ENFP vs ISFJ (A Comparative Analysis)
By
PsychReel
In this article, we will compare ENFP vs ISFJ 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 ISFJ
If we consider ENFP vs ISFJ and compare them, we find that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are feeling types and empathic towards others. However, they have differences as well. ENFPs like spending time with other people, are creative and adaptable. Compared to them, ISFJs like spending time alone, follow schedules, and focus on details. Are ENFP and ISFJ compatible?
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 ISFJ 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.
ISFJ: The Protector (Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
The ISFJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are warm, private, responsible, attentive to detail, practical, and sensitive. They have difficulty understanding abstract concepts, dislike change, avoid their own needs, and avoid confrontation. 9-14% of people have an ISFJ personality type in the world.
Four Cognitive Functions of ISFJ
Four cognitive functions that guide how ISFJ personality type processes information includes:
- Introverted Sensing
ISFJs are detail-oriented, attuned to their environment, prefer facts over abstract ideas, and are grounded in reality. They are traditional and try to protect what they know. Their decisions are heavily drawn from their past experiences which helps them in predicting how the future will play out.
- Extroverted Feeling
ISFJs are proponents of social harmony and connection. They try to be kind, considerate, and helpful to others in order to do so. They also put the needs of others before their own to make them happy and satisfied.
- Introverted Thinking
ISFJs like order, planning, and organization in their life. They use logic to understand the world and compare new information with prior experiences to detect any patterns or connections. They try to comprehend things as a whole and see how individual parts contribute to it.
- Extroverted Intuition
This is the weakest part of ISFJ’s personality. They try to be focused on the present and concrete facts. However, if they develop this part of their personality, they can be more balanced as it can help them explore ‘what if’ scenarios, consider new possibilities, and understand things from different perspectives.
A Comparison of ENFP and ISFJ
Personality: ENFP vs ISFJ
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.
ISFJs are conscientious, quiet, and hardworking people who work in the background to make things happen. They are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities and loyal to the people and organizations they are associated with. They are knowledgeable, have a good memory, and are quiet supporters of people in their life. They try to solve the problems of others and put their needs above their own.
Workstyle: ENFP vs ISFJ
Both ENFP and ISFJ 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 the management. They prefer flexibility, innovation, stimulation, and avoid tasks that are repetitive or monotonous.
In the workplace, ISFJs are planners who bring order, clarity, and a good pace to reach the goal to their team. They do things in a quiet, caring, and practical way and are rarely leaders. Since they are loyal, attentive to detail, perfectionistic, and reliable, they produce high-quality work. They also work fine under management. The only thing they require is clarity and trust in doing their job. Although they are not creative or bring original ideas, they have good memory for facts and detail and can make sure things work out practically.
Conflict: ENFP vs ISFJ
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.
ISFJs dislike conflict and work hard to create harmony. They can diffuse conflicts but don’t enjoy doing so. They take a stand for what is right even if they feel uncomfortable doing so. Since they are quiet and try to see good in others, they look for a solution that makes everyone happy. However, they do tire out after a heavy argument-like situation and need alone time to recharge.
Interpersonal Skills: ENFP vs ISFJ
The interpersonal skills of both ENFP and ISFJ 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, ISFJs are quiet, caring, and have strong values. They are reserved, do not like spontaneity or big crowds. They try to be helpful and supportive of people close to them & give them their time generously. Although they are emotional but try to not burden others. So, they keep their feelings hidden. They do however open up to a few selective people in their lives.
FAQs: ENFP vs ISFJ
Are ENFP and ISFJ compatible?
Yes. ENFPs and ISFJs are compatible and can have a healthy relationship. They share a similar love for an intellectual connection, compassion for others, and flexibility in views. Yet, their differences in their need for socialization, approach to change, communication style, and preference for structure in life may need to be worked upon for a smoother relationship.
Who should an ISFJ marry?
ISFJ should marry ESTP or ESFP. This is because their dominant introverted sensing can be matched well by the dominant extroverted sensing 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.
Who is ISFJ attracted to?
ISFJs are attracted to people who are exciting, passionate, mysterious, and willing to share their life stories with them.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared ENFP vs ISFJ personality types. We found that they share similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are feeling types and empathic towards others. However, they have differences as well. ENFPs like spending time with other people, are creative and adaptable. Compared to them, ISFJs like spending time alone, follow schedules, and focus on details.
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/isfj-introverted-sensing-feeling-judging-2795990
https://personalityatwork.co/types/enfp/vs/isfj
