ESFP 2w3 (A 7 point guide)

This blog provides a brief guide to the ESFP 2w3 personality type. SFP is a personality type derived from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality system. And 2w3 is one of the personality types outlined in the Enneagram of Personality. We will begin by covering the primary traits, strengths, weaknesses and other features of the ESFP and 2w3 personality types. We will then look at whether or not these two types occur together.

ESFP (The Entertainer):

ESFP is an MBTI 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 and generates one of 16 possible combinations as the final result. 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.

2w3:

2w3 (2 wing 3) is an enneagram type. It indicates a Type 2 personality with a 3 wing. This means that this personality primarily has Type 2 traits, but also a few of Type 3. 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 2 is divided into two wings: 2w1 and 2w3. Type 2w3 are ambitious and altruistic people. They love interacting with people and making a difference in society. The basic fear of 2w3s is a fear of being unloved or worthless. Their basic desire is to be accepted and loved by others. They fulfil this desire and counteract their fears by being extremely attentive to people and forming close attachments.

Similar to their Type 2 counterparts, 2w1s, they often suppress their negative feelings which can lead to a lot of pent-up distress and outbursts. 2w3s love working with groups and meeting new people. They are very understanding and attentive to the needs of others. Because Type 2s devote themselves to others and Type 3s care a lot about how others perceive them, 2w3s are highly sensitive to criticism.

Like other Type 2s and type 1s, 2w3s strive to be good and selfless. However their motive in doing this has less to do with moral obligation and more to do with power and success. They are very conscious of their public image and enjoy showcasing their talents.

Compared to 2w1s, 2w3s are a lot more charming and confident. 2w3s are good at forming a positive impression on people and are a lot more adaptable than 2w1s. Compared to 2w1s, they prefer to lead and influence people rather than adopt the caretaking role. Thus, they are more like the attentive hosts at a party who like to gather people around them and offer advice and inspiration. 2w3s can be viewed as a more success-oriented version of ESFP 2w1s. 2w3s are usually extroverted and like being the centre of attention. On the other hand, 2w1s are more discrete and withdrawn.

2w3s are sometimes confused with Type 7s because of similarities in their outward behaviour such as being extremely friendly and optimistic. Both like to surround themselves with people. But the 22w3s reason for doing so is to be loved and accepted by others, whereas Type 7s do so to improve their own experience and enjoyment of a situation. 2w3s can also be confused with 3w2s, but the former are usually a lot less aggressive and people-oriented than the latter.

Strengths:

·        Optimistic and positive attitude

·        Deep and personal relationships

·        High need for achievement and success

·        Adaptable. Cope well with stress.

·        Passionate about serving others

·        Clear and effective communication

Weaknesses:

·        Competitive and obsessive

·        Neglect own needs and feelings

·        Sensitive to criticism

·        Critical of self and others when under stress

2w3s at work:

Work environments that require collaborative effort and aim to help the community are well suited to 2w3s. Individuals with this personality type tend to be sociable and confident and are willing to sacrifice their time in service of others. Although they are less self-critical than 2w1s, 2w3s can overwork themselves in their endless striving for success. 

Since one of their primary aims is to make a difference in the world, 2w3s are well-suited to jobs such as: non-profit leader, motivational speaker, religious leader, entertainer, human resources manager, public relations specialist, real estate agent etc.

2w3s in relationships:

Like other Type 2s, 2w3s experience the world through a lens of feelings and relationships. They are extremely good-humoured and social which makes them better at interpersonal functioning than 2w1s. Their charisma and upbeat attitude draws people to them. 2w3s seek a sense of security by forming many relationships. 2w3s like to be associated with successful and influential people and often use this as a criterion when forming friendships and relationships. This stems from their Type 3 desire to be perceived well by others.

ESFP 2w3s:

Type 2s are part of the Heart Triad on the Enneagram. They emphasise feelings and relationships in their interactions with the world. Thus, they usually have the extraverted feeling function of the MBTI as their dominant function. This is why the most commonly seen enneagram for ESFPs, ENFJs, ESFJs and ENFPs is Type 2.

Type 2s are usually dominant in the Feeling function. And Type 3s also tend to be extraverted. Because 2w3s are a combination of Type 2 and 3 and because ESFPs that have the extraverted feeling function as their dominant function, ESFP and 2w3 often occur together.

Many ESFPs identify as 2w3s. Both ESFPs and 2w3s are outgoing, energetic and sociable people. They are image-conscious and like being the centre of attention. Additionally, both 2w3s and ESFPs share a tendency to avoid uncomfortable or negative feelings by suppressing them. Type 7s share a number of 2w3 traits and are also the enneagram type most commonly associated with ESFPs. Thus, ESFP 2w3s are fairly common personality types to find.

Being extraverted on the MBTI has been linked to achievement-striving, which is something both personality types share. ESFP 2w3s tend to be warm and supportive people, which are characteristics of both ESFPs and Type 2s. This may be attributed to the Feeling function being dominant in both ESFPs and 2w3s.

Conclusion:

In this blog we looked at ESFP 2w3s. At first, we covered the basic characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of both types separately. Then, we looked at whether or not these two types commonly co-occur among individuals.

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

FAQ on ‘ESFP 2w3’:

References:

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

Enneagram 2w3: The Two with a Three-Wing

https://www.truity.com/personality-type/ESFP

https://www.verywellmind.com/esfp-extraverted-sensing-feeling-perceiving-2795984

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-2-wing-3-0?utm_expid=.uM3DNSOzT1OflvuWLHeCIg.1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

https://personalityjunkie.com/07/myers-briggs-enneagram-mbti-types-correlations-relationship/