Introduction
We Are All of Us Stars...Born entertainers, ESFPs love the spotlight, but all the world's a stage. Many famous people with the ESFP personality type are indeed actors, but they love putting on a show for their friends too, chatting with a unique and earthy wit, soaking up attention and making every outing feel a bit like a party. Utterly social, ESFPs enjoy the simplest things, and there's no greater joy for them than just having fun with a good group of friends.
It's not just talk either – ESFPs have the strongest aesthetic sense of any personality type. From grooming and outfits to a well-appointed home, ESFP personalities have an eye for fashion. Knowing what's attractive the moment they see it, ESFPs aren't afraid to change their surroundings to reflect their personal style. ESFPs are naturally curious, exploring new designs and styles with ease.
Though it may not always seem like it, ESFPs know that it's not all about them – they are observant, and very sensitive to others' emotions. People with this personality type are often the first to help someone talk out a challenging problem, happily providing emotional support and practical advice. However, if the problem is about them, ESFPs are more likely to avoid a conflict altogether than to address it head-on. ESFPs usually love a little drama and passion, but not so much when they are the focus of the criticisms it can bring.
...And We Deserve to TwinkleThe biggest challenge ESFPs face is that they are often so focused on immediate pleasures that they neglect the duties and responsibilities that make those luxuries possible. Complex analysis, repetitive tasks, and matching statistics to real consequences are not easy activities for ESFPs. They'd rather rely on luck or opportunity, or simply ask for help from their extensive circle of friends. It is important for ESFPs to challenge themselves to keep track of long-term things like their retirement plans or sugar intake – there won't always be someone else around who can help to keep an eye on these things.
ESFPs recognize value and quality, which on its own is a fine trait. In combination with their tendency to be poor planners though, this can cause them to live beyond their means, and credit cards are especially dangerous. More focused on leaping at opportunities than in planning out long-term goals, ESFPs may find that their inattentiveness has made some activities unaffordable.
It's not just talk either – ESFPs have the strongest aesthetic sense of any personality type. From grooming and outfits to a well-appointed home, ESFP personalities have an eye for fashion. Knowing what's attractive the moment they see it, ESFPs aren't afraid to change their surroundings to reflect their personal style. ESFPs are naturally curious, exploring new designs and styles with ease.
Though it may not always seem like it, ESFPs know that it's not all about them – they are observant, and very sensitive to others' emotions. People with this personality type are often the first to help someone talk out a challenging problem, happily providing emotional support and practical advice. However, if the problem is about them, ESFPs are more likely to avoid a conflict altogether than to address it head-on. ESFPs usually love a little drama and passion, but not so much when they are the focus of the criticisms it can bring.
...And We Deserve to TwinkleThe biggest challenge ESFPs face is that they are often so focused on immediate pleasures that they neglect the duties and responsibilities that make those luxuries possible. Complex analysis, repetitive tasks, and matching statistics to real consequences are not easy activities for ESFPs. They'd rather rely on luck or opportunity, or simply ask for help from their extensive circle of friends. It is important for ESFPs to challenge themselves to keep track of long-term things like their retirement plans or sugar intake – there won't always be someone else around who can help to keep an eye on these things.
ESFPs recognize value and quality, which on its own is a fine trait. In combination with their tendency to be poor planners though, this can cause them to live beyond their means, and credit cards are especially dangerous. More focused on leaping at opportunities than in planning out long-term goals, ESFPs may find that their inattentiveness has made some activities unaffordable.
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESFP Strengths
- Bold – ESFPs aren't known for holding back. Wanting to experience everything there is to experience, people with the ESFP personality type don't mind stepping out of their comfort zones when no one else is willing.
- Original – Traditions and expectations are secondary to ESFPs, if a consideration at all. ESFP personalities love to experiment with new styles, and constantly find new ways to stick out in the crowd.
- Aesthetics and Showmanship – Not stopping at mere outfits, ESFPs inject artistic creativity into their words and actions, too. Every day is a performance, and ESFPs love to put on a show.
- Practical – To ESFPs, the world is meant to be felt and experienced. Truth is stranger than fiction, and ESFPs prefer to see and do than to wax philosophical about "what-ifs".
- Observant – With all this focus on the here and now, on doing and acting, it makes sense that ESFPs are naturals when it comes to noticing real, tangible things and changes.
- Excellent People Skills – More so than things though, ESFPs love to pay attention to people. They are talkative, witty, and almost never run out of things to discuss. For people with this personality type, happiness and satisfaction stem from the time they spend with the people they enjoy being with.
- Sensitive – ESFPs (especially Turbulent ones) are strongly emotional, and very vulnerable to criticism – they can feel like they've been backed into a corner, sometimes reacting badly. This is probably ESFPs' greatest weakness, because it makes it so hard to address any other weaknesses brought to light.
