Do you know about the ESFJ-A type?
This is one of the indicators that represents personality, and it has a significant impact on our behavior and way of thinking.
In this article, we will explain in detail what characteristics ESFJ-A people have, including health, work, and interpersonal relationships.
By understanding your own and others’ personalities well, it may lead to better communication and self-understanding.
Please read this while comparing it with your own and your friends’ personalities.
Once again, personality researcher and author of Villain Encyclopedia, Tokiwa (@etokiwa999), will provide the explanation.
※We have developed the HEXACO-JP Personality Assessment! It has more scientific basis than MBTI. Tap below for details.

目次
- 1 Scientific Background of ESFJ-A (Consul – Assertive)
- 2 Scientific Explanation of ESFJ-A (Consul – Assertive)
- 2.1 Good Physical Health
- 2.2 Engage in Healthy Behaviors
- 2.3 Good Mental Health
- 2.4 Easily Feel Happy
- 2.5 Easily Get Along with People Who Have Both S and F Traits
- 2.6 High Quality of Friendships
- 2.7 Making New Friends
- 2.8 High Couple Satisfaction
- 2.9 Good at Parenting
- 2.10 Relatively High Academic Achievement
- 2.11 Value Religious Duties and Precepts
- 2.12 Many Friends on Social Media
- 2.13 When using social media, they communicate through likes and encouraging comments
- 2.14 They engage in altruistic activities such as volunteering
- 2.15 They have high-quality social capital
- 2.16 They properly follow infection control measures such as hand washing
- 2.17 Having a certain number on a team improves team balance, even better when together with introverted people
- 2.18 Capable at work, high performance
- 2.19 Likely to succeed in career
- 2.20 Likely to become good supervisors who support subordinates
- 2.21 When they become teachers, they tend to be liked by students
- 2.22 Common among athletes, especially champion-level athletes
- 2.23 Excessive Perfectionism
- 2.24 Prefer Fast Food, Ice Cream, Chocolate, and Cocoa, Avoid Meat
- 2.25 Health-Conscious, Preferring Vegetables, Dairy Products, and Nuts
- 2.26 Prone to Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) Ideology
- 2.27 Do Not Engage in Bullying
- 2.28 High Self-Esteem
- 2.29 Engaging in Problem-Focused Coping
- 2.30 Self-Determination Theory Needs for Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness Are Easily Satisfied
- 2.31 Conducting Calm Risk Management
- 2.32 Common in Okinawa, Japan
- 2.33 Schwartz’s Values: Benevolence, Conformity, Security
- 2.34 Investment Behavior: Disposition Effect and Overconfidence
- 3 In Conclusion
Scientific Background of ESFJ-A (Consul – Assertive)
Overview of MBTI
MBTI is a psychological theory that classifies personality into 16 types.
MBTI is an abbreviation for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
MBTI classifies personality into 16 types by combining the following four indicators:
In other words, MBTI expresses your personality tendencies with four letters such as “ISTJ” or “ENFP”. A very famous similar system is 16personalities, but this is different from MBTI.
Overview of Big Five
One of the most influential trait theories in personality psychology is the “Big Five”.
Big Five measures five traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
Also, while 16personalities and MBTI use type classification (e.g., either extraverted or introverted), Big Five evaluates traits with continuous numerical values (e.g., extraversion 3.5), which is a major difference.
Furthermore, it has been studied for a long time, has many research papers, and extensive research has been conducted in other fields such as academic ability, income, brain, and genetics. Big Five can be said to have relatively stronger scientific backing.
Correlation Between MBTI, Big Five, and HEXACO
There is a correlation between the four MBTI indicators and the five Big Five factors.
A representative study showing this correlation is the paper “The relationship between the revised NEO-Personality Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator“.
According to this paper, the correlation between MBTI and Big Five is as follows:

Also, in 16personalities, which was created with reference to MBTI and Big Five, the neuroticism of Big Five is called “Identity” and is classified as either Assertive or Turbulent.
On the far right is “HEXACO“, a relatively new personality assessment. It is an improvement on Big Five by adding one indicator “Honesty-Humility”.
This article will provide detailed explanations of 16personalities personality types based on these correlations.
Since these are originally Big Five and HEXACO research, if you want to know your personality more scientifically than MBTI or 16personalities, please try this HEXACO personality test.
What is ESFJ-A (Consul – Assertive)?
ESFJ-A is a type with high extraversion (E), low openness (S), high agreeableness (F), high conscientiousness (J), and low neuroticism (A) in Big Five.
