With a tendency to move quickly from one project to another, people with preferences for ENFP are willing to consider almost any possibility and often develop multiple solutions to a problem. Their energy is stimulated by new people and experiences. Words or phrases that describe people with ENFP preferences at their best are highlighted in the MBTI® Type Head below:
The ideal working environment for people who prefer ENFP is one that encourages and rewards creativity, fosters teamwork, and offers opportunities to work with a variety of people, particularly in order to support, educate, and inspire them. They tend to be attracted to jobs or careers in coaching and development, teaching and religious callings, as well as the creative arts.
Ask anyone at any age with N and P preferences what they want to be when they grow up and they will usually reply that there are several careers they are still considering. For ENFPs, career possibilities are endless, both for themselves and anyone in their sphere of influence and inspiration. Although remaining open to multiple career options throughout their life, ENFPs’ list of careers tend to follow a consistent theme of wanting to make a difference in the world and inspiring/supporting others to follow their dreams.
Jobs That Typically Appeal to ENFPs
Common Careers
Craft artist
Actor/performer/dancer
Photographer
Forester
Musician, singer, musical director, composer
Clinical/counseling/educational psychologist
Mental health counselor
Fitness trainer
Bartender
Artist/visual artist
People with ENFP preferences make up 5% of leaders globally while representing 8% of the general population.* Their preferences may help them motivate others to come along for the ride (“It will be fun”) and consider lots of possibilities along the way. As leaders, they tend to be enthusiastic in their approach to making a difference in people’s lives and to feel let down when others aren’t as enthusiastic.
*Note: Global leadership sample includes 960,000+ supervisors, managers, and executives; global sample representing the general population includes 21,000+ individuals. See Introduction to Myers-Briggs® Type and Leadership (2015).
NF Leaders:
Inspiration for the Future
NF individuals tend to consistently bring future-oriented development and inspiration of people.
In their day-to-day work, NF leaders are likely to excel at:
People with ENFP preferences will typically become stressed by the factors highlighted in the MBTI® Stress Head above. In these circumstances they will tend to be excessively worried, withdrawn, and prone to tunnel vision and extreme emotions. During initial stress they may start to dwell on possible dire consequences as well as bounce from one idea to the next. Download and share this ENFP Stress Head to remind you (and your colleagues) about the things that stress you.
People with ENFP preferences are often keenly perceptive about people and they also experience a wide range of feelings as well as intense emotions. Their partner, peers, family members, and friends will likely see them as versatile and enthusiastic.
Find out more about Types and Relationships
Comparing Personalities
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People with ENFP preferences tend to “inspire and enthuse those around them to want to make a difference” (Introduction to Type® and Conflict, p. 34). This can work well for them during conflict when they need to connect with how others are feeling. However, it could backfire when they internalize the feelings of others and don’t consider their own concerns enough.
The FP conflict style of people who prefer ENFP works when they need to quickly get a feel for what is causing the conflict. However, this approach could fail when they don’t consider the logical side of the issue more closely.
