What MBTI is selfless?

ESFJ Personality Type: The Consul

Julia Simkus is a Psychology student at Princeton University. She will graduate in May of 2023 and go on to pursue her doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

Reviewed by

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul Mcleod, Ph.D., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years experience of working in further and higher education.

ESFJ (extraversion, sensing, feeling, judging) is a four-letter acronym used to represent one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. People with this personality type tend to be warmhearted, conscientious, and harmonious.

An Overview of the ESFJ Personality Type

They wear their hearts on their sleeves and tend to see the best in others. They enjoy helping those around them and providing the care that people need, but want to be appreciated and noticed for their contributions.

They are careful observers of others and excel in situations involving interpersonal contact.

ESFJs are sometimes referred to as “the Caregiver,” “the Consul,” or “the Provider.” INTP is the opposite personality type of ESFJ.

ESFJ is the second most common type in the population. Around 9% to 13% of the general population has an ESFJ personality type.

• 9-13% of the general population
• 8% of men
• 17% of women

Famous ESFJs include Martha Stewart, Sam Walton, Barbara Walters, Ariana Grande, William Howard Taft, and Sally Field.

Table of Contents

Key ESFJ Characteristics

ESFJs are known to be outgoing, extroverted individuals

• They are good at connecting with others and are energized by interacting with those around them.
• They enjoy taking an active role in their communities and opening their hearts to friends, family, and neighbors. They are sociable and admired and are well-versed in small talk and following social cues.

People with an ESFJ personality type are true altruists

• They care deeply about other people’s feelings and enjoy supporting and providing for their friends and loved ones.
• They tend to be highly attuned to the needs and emotions of those around them and will always do their best to provide impactful assistance.
• They take their responsibilities to give back and serve others seriously and can be counted on to show up wherever and whenever they are needed.
• ESFJs are often referred to as “the Caregiver” or “the Provider” because of their devotion to taking care of others and their willingness to always put the interests of others before their own.

While ESFJs are exceedingly generous and thoughtful individuals

• They do not expect their selflessness and generosity to be noticed, acknowledged, and appreciated. They are eager to please, and they care deeply about the perception that others have of them.
• ESFJs are people pleasers who seek approval from others and want to be liked by everyone. They are highly sensitive to criticism and take rejection very personally.

ESFJs have strong practical and organizational skills

• They appreciate order, detail, and structure as ESFJs want to maintain a harmonious and well-structured environment.
• They are typically very routined, productive, and organized individuals who like to feel in command of the world around them and exert control in their communities. They are eager to preserve the status quo and want to make sure that those who are close to them are well cared for.
• Because of their outgoing, methodical nature and desire to make other people feel special and celebrated, ESFJs love to host parties or organize community events and fundraisers.

Cognitive Functions

The MBTI suggests that the four different cognitive functions (thinking, feeling, intuition, and sensing) form a hierarchy where each function is either directed outwardly (extroverted) or inwardly (introverted). The order of these functions determines one’s personality.

The dominant function is the primary aspect of personality, while the auxiliary and tertiary functions play supportive roles.

Dominant: Extroverted Feeling

• ESFJs have their own system of values and beliefs that drive their judgments and decisions.
• They approach experiences based upon how they feel about them in the moment and are more interested in personal concerns than objective information.

Auxiliary: Introverted Sensing

• ESFJs are more focused on the present moment than on any future commitments.
• They prefer concrete, factual information rather than abstract or theoretical details.
• They are careful observers of others and are highly attuned to their surrounding environments.

Tertiary: Extroverted Intuition

• This aspect of the ESFJ personality is less prominent but still helps people with this personality type to notice patterns and find creative solutions to problems.
• It enables ESFJs to explore a wide range of possibilities when looking at a novel situation and make connections to gain insights into people and experiences.

Inferior: Introverted Thinking

• While this aspect of the ESFJ personality tends to be weaker, it helps ENFJs to analyze complex information, specifically concepts that are abstract or theoretical.
• ESFJs are planners and like to feel in control of their environment, but making sense of concepts that are not factual or concrete is often a point of weakness for ESFJs.

