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Have you ever come across someone who is a people’s person? They’re outgoing and warm, always able to bring the best out in others. Whoever interacts with them is immediately drawn to them as they have the gift of making people feel comfortable. Such an individual is likely to belong to the ESFJ personality type.
It was Myers and Briggs, a mother-daughter duo, who developed the personality assessment test, which is widely known as Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Having a deeper understanding of our own as well as others’ personalities can help us navigate interpersonal relationships better. The more we know ourselves, the more we are able to leverage our strengths. Read on to explore what ESFJ stands for and how to work with ESFJ people.
ESFJ Personality: The Basics
ESFJ is one of the 16 personality types identified by Myers and Briggs. It stands for (Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging). Also known as the caregiver or Consul personality, such individuals are known for being loyal and tenderhearted. ESFJs people are energized when they spend time with others (Extraverted), focus on facts instead of concepts (Sensing), make decisions based on values (Feeling) and prefer planning to spontaneity (Judging). Studies show that approximately 9% to 13% of the population are ESFJ.
Some defining characteristics of ESFJ people are:
- They enjoy helping others and tend to be generous
- They are sensitive and compassionate to others’ needs
- They enjoy control over the external environment and love organizing
- They want to be liked by others and often need their approval
- They learn their values through external sources (community at large)
While the consul personality type thrives by taking care of others and can be people-pleasers, they aren’t pushovers.
ESFJ Personality: Pros And Cons
In the world of work, each personality type has a different set of skills and knowledge that they bring along with them. However, some personality traits tend to dominate over others. Here are some strengths and weaknesses of the ESFJ personality type:
1. Strengths Of ESFJ
- They have strong practical skills as they like to work with details instead of theories or concepts; they can take good care of day-to-day tasks
- They may feel that they have a strong sense of duty, which drives them to fulfill responsibilities and meet obligations
- They can be anyone’s pillar of trust and support as they’re loyal and trustworthy; they value stability and security
- They’re strong team players who like to maintain the status quo (or harmony); they like having win-win situations for everyone involved
- They can easily do small talk and have no problem following social cues; they like to play an active role in their community
2. Weaknesses Of ESFJ
- While they value their social relations, they may let it affect the way they think or make decisions; social influence can limit their creativity
- They’re afraid to try out new things as they like to stick to routines and traditions; they may prioritize their own beliefs over others
- They’re vulnerable to criticism and find it challenging to navigate conflicts; they can become very defensive when receiving feedback
- They’re afraid of being different or anything that isn’t acceptable in their social environment; this prevents them from stepping outside their comfort zone
- They can get carried away in the process of attending to others’ needs; they’re likely to ignore their own needs
Working With ESFJ Personality Type
As ESFJs are good with people, they’re highly attentive to others’ needs. They’re good at establishing and maintaining healthy professional relationships. They seek responsibility and always hold themselves accountable. They can be good team players as they want everyone to feel included and part of the process. In terms of leadership, they can step up when no one else does. ESFJs have a unique learning style. They work best in structured systems where there is plenty of hands-on experience. They excel at being practical and partaking in practical activities.
Whether you’re a manager or employee, understanding your coworker’s personality, their strengths and weaknesses have a host of benefits. If you want to understand them better, Harappa’s Decoding Others course will teach you how to effectively figure out what people think and want. You’ll pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues displayed by people. The Decoding Triad framework will enable you to interpret and understand other people’s abilities. Acquire a strategic mindset that’s critical to being a change catalyst and excel at collaboration and leadership roles. (Diazepam) Hurry, sign up for Harappa!