- Conflict-Averse – ESFPs sometimes ignore and avoid conflict entirely. They tend to say and do what's needed to get out of such situations, then move on to something more fun.
- Easily Bored – Without constant excitement, ESFPs find ways to create it themselves. Risky behavior, self-indulgence, and the pleasures of the moment over long-term plans are all things ESFPs get into a little too often.
- Poor Long-Term Planners – In fact, ESFP personalities rarely make detailed plans for the future. To them, things come as they come, and they rarely bother with taking the time to lay out steps and consequences, with the belief that they could change at any moment – even with things that can be planned.
- Unfocused – Anything that requires long-term dedication and focus is a particular challenge for ESFPs. In academics, dense, unchanging subjects like Classic Literature are much more difficult than more dynamic, relatable subjects like psychology. The trick for ESFPs is to find day-to-day joy in broader goals, and to tough it out with those tedious things that must be done.
Career Paths
ESFP CAREERSESFPs have a unique quality that makes them exceptional in some careers, and miserable in others – they mirror the mood around them. When people with the ESFP personality type are at a party or concert, they reflect that mood, giving them that "party people" image. When their friends are sad, they mirror that with sympathy and empathy. And when there is a crisis, ESFPs adapt as well, matching the intensity of the situation.
Trying to Find Yourself...As a result, just about any career that focuses on working with others is a good fit, and is even essential for ESFPs to be happy and productive. ESFP personalities are natural entertainers, event planners, sales representatives, trip planners, and tour guides, as each of these creates a sense of excitement, stimulation, and novelty between them and their customers.
ESFPs balance their emotional sensitivity with a strong sense of independence and resourcefulness, making each experience unique.ESFPs genuinely enjoy spending time with others and getting to know them, and have a knack for making people happy, even in the most frustrating situations. A good challenge is always appreciated by ESFP personalities, and they make wonderful and inspiring counselors, social workers, personal coaches, and consultants who improve employee or customer satisfaction.
With their ability to respond with resourcefulness and passion when their help is badly needed, ESFPs make brilliant medical professionals, especially as EMTs, paramedics, and nurses. They quickly pick up information about others, helping them get straight to the heart of the issue when dealing with the sick or injured. ESFPs thrive on intense emotion, and there's hardly a better place for it.
Not everybody has the energy for that though, or wants the responsibility of life and death – some ESFPs prefer to make people happy and excited by creating beauty instead. People with this personality type have plenty of creative energy, and many build fulfilling careers in music, fashion, photography, and interior design. With the best aesthetic sense of any personality type, ESFPs are renowned for their sense of style.
...Isn't Always EasyHowever, jobs that eliminate human contact and focus on impartial, data-driven decisions are torturous to ESFPs. Some ESFP personalities do well enough by blowing off steam with friends after work, but for the most part, careers like technical writing or data analysis are poor fits. Add ESFPs' loathing for schedules, structures, and repetition, and nine-to-five administrative work is quickly sent to the "nope" bin.
Regardless of where their diverse passions lie, ESFPs need freedom, novelty, and above all, human contact. People with the ESFP personality type need to know that they aren't just appreciated, though that is very important, but liked. When ESFPs come in to work, they want to see a touch of chaos, and to navigate it with a crack team of capable friends who are all too happy to take action by their sides.
Trying to Find Yourself...As a result, just about any career that focuses on working with others is a good fit, and is even essential for ESFPs to be happy and productive. ESFP personalities are natural entertainers, event planners, sales representatives, trip planners, and tour guides, as each of these creates a sense of excitement, stimulation, and novelty between them and their customers.
ESFPs balance their emotional sensitivity with a strong sense of independence and resourcefulness, making each experience unique.ESFPs genuinely enjoy spending time with others and getting to know them, and have a knack for making people happy, even in the most frustrating situations. A good challenge is always appreciated by ESFP personalities, and they make wonderful and inspiring counselors, social workers, personal coaches, and consultants who improve employee or customer satisfaction.
With their ability to respond with resourcefulness and passion when their help is badly needed, ESFPs make brilliant medical professionals, especially as EMTs, paramedics, and nurses. They quickly pick up information about others, helping them get straight to the heart of the issue when dealing with the sick or injured. ESFPs thrive on intense emotion, and there's hardly a better place for it.
Not everybody has the energy for that though, or wants the responsibility of life and death – some ESFPs prefer to make people happy and excited by creating beauty instead. People with this personality type have plenty of creative energy, and many build fulfilling careers in music, fashion, photography, and interior design. With the best aesthetic sense of any personality type, ESFPs are renowned for their sense of style.
...Isn't Always EasyHowever, jobs that eliminate human contact and focus on impartial, data-driven decisions are torturous to ESFPs. Some ESFP personalities do well enough by blowing off steam with friends after work, but for the most part, careers like technical writing or data analysis are poor fits. Add ESFPs' loathing for schedules, structures, and repetition, and nine-to-five administrative work is quickly sent to the "nope" bin.