ESFJ Hobbies, Interests, and Careers

Because ESFJs are such conscientious helpers, they tend to thrive in careers that involve taking a caregiver role.

They are highly tuned into the needs of others and enjoy work that allows them to help and care for people in practical ways.

Social service and healthcare careers are two areas in which ESFJs typically excel as they appreciate knowing they have done something valuable for another person.

Popular ESFJs careers might include childcare providers, nurses, teachers, social workers, counselors, physicians, or religious workers.

Additionally, ESFJs tend to succeed in administrative or managerial roles because of their strong practical and organizational skills.

ESFJs are comfortable with authority, and they want to be given the power to organize both the people and processes in the workplace. They pay close attention to order and detail and seek to create structure for others.

In their free time, ESFJs enjoy volunteering in community, charity, or religious organizations; celebrating holidays and family traditions; cooking; entertaining; and participating in social sports.

ESFJ Work Environments

ESFJs prefer workplaces that have a high degree of structure and organization and that are dependent on distinct hierarchies and roles.

They work best in environments with clear expectations and little ambiguity. They also thrive on social order and harmony and feel most comfortable in environments that are free of conflict or criticism.

Whether in a managerial role or subordinate position, ESFJs expect that authority figures are well respected and appreciated.

As extroverts, ESFJs are energized by participating in a team. They value human interaction and group collaboration and make good listeners and enthusiastic team members.

They enjoy working with others as long as their co-workers are just as motivated, cooperative, and action-oriented as they are. They can provide the ESFJ with positive, supportive feedback.

ESFJ Personal Relationships

ESFJs enjoy spending time with people and tend to build strong relationships with others.

They are friendly, empathetic individuals who will often put the needs of others ahead of their own.

They make supportive and loyal friends and partners and are known to stand by their loved ones no matter what.

ESFJs tend to surround themselves with a large circle of friends, and they typically can get along with just about anybody.

They are willing to expend significant time and effort to maintain relationships and ensure their friends are happy.

ESFJs are prone to feeling insecure when things feel uncertain, though. Because of these insecurities, ESFJs expect their efforts to be appreciated and reciprocated by their close friends.

In relationships, ESFJs make loving and devoted partners. They take their relationships very seriously, typically avoiding casual flings and noncommitted dating.

They want to follow the traditional standards and established dating rules of a relationship (ie. the man should call first; no kissing until the third date) and want to provide practical support to their partners based on whatever those traditional ideals might look like.

ESFJs dislike conflict and criticism and want to resolve any disagreements quickly and calmly. They prefer stable, harmonious relationships with mutual appreciation and unwavering support.

They are happiest when they feel trusted and valued and admire those who notice their efforts to provide for others.

Tips for Interacting With ESFJs

Relationships

Additionally, ESFJs are conflict-averse, so they tend to avoid relationships where they might face a great deal of criticism.

Friendships

As the friend or partner of an ESFJ, it is important you express your appreciation and gratitude for their selflessness and giving nature. ESFJs want to feel valued and acknowledged and get along best with those who are understand of that.

ESFJs take their relationships seriously and tend to maintain lasting friendships. ESFJs are focused on developing long term commitments, both with friends and partners.

You can support ESFJs by showing them how much you love and appreciate them, reciprocating their kindness, and returning gestures of love.

Parenting

As parents, ESFJs are most interested in providing a safe home and loving environment for their families.

They instill high moral values and work ethics in their children and can become critical of children who do not behave as expected. They are able to establish rules and authority without being too overbearing or harsh.

They are extremely devoted to their children and enjoy feeling dependent on, often becoming overprotective as their children grow.

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FAQ

What kind of person is ESFJ?

An ESFJ person, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, has preferences for Extroverted (E), Sensing (S), Feeling (F), and Judging (J). ESFJs are warm, sociable, and caring individuals who value harmony and stability in their relationships. They are naturally attuned to the needs and emotions of others, often going out of their way to help and support those around them.

