Last summer I heard a presenter at a conference point out that there is no, single, right or wrong personality type. I would agree. So let’s come clean here. I have taken the Myers-Briggs a number of times and while I try to convince myself that I am a borderline ENFP/ENTP, the truth is, more times than not, my results show rather decidedly that I am a pretty solid leaning E (12%) N (28%) F (38%) P (19%). Why is that even important? Well, do you want to get the most out of me? Do you want me to behave myself? Do you want my team to be smooth functioning? Do you want to be a happy employee at work around me? Well, then you had better understand an ENFP. All leaders should take time to understand personality and how it can play out in the workplace. Let me begin by telling you about ENFPs:
Diversely Project-Oriented
– We despise filling out forms, sitting around, doing routine things, assembling reports and attending lame meetings with no learning items or at least clear, intended/stated outcomes but are very much project-oriented. We like to do a lot of different things. A routine day is a bad day. Even though we are Es we do need to be left alone a good deal so that we have time to create the next great thing. When we start to get too mired in committees and meetings and strategy, we start to lose our creative edge. We need time away, to create.
Genuinely Human-Centered/Non-Controlling/But Assertively Resist Control by Others
– Yep, if you try to control us, or worse, make decisions behind our back – especially decisions that affect us – expect that very bad things are about to happen (we are intuitive, which = rash, on occasion). We demand respect for our intuition, diverse abilities and superb ability to understand people. We are keen to recognize that everyone has unique gifts that we can learn from; so, while we are not narcissistic, we tend to be extremely proud of whom we are and our “sixth sense” about people and the future of an organization, and are incensed when not included in decisions. While I tend to be more prone to snap at people who unwantonly (or sometimes arrogantly) exclude me from decisions, other ENFPs in my circle will withdraw and not speak to you for weeks for doing something like this.
Possibly The Most People-Intuitive Personality
– ENFPs are arguably the most perceptive and intuitive of all 16 personality types when it comes specifically to human relations. In other words, it is very, very hard to bullxxxx us. We do play along with you when we have to, or when we want to know more about you, what was said in a meeting or what you are really thinking, but the truth is, very, very little gets past us. In fact, if we weren’t so doggone set on people liking us and trying not to control others, we’d probably be the best CIA and FBI agents. We see right through people; but lo, we want to be liked and that is a part of the personality type that I wish I could shake. It is a weak spot in my estimation. We can sometimes come across as judgmental. Why? Within a minute or two of sitting with an ENFP, most of the time, they already have you figured out. Since other personality types may not have that level of interpersonal intution, we will occasionally make overt judgements about people that make others wonder "How could you possibly say that about him/her?"
Logical, Rational and Future-Oriented
– If you are working on something that affects today, we are 10 years ahead of you. We look at end goals and work our way backward, crafting various pathways to get there. But when we have identified the best pathway to get there and ask for your support, as a leader, you have about a week to get us the resources. We are not patient when it comes to things like this; we expect that you understand that what we have described is the best path – no questions asked. If you choose to “form a committee to study the problem”, are unwilling to fight for us or the resources that we have requested, then our knee-jerk reaction (whether it is truly merited or not) tends to be to view you as weak or lacking in commitment – something we do not easily identify with.
Complex Thinkers but Do Not Always Come Across As Such
– I have been stared at, oddly, in meetings on a number of occasions “Why is he asking a question like that? I thought that we were past that.” We are reactionary and intuitive – characteristics that make some believe that we are not complex or strategic thinkers. We may appear to ask cursory questions or bring up cursory points in a meeting, making us appear more simple-minded and behind the discussion. The reason? You missed something and we are completely mired in what you missed. We might even have the problem solved in our heads. We are major, inclusive problem-solvers and when an ENFP questions you, you need to take notice because you surely missed something critical.
All The Great Stuff
– We are cooperative, friendly and tend to have very well-developed skills in public speaking, persuasion and written communication and get frustrated with people (especially introverted/judging personalities, who seem as unlikable, robotic and emotionless people to us) who use truncated, pointed language and rely exclusively on numerical data, as well as visionary chatterers who just want to “discuss things” over and over. Intuitives want a decision and we want to move forward, taking into account a balance of the quality and quantity of what is known. We like “yes or no” situations so that we can craft alternative pathways if needed. Leave
us
in limbo and we will be leaving
you
in trust or maybe in person, in short order.
A Big Negative
– It’s deeply personal with us. If you reprimand us, it is personal, and likely will be for a very, very long time. If you don’t buy our product, it is personal. Don't like my sports jacket? Yep, it's probably going to be personal, though more mature ENFPs have learned to control more simple encounters like this. If you do not support us, and do it in a very timely manner, it is personal. Why? We are “feelers” and very much doers and you are getting in our way of serving and pleasing others; not a good thing in the head of an ENFP. Because we are always thinking about and driven to solve problems, often with service to others in mind, we have an extreme lack of patience for those who cannot or will not try to view situations in the same way that we do. We can also make very difficult spouses because we want to help everyone; when you tell us something, we immediately go into
“compassionate problem resolution mode”
. I have worked very, very hard to shake this but it still comes out quite frequently; just ask my wife. The older we get, the worse listeners we are - we just want to move right to solving the problem for you; so, while you are still talking, our "solution switch" is already turned on. We are always thinking about the next move.
So, if you have someone in your midst who tends to get energy from being around others and doing high variety work, loves making quick decisions with a heart centered on the common good of others, you, my friend are very likely working with an ENFP and now you know the dirty little secrets about us. But maybe, it will also help you to work with us and get the most out of us.
If you haven’t done so already, go take a free MBTI online now. Just Google it. In fact, it might be a fun exercise at an upcoming holiday party. Leaders, by better understanding those around you, their expectations and how they work best, you are poised to build the strongest relationships with your staff and best understand how to create workplace situations for each of your direct reports that are win-win in nature, and nurture.
It’s your future. Take charge!
Thanks for reading and feel free to share your MBTI, and a few things about you, in your replies.