Regardless of where their diverse passions lie, ESFPs need freedom, novelty, and above all, human contact. People with the ESFP personality type need to know that they aren't just appreciated, though that is very important, but liked. When ESFPs come in to work, they want to see a touch of chaos, and to navigate it with a crack team of capable friends who are all too happy to take action by their sides.
Workplace Habits
ESFP IN THE WORKPLACERegardless of what position ESFPs find themselves in the workplace, they share a desire to make the environment as friendly and enjoyable as possible. People with the ESFP personality type are able to take a social and relaxed attitude and use it to get everyone else on board with practical tasks that just need to get done. The more freedom ESFPs have to meet these needs, the better the results, so long as they know what the goal is, and there's hardly a better personality type to have around in a dynamic, hectic work environment.
ESFP SubordinatesAs subordinates, ESFPs thrive on change and new ideas, and loathe repetitive and strictly defined tasks. ESFP personalities' managers find willing and able experimenters who can brainstorm, quickly grasp new methods, and actually put those methods to practical use – so long as ESFPs have a little leeway apply their own creative style. Changes may take a few tries though, as ESFPs can be forgetful in the heat of the moment, and can get more caught up in trying to get quick returns.
ESFPs give honest feedback on whether things make sense, but are quite sensitive to others' criticism of their own habits. Under fire, people with this personality type (especially Turbulent ones) become defensive and are easily upset. But in the end, if they believe that the criticism comes from an honest intent to help, not hurt, ESFPs take it to heart. The biggest struggle for ESFPs in subordinate positions is that they value freedom and independence far more than safety and security – if their conditions aren't met, they're as likely to leave as make do.
ESFP ColleaguesIf anyone can make friends with their colleagues and keep tension at bay within their team, it's ESFPs. A fun atmosphere is important, and people with the ESFP personality type use their strong observational and social skills to bring everyone together, shifting a souring mood if need be. ESFPs rarely want for ideas on how to make this happen, happily organizing events and activities inside and outside the workplace. ESFPs' spontaneity, wit, and enthusiasm have no equal.
As managers, ESFPs do everything they can to pump energy and fun into the day-to-day work that needs to be done. ESFP personalities enjoy being the center of attention, and even more so to feel like they're needed and appreciated. Jumping into the thick of the work and applying themselves to anything they'd ask their subordinates to do is something ESFPs consider part of the job. Authority and social status are secondary to feeling like they're an important part of a team that gets the job done.
ESFPs are great at noticing others' moods, and there are few personality types better at preventing conflict and encouraging relaxed, enjoyable workplaces. Subordinates are always welcome to speak their minds, and people with this personality type are always happy to hear others out, especially if something is upsetting them. ESFPs' ability to relate to others and think on their feet makes them resourceful and inspiring leaders.
ESFP SubordinatesAs subordinates, ESFPs thrive on change and new ideas, and loathe repetitive and strictly defined tasks. ESFP personalities' managers find willing and able experimenters who can brainstorm, quickly grasp new methods, and actually put those methods to practical use – so long as ESFPs have a little leeway apply their own creative style. Changes may take a few tries though, as ESFPs can be forgetful in the heat of the moment, and can get more caught up in trying to get quick returns.
ESFPs give honest feedback on whether things make sense, but are quite sensitive to others' criticism of their own habits. Under fire, people with this personality type (especially Turbulent ones) become defensive and are easily upset. But in the end, if they believe that the criticism comes from an honest intent to help, not hurt, ESFPs take it to heart. The biggest struggle for ESFPs in subordinate positions is that they value freedom and independence far more than safety and security – if their conditions aren't met, they're as likely to leave as make do.
ESFP ColleaguesIf anyone can make friends with their colleagues and keep tension at bay within their team, it's ESFPs. A fun atmosphere is important, and people with the ESFP personality type use their strong observational and social skills to bring everyone together, shifting a souring mood if need be. ESFPs rarely want for ideas on how to make this happen, happily organizing events and activities inside and outside the workplace. ESFPs' spontaneity, wit, and enthusiasm have no equal.
As managers, ESFPs do everything they can to pump energy and fun into the day-to-day work that needs to be done. ESFP personalities enjoy being the center of attention, and even more so to feel like they're needed and appreciated. Jumping into the thick of the work and applying themselves to anything they'd ask their subordinates to do is something ESFPs consider part of the job. Authority and social status are secondary to feeling like they're an important part of a team that gets the job done.
ESFPs are great at noticing others' moods, and there are few personality types better at preventing conflict and encouraging relaxed, enjoyable workplaces. Subordinates are always welcome to speak their minds, and people with this personality type are always happy to hear others out, especially if something is upsetting them. ESFPs' ability to relate to others and think on their feet makes them resourceful and inspiring leaders.