ENFP vs ESTJ (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare ENFP vs ESTJ personalities from the MBTI types. We will do that by initially describing both personalities in-depth including their four cognitive functions.  This will follow up by comparing and seeing how these personalities are similar and different from each other.

ENFP vs ESTJ

 If we consider ENFP vs ESTJ and compare them, we find that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted, warm, and enthusiastic. However, they differ as well since ENFPs are more of feelers, interested in ideas/possibilities, and make decisions based on their emotions, values, and moral compass. Compared to them  ESTJs are thinkers, oriented towards logic than feelings, and make decisions based on pros/cons and factual evidence. 

MBTI: Four Cognitive Functions

 Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types, approaches personality to be composed of four cognitive functions that govern how people think, process, and make decisions. The top two cognitive functions play a dominant role in guiding a person’s personality. Whereas, the latter two play less of a role. However, they still have some impact or influence on how a person behaves in certain situations. ENFP and ESTJ are two personality types out of the 16 types. Their cognitive functions are discussed in detail as follows.

ENFP: The Champion (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

The ENFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a unique personality. It generally describes people who are enthusiastic, imaginative, flexible, innovative, creative, empathic, and value their independence. Up to 5 to 7 percent of people are estimated to have the ENFP personality type.

Four Cognitive Functions of ENFP

Four cognitive functions that guide how ENFP personality type processes information includes:

• Extraverted Intuition

ENFPs are open to new challenges and possibilities. Their focus is more on abstract ideas rather than concrete ones. So, they mostly try to imagine what the future may hold. Their tendency to understand things in terms of possible ideas rather than how they actually might exist enables them to detect patterns or relationships among people, ideas, and the world.

• Introverted Feeling

ENFPs put a high value on their emotions and feelings whenever they make decisions. In other words, rationality/objectivity or logic is not their first go-to option when deciding any course of action. Consequently, they try to understand how they and other people feel. This makes them naturally empathic. Furthermore, they prioritize their values and try to make decisions that are in line with it.

• Extraverted Thinking 

Apart from feelings, ENFPs do try to give due value to logic and thinking as part of their ‘self’. Their focus is on trying to organize, link, and spot connections among ideas. Thus, they may tend to lay out information, so that each of their thoughts is linked to each other. 

• Introverted Sensing

Whenever they are interacting with people or new things, ENFPs may try to relate, connect, and compare present experiences with past experiences. Their focus is to find any commonalities or patterns between the two. This is because doing so can help them predict or expect what the future may bring. Thus, memories, feelings, and thoughts related to the past play an important role in their life.

ESTJ: The Director/Supervisor (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

The ESTJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are rational, action-oriented, assertive, traditional, and upholders of rules & laws. They possess sound judgment,  have strong beliefs, and expect society to follow similar standards of behavior to theirs.  8-12% percent of people are estimated to have an ESTJ  personality type. 

Four Cognitive Functions of ESTJ

Four cognitive functions that guide how ESTJ personality type processes information includes:

• Extroverted Thinking

ESTJs rely on logic,  facts, and evidence which make their decisions objective and impartial.  They are practical personalities who prioritize concrete information over abstract or theoretical ideas. Their quick judgment and choice-making make them good leaders but on the downside, they are viewed as harsh by others due to this. 

• Introverted Sensing 

ESTJs are detail-oriented. They have a good memory of past experiences which make their inner world quite vivid. It also enables them to make connections between things. Familiarity, habits, and routines give them a sense of stability but can also make them rigid/stubborn in situations where they attempt to retain old habits. Accordingly, novelty and spontaneity unsettle them. 

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• Extroverted Intuition

ESTJs are open to exploring new ideas and possibilities but only if they are practical. They try to process new information and give it new meaning or try to find connections or patterns among related ideas. 

• Introverted Feeling

ESTJs are more oriented towards logic than feelings. However, they do turn to ‘gut feelings’ at times to guide their decisions but that happens less frequently since this part of their personality is weak. Nonetheless, they still give due attention to thinking about their feelings and emotions but at an unconscious or passive level. 

