ENFJ Personality Type [The Teacher]

If you want to understand a specific personality type, you need to know what they are all about or, in other words, how they want to feel about themselves and how they want to be seen by others.

For example, ENTJ people base their self-image on being competent achievers and go-getters.

INTPs want to be seen as creative and innovative individuals.

INFJs will only be satisfied with themselves if they believe they are loyal enough and caring enough.

When it comes to ENFJs, however, their self-image is based on being kind, empathetic, and authentic.

ENFJ is the second rarest personality type among men (after INFJ), and overall, ENFJs make only about 3 percent of the general population.

Are you one of them? Try taking this test.

ENFJ Meaning

ENFJ stands for extraversion (E), intuition (N), feeling (F), and judging (J).

Extraversion is associated with such qualities as being outgoing and friendly. ENFJs are warm and empathetic people that are highly attuned to other people’s needs and emotions. Radiating positive energy, they constantly look for ways to contribute to humanity.

Being intuitive helps ENFJs see others’ potential rather than just their current situation. It also helps them interpret things in an original way that leads to unique insights about others.

Having a feeling style means that you prioritize relationships and emotions. “Feeling” types make decisions with other people in mind.

Finally, judging is associated with structure and organization. It means that you prefer to plan things in advance so that you know what to expect.

Other Names for ENFJ

The official MBTI assessment site calls this type Compassionate Facilitator.

David Keirsey called it The Teacher.

Otto Kroeger, in his “Type Talk” named this type The Great Communicator or Smooth-Talking Persuader.

Alan Brownsword called ENFJs Harmonizers.

Linda Berens referred to it as Envisioner Mentor.

As for Jonathan P. Niednagel, he went with Empathic Educator.

Other online names include The Protagonist, Mentor, Giver, and Pedagogue.

The ENFJ personality type is similar to the Choleric-Phlegmatic temperament.

How to Recognize an ENFJ

ENFJs stand out with their positive attitude and a lot of smiles.

They radiate energy and optimism; not only are ENFJs enthusiastic about their own life, but they are excited about your life too.

Being deeply in love with humanity, they manage to see potential in every person they meet.

Best of all, their excitement is contagious!

ENFJs hardly sit at home and are great at organizing parties and other social events.

Being very talkative, they love to talk about other people and relationships.

At their best, they will help sort out your relationship problems for you; at their worst, they will gossip.

ENFJs tend to take charge of a situation and easily take upon the role of a leader.

Becoming leaders that lead others towards learning and growth energizes ENFJs — they make exceptionally enthusiastic leaders!

With their people skills, ENFJs are capable of drawing out even those who are typically reserved. Their greatest satisfaction often comes from serving and assisting others.

Young ENFJs are typically involved in many activities — not just for the sake of the activities but for the opportunity to be with others.

Adult ENFJs can be found in organizations that are centered on values or people’s needs. A retired ENFJ is likely to work as a voluntary service worker.

How to Get an ENFJ Like You

Generally, it isn’t difficult to appeal to an ENFJ because liking others is their default operation mode.

However, they have a special appreciation for those who are sincerely interested in them and actively seek involvement with them in life’s tasks.

Following will increase your chances:

• Listen to them.
• Allow them to love you or like you — the ENFJ is born with an enormous need to give affection.
• Be affectionate.
• In personal relationships, be romantic — ENFJs tend to idealize their mates. Don’t disappoint them!
• Don’t criticize them as they are already hard on themselves.
• Be honest. ENFJs can’t lie even if they tried, and they will undoubtedly appreciate honesty in others as well.

ENFJs in Love, Dating, and Relationships

ENFJs are all about romance. Think flowers, candlelight dinners, and weekend gateways.

What some may find a little bit hard to deal with is that ENFJ men and women tend to idealize their mates, particularly at the beginning of the relationship.

They fall in love with an ideal perspective of what the relationship could be and tend to get very disappointed if things don’t go as expected.

On the other hand, ENFJ people are open to discussion and are keen to understand their partners’ needs and desires to satisfy them better.

They are absolutely willing to put the time and effort needed for the relationship to flourish and will expect the same in return.

ENFJs are loyal and committed partners who can’t handle relationship hiccups very well.

If the relationship breaks apart and a breakup follows, ENFJs take it especially hard.

Not only do they feel hurt and devastated, but they also feel a sense of blame and shame for things not working out.

We talked a lot about ENFJ relationships and their compatibility with other types here. Also, this post on ENFJ and INFP.

ENFJ Strengths

• ENFJs are natural leaders who attract many followers.
• They are nurturing and caring.
• They possess excellent social skills.
• They have a great sense of humor.
• They strive to serve others.
• They are good at creating harmony.
• They have strong organizational capabilities.
• They are very considerate.

ENFJ Weaknesses

• Extremely sensitive to criticism.
• Might gossip.
• May appear too talkative.

ENFJ Learning Style

ENFJ students like to learn in a group environment where they can freely interact with others and talk about the lesson.

They prefer humanities to science, and their favorite subjects relate to studying people and their needs.

ENFJ kids are often teachers’ pets, but even adult ENFJs do much better when their teachers are warm and personal.

ENFJ Decision-Making Style

To make a decision, ENFJs consult their feelings and values first and foremost.

Although they do take time to identify various options, they don’t hesitate for too long and prefer to make decisions quickly so that they can have closure.

Feelings, personal values, and the implications on people all play a crucial role in the ENFJ’s decision-making process.

