Short Descriptions:

       "Theme is mentoring, leading people to achieve their potential and become more of who they are. Talents lie in empathizing with profound interpersonal insight and in influencing others to learn, grow and develop. Lead using their exceptional communication skills, enthusiasm, and warmth to gain cooperation toward meeting the ideals they hold for the individual or the organization. Catalysts who draw out the best in others. Thrive on empathic connections. Frequently called on to help others with personal problems." ³

       "Responsive and responsible. Generally feel real concern for what others think or want, and try to handle things with due regard for the other person's feelings. Can present a proposal or lead a group discussion with ease and tact. Sociable, popular, sympathetic. Responsive to praise and criticism."⁴

       "ENFJs take their energy from outer world of people and external events. They prefer dealing with patterns and possibilities, particularly for people, and makes decisions using personal values. Their life is organized on a personal basis, seeking to develop and maintain stable relationships with those people they likes. They are actively concerned with promoting personal growth in others. They are also highly sociable, and expressive of feelings towards others, but can find conflict and criticism difficult, particularly if it might damage long term relationships. They work best in situations involving people.
       ENFJs are lively and enthusiastic facilitators who apply warmth and vision to helping people and meeting their needs. They are aware of people's aspirations and develop plans of action to make those aspirations into reality. They like organization and closure. They are at their best facilitating situations that require interpersonal sensitivity. They are tolerant and appreciative of others, seeking involvement with them in life's tasks. They are able communicators who are liberal in showing appreciation for others."⁵

       "For ENFJs the dominant quality in their lives is an active and intense caring about people and a strong desire to bring harmony into their relationships. ENFJs are openly expressive and empathic people who bring an aura of warmth to all that they do. Intuition orients their feeling to the new and to the possible, thus ENFJs often enjoy working to manifest a humanitarian vision, or helping others develop their potential. ENFJs naturally and conscientiously move into action to care for others, to organize the world around them, and to get things done."⁶

       "ENFJs direct their energy towards the outer world of actions and spoken words. They try to build harmony in important personal relationships. Their lives are organized on a personal basis, seeking to develop and promote personal growth in people they value."⁷

       "The theme is mentoring, leading people to achieve their potential. They are catalysts that enjoy drawing out the best in others. Responsive and responsible. Outgoing, energetic and sociable. Warmly enthusiastic."⁸

       "Friendly, enthusiastic, and empathetic. Creative, original, and articulate communicators. Very expressive with strong, sincere, value-based opinions. Decisive, organized leaders. Tips for communicating with ENFJ: Express appreciation for their contributions. Avoid confrontations - be diplomatic and look for points of harmony. Respect their feelings and their need to be true to their values." ⁹

The Negative Side of ENFJ

       "You are somewhat inflexible to change and therefore find it difficult to adapt in new societies. You can also show excessive formality during interaction causing you even more problems. You often have a great interest in economy and business matters. You are unsure in your aesthetic taste, especially where your appearance is concerned. You get suspicious of others opinions and advice concerning your appearance. You do not always pay as much attention to your health as you should. You can become so immersed in your work or interests that you can forget about following a healthy routine." ¹⁰

ENFJ Under STRESS

       "The ENFJs optimistic outlook toward social relationships is a burden to them at times. When external conflicts affect a group, the ENFJ is likely to assume responsibility. Their ability to empathize then turns into a liability. ENFJs, when over-identifying with the pain of others, will loose sight of their own concerns and interests. Their idealism can also be the cause of some distress when their assumptions are unable to weather the winds of reality. Fantasized relationships rarely translate into reality and even the best charismatic leader encounters unexpected resistance.
       Like all NFs, ENFJs will disassociate themselves from stressful situations in an effort to protect their sense of well-being and togetherness. The ENFJ, however, will repress the unpleasant side of life only to have to face it later in an intensified form when it explodes from its hiding place. It can manifest itself as fits of anger, sudden outbursts, or emotional explosions. Often the ENFJ's body will reflect pent-up stress by manifesting various physical symptoms that will erupt unexpectedly." ¹¹

       "Under great stress, ENFJs may find themselves suddenly and uncharacteristically critical and fault-finding with others. they generally keep these negative opinions to themselves, but they find such thoughts troubling and upsetting."¹²

Stress Management for ENFJ (Feeding the Fourth)

       Do activities that require you to ask, "How and why does this work?" in an objective, meditative manner, such as The Sum of Its Parts