critical issues, they therefore weigh the pros and cons so long and thoroughly that they ultimately do not come into action at all. They literally feel paralyzed. The fatal thing is that this inaction often leads to situations developing along undesirable paths.
It is not surprising that ENFJ personalities often hold high offices in politics or business. They fundamentally aspire to professions that provide them with the influence and opportunities to help others. Away from politics, areas of activity suitable for the ENFJ include the following:
You can start with a distinctive Empathy respond to the needs of their customers / clients. Encouraging other people is her strength. This pays off especially in their professional life. They do their work idealistically. ENFJs don't just go to any job to make money. It is important to them to improve the well-being of other people through their work.
Despite this sense of purpose and strong people skills, ENFJs should stay away from crisis professions such as the military, police, or emergency medical services. While they may be wonderful at organizing these services, in crisis situations they feel overwhelmed. To be confronted with a situation in which help is no longer possible shakes the ENFJ deeply and makes him professionally and psychologically unhappy.
Interesting to know: Compared to other personality types, ENFJ personalities have the highest Satisfaction on the job. according to studies this is mainly due to her extroverted character.
If ENFJs are employed, they tend to underestimate themselves. However, their superiors soon recognize what extraordinary achievements people of this personality type are capable of. They are hard-working, reliable and always radiate Positive energy off. Without hesitation, protagonists take on additional tasks.
However, there is a danger lurking here: Too much willingness can quickly lead to other people taking advantage of the ENFJ. Because he shies away from conflict, he will not turn down additional tasks, even if it puts him in a time crunch. It is important to the ENFJ personality to maintain a harmonious work environment. He puts his own needs in the background for this purpose.
If the ENFJ does not take care of himself, he runs the risk of developing burnout. ENFJs in employee positions are particularly vulnerable thereto.
ENFJs are the most pleasant work colleagues you could wish for. They love and appreciate teamwork. It's important to them that everyone in the group feels comfortable and has their say. With their open-minded, outgoing nature, ENFJ personalities quickly advance to become the preferred contacts among colleagues.
However, there is a risk that others will take advantage of this to dump all future problems on the ENFJ. The latter can quickly lead to feelings of frustration and Overload that was set.
ENFJ personalities are at their best in the boss position. Here they can use their interpersonal skills profitably. Without much effort, they succeed in motivating others to achieve the desired goal with empathy and sensitivity.
Sometimes they use manipulative means for this purpose. However, they do this only to avoid conflict, which they are known to shy away from. The protagonist's main concern is to achieve his intended plans in a way that makes everyone involved feel comfortable with the outcome.
ENFJ personalities strive for a solid and trusting partnership. Due to their intuitive nature, they can perceive the quickly changing moods during the getting-to-know phase and react immediately. The potential partner gets to feel the inexhaustible commitment of the protagonist. However, this can sometimes be a little too much of a good thing.
Protagonists are happy when their partners are happy. They find it very fulfilling to help another person realize their Life goals to support. In a partnership context, the desire to help is particularly pronounced. However, ENFJs should make sure that their own wishes and needs do not completely take a back seat.
Conflict rarely occurs in a romantic relationship with the ENFJ. This is mainly due to the fact that people of this personality type are very conflict shy. Through their intuition, they can sense their partner's displeasure early on and nip disputes in the bud. However, this is only beneficial if avoiding arguments does not take on an unpleasant momentum of its own. Sometimes there is no other way than to settle disagreements.
The ENFJ appears helpless in partnership conflict situations and unsafe. His engaging charisma is then suddenly gone. In fact, the partnerships of the ENFJ personality not infrequently fail because of forced harmony. On the surface everything seems peaceful, but inside the emotions are boiling. If the partner is not allowed to share them, major conflicts eventually arise.
In summary, however, ENFJ people are loyal, supportive and reliable companions. However, you have to know their idiosyncrasies and how to deal with them. If you want a partner who will unconditionally support you in achieving your dreams, then the ENFJ is the one for you.
ENFJs appreciate stability and routine in their love life. They are not the personality types for spontaneous erotic surprises. This is also something you should know as a potential partner of an ENFJ.
The ENFJ personality can come up with some surprising curiosities that I guarantee not everyone knows about:
Source: MBTI Manual: A Guide to the Development and Use of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 3rd Edition; Isabell Briggs Myers.
The following famous personalities can be clearly assigned to the ENFJ personality type:
ENFJ personalities from film and television:
There are several personality models that can help you learn more about yourself. In addition to the Myers-Briggs system, the DISC personality test among the most popular models in the world. It is often used in large corporations.
The test is based on the latest scientific findings and deals primarily with the topic of interpersonal communication. Four types of communication are distinguished here.
Communication, whether verbal or non-verbal, shapes the way we live together. If you find out which communication type you correspond to, you can use this knowledge profitably - both in a professional and private context. You get the opportunity to optimize strengths and work on weaknesses.
Are you curious? Then make the DISG test completely free of charge with us: