ENFP vs INFJ (A Comparative Analysis)
By
PsychReel
In this article, we will compare ENFP vs INFJ 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 INFJ
If we consider ENFP vs INFJ and compare them we find that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are drawn to each other as both love compassion, an idealistic approach to life, commitment to helping others, empathy, abstract communication style, and have common interests. However, both personalities are considered opposites of each other. They have their differences as ENFPs are extroverted and prefer to use the perceiving function in dealing with the world, unlike INFJs who are introverts and prefer to use the judging function.
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 INFJ 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.
INFJ: The Advocate (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
The INFJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are caring, sensitive, idealistic, keeps to themselves, has a strong sense of right and wrong, and are future-oriented. They like contemplating life and the meaning of existence. Although they are idealistic but they do not just fantasize about making a difference. They actually do it by taking action which makes them unique. These personalities are very rare and only 1-3% of them exist in the world.
Four Cognitive Functions of INFJ
Four cognitive functions that guide how INFJ personality type processes information includes:
- Introverted Intuition
INFJs are internally oriented which means that they get really fixated on their intuition. This can make them seem very stubborn, rigid, and single-minded to others.
- Extroverted Feeling
INFJs are emotionally intelligent with more sensitive awareness for other people’s feelings compared to their own. It is difficult for them to refuse others or say no to them due to fear of hurting their feelings. As a result, they end up ignoring their own needs.
- Introverted Thinking
INFJs base their decisions on their thoughts and their feelings.Which of the two depends on whether they are alone (rely on thoughts) or among other people (rely on emotions). As a result, sometimes their decisions may be to please others or to seek their approval especially if the situation is stressful.
- Extroverted Sensing
INFJs can live in the present moment, appreciate physical activities, and pay attention to their surroundings. However, this is not frequent as this part of their personality is weak.
INFJ’s are highly compatible with both ENFP and ENTP.
A Comparison of ENFP and INFJ
Personality: ENFP vs INFJ
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.
INFJs are patient, good listeners, empathic and caring personalities. It is important for them to maintain integrity. They are helpful and supportive of people in their surroundings and always try to make a difference in a positive way. They are hardworking, strive to maintain social harmony, and possess a vast thought process that is quite distinct from others.
Workstyle: ENFP vs INFJ
Both ENFP and INFJ 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, stimulation, and avoid tasks that are repetitive or monotonous.
At the workplace, INFJs are concerned about the cause and strive to support it if it aligns with their values and beliefs. They contribute unique ideas and great solutions to their team and act as catalysts for change. They also hold strong views and don’t hesitate to express them to others. As leaders, they have a clear vision and can inspire others to support the cause which holds a deep meaning. In short, they are humanitarians, dreamers but also doers when it comes to taking care of responsibilities.
Conflict: ENFP vs INFJ
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.
INFJs prefer harmony but conflicts can take place if their values are threatened. They are reserved yet hold strong beliefs which they are willing to defend in any situation if required. In other words, they would be quiet and peaceful but shift to being rigid & assertive if something important to them is questioned. Once a conflict is over, they reflect and try to connect things in isolation.
Interpersonal Skills: ENFP vs INFJ
The interpersonal skills of both ENFP and INFJ 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, INFJs shy away from the limelight. They can provide others emotional support but also need alone time to recharge as a result of emotional overload. They mostly keep their thoughts to themselves but can open up at an emotional level to people close to them. At times, they can be outspoken if the situation calls for it. They also give priority to their relationships just like their causes and strive to maintain harmony.
FAQs: ENFP vs ENFJ
Are ENFP and INFJ compatible?
Yes, ENFPs and INFJs are compatible and can have a healthy relationship. They are each other’s ideal partners as they can balance out what the other personality lacks. They share a similar love for compassion, an idealistic approach to life, commitment to helping others, empathy, abstract communication style, and common interests. However, they have their differences that require active work especially on balancing the need for socialization, having fun and organized/structured approach to life.
Who Should an INFJ marry?
INFJ’s should marry ENFP or ENTP. This is because their dominant introverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant extroverted intuition of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.
Who should an ENFP marry?
ENFP should marry an INTJ or the INFJ. This is because their dominant function of extraverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant introverted intuition of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.
Why is INFJ rare?
INFJs are rare personalities possibly because sensing individuals are more common in the world than feeling types.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared ENFP vs INFJ. We found that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are drawn to each other as both love compassion, an idealistic approach to life, commitment to helping others, empathy, abstract communication style, and have common interests. However, both personalities are considered opposites of each other. They have their differences as ENFPs are extroverted and prefer to use the perceiving function in dealing with the world, unlike INFJs who are introverts and prefer to use the judging function.
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/infj-introverted-intuitive-feeling-judging-2795978
https://personalityatwork.co/types/enfp/vs/infj