ESFJs are well-organized, responsible, and practical, with a strong sense of duty. They excel in roles that involve teamwork, communication, and caregiving. However, they may struggle with change or criticism, as they are highly invested in maintaining harmony and meeting others’ expectations.

Is ESFJ a rare personality?

ESFJ is not a rare personality type; in fact, it is one of the more common ones. ESFJs make up about 9-13% of the general population. As extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging individuals, they are known for their warm, caring nature and strong sense of responsibility. ESFJs often excel in roles that involve teamwork, communication, and caregiving, making them valuable members of various social and professional groups.

What annoys ESFJ the most?

ESFJs are most likely to be annoyed by situations or behaviors that disrupt harmony, disregard others’ feelings, or challenge their sense of duty and responsibility. Some specific things that may annoy ESFJs include:

1. Disrespect or rudeness: ESFJs value politeness and respect, and they may be irritated by people who are inconsiderate or dismissive of others.
2. Disorganization and unreliability: ESFJs are organized and responsible, so they can become frustrated with those who fail to meet commitments or follow through on tasks.
3. Lack of appreciation or acknowledgement: ESFJs invest time and effort in helping others, and they may feel undervalued if their contributions go unnoticed.
4. Inflexibility or unwillingness to cooperate: ESFJs strive for harmony and teamwork, and they can be annoyed by people who refuse to compromise or collaborate.
5. Emotional insensitivity or indifference: As empathetic individuals, ESFJs may be upset by those who disregard others’ emotions or seem uncaring.

References

King, S. P., & Mason, B. A. (2020). Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences: Measurement and Assessment, 315-319.

Myers, I. B. (1962). The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Manual (1962).

Myers, K. D., & Kirby, L. D. (2015). Introduction to type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment . Sunnyvale, CA: CPP.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. (2019, May 28). New World Encyclopedia, . Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator&oldid=1020015.

Myers, Isabel B.; Myers, Peter B. (1995) [1980]. Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Mountain View, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89106-074-1.

Pittenger, D. J. (2005). Cautionary Comments Regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator . Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 57(3), 210-221.

What your Myers & Briggs’ Personality Type says about you

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Have you ever wondered what your personality type is or how to explain your inherent traits to others?

Personality tests can assess your personality and are a fascinating way of gaining a deeper understanding of how your brain works compared to your friends and family. In turn, this can help you to communicate more effectively and understand why your peers react to situations differently than you do. If anything, taking a personality test is good fun, and the Myers-Briggs model is the most well-known, widely available test available. In this guide, we will discuss the Myers-Briggs test and what your personality type result says about you.

Skip to:

• What is the Myers-Briggs test?
• Myers-Briggs personality types
• Compatibility of Myers-Briggs types
• Where to take the test

Do you want to understand the human brain’s inner workings?

What is the Myers-Briggs test?

The Myers-Briggs test or ‘type indicator’ is a self-report questionnaire, which indicates your personality type, your preferences in how you make decisions, and how you perceive the world. It was developed by the mother & daughter team Katharine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers and is an adaptation of Carl Gustav Jung’s psychological types theory[i].

The test doesn’t include questions but rather statements. After reading each statement, you respond through multiple choice answers with to what extent you agree or disagree. Some examples of these statements are:

• You regularly make new friends
• You usually stay calm, even under a lot of pressure
• You are very sentimental
• You feel comfortable just walking up to someone you find interesting and striking up a conversation.

Once you have finished the test, your results will be calculated based on your answers.

