The Avalon Chronicles

Game Master lynora

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for – and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams – for the adventure of being alive.
Oriah Mountain Dreamer
The ENFP personality is a true free spirit. They are often the life of the party, but unlike Explorers, ENFPs are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. Charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that ENFPs comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd.

More than just sociable people-pleasers though, ENFPs, like all their Diplomat (NF) cousins, are shaped by their Intuitive (N) quality, allowing them to read between the lines with curiosity and energy. They tend to see life as a big, complex puzzle where everything is connected – but unlike Analysts, who tend to see that puzzle as a series of systemic machinations, ENFPs see it through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and are always looking for a deeper meaning. This personality type is fiercely independent, and much more than stability and security, they crave creativity and freedom.

ENFPMany other types are likely to find these qualities irresistible, and if the ENFP has found a cause that sparks their imagination, they will bring an energy that oftentimes thrusts them into the spotlight, held up by their peers as a leader and a guru – but this isn’t always where independence-loving ENFP wants to be. Worse still if they find themselves beset by administrative tasks and routine maintenance in their new position. ENFPs’ self-esteem is dependent on their ability to come up with original solutions, and they need to know that they have the freedom to be innovative – they can quickly lose patience or become dejected if they get trapped in a boring role.

Luckily, ENFPs know how to relax, and they are perfectly capable of switching from a passionate, driven idealist in the workplace to that imaginative and enthusiastic free spirit on the dance floor, often with a suddenness that can surprise even their closest friends. Being in the mix also gives them a chance to connect emotionally with others, giving them cherished insight into what motivates their friends and colleagues. ENFPs believe that everyone should take the time to recognize and express their feelings, and their empathy and sociability make that a natural conversation topic.

The ENFP personality type needs to be careful, however – if they rely too much on their intuition, assume or anticipate too much about a friend’s motivations, they can misread the signals and frustrate plans that a more straightforward approach would have made simple. This kind of social stress is the bugbear that keeps harmony-focused Diplomats awake at night. ENFPs are very emotional and sensitive, and when they step on someone’s toes, they both feel it.

ENFPs will spend a lot of time exploring social relationships, feelings and ideas before they find something that really rings true. But when they finally do find their place in the world, their imagination, empathy and courage are likely to produce incredible results.

Famous ENFPs:

Robert Downey Carol Burnett Meg Ryan Robin Williams Sandra Bullock Alicia Silverstone Andy Rooney Franz Joseph Haydn

ENFP STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

ENFP STRENGTHS

Observant. ENFP personalities believe that there are no irrelevant details or actions. They try to notice everything, seeing all events as part of a big, mysterious puzzle called life.
Very popular and friendly. ENFPs are altruistic and cooperative, doing their best to be empathic and friendly in every situation. They can get along with nearly everyone and usually have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Energetic and enthusiastic. ENFPs are always eager to share their ideas with other people and get their opinions in return. Their enthusiasm is contagious and very inspiring at the same time.
Know how to relax. People with this personality type know how to switch off and have fun, simply experiencing life and everything it has to offer. Their wild bursts of enthusiastic energy can often surprise even their closest friends.
Excellent communicators. ENFPs tend to have great people skills, and they instantly know how to present their ideas in a convincing way. They can handle both small talk and deep, meaningful conversations, although the ENFP’s definition of small talk may be somewhat unusual—they will steer the conversation toward ideas rather than weather, gossip, etc.
Curious. ENFPs are very imaginative and open-minded. They enjoy trying out new things and do not hesitate to go outside their comfort zone if necessary.
ENFP WEAKNESSES

Highly emotional. ENFP personalities tend to have very intense emotions, seeing them as an inseparable part of their identity. This may often cause the ENFP to react strongly to criticism, conflicts, or tension.
May have poor practical skills. ENFPs are brilliant when it comes to solving problems, creating processes, or initiating projects (especially if they involve other people). However, they are likely to find it difficult to follow through and deal with the practical, administrative side of things.
Overthink things. ENFPs always look for hidden motives and tend to overthink even the simplest things, constantly asking themselves why someone did what they did and what that might mean.
Get stressed easily. ENFPs are very sensitive and care deeply about other people’s feelings. This can cause them a lot of stress sometimes: people often look to them for guidance and encouragement, and the ENFP cannot always say “yes.”
Find it difficult to focus. People with the ENFP personality type lose interest quickly if their project shifts toward routine, administrative matters. They may not be able to stop their mind from wandering off.
Very independent. ENFPs loathe being micromanaged or restrained by rules and guidelines. They want to be seen as highly independent individuals, masters of their own fates.