- Strong empathy and sociability
- High sense of responsibility and reliability
- Practical support abilities
- Confident communication
- Values harmony and tradition
They are sensitive to the needs of others and excel at providing support in practical ways. They value social norms and harmony, creating stable environments.
In interpersonal relationships, they cherish compassion and sincerity, actively contributing to their communities. While cautious about change, they adapt when they understand its necessity. They have high stress tolerance and maintain a positive attitude even in difficult situations.
Scientific Explanation of ESFJ-A (Consul – Assertive)
Good Physical Health
ESFJ-A types tend to have good physical health. In the Big Five, they are characterized by high conscientiousness (J) and low neuroticism (-A). This reflects their tendency to make regular lifestyle habits and healthy choices, as well as their stress-resistant nature.
ESFJ-A individuals have high self-management abilities and are likely to maintain healthy lifestyles. Additionally, their mental stability has a positive impact on their physical health.
Please see this article for more details.
Engage in Healthy Behaviors
ESFJ-A types tend to actively practice healthy behaviors. In the Big Five, they are characterized by high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J).
This indicates strong consideration for others and responsibility, as well as high self-management abilities. ESFJ-A individuals are naturally inclined to take actions that maintain healthy lifestyles, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep.
They are also sensitive to health information and tend to prefer preventive medicine approaches.
Please see this article for more details.
Good Mental Health
ESFJ-A types tend to have good mental health. In the Big Five, they are characterized by high extraversion (E), agreeableness (F), and conscientiousness (J), with low neuroticism (-A).
This indicates that they are sociable and easily build good relationships with others, have a sense of responsibility, and have high stress tolerance.
ESFJ-A individuals tend to easily obtain mental support through good relationships with those around them, and because they also have high self-management abilities, they tend to maintain mental health more easily.
Please see this article for more details.
Easily Feel Happy
ESFJ-A types tend to easily feel happy. In the Big Five, they are characterized by high extraversion (E) and agreeableness (F), with low neuroticism (-A).
This indicates that they are sociable, value relationships with others, and are likely to experience positive emotions. ESFJ-A individuals easily derive joy from interactions with people around them and are likely to notice small happiness in daily life.
Additionally, because they have high stress tolerance, they tend to maintain a positive attitude even in difficult situations.
Please see this article for more details.
Easily Get Along with People Who Have Both S and F Traits
ESFJ-A types tend to get along well with people who have both S and F characteristics. In the Big Five, they are characterized by low openness (S) and high agreeableness (F).
This indicates that they prefer realistic and concrete thinking and have high empathy for others. ESFJ-A individuals easily find common ground with people who are similarly practical and compassionate, and are likely to build deep friendships.
They may also often collaborate with people who have these characteristics on practical and compassionate projects.
Please see this article for more details.
High Quality of Friendships
ESFJ-A types tend to have high-quality friendships. In the Big Five, they are characterized by high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J), with low neuroticism (-A).
This indicates strong compassion for others and responsibility, as well as a stable personality.
ESFJ-A individuals value relationships with friends and are often known as reliable and supportive friends. They also tend to avoid conflict and prioritize harmony, making them likely to build long-term, stable friendships.
For more details, please see this article.
Making New Friends
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to be good at making new friends. In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable and easily gain energy from interacting with people. ESFJ-A individuals can actively approach people in new environments and social situations to build relationships.
Additionally, due to their warm personality and high interest in people, they tend to welcome even strangers warmly and can quickly become comfortable with them.
For more details, please see this article.
High Couple Satisfaction
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to have high couple satisfaction. In the Big Five, they have high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J), with low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are considerate, responsible, and emotionally stable. ESFJ-A individuals are sensitive to their partner’s needs and tend to value relationships.
They also prioritize stability and prefer to build long-term relationships. With high communication skills and collaborative problem-solving approaches, they have characteristics that make it easy to maintain healthy relationships.
For more details, please see this article.
Good at Parenting
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to be good at parenting. In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E), agreeableness (F), and conscientiousness (J), with low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable, considerate, responsible, and emotionally stable. ESFJ-A parents are sensitive to their children’s emotions and likely to provide a warm environment.
They also excel at fostering their children’s social skills while emphasizing discipline and structure. They tend to maintain good communication with their children and provide stable support.
For more details, please see this article.
Relatively High Academic Achievement
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to have relatively high academic achievement. In the Big Five, they have high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates high ability to cooperate with others, responsibility, and the ability to act in a planned manner. ESFJ-A individuals tend to have regular study habits and properly complete assignments.
They also easily build good relationships with teachers and peers, and can learn effectively in group settings. Their tendency to pay attention to details and value practical knowledge may also contribute to improved academic performance.
For more details, please see this article.