Myers-Briggs personality types

The Myers-Briggs personality types can be confusing at first glance, but it is based on the following dichotomies (also known as scales or preferences). The tests work out your personality based on which you prefer from the below[ii]:

• Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I) – Extraverts are outgoing and ‘recharge’ in busy environments. Introverts need quiet periods to recharge and prefer alone time.
• Sensing (S) or Intuition (N) – Sensors collect information from what they can hear, feel and see, as well as drawing from what’s in their immediate environment. Intuitive types gather specific knowledge by looking at the broader context, connections, and patterns.
• Thinking (T) or Feeling (F) – Thinkers thrive on logical solutions. Feelers are emotionally driven to make decisions.
• Judging (J) or Perceiving (P) – If you are a ‘judger’, you like structure and regulation. If you are a ‘perceiver’, you prefer flexibility and openness. This dichotomy was added by Katherine Briggs based on her own research; the other three are based on Jung’s writings.

As you can see, each preference has a letter associated with it. These are what the personality type acronyms are based on. For example, an ISTJ personality type would have the following preferences from the list above ‘Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judging’.

Now we know the basics let’s take a look at the 16 personality types and what they mean.

Introvert Types

Introvert personalities have a usually subtle but transformative impact on the world around them.

ISTJ | ISFJ | INFJ | INTJ

ISTP | ISFP | INFP | INTP

ISTJ | The Inspector – Inspectors don’t like chaos and dedicate time to making sure things are in order. They are responsible, organised, reliable and fact-driven individuals.

ISFJ | The Protector – Protectors are also known as ‘Defenders’ and will go out of their way to protect the people they love. They are very loyal to the institutions and traditions in their lives.

INFJ | The Counsellor – Counsellors are loyal, creative and have a strong sense of integrity. They are idealists and are often inspirations to those around them.

INTJ | The Mastermind – Masterminds are strategic thinkers who always have a plan. They excel at analytical thinking.

ISTP | The Craftsperson – Craftspeople are fantastic practical problem solvers. They are observant, bold and thrive in hands-on environments.

ISFP | The Composer – Composers are easy-going, caretaker types who live in the present. They quietly enjoy new experiences.

INFP | The Healer – Healers have hugely altruistic personalities and are always happy to help. They are generally kind and highly imaginative.

INTP | The Architect – Architects are innovative philosophical thinkers who love to learn. They have a thirst for knowledge.

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Extrovert Types

Extrovert personalities are bold and inspire change through their confident energies.

ESTP | ESFP | ENFP | ENTP

ESTJ | ESFJ | ENFJ | ENTJ

ESTP | The Dynamo – Dynamos are energetic and highly perceptive people. Often thrill-seekers, dynamos aren’t afraid to push the boundaries.

ESFP | The Entertainer – Entertainers are enthusiastic, energetic people who love to entertain those around them and have a genuine love of life.

ENFP | The Champion – Champions share their positivity with the world and see possibilities and potential everywhere they look.

ENTP | The Visionary – Visionaries are also known as debaters. They are always curious and will never back away from an intellectual challenge.

ESTJ | The Supervisor – Supervisors are hard workers and are naturally inclined to take charge. They excel at managing people and situations.

ESFJ | The Provider – Providers dedicate their lives to helping others. They are social, popular, and extremely caring people.

ENFJ | The Teacher – Teachers are charismatic, caring people who use their influence to do what is best for those around them.

ENTJ | The Commander – Commanders make strong leaders who are hugely imaginative and are not afraid to be outwardly bold to make change happen.

Compatibility of Myers-Briggs types

Compatibility can’t just be measured by whether people’s personality types align. Many other factors are essential for a successful relationship or friendship, so shared interests, experiences and values need to be taken into account.

Below, we’ve listed the most ‘compatible pairings’ by introvert and extrovert personality types[iii].

Introvert Compatibility

Extrovert Compatibility

Here are some quick facts about personality type compatibility[iv]:

• Some personality types are more likely to work out when paired with similar types. According to research, Sensing Judgers (ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ & ESFJ) are 79% satisfied when paired with other SJ’s. This is the same with Intuitive Feelers (INFJ, INFP, ENFP, ENFJ) who reported a 73% satisfaction rate when paired together. These types are naturally emotionally driven and spend time nurturing relationships.
• On the contrary, some personality types aren’t compatible when paired with similar types. Sensing, Thinking and Perceiving types only reported 33% satisfaction when with other STPs. These personality types care the least about maintaining healthy relationships.
• Couples with the Feeling preference in common are more likely to get on.
• Often, pairings of Introverts and Extroverts work best.

