Are ENFJ Stubborn? ( A Complete Guide)

In this guide, we will answer the question: Are ENFJ Stubborn?.

ENFJ is one of the sixteen personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. These individuals are considered to be outgoing, empathic and kind.

Are ENFJ Stubborn?

The ENFJ personality might show their stubborn side in different ways.

The term “stubborn” is defined as “having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something”. Generally, the term “stubborn” might imply a negative connotation. Mostly it describes a person being unreasonably steadfast on a particular position, despite contradicting evidence. However, a lot of times to the person being stubborn, their steadfastness is only a sign of their persistence. When it comes to the ENFJ personality, their stubbornness is displayed in different ways.

Stubborn?

ENFJ stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Feelings (F), and Judgement (J). These individuals are extremely empathic. They are sensitive. They are receptive to the feelings and emotions of other individuals. The element of Extraversion in their personality allows them to enjoy social interactions. This, coupled with their receptiveness of others’ feelings. They engage in honest and open communication They like the idea of people opening up to them. They will gladly listen and offer advice when needed. However, often they might appear over-bearing. They trust their instincts about the people around them. Hence, they may strongly be rooted in how one must act or the direction one must take. This might make the ENFJ appear meddlesome. Often, this might appear to be a very stubborn behavior.

In this journey called life, each of us needs the support of others at some point or the other.

The ENFJ feels like a burden when it comes to reaching out for help. They tend to be stubborn when it comes to seeking support and help from others. They tend to deal with problems on their own. To them, it appears as if they have failed. Hence, they drag their wheels on the rugged path despite feeling emotionally drained.

ENFJ belongs to the Diplomats’ Personality Type. Individuals belonging to the Diplomats’ Personality Type generally struggle with letting go of things even when they know they should.

These individuals are passionate when it comes to champion a cause. At times, they tend to hold their ground in the fight against injustice. However, it is also seen the ENFJ expresses their stubbornness in more personal situations. Firstly, they find it difficult to let go. There is a constant tug of war between the two sides of their thought. This makes it difficult for them to let go.

As mentioned earlier, Diplomats generally avoid expressing their stubbornness outwardly. Therefore, it tends to get directed inwards. Their decision-making abilities are shaped by their feelings. While they eagerly motivate others to reach their full potential, the ENFJ person also expects this from themselves. When they don’t see the expected improvement in their own lives, the ENFJ person continues to hold ground. They will continue to push themselves in the direction of success and a positive outcome.

There is more that I can do. Let me keep going”

“I cannot let go so easily. I need to keep trying till I see the results I expect”

Further, in the process of directing this stubbornness inwards, the ENFJ person might easily give into conflicts. Despite having a strong stance or opinion, the ENFJ might not express it openly. They do not wish to hurt others, hence they may take a step back instead of arguing for their opinion.

For them, what might appear to be stubborn to the rest of the world, is often persistence in disguise. They persevere through the roughest storms life throws their way. They refuse to give up in seemingly hopeless situations. When they are able to find a way through the storm, they feel like they have fulfilled their purpose.

Oftentimes, their perseverance is evident in their tendency to help others. When others are in need of help, they will continue to provide support when others might have stepped back. Their deeply empathic selves enable them to reach out to people in need.

Dealing With Stubbornness

The ENFJ person might struggle with their tendency to be stubborn. Sometimes, it can be detrimental to their overall wellbeing. Hence, as an ENFJ person, it is important to recognize this tendency and take adequate steps towards it. When the ENFJ finds themselves struggling to let go of a particular standpoint, they should seek the advice of another individual they trust. Gaining a more holistic perspective on their view can make it easier to let go sometimes.

Sometimes, their idealism pushes them to pursue a particular goal/task even when they are aware their pursuits will not reap the fruit. The ENFJ is uncomfortable when they realize the expected outcome is not matching the present result. Their perfectionistic tendencies tend to push them to continue pursuing the task with hopes of the result matching what they expected. This is how their stubbornness might manifest.  They might also end up beating themselves. They might be overcome by a sense of guilt and inadequacy. Their self-esteem might also dip as a result. Therefore, in such a situation, it is important to think about what could be the worst outcome if one let’s go of the picture-perfect image of their result. This will help the ENFJ develop clarity and probably find an element of practicality in their work. They might be able to fulfill the task in a more realistic manner.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

ENFJ Personality

The ENFJ person is extroverted. They enjoy connecting with people, hence they might not seem to be awkward at first glance. They might appear to be very friendly and charming. They know how to navigate their way through a conversation in a room full of people. As mentioned earlier, they are extremely receptive to the needs of others. They are able to sense others’ emotions and feelings. Consequently, they might also be very concerned with how others think of them. The ENFJ person might become very awkward in such a situation. They tend to become very nervous around people, in hopes of not appearing unusual or weird. They might respond awkwardly in conversations.

It is important to understand, the ENFJ person likes the company of others. They enjoy being around people and want to draw them. They don’t want to behave in a way that will push people away or make them distant in any way.

ENFJ Personality Type – Strengths

Individuals belonging to this personality type are adept at ensuring peace and harmony in a situation. They are master peace-keepers!

They are known for their confident communication style. They are able to put their thoughts into words with great ease. They can converse proficiently in diverse settings; from small crowds to larger gatherings.

The ENFJ person is great at persuading people. They are able to get people to do what they want them to. However, the ENFJ intention is not manipulation or personal gain. It is generally to benefit people or help them notice their potential.

ENFJ individuals make for great leaders. they can motivate people. They thrive in situations that allow them to work towards implementing change in society. they have a beautiful way while engaging with people. Their personalities are replete with a sense of idealism that allows them to see the potential in people around them.

ENFJ Personality Type – Weaknesses

They can be very selfless. So much so, that they lose sight of their own needs and desires. They tend to prioritize others over themselves.

The ENFJ person finds trouble saying “no”. They tend to say “yes” to every situation that comes their way. This is partly due to their openness to the many opportunities that life has to offer. However, in the process of over-committing, they end up with more than they can handle. They end up starting tasks without being able to finish all of them.

The ENFJ person may find it hard to make decisions that require them to leave their heart out. They struggle with impersonal reasoning.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we answered the question: Are ENFJ Stubborn?.

Frequently Asked Questions : Are ENFJ Stubborn?

What are ENFJ attracted to?

The ENFJ person is drawn to a person who is confident and carries themselves with a sense of sureness. This mysterious demeanor is very appealing to the ENFJ personality type (personalitygrowth.com).

Are ENFJs clingy?

The natural tendency of the ENFJ personality type leads them to help others. They will go out of their way to make sure others are happy. Sometimes, people may misconstrue this as being clingy or overbearing. For the ENFJ, being supportive of a loved one is a natural habit (personalitygrowth.com).

Are ENFJs selfish?

Typically, the ENFJ personality type is inclined to think about others. They are empathic, considerate, and understanding. Oftentimes, people may take advantage of their helpful nature in order to guilt-trip them into offering more or to make them feel bad about themselves (psychologyjunkie.com).

How do ENFJs show love?

The ENFJ person shows they care by acts of service towards the partner, having long conversations about the partner’s needs and wants. Their highly emotionally intelligent self allows them to have open conversations with their partners about how they feel (personalityclub.com)

References

Here’s What You’re Stubborn About Based On Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type

https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2019/10/15/heres-what-youre-stubborn-about-based-on-your-myers-briggs-personality-type/

Here’s How Stubborn Each Personality Type Actually Is

“I’m Not Stubborn, I’m Persistent”: Stubbornness and Personality Types

https://www.16personalities.com/articles/im-not-stubborn-im-persistent-stubbornness-and-personality-types

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