ESFP 1w9 (A 7 point Guide)

In this blog we are going to look at the ESFP 1w9 personality type. We will look at their primary traits, strengths, weaknesses and how they function at work and in relationships. We will look at the ESFP and 1w9 types separately and then identify the correlations between them.

ESFP (The Entertainer):

ESFP is an MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) personality type. The MBTI is a classification of 16 personality types. It is measured by the MBTI indicator and encompasses the different ways in which people perceive and engage with the world. The tool assigns people along 4 dimensions:  introversion vs. extraversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, judging vs. perceiving. ESFP is one of the possible results you can get on the MBTI. ESFPs are effervescent and charming and draw people to them. They are spontaneous and energetic and take pleasure in everything around them. 

ESFPs are outgoing and like to engage in new and vibrant experiences. They have a keen eye for aesthetics and are always open to new experiences. ESFPs are ardently social and love bringing people together through fun and laughter. ESFPs like to be the centre of attention and are usually the individuals who are the ‘life of the party’. Although they may appear self-absorbed, ESFPs are actually very observant and sensitive to others feelings. They are supportive and always available to talk about someone’s problem. However, if the problem is about them, they prefer to avoid rather than address the issues.

ESFPs can be impulsive and focus on immediate pleasure rather than analysing and planning for the future. They usually rely on luck or a friend to keep them on track. Additionally, because ESFPs are so focused on having fun they go out of their way to avoid situations that interfere with this.

Characteristics:

·        Extraverted: Energised by spending time with other people.

·        Sensing: Focus on tangible experiences or facts rather than ideas and concepts

·        Feeling: Decisions are guided by feelings and values rather than cognition

·        Perceiving: Avoid planning and organising and adopt a spontaneous approach

Strengths:

·        Bold and open to new experiences

·        Original. Like to stand out

·        Good aesthetic sense

·        Prefer to see, do and experience rather than think

·        Focus on the here and now

·        Observant. Strong awareness of their surroundings and the needs of others

·        Excellent social skills. Witty, talkative and enjoy company.

Weaknesses:

·        Sensitive to criticism and highly emotional

·        Tendency to avoid conflict

·        Impulsivity and difficulty with long-term planning

·        Risky or over-indulgent behaviour

·        Easily bored

·        Difficulties with prolonged focus and persistence on tasks

·        Difficulty dealing in abstractions

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.

ESFPs at work:

ESFPs are born entertainers and love engaging with people. They prefer an active and social work environment. Owing to their keen aesthetic sense, ESFPs thrive in careers in music, art, food or fashion. Work that does not produce immediate results and environments that are extremely rule-bound and bureaucratic are not suited to ESFPs. Because they are so tuned to people’s needs, ESFPs thrive in careers where they can serve others. ESFPs prefer hands-on working experiences and are good at practical problem solving. Jobs that an ESFP would be well suited for include: actor, artist, designer, teacher, psychologist, social worker, real estate agent, public relations manager, corporate trainer etc.

ESFPs in relationships:

ESFPs have a natural interest in forming connections with people. They are warm, friendly and openly affectionate. They often go out of their way to make their loved ones happy. However, they dislike dealing with the complexities of relationships and have a tendency to avoid conflicts. Because of their focus on the here and now, ESFPs often neglect thinking about the future course of their relationship and find it difficult to maintain long term relationships.

1w9 (The Optimist):

1w9 is an Enneagram personality type. It indicates a Type 1 core with a nine-wing. The enneagram is a personality typology system that focuses on the basic fears and motivations that guide the lives of individuals. It has been used widely in business and spiritual settings. This system is made up of nine primary personality types. A nine point diagram helps to demonstrate how these nine types are connected to each other. In addition to the basic nine types, the system includes 27 different subtypes or wings as well as three primary central factors focusing on thinking, feeling and behaviour.

Type 1 is divided into two wings. 1s with nine-wing (1w9) and 1s with two-wing (1w2). Thus, type 1w9s primarily Type 1 characteristics, but have a few traits of Type 9 as well. Like Type 1s they are rational and emphasise justice and equality. However, they are usually calmer and more balanced compared to other Type 1s. The basic fear of Type 1w9s is fear of being unethical or immoral. In line with this, their basic desire is to be morally correct in all their actions and decisions.

