Psychological Type Descriptions:
ESFJ
Description:
Accounting for 13-15% of the population, ESFJs are driven by an interesting blend of a desire to lead and a desire to help people in practical ways. Friends will describe ESFJs as friendly, responsible, and sometimes parental. Of all the types, ESFJs are the least likely to forget such occasions as birthdays and anniversaries. Most ESFJs feel a strong sense of duty to the organizations and people they support-of which there are often many. Usually tending to be cautious and conservative, ESFJs are unlikely to suggest change for its own sake and will guard the traditions and structures of organizations and families. ESFJs are often excellent hosts, graciously providing comfort and harmony to those around them, and often enjoy chairing committees planning social events. Balancing their strong need to help is an equally strong sense of right and wrong, which tends to be applied fairly quickly. Indeed, many ESFJs express a frequent dilemma between disliking what someone has done on the one hand and wanting to support the person who has done the wrong on the other.
Potential Blindspots:
As with any type, ESFJs can encounter problems in certain areas. Their strong desire to preserve and protect harmony sometimes leads them to avoid conflict when it would be helpful. Not infrequently, they will describe discounting their own feelings so that those of others are more likely to be met. Many ESFJs describe taking on more and more from many sources to avoid anyone being disappointed in them-potentially leading to exhaustion and bitterness. ESFJs often take constructive criticism personally and may have their feelings hurt. The pull of the ESFJs to be helpful and decided can lead them to reach conclusions before all available information has been collected, sometimes even leading them to think they know what someone wants when they actually do not. This tendency, coupled with their naturally cautious nature, often causes ESFJs to continue doing things the same, inefficient way rather than seeking a better way. Seeing no better way out of their difficulties, it is possible for ESFJs to become pessimistic and gloomy, and it is often useful for them to step back and take a slightly more objective view.
Possible Careers to Consider:
- Family Physician
- Exercise Physiologist
- Elementary Teacher
- Real Estate Agent/Broker
- Social Worker
- Funeral Home Director
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- PR Specialist
- Customer Service Rep.
- Minister/Priest/Rabbi
- Medical/Dental Assistant
- Office Manager
- Optometrist
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- Fundraiser
- Home Economics Teacher
- Speech Pathologist
- Athletic Coach
- Flight Attendant
- Personal Banker
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Return to the Personality Type Descriptions list.
Last updated: 1 October 2002
Maintained by: John
W. Hall, PhD - john@drjohnhall.com
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