ENFJ, also known as the “Protagonist,” are driven individuals who want to see their vision upheld. They’re idealists, optimistic, forward-thinking, and often act as the catalyst for human growth. Ambitious and focused on improvement, ENFJs can work in various important careers.
Understanding the ENFJ and Their Values
Since ENFJs feel personally responsible for making the world a better place, they rarely pursue career paths or work environments that extinguish their burning passions. As humanitarians they are altruistic, empathetic, and must create close connections with others to thrive.
ENFJs can be described as healthy work culture advocates because they believe cooperation is the best way to get things done. They’re sensitive to feedback, both positive and negative, and they may feel attacked if the criticism they receive seems inappropriate or unhelpful.
The ENFJ expects the best in themselves and others and will be disappointed if others don’t have genuine intentions. They strive to be valuable members of groups and families.
While ENFJs are adept at leadership, they find it difficult to make hard choices, be adaptable when things go wrong, and struggle to listen to their own needs. When mature, ENFJs can still make incredible leaders, but while young, they have a lot to learn before they can step up.
How Others See ENFJ (and Why That Matters)
Most people see these personality types as natural teachers who are fond of organizing and taking part in educational activities. Their coworkers may see them as leaders because they can take charge of a situation. They are also seen as excitable, especially when it comes to training.
As ENFJs have an uncanny ability to see the potential in others, they’re seen as warm, charismatic, and encouraging. They will often inspire others to develop their strengths.
While ENFJs are great communicators, they may become over-involved in their coworkers’ lives. This can make them appear as busybodies who tend to take things too personally.
ENFJ can be seen as flaky if they’re unhappy at their jobs. That’s because they are more likely to quit if job satisfaction is low than any other type. As a positive, they rank the highest in job satisfaction, proving that they’ll stay loyal to a company if their needs are meant.
The ENFJ Pitfalls and What to Watch For
The ENFJ has plenty of positives they can bring into the workplace, such as their:
- Encouragement
- Insightfulness
- Imagination
- Creativity
- Idealism
- Passion
- Intuitiveness
- Nurturing Behavior
However, ENFJs are notorious people pleasers who have limited toughness when conflict inevitably arises. They want to be liked by others, which may make them avoid a confrontation until the last possible second. This habit can cause friction and stress in the workplace.
For this reason, they typically need another person to prop them up or handle their problems. They also need the person speaking to them to tread carefully with bad news.
ENFJs are skilled at building well-oiled teams, but they may destroy them if they can’t act quickly when the team comes up against a difficult problem. When the ENFJ fails, they may avoid the person they’ve disappointed, which can affect their relationship with the team.
ENFJs can reach their leadership potential if they stay true to their values and frame their complaints using thinking and/or logical language. Always remember that staying silent about your problems helps no one, not even yourself. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself.
The Best ENFJ Work Environments
When it comes to careers, ENFJs find fulfillment in helping others. They use their drive and creativity to uplift others in most work environments, making them valuable team members.
“Earn Their Place” Environment
With their exceptional intelligence and social skills, ENFJs excel in most people-oriented fields, but they’re especially successful in positions where they can guide others to learn and grow. They’ll prefer to work in industries with an altruistic bent or for startups as advisors or managers.
Regardless of where they work, they won’t lose sight of their goal to improve people’s lives. They’re also great at adding integrity, sincerity, and idealism to customer service jobs.
“Positive Growth” Environment
Since ENFJs aren’t the best at taking criticism, they need to work in an environment that understands them. Their kindness can’t be misinterpreted as spinelessness. Otherwise, they’ll become dissatisfied. That’s why it’s important for ENFJs to research their employers.
When ENFJs work in a positive environment, they’re going to grow and change for the better; it’s inevitable. Their motivation and drive won’t allow them to stay stagnant for long.
“Motivating/Challenging” Environment
ENFJs are always up for a good challenge. However, if the ENFJ starts to feel isolated or bored, they’ll become frustrated. ENFJs want to see the impact of their work and feel the appreciation and gratitude of the people they help. For them, leaving a positive legacy is their top priority.
While that doesn’t mean they have to end all wars or solve world hunger, it does mean they need to solve deep issues, or they’ll keep wishing their efforts made a bigger impact.
The Best ENFJ Careers
The most ideal work environment for the ENFJ is people-centered, forward-thinking, idealistic, humanitarian, and creative. That’s why the following career choices work so well for the ENFJ.
Careers in Communication and Media
The media sector requires imaginative, creative, and organized people who are great at telling stories, delegating work, and planning/reviewing content. ENFJ will, therefore, excel as a:
- Translator
- Editor
- Photographer
- Author
- PR Specialist
Careers in Community and Social Work
ENFJs like to be involved in their communities and help people. They’re great at reading people’s emotions and understanding other people’s feelings, which is why they’ll do well as:
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Health Educators
- Career Counselors
- Marriage Therapists
- Social Workers
Careers in Education
One of the things ENFJs love to do the most is guide others through difficult times. When they’re in careers (like the following) that allow them to challenge students, they feel more fulfilled.
- High/Middle/Elementary School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Adult Literacy Teacher
- College Professor
- Childcare Center Director
Careers in Business and Finance
For businesses to thrive, they need incredible communicators who can speak to customers, clients, stakeholders, and employees in a non-jargon way, meaning ENFJs would be great as:
- Human Resource Managers
- Sales Manager
- Training or Development Manager
- Fundraiser
- Real Estate Broker
Careers in Healthcare
Besides working for a charity, there isn’t a more altruistic career path than medicine. Since ENFJs have a high capacity for empathy, they should take positions in the healthcare field.
- Dental Hygienist
- Nurse Practitioner
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Athletic Trainer
- Genetic Counselor
Besides these fields, ENFJs should also look for careers in the sciences, service industry, entertainment, the arts, design, legal, and administration. It’s important to note that any personality type can be successful in any industry, but some suit the ENFJ better than others.
