ENFJ (Protagonist) type people are one of 16personalities (16 personality types diagnosis).
This type is a natural-born leader, possessing the power to guide people and excellent empathy.
They are personalities who find joy in encouraging, supporting, and guiding the people around them.
ENFJ type people value human relationships and can sensitively perceive others’ emotions.
However, on the other hand, they also face challenges to overcome, such as perfectionism and a tendency to become overly emotional.
What strengths and weaknesses do ENFJ type people with such characteristics possess, and how can they live to shine in their own way?
In this article, we would like to explore their way of life from aspects such as personality characteristics, romance, friendship, parenting, and career of ENFJ type people.
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.
※This article is written based on the translation of 16personalities official site English page.
The video version of this article is here!
目次
- 1 ENFJ (Protagonist) Strengths and Weaknesses
- 2 ENFJ (Protagonist) A and T Types
- 3 ENFJ (Protagonist) Romantic Relationship Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 4 ENFJ (Protagonist) Friendship Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 5 ENFJ (Protagonist) Parenting Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 6 ENFJ (Protagonist) Career Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 7 ENFJ (Protagonist) Work Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 8 Compatible Types with ENFJ (Protagonist)
- 9 ENFJ (Protagonist) Summary
- 10 Supplement
- 10.1 The bad aspects of 16personalities “Weak scientific backing”
- 10.2 Good points of 16personalities: “Many responses (data) and well-known”
- 10.3 Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “MBTI”
- 10.4 Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “Big Five”
- 10.5 Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “HEXACO”
ENFJ (Protagonist) Strengths and Weaknesses
ENFJ (Protagonist) Strengths
This type of person has compassion for others and excellent leadership abilities.
They have the following strengths.
- High ability to understand and empathize with people’s emotions
- Has the power to bring teams together and guide them toward goals
- Excels at creativity and generating ideas
- Can encourage and motivate people
- Idealistic with high motivation for social contribution
Also, ENFJ (Protagonist) type people excel in diplomatic skills.
They can think from the other person’s perspective and find win-win solutions.
In addition, their charisma can attract and influence the people around them.
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people often utilize these strengths to excel in roles such as leaders or counselors.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Weaknesses
This type of person tends to become overly self-sacrificing.
They have the following weaknesses.
- Ignores their own needs due to prioritizing others’ needs too much
- Falls into perfectionism and sets high standards for themselves
- Sensitive to criticism and rejection, easily hurt deeply
- Sets unrealistic goals and becomes disappointed
- Finds it difficult to control their own emotions
In addition, ENFJ (Protagonist) type people sometimes become overly controlling.
They impose their ideals and stop listening to others’ opinions.
Furthermore, they have a tendency to over-trust their intuition and struggle with logical thinking.
It is important for ENFJ (Protagonist) type people to recognize these weaknesses and maintain balance.
An attitude of paying attention to their own needs and listening to others’ opinions is essential.
ENFJ (Protagonist) A and T Types
ENFJ-A (Assertive)
Charismatic leader. Confidently guides others and gives inspiration. Highly sensitive and skilled at drawing out people’s potential.
Excellent communication skills and has the power to bring people together. Idealistic and passionate about making society better.
Strong sense of responsibility and always keeps promises. Finds joy in supporting others’ growth. Intuitive and acts with long-term vision.
Values human relationships and is good at creating harmonious environments. Energetic and can progress multiple projects simultaneously.
Please see this article for more details.
ENFJ-T (Turbulent)
Has the qualities of a charismatic leader but also has self-critical aspects. Has the ability to guide others but sometimes feels anxious about their own judgment.
Highly sensitive and skilled at drawing out people’s potential, but worries about not being able to meet others’ expectations. Excellent communication skills but constantly concerned about whether their words and actions are appropriate. Idealistic but sometimes doubts the possibility of achieving goals.
Strong sense of responsibility but sometimes feels overwhelmed by pressure. Finds joy in supporting others’ growth but sometimes feels anxious about their own growth.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Romantic Relationship Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Romantic Tendencies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to become passionate and devoted partners.
They have the following romantic tendencies:
- Sensitively perceive their partner’s needs and try to respond to them
- Express love romantically and with rich emotional expression
- Seek stable relationships with an eye toward the future
- Enjoy supporting and encouraging their partner’s growth
- Pursue ideal relationships and dislike compromise
Moreover, ENFJ (Protagonist) types can become self-sacrificing in romantic relationships.
They prioritize their partner’s happiness and sometimes put their own happiness on the back burner.
At times, their passion may be so intense that it overwhelms their partner.