Value Religious Duties and Precepts
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to value religious duties and precepts. In the Big Five, they have low openness (S) and high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates a strong tendency to respect tradition and existing values, and to follow social norms. ESFJ-A individuals are likely to feel a sense of community connection and personal growth through religious practices and rituals.
They also tend to incorporate religious teachings into their daily lives and use them as moral behavioral guidelines.
For more details, please see this article.
Many Friends on Social Media
People with ESFJ-A type tend to have many friends on social media. In the Big Five, they have a high characteristic of extroversion (E). This indicates that they are sociable and value connections with people.
ESFJ-A people actively interact online and have little resistance to making new friends. They are also skilled at maintaining and strengthening existing friendships through social media.
Due to their warm personality and high interest in others, they tend to be liked by many people on social media and easily build extensive networks.
Please see this article for more details.
People with ESFJ-A type tend to communicate through “likes” and encouraging comments when using social media. In the Big Five, they have high characteristics of extroversion (E) and agreeableness (F).
This indicates they have strong social and caring traits. ESFJ-A people will likely actively respond to friends’ and acquaintances’ posts on social media and prefer to provide positive feedback.
They also tend to genuinely celebrate others’ successes and happiness, offering words of encouragement to build and maintain warm human relationships even online.
Please see this article for more details.
They engage in altruistic activities such as volunteering
People with ESFJ-A type tend to engage in altruistic activities such as volunteering. In the Big Five, they have high characteristics of extroversion (E) and agreeableness (F).
This indicates they have strong social and caring traits. ESFJ-A people will likely actively participate in social contribution activities and find joy in helping others.
They also have a strong sense of responsibility as community members and tend to achieve self-realization through volunteer activities. With their excellent teamwork skills and caring personality, they often play important roles in various altruistic activities.
Please see this article for more details.
People with ESFJ-A type tend to have high-quality social capital. In the Big Five, they have high extroversion (E) and agreeableness (F), with low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates they are sociable, caring toward others, and emotionally stable. ESFJ-A people will likely excel at building and maintaining extensive human relationships.
They value trust relationships and tend to easily build reciprocal relationships. They are also active in community activities and likely have a high ability to effectively utilize social networks.
Please see this article for more details.
They properly follow infection control measures such as hand washing
People with ESFJ-A type tend to properly follow infection control measures such as hand washing. In the Big Five, they have high conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates they have a strong sense of responsibility and tend to follow rules and instructions. ESFJ-A people will likely be thorough in their infection prevention behaviors, considering not only their own health but also others’ health.
Also, due to their strong tendency to follow social norms, they tend to seriously take and practice public health guidelines. Their attention to detail also leads to reliably implementing infection control measures such as hand washing.
Please see this article for more details.
Having a certain number on a team improves team balance, even better when together with introverted people
When people with ESFJ-A type are present in certain numbers on a team, team balance tends to improve. It’s even more effective when they’re together with introverted people.
In the Big Five, they have high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J) characteristics. This indicates they value teamwork and fulfill their roles with a sense of responsibility.
ESFJ-A people will likely play a role in maintaining harmony within the team and facilitating communication between members.
They also carefully listen to introverted members’ opinions and excel at balancing and summarizing the entire team’s opinions. Through their practical approach and careful attention, they tend to improve team productivity and atmosphere.
Please see this article for more details.
Capable at work, high performance
People with ESFJ-A type tend to be capable at work and have high performance. In the Big Five, they have high conscientiousness (J) and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they have a strong sense of responsibility, can act in a planned manner, and have high stress tolerance. ESFJ-A people excel in their ability to meet deadlines and complete work while paying attention to details.
Additionally, they value teamwork and easily build good relationships with colleagues, so they particularly shine in cooperative workplace environments. Their stable emotions and high adaptability tend to allow them to effectively respond to changes and pressure.
Please see this article for more details.
Likely to succeed in career
People with ESFJ-A type tend to be likely to succeed in their careers. In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E), agreeableness (F), and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable, easy to cooperate with others, and emotionally stable. ESFJ-A people are likely to particularly excel in business fields that value human relationships.
Additionally, they have a strong sense of responsibility and tend to work devotedly toward achieving organizational goals. They have high communication skills and excel at teamwork, so they have characteristics that make them successful in leadership positions as well.
Please see this article for more details.
Likely to become good supervisors who support subordinates
People with ESFJ-A type tend to be likely to become good supervisors who support their subordinates. In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E), agreeableness (F), conscientiousness (J), and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable, compassionate, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are emotionally stable.
ESFJ-A supervisors excel at understanding the individuality and abilities of their subordinates and providing appropriate guidance and support.