A Comparison of ENFP and ESTJ

Personality: ENFP vs ESTJ

ENFP is considered a very imaginative, innovative, energetic, and spontaneous personality. They are always in search of new ideas and are pretty accepting of multiple perspectives. They are considered risk-takers who make use of every opportunity life throws at them. Their approach is people-centered, caring, and empathetic. However, they dislike getting into detail and following through with commitments as they easily get distracted by the next exciting challenge.

ESTJs are the opposite as they are straightforward, orderly, and action-oriented personalities. They prioritize getting things done even if it means ignoring issues or feelings of people in their surroundings. You can count on an ESTJ to plan and deliver whatever they commit. Their behavior and decisions are based on their vast knowledge and prior experience. 

Workstyle: ENFP vs ESTJ

Both ENFP and ESTJ personalities have different working styles in their workplace.

Due to their good interpersonal skills, warm attitude towards others, and good people reading skills, ENFPs contribute a new perspective and creative problem-solving to the office team. If they are elected as leaders, they are caring and thoughtful but not good at devising work systems or dealing with bad news. They also don’t like rules and regulations or strict structures in work proceedings which explains why they dislike being controlled by management.  They prefer flexibility, innovation, and stimulation and avoid tasks that are repetitive or monotonous.

At the workplace, ESTJs are the organizers and planners. Their focus is to plan, coordinate, clarify team roles, and meet deadlines in an orderly fashion. They expect others to stick to the plan and perform the designated duties to reach the established goals. They have a high preference for facts, concrete information, common sense, discipline, and seeing things through to the end. However, they dislike abstract ideas, uncertainty, and disorder. You will find an ESTJ following rules and regulations and being happy with knowing and working towards what is expected of them at their workplace.

Conflict: ENFP vs ESTJ  

Attitude towards conflict and its management by both personalities can vary.

ENFPs usually avoid conflict and try to resolve the matter peacefully and warmly. They dislike injustice/ unfairness and strive for harmony. Their language during conflicts is emotionally loaded. Furthermore, they can easily open up about themselves in such situations.

ESTJs on the other hand are open to conflict and face it head-on.  Their approach may not be well received by people who are the sensitive type. Consequently, they may get irritated when their plans are not executed and would make sure to verbalize their displeasure. Their communication style is direct, factual, and honest.  Unlike others,  they do not hold onto the conflict and move on as soon as things are resolved. 

 Interpersonal Skills: ENFP vs ESTJ

The interpersonal skills of both ENFP and ESTJ are similar in some respects and different in others. Particularly, the manner of relating to others, perceiving other people, and how others perceive them is distinct for both personalities.

ENFPs are usually outgoing, happy, positive, and hopeful in the presence of others. At times, they can be sensitive and take criticism seriously. They may have a need to be liked and approved by others. People perceive them as likable, genuine, and fun to be around. They are usually emotionally expressive and can be found at the center of dramatic situations. However, they try to keep the environment light for other people to feel comfortable. They can be future-oriented, open to possibilities, and driven to care about other people in many situations. 

On the other hand, ESTJs take charge of their relationships.  They are traditional, caring, open, direct, and practical in their approach.  They don’t understand people who are emotional and see their emotional acts as irrational. So, you could say ESTJs are not the empathic type. However, they do take care of matters when required in their unique way.

If you’ve enjoyed the ”ENFP vs ESTJ” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”ENFP & INFP” and ”ENFP vs INTP” too.

 FAQs: ENFP vs ESTJ

Conclusion

In this article, we compared ENFP vs ESTJ.  We found that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted, warm, and enthusiastic. However, they differ as well since ENFPs are more of feelers, interested in ideas/possibilities, and make decisions based on their emotions, values, and moral compass. Compared to them  ESTJs are thinkers, oriented towards logic than feelings, and make decisions based on pros/cons and factual evidence. 

I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊

Citations

https://www.verywellmind.com/enfp-an-overview-of-the-champion-personality-type-2795980#:~:text=The%20ENFP%20personality%20type%20is,charming%2C%20energetic%2C%20and%20independent.

https://www.verywellmind.com/estj-extraverted-sensing-thinking-judging-2795985

https://personalityatwork.co/types/enfp/vs/estj

https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2020/05/02/an-in-depth-look-at-the-enfp-and-estj-relationship/#:~:text=ENFPs%20are%20wired%20up%20with,they%20use%20is%20Introverted%20Feeling.