In this guide, we will answer the question: Are ENFJs Good Leaders? We will delve into understanding how the ENFJ functions as a leader.

ENFJ stands for Extraversion (E), Intuition (N), Feelings (F), and Judgement (J). It is one of the sixteen personality types of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Are ENFJs Good Leaders?

Yes, there are many qualities of the ENFJ personality type that enable them to be efficient leaders. However, there are also certain qualities that may pose a problem when an ENFJ is in a leadership position. It is important to identify these problem areas and work on them accordingly.

The ENFJ Leader 

The Cognitive Functions of the ENFJ personality are:

Dominant Function: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

Auxiliary Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)

Tertiary Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se)

Inferior Function: Introverted Thinking (Te)

The dominant function of the ENFJ person is Extraverted Feeling (Fe). This allows them to engage in social behavior. They are considered to be a “people’s person”. They enjoy interacting with people. They feel energized by social interactions. The ENFJ person makes for a very efficient leader. Their charisma allows them to navigate through complex social interactions with ease. They are highly in tune with how others are feeling. This receptiveness to others’ emotions and feelings allows them to be understanding individuals. They will go out of their way to motivate and support a person. They are considered to be “passionate leaders”. 

While leading a team, the ENFJ leader will have clear goals charted out. They will be able to visualize many possibilities. They adopt an organized approach when it comes to achieving the goal. In the process of reaching the goal, they will continue to motivate the other members of the team. However, as a leader, their sole focus will not only be only on the final goal. The ENFJ leader will harbor a deep concern for each member of the team. They will make sure no one is left out. The ENFJ leader is likely to acknowledge each person’s contribution. Their decisions will most likely be based on how it will affect the team at large. The ENFJ leader will walk alongside their team. They will stand by their team members through all the trials and tribulations the team may encounter.

Vision

The ENFJ leader carries a sense of idealism. This allows them to envision many possibilities They will be able to conjure up creative solutions for problems. Their action-oriented self will ensure the work is seen through completion. The ENFJ leader has a disciplined approach. They tend to adhere to schedules. They will have structured schedules and routines. This helps bring a sense of discipline and system to the team. Consequently, this may contribute to the overall productivity of the team.

Goal-Oriented

The ENFJ person is goal-oriented. They tend to adopt a strategic approach while accomplishing their goals. They are adept at delegating work and other responsibilities among team members. They will ensure that the work is done efficiently, yet taking care that no member is over-worked in the process. The ENFJ leader knows how to manage the resources provided to them.

Values

The ENFJ leader places importance on their morals and values. Resultantly, they will strongly adhere to them. When the ENFJ leader is truly passionate about a belief or idea, they are likely to turn a deaf ear to every other alternative. When their vision aligns with their beliefs, the ENFJ person might be too stubborn to accommodate any alternative opinion. This might be problematic, especially when their working in a team.

People

The ENFJ person is warm and genuine. They carry an appreciation for every individual. They will help others see the unique potential in themselves. They will create opportunities for people to work on their personal development. However, there is a downside to this. The tendency to constantly look at the good in others might lead the ENFJ person to ignore their mistakes. They fear upsetting the person. They are unlikely to give necessary feedback and criticism even when it is needed.

Problem Areas

For the ENFJ person, conflict is often a dreaded territory. The ENFJ person is not too comfortable in the midst of conflict. They do not want to say or do something that is likely to upset others. They will strive to maintain peace and harmony in situations. Therefore, the ENFJ leader might struggle with efficient conflict resolution. In case a conflict situation arises, the ENFJ leader is likely to sweep it under the rug. They may not actively address it. They might put it off for later. Eventually, the problems may pile up over time. This might lead to major issues later on. In order to safeguard their personal relationship, they might avoid actively confronting the problem. They may evade taking the most logical route to solve the problem. 

Another problem with the ENFJ leader might be their hastiness while making a decision. They might rush with their decisions, without reflecting upon it adequately. It is important for the ENFJ leader to feel their ideas and work are valued. When they feel underappreciated and unsupported, they may not be able to function effectively.

They may take more than what can be managed. The ENFJ leader’s plate is likely to be full due to over-commitment. When they have too much in hand, they might not be able to complete each task efficiently. Consequently, they might miss out on important points while working on it.

Tips for the ENFJ Leader

There is a certain hastiness when it comes to the ENFJ. They are likely to make discussions too quickly. They do not give themselves enough time to ponder upon it.  Further, they may very impatient to see the outcome. Consequently, they might make a decision too quickly, without giving it much thought.

As mentioned earlier, conflict is a dreaded territory for the ENFJ person. They may evade confronting situations directly. It is important for the ENFJ leader to understand conflict is normal. It allows an opportunity to identify mistakes, providing a space for improvement for the team as a whole. Understanding the different perspectives can lead to a more efficient solution to the problem at hand.

The ENFJ person’s tendency to view potential in each person is beautiful. They will not shy away from motivating and empowering people. As a leader, if the team member/employee is not working up to their expectation, the ENFJ person might adopt a coaching approach. This might tend to be overbearing for the person. Further, they may not directly state what the problem is. Hence, it is important for them to communicate it clearly to the team.

Famous ENFJ Leaders

• Barack Obama
• Nelson Mandela
• Nancy Reagan
• Mikhail Gorbachev
• Elizabeth Dole
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Francois Mitterrand
• Yaser Arafat
• Vaclav Havel

Conclusion

In this blog post, we answered the question: Are ENFJs Good Leaders? We delved into understanding the different sides of the ENFJ leader.

If you’ve enjoyed ”Are ENFJs Good Leaders?”, you should take a look at ”ENFJ Spirit Animal” too.

Frequently Asked Questions: Are ENFJs Good Leaders?

References

The ENFJ Personality Type in the Workplace

https://www.typefinder.com/personality-type-tf/ENFJ

ENFJ Leadership

https://www.truity.com/blog/can-enfj-succeed-non-leadership-position

The Leadership Styles of Every Myers-Briggs® Personality Type

https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2017/06/28/leadership-skills-every-myers-briggs-personality-type/