Additionally, they value team harmony and tend to demonstrate fair and warm leadership.
Through careful attention to detail and a practical approach, they have characteristics that make it easy to achieve both subordinate growth and organizational development.
Please see this article for more details.
When they become teachers, they tend to be liked by students
When people with ESFJ-A type become teachers, they tend to be liked by students.
In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E), conscientiousness (J), and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics. This indicates that they are sociable, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are emotionally stable.
ESFJ-A teachers excel at paying attention to each individual student and creating a warm learning environment.
Additionally, they are excellent at supporting student growth while balancing discipline and compassion. They have high communication skills and tend to be able to flexibly adjust their teaching methods according to students’ level of understanding.
Please see this article for more details.
Common among athletes, especially champion-level athletes
People with ESFJ-A type are common among athletes, and tend to be particularly common among champion-level athletes.
In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E), agreeableness (F), conscientiousness (J), and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable, cooperative, have a strong sense of responsibility, and have high stress tolerance. ESFJ-A athletes excel at teamwork and tend to approach practice and competitions with sincerity.
Additionally, they are strong under pressure and have characteristics that make it easy for them to demonstrate their abilities in important situations. They also have high leadership abilities and excel at maintaining a good team atmosphere.
Please see this article for more details.
Excessive Perfectionism
People with ESFJ-A type sometimes have a tendency toward excessive perfectionism. In the Big Five, they have high conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates that they have a strong sense of responsibility and tend to set high standards. ESFJ-A people tend to have high expectations for themselves and others, and strive to complete things perfectly.
While this trait produces excellent results, it can also cause excessive stress and anxiety. They may become too focused on details and lose sight of the big picture, or lack flexibility.
Please see this article for more details.
Prefer Fast Food, Ice Cream, Chocolate, and Cocoa, Avoid Meat
People with ESFJ-A type tend to prefer fast food, ice cream, chocolate, and cocoa, while tending to avoid meat.
In the Big Five, they have high extroversion (E) and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics. This indicates that they are sociable and emotionally stable.
ESFJ-A people may tend to prefer sweet foods and convenient meals. This may serve as casual dining in social situations or as “comfort food” for stress relief.
On the other hand, they also have high health consciousness, so they tend to strive for a balanced diet.
Please see this article for more details.
Health-Conscious, Preferring Vegetables, Dairy Products, and Nuts
People with ESFJ-A type tend to be health-conscious and prefer vegetables, dairy products, and nuts. In the Big Five, they have high conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates high self-management ability and emphasis on healthy lifestyle habits. ESFJ-A people strive for nutritionally balanced meals and actively try to incorporate foods considered good for health.
They also tend to make food choices considering long-term health maintenance. They are sensitive to social health trends and may show interest in new health foods and dietary methods.
Please see this article for more details.
Prone to Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) Ideology
People with ESFJ-A type tend to be prone to right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) ideology. In the Big Five, they have low openness (S) characteristics.
This indicates a tendency to value traditional values and existing social order. ESFJ-A people tend to value stability and order, and respect social norms and authority.
They also tend to avoid rapid change and uncertainty.
However, this tendency can vary greatly depending on individual experience, education, and environment. What’s important is understanding diverse perspectives and cultivating critical thinking.
Please see this article for more details.
Do Not Engage in Bullying
People with ESFJ-A type tend not to engage in bullying. In the Big Five, they have high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J), and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are considerate of others, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are emotionally stable. ESFJ-A people are sensitive to others’ emotions and value harmony, so they avoid aggressive behavior like bullying.
Rather, they are likely to support victims of bullying or take active steps to prevent bullying. Also, due to their tendency to value social norms, they tend to strongly recognize bullying as inappropriate behavior.
Please see this article for more details.
High Self-Esteem
People with ESFJ-A type tend to have high self-esteem. In the Big Five, they have high extroversion (E) and conscientiousness (J), and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are emotionally stable.
ESFJ-A people tend to build good relationships with others and easily gain social approval, so their self-evaluation tends to be high.
Additionally, they have a high ability to work toward goals and achieve results, which tends to make them prone to having confidence. Their high stress tolerance and ability to maintain a positive attitude even in difficult situations also contribute to maintaining high self-esteem.
For more details, please see this article.
Engaging in Problem-Focused Coping
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to engage in problem-focused coping. In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E) and conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates that they are likely to take proactive and planned actions. When faced with stress or problems, ESFJ-A individuals will try to identify the cause and find concrete solutions.
They also tend to approach problems with the cooperation of others. They prefer practical approaches and have the characteristic of trying to deal with problems directly rather than avoiding them.
