In the early 20th-century, Katharine Cook Briggs, an American writer, observed unique personality traits in her future son-in-law that were far different from her family. This fueled her curiosity to study personalities. She developed four common types: thoughtful, spontaneous, decision-making and social.
Katharine was later joined by her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, in her research that gave way to what we now know as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). After several years and rounds of development, the MBTI grew into a fully-formed indicative personality test.
They based their theories on Carl Jung’s research of extraversion and introversion in his work, Psychological Types. Now, the MBTI comprises 16 personality types. One of these personality types is the ENFP, or the ‘Campaigner’.
Discover the meaning of ENFP personality type to understand what sets them apart. Learn about famous ENFP personalities that you may be familiar with.
The Four Dichotomies Of MBTI
Before we deep dive into the ENFP personality, let’s discuss the MBTI test and its four dichotomies. The four dichotomies are the large, overall groups that accommodate 16 personality types.
The MBTI can be divided into:
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Analysts
Analytical, intuitive and intellectual personality types who are known for their thinking abilities. These personalities are rational and impartial. The four personality types under Analysts are the Architect, Logician, Commander and Debater.
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Diplomats
The Diplomats are intuitive and feeling. They’re known for their empathetic personality, diplomacy and dedication to a cause. The four personality types under Diplomats are the Advocate, Mediator, Protagonist and the Campaigner personality or ENFP.
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Sentinels
Sentinels are observant, practical and judging, known for stability and security. They focus on managing things and people well. The four personality types under Sentinels are the Logistician, Defender, Executive and Consul.
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Explorers
Explorers are observant, prospecting and adventurous. They’re known for being spontaneous and perceptive. The four personality types under Explorers are the Virtuoso, Adventurer, Entrepreneur and Entertainer.
According to the MBTI test, a series of questions will reveal your personality type. You may be an Advocate or an Adventurer. However, the test isn’t without its shortcomings. You might get a different result each time you take it. But, it can be interesting to find out where you stand and what your personality is like.
What Is The ENFP Personality?
The ENFP or the Campaigner personality is a Diplomat. They are creative, sociable, amiable and good-natured people who are always full of big ideas to change the world. They inspire people with their goodwill and their hopeful nature can uplift others. Popular personalities who have an ENFP personality type are RM (Kim Namjoon) and V (Kim Taehyung) from BTS, Robin Williams and Meg Ryan.
Some of the characteristics of ENFP personality are:
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The Balancing Act
Campaigners are driven when it comes to building meaningful connections with people. They’ll dedicate themselves to a cause or an issue and go all out with good intentions. They love to interact and find out more about others. But in the process, they may get too involved or read too much into a situation. They can find themselves overthinking and overanalyzing actions, words or intentions. This may cause them distress, making them unfocused. With a Campaigner personality, it’s always a balancing act between doing too much and too little.
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Communication Maestros
An ENFP personality type is excellent at communication. This doesn’t just work one way. They listen just as well as they speak. They have the power to inspire, encourage and motivate others with their words. If someone isn’t comfortable in a conversation, they’ll make it a point to include them and make them feel welcome. Campaigners are great at fun and lively conversations, making the other person feel heard.
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Pleasant And Approachable
As Campaigners are people-oriented, they enjoy company and building deep connections. They’re pleasant and friendly to talk to, which is a reason why they have many friends. An ENFP personality is someone who’s good at heart, always ready to lend a helping hand. They leave a lasting impression wherever they go because they’re attuned to their surroundings and listen whenever required. They love sharing moments with others, making memories and meaningful relationships.
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Overcommitting To People
Campaigners can sometimes be too involved in making people listen to them or like them. They can become overly committed to people, attempting to please them to no end. This may compromise their own joy and happiness. Dedicating themselves to other people and their interests can leave an ENFP personality type with little for themselves. This can cause a problem, especially in the workplace or social settings. They may feel like they’re being overlooked, even when not.
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Fickle With Interests
An ENFP may be overly interested in things or people, but they may be interested in many things at once. They enjoy exciting and thrilling projects, but tend to find it difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. They have diverse interests, which can make them fickle and unfocused. Committing to a single project can be difficult for Campaigners.
These are some of the many traits of an ENFP personality as per the official MBTI test. There are several other characteristics that set them apart from the rest. Each personality type is unique and easily distinguishable.
Identifying An ENFP In The Workplace
An ENFP personality is a dynamic, friendly and creative employee or an inclusive and approachable manager. In creative spaces, where you have several projects that need brainstorming, Campaigners will be in their element. They love exploring new ideas, making them efficient in fast-paced and entrepreneurial environments. They don’t especially enjoy hierarchy, but they do need someone to keep them on the right track.
Here are some common ENFP workplace characteristics:
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Creative Geniuses
Campaigners are as creative as can be. They thrive in environments where they have to come up with new, effective and innovative ideas. Initiating projects, working with others and celebrating different perspectives are some common ENFP attributes. They enjoy experimenting with new ways to do things, even if it’s a routine task. They love to impress people with their actions.
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Collaborative
They enjoy working with others immensely. Collaborating, brainstorming and developing ideas together with the team is something Campaigners thrive on. They’re just as willing to accept ideas from others as they’re eager to contribute to the discussion. This is an effective trait for a dynamic workplace where you have to be on your toes.
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Responsible
Campaigners are responsible and take accountability for their work. Because they’re overcommitted to things, work and people, they also pull through when things are bad. They’re willing to resolve matters without taking sides. They take their time to put things in motion and do it well. They don’t enjoy micromanagement because they’re capable enough of being responsible for their own work.
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Win-Win
Campaigners always look for a win-win solution in any situation. Instead of having a winner and a loser, they try to reach a conclusion that serves everyone. They don’t especially enjoy conflict but are good at resolving things quickly. They’re also good at getting others to listen to them, making them great leaders who encourage instead of push down.
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Empathetic
They are empathetic and listen to others before jumping in with advice. They’re excellent communicators, so giving others the space to speak their mind comes naturally to them. As leaders, they find it difficult to reprimand their employees. They prefer guidance over leading by fear. They’re excellent at defusing a situation by trying to understand each side.
In the workplace, you may be able to recognize an ENFP based on these personality traits. You may be one yourself. You can always take the official MBTI test to determine what your personality type is. Understanding who you are enables you to improve your strengths and recognize your weaknesses. You’ll learn to be more than just an employee. Instead, you’ll be able to use your skills to become a well-rounded professional.
Harappa’s Building Presence Course
At Harappa, we recognize the importance of personal development and building a personal brand. Our Building Presence course not only teaches you how to command a room but also to understand yourself better. You’ll learn with our rockstar faculty and recognize how you can improve your skills. With the art of communication, you can tell your story in intriguing ways. Build the confidence you need to stay on top. Balance your voice and self for different stakeholders by interpreting your personality in the best way possible. You’ll learn to be persuasive, responsive and how to express your vision.
Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Types Of Personality, Importance Of Personality Development, Meaning Of Extrovert Personality and Meaning Of Introvert Personality that will help organizations tap into their employee’s potential.