ESFP 3w2 (A 7 Point Guide)

This blog provides a brief guide to the ESFP 3w2 personality type. SFP is a personality type derived from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality system. And 3w2 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 3w2 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.

3w2 (The Enchanter):

3w2 (3 wing 2) is an enneagram type. It indicates Type 3 personality with a 2 wing. This means that this personality primarily has Type 3 traits, but also a few of Type 2. 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.

According to the Enneagram, every personality type can be coupled with characteristics from one of its neighbouring personality types. Thus, type 3 is divided into two types: Type 3w2 and 3w4. Type 3w2s are enchanting, ambitious and energetic people. In addition to being success-driven themselves, 3w2s inspire the people around them to strive for success. Because these individuals adapt quiet easily to different situations they are well-liked. The basic fear of this personality type is a fear of failing or not being loved by others. Their basic desire is to be praised and accepted by others.

Prestige and recognition play a major role in the lives of 3w2s. They place a lot of emphasis on their public image and pay attention to the way they dress and carry themselves. They tend to change the way they portray themselves depending on the people they interact with so that they are easily liked. However, this can often lead to them playing a role rather than being true to themselves.

Type 3s are success-oriented while Type 2s are more acceptance-oriented. They are Type 3 at their core, 3w2s are sensitive and compassionate owing to their two-wing. Thus, although they want to succeed, they also want to form close relationships with people. In 3w2s, the 2 wing helps balance out the Type 3 focus on themselves and their achievements. Additionally, compared to their counterparts, 3w4s, 3w2s are more extraverted.

Strengths:

·        Success and goal-oriented

·        Work hard towards achievement and success

·        Self-confident and self-aware

·        Upbeat with a good sense of humour

·        Form connections with other people easily

·        Desire to serve the community

·        Handle tasks with efficiency

·        Excellent communication skills

Weaknesses:

·        Obsessed with protecting their social image

·        Fear of failure

·        Excessively competitive

·        Tend to be unintentionally manipulative of others

·        Prone to narcissism

·        Stressed when they fail or upset loved ones

3w2s at work:

These personality types handle their work with efficiency. They are extremely goal-driven and have a high need for achievement. They thrive in environments that support their ambitions. They seek jobs that offer new experiences and the opportunity to connect with people. Additionally, 3w2s fit into leadership roles well. Type 3w2s tend to experience a pressure to be constantly entertaining. They also struggle to achieve a work-life balance as they can become overly immersed in their work.

Jobs that 3w2s are well suited for include: lawyer, event planner, advertising consultant, entrepreneur, pilot, TV anchor, venture capitalist etc.

3w2s in relationships:

This personality type is goal-oriented in all areas of their life. Their relationships are no exception and these individuals have very clear criteria about who they want as a partner. They want someone who has a high status or is considered to be very desirable by other people. Thus, even the relationships of 3w2s must be impressive to people. 

However, courtesy of their two-wing, individuals with this personality type are also very considerate of others and thus make good partners. They are vivacious and fun to be around which invites people to form relationships with them.

ESFP 3w2:

Type 3s are among the most difficult enneagrams to be associated with an MBTI. While it is possible to completely rule out certain MBTI-Enneagram combinations (e.g: INTP 2), it is not possible to rule out any MBTI for 3s.  Factors such as gender and birth order may play a more important role in determining the MBTI of a Type 3 enneagram.

One reason for these inconclusive results for ESFP 3w2s 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.

However, some conclusions can still be made about the MBTI of Type 3s. For instance, 3s commonly score high on Extraversion in the MBTI.  Since ESFPs also have this attribute, it is likely that the ESFP 3w2 personality type is fairly common. In line with this, both ESFPs and 3w2s are fond of being the centre of attention and are often labelled as ‘the life of the party’. They are both very conscious of their public image and like to be surrounded by people. Both have a keen aesthetic sense and take pride in their appearance.

Conclusion: 

In this guide we looked at ESFP 3w2s and their respective traits, strengths, weaknesses and how they function in different areas of life such as work and relationships. Our primary focus was on whether these two types are likely to co-occur in individuals and how this would manifest itself. 

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

FAQ on ‘ESFP 3w2’:

References:

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

https://personalityjunkie.com/07/enneagram-3-3w2-3w4-myers-briggs-mbti-type/

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-3-wing-2

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

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

Enneagram 3w2: The Three with a Two-Wing