While this coping method is effective in many situations, sometimes emotional care may also be necessary.
Self-Determination Theory Needs for Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness Are Easily Satisfied
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to easily satisfy the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness in self-determination theory.
In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E), agreeableness (F), and conscientiousness (J), with low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable, cooperative with others, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are emotionally stable.
ESFJ-A individuals are likely to easily satisfy the needs for autonomy (acting based on their own decisions), competence (confidence in their ability to achieve goals), and relatedness (building good relationships with others).
Their high social skills and execution ability contribute to satisfying these needs.
For more details, please see this article.
Conducting Calm Risk Management
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to conduct calm risk management. In the Big Five, they have high conscientiousness (J) and low neuroticism (-A) characteristics.
This indicates that they are planned, have a strong sense of responsibility, and are emotionally stable. ESFJ-A individuals are likely to excel at carefully evaluating risks and making balanced decisions.
They also tend to have a long-term perspective, identify potential problems in advance, and take countermeasures. Due to their high stress tolerance, they can maintain composure and make rational judgments even in high-pressure situations.
However, sometimes they may become overly cautious, so it may be important to balance moderate risk-taking.
For more details, please see this article.
Common in Okinawa, Japan
ESFJ-A type individuals are said to be commonly found in Okinawa, Japan. In the Big Five, they have high extraversion (E) and agreeableness (F) characteristics.
This indicates that they are sociable and value harmony with others. Okinawan culture values community bonds and the spirit of mutual assistance, which is considered to have high compatibility with ESFJ-A traits.
Additionally, Okinawa’s warm climate and open atmosphere may also contribute to the formation of extraverted personalities.
However, it should be noted that this tendency is a generalization, and individual differences and environmental factors also have significant influence.
For more details, please see this article.
Schwartz’s Values: Benevolence, Conformity, Security
ESFJ-A type individuals tend to value benevolence, conformity, and security in Schwartz’s theory of values. In the Big Five, they have low openness (S) and high agreeableness (F) and conscientiousness (J) characteristics.
This indicates that they tend to respect traditional values, prioritize harmony with others, and seek stability.
ESFJ-A individuals are likely to be concerned with the welfare of others (benevolence), place importance on maintaining social harmony (conformity), and value ensuring the safety of themselves and their loved ones (security).
These values have a significant impact on their daily lives and decision-making.
For more details, please see this article.
Investment Behavior: Disposition Effect and Overconfidence
ESFJ-A type individuals may exhibit tendencies toward disposition effect and overconfidence in their investment behavior. In the Big Five, they are characterized by high extraversion (E) and conscientiousness (J).
This indicates a tendency to take proactive, confident, and planned actions. ESFJ-A investors may demonstrate the disposition effect by selling profitable investments early while holding onto losing investments for extended periods.
This is influenced by the desire to lock in profits and the psychological reluctance to acknowledge losses.
Additionally, due to their high self-esteem and optimistic nature, they may also exhibit overconfidence tendencies, overestimating their investment abilities and underestimating risks.
For more details, please refer to this article.
In Conclusion
ESFJ-A type individuals are characterized by being sociable, caring, and highly responsible. They value relationships with others and are cooperative, which tends to deepen their bonds with friends and family.
Additionally, they are planful and tend to work hard toward their goals, which may make them more likely to achieve success in school or work.
They also value health and rules, tend to have good lifestyle habits, and show high stress tolerance.
These characteristics seem to contribute to their ability to feel happiness easily and maintain mental stability.
On the other hand, they may seek perfection too much or dislike change. Also, in investments, they may become overconfident, so caution is needed.
The tendencies introduced are originally based on Big Five and HEXACO research, so if you want to understand your personality more scientifically than MBTI or 16personalities, please try this HEXACO personality test.

Writer & Supervisor: Eisuke Tokiwa
Personality Psychology Researcher / CEO, SUNBLAZE Inc.
As a child he experienced poverty, domestic abuse, bullying, truancy and dropping out of school — first-hand exposure to a range of social problems. He spent 10 years researching these issues and published Encyclopedia of Villains through Jiyukokuminsha. Since then he has independently researched the determinants of social problems and antisocial behavior (work, education, health, personality, genetics, region, etc.) and has published 2 peer-reviewed journal articles (Frontiers in Psychology, IEEE Access). His goal is to predict the occurrence of social problems. Spiky profile (WAIS-IV).
Expertise: Personality Psychology / Big Five / HEXACO / MBTI / Prediction of Social Problems
Researcher profiles: ORCID / Google Scholar / ResearchGate
Social & Books: X (@etokiwa999) / note / Amazon Author Page