ENFP FRIENDS

ENFP personalities are likely to be cheerful, sincere, and open-minded friends. They rarely have any difficulties understanding other personality types and interacting with them in their “language.” This is a very rare and valuable trait. Even though some of the ENFP’s friends may be unable to reciprocate, they will certainly recognize and appreciate the ENFP’s efforts. People with this personality type are usually able to draw even the most reserved friend out of their shell.

ENFPBecause ENFPs are so intuitive, they rarely have any difficulties finding out what drives and inspires their friends. ENFPs’ enthusiasm and warmth can be very infectious as they stem from the pure idealism this personality type is known for. However, ENFPs should make sure that their attention does not get tiring—not every friend can cope with the never-ending stream of ideas and topics that an ENFP’s mind can generate.

ENFP friends tend to be very caring and supportive, but they also need to make sure that their own needs are being met. People with this personality type may sometimes get too deeply involved in the lives of their friends, forgetting to pay enough attention to themselves. Furthermore, ENFPs also tend to harbor unrealistic expectations when it comes to friendships. This can potentially lead to stress and disappointment once the ENFP realizes that their friends are not as flawless or dedicated as they would like them to be.

Generally, ENFP friends are likely to be quite idealistic and sensitive. This sensitivity enables them to connect with their friends and acquaintances very easily, but it also makes the ENFP very vulnerable to criticism. This is why ENFPs tend to avoid people with strongly expressed Thinking (T) or Judging (J) traits. Those personality types are likely to have strong opinions about a variety of topics, and the ENFP is likely to feel quite uncomfortable arguing with them.

That being said, ENFPs are fascinated by mysteries and will do their best to understand the other person if they sense that there is some substance beneath the surface. This is one of the reasons why ENFPs tend to form extremely strong friendships with Diplomat (NF) and Analyst (NT) types.

ENFP IN THE WORKPLACE

If you are working for a large company, you probably already know an ENFP colleague, manager, or subordinate. People with the ENFP personality type seem to be everywhere, even though they make up only around 5 percent of the population. Furthermore, they can easily get along with nearly all other personality types, which makes them ideal coworkers. So what are ENFPs like in the workplace?

ENFP COLLEAGUES

Warm, tolerant, and genuine
Very good at sensing their colleagues’ motives
Sensitive and supportive
Able to relax and have fun, cheering up their colleagues without much effort
Sincerely interested in other people
Strive for win-win situations at all times
ENFP MANAGERS

Instinctively know what motivates their subordinates
Very observant
Excellent listeners
May have difficulties punishing misbehaving subordinates
Able to inspire and motivate other people
Open-minded, dislike bureaucracy and restrictive rules
ENFP SUBORDINATES

Highly analytical, especially when it comes to understanding another person’s perspective
Creative and original
May get stressed easily
Loyal and devoted
Enjoy exploring new areas and learning new things
Very independent, loathe being micromanaged
May have difficulties focusing on one particular project

CONCLUSION

Few personality types are as creative and charismatic as ENFPs. Known for their idealism and enthusiasm, ENFPs are good at dealing with unexpected challenges and brightening the lives of those around them. ENFPs' imagination is invaluable in many areas, including their own personal growth.

Yet ENFPs can be easily tripped up in areas where idealism and kindness are more of a liability than an asset. Whether it is finding (or keeping) a partner, staying calm under pressure, reaching dazzling heights on the career ladder or making difficult decisions, ENFPs need to put in a conscious effort to develop their weaker traits and additional skills.

What you have read so far is just an introduction into the complex concept that is the ENFP personality type. You may have muttered to yourself, "wow, this is so accurate it's a little creepy" or "finally, someone understands me!" You may have even asked "how do they know more about me than the people I'm closest to?"

This is not a trick. You felt understood because you were. We've studied how ENFPs think and what they need to reach their full potential. And no, we did not spy on you – many of the challenges you've faced and will face in the future have been overcome by other ENFPs. You simply need to learn how they succeeded.

But in order to do that, you need to have a plan, a personal roadmap. The best car in the world will not take you to the right place if you do not know where you want to go. We have told you how ENFPs tend to behave in certain circumstances and what their key strengths and weaknesses are. Now we need to go much deeper into your personality type and answer "why?", "how?" and "what if?"

This knowledge is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. Are you ready to learn why ENFPs act in the way they do? What motivates and inspires you? What you are afraid of and what you secretly dream about? How you can unlock your true, exceptional potential?

Our premium profiles provide a roadmap towards a happier, more successful, and more versatile YOU! They are not for everyone though - you need to be willing and able to challenge yourself, to go beyond the obvious, to imagine and follow your own path instead of just going with the flow. If you want to take the reins into your own hands, we are here to help you.