ESFP 3w4 (A 7 Point Guide)

This blog provides a brief guide to the ESFP 3w4 personality type. SFP is a personality type derived from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality system. And 3w4 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 3w4 personality types. We will then look at the likelihood of these two types occurring 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.

3w4 (The Expert):

3w4 (3 wing 4) is an enneagram type. It indicates Type 3 personality with a 4 wing. This means that this personality primarily has Type 3 traits, but also a few of Type 4. 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. 3w4s, appropriately named ‘The Expert’ are extremely career-oriented. Their sense of self and self-worth is largely derived from their work and they are very focused and serious when it comes to dealing with the tasks assigned to them. The basic fear of 3w4s is a fear of failure. They are constantly striving to achieve in their chosen career paths. This fear stems from a basic desire to succeed in order to feel worthy. Thus, 3w4s seek validation for their efforts and achievements. 

They are introspective and try to understand themselves at a deeper level. The addition of a 4 wing brings a degree of self-awareness and emotional vulnerability to 3w4s. They are also very artistically inclined and focus on cultivating these unique gifts and talents. 

In keeping with their Type 3 core, 3w4s change their personas to fit their environment. This makes them adaptable and good communicators. However, it can also mean that they are frequently perceived as phony or fraudulent. 3w4s, like other Type 3s, are overly concerned about their social image, particularly their professional image. The goal of 3w4s should focus less on impression management and more on finding an authentic passion and using their unique talents to make a lasting contribution to society.

In comparison to type 3w2s, 3w4s are more introverted and restrained in their behaviour. Because they are less extraverted, this personality type tends to think and process things internally rather than by talking to other people. 

Strengths:

·        Ability to focus intensely on tasks

·        Recognise areas of personal development

·        Form interpersonal connections well

·        Efficiency and ability to solve practical problems

·        Constantly striving to improve themselves

Weaknesses:

·        Excessive focus on career

·        Self-doubt, especially when under stress

·        Difficulty coping with failure or disappointment

·        Appear overconfident or moody

·        Self-conscious and overly concerned with public image

·        Excessive self-interest which can lead to hurting other people

3w4s at work:

This personality type is one of the most career-oriented types on the enneagram. They are very focused on the professional lives and strive to garner greater and greater success. 3w4s are introspective and creative while simultaneously being open and charismatic. They work hard and flourish in workplaces that encourage success and career growth.

The jobs that 3w4s are well suited for include: architect, politician, marketer, financial analyst, investment banker, lawyer, venture capitalist.

3w4s in relationships:

Because they are so focused on their professional lives, 3w4s may neglect their interpersonal relationships. However, they are romantic and emotionally sensitive people who can form deep and intimate connections with people. Like other Type 3s they have good communication skills which makes it easy for them to get along with others. 

ESFP 3w4:

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 ESFP 3w4s. Compared to 3w2s, 3w4s are less likely to co-occur with ESFPs. This is because 3w4s tend to be introverted, whereas ESFPs are extraverted. However, both personality types share an inherent charisma and ability to draw people to them. They both like being admired and loved by others, although 3w4s place more emphasis on acquiring this through career success. Type 3w4s usually have a dominant intuitive rather than sensing function. Thus, 3w4s are less likely to be associated with ESFPs, in whom the sensing function is dominant.

Conclusion:

In this guide we covered the primary traits, strengths, weaknesses and other aspects of the ESFP and 3w4 personality types. 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 3w4’:

References:

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-3-wing-4

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

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

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

Enneagram 3w4: The Three with a Four-Wing