We’ve found a handy chart that helps to better illustrate compatibility – you can find this here.

Where to take the test

There are several platforms where you can take the test. Many of the statements are largely the same if not slightly re-worded, and each platform will provide results in a different format.

These are some of our favourite platforms for taking the test:

• 16Personalities – Take the Myers-Briggs test for free. This platform provides very detailed results that are easy to understand. They also offer a ‘Premium Profile’ option which allows you to take your results further and better apply your inherent personality traits to your life.
• MBTI – This is the official platform for the Myers-Briggs test. You have to pay to take this test, but you receive personalised courses, action guides and lifetime access.

References

Owens, M., n.d. Compatibility and Myers & Briggs’ Personality Types. [Online]
Available at: https://www.truity.com/myers-briggs/compatibility-myers-briggs-personality-type
[Accessed March 2021].

Owens, M., n.d. Myers & Briggs’ Personality Typing, Explained. [Online]
Available at: https://www.truity.com/myers-briggs/about-myers-briggs-personality-typing
[Accessed March 2021].

Rendezvous, n.d. Personality Types & Relationship Compatibility-Simplified. [Online]
Available at: https://rendezvousmag.com/relationship-compatibility/
[Accessed March 2021].

Team Technology, n.d. Myers Briggs Personality Types. [Online]
Available at: https://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/tt/t-articl/mb-simpl.htm
[Accessed March 2021].

Sources

Nick Cooper

Nick is NCC’s resident blog author and covers a range of subjects, including teaching and health & social care. NCC is an international learning provider with over 20 years’ experience offering learning solutions. To date, NCC has engaged with over 20,000 employers, and delivered quality training to over half a million learners.

Which MBTI is most selfless?

ESFJs are so willing to take on your concerns and problems, in fact, that they will treat them as if they are their own. The Provider tends to feel a personal responsibility to help out whenever they can. So, it’s no shocker that volunteering is one of the most popular activities for ESFJs to get involved in.

What personality type is selfless?

When you think about selfless personality types, you might think of people-oriented types like the ENFJ, INFJ, or ESFJ. The truth is, all personality types have the capability of being selfless when they’re put under the right circumstances and find their hearts inclined to forget their own needs.

What MBTI is most caring?

1. ESFJ. People who fit the ESFJ personality type can usually be recognized by their big hearts and kindly manner. ESFJs are warm and welcoming and their love of tradition means they value good old-fashioned manners highly.

Which MBTI has the most self esteem?

ESTPs ranked high for self-acceptance according to the CPI™ tool. This doesn’t really come as a surprise, since ESTPs are known for being confident, self-assured, and assertive. They tend to believe in themselves and spend very little time “wallowing” or looking down on themselves when they make a mistake.

Which MBTI is the most empathetic?

INFP Personality Type — The Empath.

How MBTI Personalities Behave While Drunk

Which MBTI is least angry?

According to the MBTI® Manual ENTJs are the type least likely to suppress anger and least likely to show anger.

What MBTI are highly sensitive person?

Most HSPs are either INFJs or INFPs — the ones that don’t tend to be ENFJs or ENFPs. Whether you’re one or both, it’s important to know what stresses you, what overstimulates you and what makes you feel calm, relaxed and happy.

Which MBTI is most prideful?

Pride: ENTJ, INTJ, ISFJ, INTP

ENTJs, INTJs, and INTPs are particularly likely to cross the line from confident to cocky. Those with an ISFJ personality tend to be less brazenly prideful, but their general stubbornness in their ways may leave them feeling superior to others.

What MBTI is the kindest?