Adjectives to Describe the ENFJ personality type

• warm,
• loving,
• energetic,
• enthusiastic,
• loyal,
• supportive,
• expressive,
• articulate,
• responsible,
• diplomatic,
• empathetic,
• altruistic,
• visionary,
• curious,
• courteous,
• tactful,
• gracious,
• responsive,
• sociable,
• nurturing.

Random Facts About ENFJs

• ENFJs seem to be able to find a tactful way to respond in any given situation, no matter how tense and uncomfortable it is.
• The ENFJ can’t help but think there must be a hidden meaning behind an offhand remark or a simple text message and may waste an entire day ruminating about it.
• ENFJs have a strong tendency to overthink things.
• ENFJs are more reluctant about exposing themselves than other extroverted types.
• ENFJs shouldn’t be left alone for a long time — without sufficient stimulation from the outside world, self-blame and overthinking will take over them and challenge their emotional stability.
• ENFJs personal satisfaction from helping others.
• ENFJs hate selfish people.
• ENFJs feel responsible for cheering up others even when they are the ones who need it the most.
• ENFJ men and women are ambitious, but their ambition isn’t self-serving.
• Thanks to their intuition, ENFJs can size up a situation and say just the right thing.
• ENFJ people can’t handle criticism and tend to become depressed if their ideas are challenged or criticized.
• ENFJs are often the life of the party.
• ENFJs are natural people pleasers; their desire to please and be stroked can land them in all sorts of trouble.

ENFJs as Leaders
The ENFJ enjoys being in a leadership position. Not only does it allow ENFJs to communicate with others, but they also get a chance to lead people to something great.

They make very enthusiastic leaders who know how to get others excited about their ideas and gain support.

ENFJ leadership style is a highly facilitative one. Typically, they will encourage input and consider all ideas.

If there is a difference in opinions between team members, they will try their best to create consensus and restore harmony.

In addition, ENFJ leaders will

• clearly define tasks,
• help their subordinates in planning and execution,
• try to meet the needs of all team members.

Work Setting for ENFJs

ENFJs prefer to work in a people-oriented work setting while having freedom and autonomy to complete tasks.

Moreover, to be completely happy at the job, they require social interaction, encouragement from superiors, and positive feedback.

ENFJs often choose organizations that are centered on values or people’s needs, e.g., charity organizations.

Having a higher purpose gives them a necessary energy boost that helps them move forward.

More: 22 ENFJ Careers to Avoid (includes a description of an unfavorable work setting for the ENFJ personality type).

ENFJ Job List (111 Titles)

• Actor
• Adult Literacy Teacher
• Advertising Manager
• Advertising Sales Executive
• Archaeologist
• Art Director
• Art Teacher
• Artist
• Athletic Trainer
• Audiologist
• Author
• Career Counselor
• Child Care Worker
• Childcare Center Director
• Chiropractor
• College Administrator
• College Instructor
• College Professor
• Communication Director
• Composer
• Cosmetologist
• Counselor
• Customer Service Representative
• Dean of Students
• Dental Hygienist
• Designer
• Development Manager
• Development Specialist
• Dietitian
• Drama Teacher
• Editor
• Elementary School Teacher
• English Teacher
• Entertainer
• Executive Assistant
• Facilitator
• Family Therapist
• Fitness Trainer
• Flight Attendant
• Floral Designer
• Forester
• Fundraiser
• Genetic Counselor
• General Consultant
• Health Educator
• Health Services Manager
• High School Teacher
• Historian
• Home Economist
• Housing Director
• Human Resource Trainer
• Human Resources Manager
• Human Resources Specialist
• Industrial Designer
• Instructional Coordinator
• Insurance Sales Agent
• Interior Designer
• Interpreter
• Journalist
• Landscape Architect
• Legal Mediator
• Librarian
• Lodging Manager
• Market Research Analyst
• Marriage Therapist
• Middle School Teacher
• Minister
• Musician
• Newscaster
• Non-Profit Director
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nutritionist
• Occupational Therapist
• Optometrist
• Outplacement Counselor
• Personal Counselor
• Pharmacist
• Photographer
• Physical Therapist
• Physician Assistant
• Physician
• Politician
• Practice
• Preschool Teacher
• Producer
• Program Designer
• Psychologist
• Public Relations Manager
• Public Relations Specialist
• Real Estate Broker
• Receptionist
• Recreation Director
• Recreational Therapist
• Recruiter
• Rehabilitation Counselor
• Reporter
• Sales Manager
• Sales Trainer
• School Counselor
• School Principal
• Small Business Executive
• Social Service Manager
• Social Worker
• Sociologist
• Special Education Teacher
• Speech-Language Pathologist
• Translator
• TV Producer
• Urban Planner
• Holistic Health Advisor
• Writer

Famous People with an ENFJ Personality Type

These famous people are likely to be ENFJs:

• Nelson Mandela (possibly INFJ),
• Cicero,
• Alfred Adler,
• Maya Angelou,
• Barack Obama,
• Jennifer Lawrence.

ENFJ Characters

These fictional characters are likely to be ENFJ:

• Catherine from Wuthering Heights
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice
• Anna Karenina
• Mufasa from Lion King
• Padmé Amidala from Star Wars

Related Posts:

• 22 ENFJ Careers to Avoid
• 6 Reasons to Hire an INTJ
• ESTJ Personality Type [Organizer, Supervisor, Administrator]
• ISFJ Personality Type [Protector, Supporter, Conservator, Helper]
• ESTP Personality Type [Promoter, Ultimate Realist, Thrill-Seeker]