1w9s are advocates of justice and reform and stand up for what they believe is right. They are constantly striving to better understand the world around them. 1w9s are intellectual and can come across as unemotional and detached. 1w9s are averse to negativity. They deal with it by either avoiding their emotions or avoiding the situation itself. The defence mechanisms they frequently use include throwing themselves into their work or completely withdrawing from it. 

Compared to their Type 1 counterpart 1w2s, 1w9s are more introverted and prefer to keep to themselves. They face a fundamental conflict between their Type 1 side that urges them to make changes in the world and their nine-wing that tries to steer them away from risks. Because of this conflict, 1w9s come across as unemotional observers rather than action-takers. For this reason they can be confused with enneagram type 5. 

Strengths:

·        Attention to detail

·        Defend the rights of others

·        Care about their community

·        Stick to their personal principles and values

·        Logical perspective on things, but able to think imaginatively

Weaknesses:

·        Appear detached and cold

·        Critical of self and others

·        Difficulty dealing with negativity

·        Obstinate, especially when challenged by others

1w9s at work:

Compared to other Type 1s, 1w9s are less likely to take part in politics or actively work to bring about reform in the community. They prefer to be isolated from others to do their work. Just like other Type 1s they are motivated to work for social reform, but they prefer to do so alone. Unlike other Type 1s, they prefer to work in the background rather than the frontline. 1w9s like to teach and explain their perspective, but they prefer to do so in a calm and non-argumentative fashion. Jobs that would be suitable for 1w9s include: judge, guidance counsellor, lecturer, consultant, social worker, journalist etc.

1w9s in relationships:

1w9s are usually introverts and prefer spending time alone. They can easily detach from people and live a solitary life. Their aversion to the complexities of a relationship, make them highly avoidant of people. This enables them to develop their idealistic ideas and avoid subjecting their strongly held principles to the influence of others. 1w9s are also highly critical of others, which can annoy others. 1w9s often appear impersonal and aloof which further hampers their relationships. However, their Type nine-wing also enables them to be quite understanding and tolerant of differences. And although they avoid expressing their emotions, 1w9s are loyal and care deeply about the handful of people they let into their lives.

ESFP 1w9:

The MBTI and the Enneagram of Personality are two of the most popular personality classification systems. A number of attempts have been made to correlate the different types outlined in these two systems. These correlations may make it possible to provide individuals with a combined personality result, such as ESFP 1w9.

Some correlations have been established between ESFPs and 1w9s. ESFP 1w9s tend to be the quiet and reflective types. They are sensitive to the needs of others and desire to serve people. Like all 1w9s they have a strong value system and adhere to it at all costs.

However, there are also some fundamental differences between ESFPs and 1w9s that make it less likely that they will co-occur. For instance, while ESFPs are warm and gregarious people, 1w9s tend to appear cold and detached.Thus, 1w9s are usually introverts whereas ESFPs are extraverts. Additionally, 1w9s are usually good at dealing with abstract concepts, which is something ESFPs struggle with.

The reason for these inconclusive results for ESFP 1w9s may lie in an inherent difference in MBTI and the Enneagram that makes them difficult to compare. The Enneagram relies on basic motivations as a way of differentiating between people, whereas MBTI focuses more on their functions i.e. the way they perceive and interact with the world. Nevertheless, some correlations have emerged between Enneagram and MBTI types, although none of them are conclusive. Thus, although certain Enneagram types are more likely than others to co-occur with a specific MBTI type, this is by no means guaranteed.

Conclusion:

In this guide we examined the ESFP 1w9 personality type. We looked at their primary characteristics, strengths, weaknesses and their occupational and interpersonal functioning. Finally, we assessed the credibility of correlations between MBTI and the Enneagram, specifically with reference to ESFP and 1w9. 

If you have any questions or comments, please let us know.

FAQ on ‘ESFP 1w9’:

References:

http://personalitybase.com/esfp-1w9-mbti-personality-9638-c

Here Are The Most Common Enneagram Types For Each Myers-Briggs Personality Type

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-1-wing-9

https://www.oocities.org/lifexplore/typecorr.htm

Enneagram 1w9: The One with a Nine-Wing

https://personalityjunkie.com/06/enneagram-1-1w2-1w9-myers-briggs-mbti-type/

http://enneagramtexas.com/typeone.htm