ESFJ. Those who are extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging are often identified as one of the kindest types by experts. «ESFJs have extroverted feeling as a dominant cognitive function,» Gonzalez-Berrios says. «This makes them rule by their hearts.

Which MBTI is the most unpredictable?

ISTPs are the most unpredictable of the 16 personality types, because they’re typically rational and logical, but can also be enthusiastic and spontaneous.

Which MBTI values freedom the most?

The ENTP. You’re someone who greatly values autonomy and personal freedom. In fact, autonomy was your second-highest ranked value according to the MBTI® Manual.

Which MBTI is least in touch with their emotions?

Virtuosos (ISTP) (50%) and Logisticians (ISTJ) (51%) agreed with our statement at the lowest rates of any personality types. Since these personalities tend to be less in touch with their own emotions, they’re simply less likely to react strongly to emotions in a creative work.

Which MBTI types are natural leaders?

ENTJ personality types are driven, organised, decisive natural leaders. This introduction to the ENTJ personality type, based on the Myers-Briggs ® Step I personality assessment, can help ENTJs to understand how they interact with others, and what careers they might enjoy.

What personality type is caring?

ISFJs are industrious caretakers, loyal to traditions and organizations. They are practical, compassionate, and caring, and are motivated to provide for others and protect them from the perils of life.

What personality type doesn’t have empathy?

Some conditions may play a role in a lack of empathy such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

What is the most romantic MBTI?

«The INFJ personality type is a natural born romantic. They are able to understand and connect with people in a way that makes them feel loved and cared for,» Karapetyan says. «Their strong intuition helps them to understand their partner better and make them feel loved in return.»

What is the most quiet MBTI type?

INTJs are typically very quiet and reserved unless they happen to meet someone who, like them, loves exploring theoretical concepts, analyzing possibilities, and dreaming up long-term goals. That said, they’re not typically very verbal when it comes to discussing their feelings or people’s personal lives.

Which MBTI get angry easily?

The ISFP. These types tend to have varying responses to anger. According to the MBTI® Manual, they are the type most likely to get angry and show it, as well as the type most likely to get angry and not show it. This goes to show that no two people of the same type are exactly alike.

Which MBTI is most rebel?

The most rebellious personality types include the ENTP, INTP, ESTP, and ISTP, while some of the least rebellious are the ISFJ, ESFJ, ESTJ, and ISTJ. Each personality type is somewhere on the spectrum of rebelliousness versus obedience, and there is no right or wrong way to be.

Which MBTI is brutally honest?

The ENTJ. You’re brutally honest. You don’t beat around the bush when talking sense to people, and the more you care about someone the more you’ll try to prove it through honesty and insight. You make sure that people don’t make stupid mistakes, hurt themselves, or waste their time on fruitless ventures.

Which MBTI is least happy?

Which Types Ranked as the Least Happy? Sadly, INFPs ranked the lowest for happiness as well as the lowest for life-satisfaction. According to the third edition of the MBTI® Manual, these types also ranked second highest in dissatisfaction with their marriages and intimate relationships.

Which MBTI is most awkward?

They’re probably ISFJs, who feel super uncomfortable with the prospect of hurting anyone’s feelings. «They tend to be wallflowers and can sometimes stumble over their words,» says Owens. They’ll likely skip the inflammatory family dinner conversation—even if they’re Zooming in from thousands of miles away.

Which MBTI types get super emotional?

The introverted (I) intuitive (N) types (“INs”)—INFJ, INFP, INTJ and INTP—are among the most “sensitive” of the personality types. This is especially true of those who are more turbulent than assertive.

Which MBTI is secretly very emotional?

ESFP. ESFPs are highly emotional individuals. They feel everything very deeply and the intensity of their emotions is so strong that they can find them completely overwhelming. ESFPs are one of the personality types who are most comfortable with expressing their emotions and sharing their thoughts.

Which MBTI types avoid conflict?

While Extroverts often like to take initiative, Introverts spend far more time reflecting internally before taking any action, so they may be less likely to instigate a confrontation.