For ENFJ (Protagonist) types, it’s important to value communication with their partner and respect each other’s feelings.
The key to better romantic relationships will be pursuing their own happiness while maintaining balanced expressions of affection.
When Problems Arise in Romance and Improvement Strategies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to become overly emotional when problems arise in romantic relationships.
They may face difficulties in the following situations:
- Trying to excessively control their partner’s behavior
- Struggling with the gap between their ideals and their partner’s reality
- Overreacting to criticism or rejection from their partner
- Being unable to control their emotions and taking impulsive actions
- Becoming too dependent on their partner and losing themselves
To improve these problems, ENFJ (Protagonist) types should pay attention to the following points.
First, respect their partner’s autonomy and let go of control.
Second, maintain a balance between ideals and reality and find compromise.
Third, avoid taking criticism or rejection too personally.
Fourth, control emotions and deal with situations calmly.
Fifth, value their own life and growth.
By being mindful of these points, ENFJ (Protagonist) types can find healthier and more mature ways of being in romantic relationships.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Friendship Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Friendship Tendencies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to build friendships with compassion and kindness.
They have the following friendship characteristics:
- Sensitive to friends’ emotions with high empathy
- Spare no effort in helping and supporting friends in trouble
- Genuinely wish for and support their friends’ growth and happiness
- Sociable and able to build wide-ranging friendships
- Often gain trust and respect from friends
Additionally, ENFJ (Protagonist) types value deep bonds with friends.
They deepen friendships through meaningful conversations and experiences with friends.
Sometimes, they may devote themselves to their friends even at the sacrifice of their own needs.
For ENFJ (Protagonist) types, it’s important to respect each other’s individuality and boundaries in friendships.
Their challenge is to build balanced friendships while also valuing their own well-being.
When Problems Arise in Friendships and Improvement Strategies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to feel excessive responsibility when problems arise in friendships.
They may face difficulties in the following situations:
- Getting involved in friends’ problem-solving more than necessary
- Pushing themselves too hard to meet friends’ expectations
- Overreacting to criticism or rejection from friends
- Being unable to control their emotions, causing strain in friendships
- Becoming too dependent on friends and losing themselves
To improve these issues, it is important for ENFJ (Protagonist) types to pay attention to the following points.
First, separate friends’ problems from yourself and maintain an appropriate distance.
Next, recognize your own limits and learn to say “no.”
And don’t take criticism or rejection too personally.
Also, control your emotions and deal with situations calmly.
Finally, value your own life and growth.
By being mindful of these points, ENFJ (Protagonist) types can find a healthier and more mature way of being in friendships.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Parenting Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Parenting Tendencies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to become loving and devoted parents in child-rearing.
They have the following parenting characteristics.
- Sensitive to children’s emotions with high empathy
- Enthusiastic about discovering and nurturing children’s individuality and talents
- Value communication with children and build trust relationships
- Emphasize the development of children’s social skills and moral sense
- Have high ideals regarding child-rearing and aim for perfection
Moreover, ENFJ (Protagonist) types value their children’s well-being above all else.
They find joy in supporting and encouraging their children’s growth and development.
Sometimes, they may devote themselves to their children even at the expense of their own needs.
For ENFJ (Protagonist) types, it is important to respect children’s autonomy and individuality in parenting.
Practicing balanced child-rearing while also valuing their own well-being can be said to be their challenge.
When Problems Arise in Parenting and Improvement Strategies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to struggle with the gap between their ideals and reality when problems arise in child-rearing.
They may face difficulties in the following situations.
- Having excessive expectations for children’s behavior or academic performance
- Trying to control too much without respecting children’s autonomy
- Taking on parenting responsibilities alone and accumulating stress
- Taking criticism or advice about parenting too personally
- Becoming too absorbed in parenting and losing sight of themselves
To improve these issues, it is important for ENFJ (Protagonist) types to pay attention to the following points.
First, respect children’s individuality and growth pace, and have flexible expectations.
Second, nurture children’s autonomy and give them appropriate freedom.
Third, seek support from others and share responsibilities.
Fourth, accept criticism and advice constructively as opportunities for growth.
Fifth, value your own life and well-being.
By being mindful of these points, ENFJ (Protagonist) types can find a healthier and more mature way of being in child-rearing.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Career Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Career Tendencies
ENFJ (Protagonist) types tend to be attracted to work that involves interacting with people.
They have the following career characteristics.
- Interested in work that supports people’s growth and development
- Demonstrate leadership that emphasizes teamwork and communication
- Passionate about social contribution and humanitarian causes
- Attracted to work that utilizes creativity and ideas
- Desire to work for organizations or companies that align with their values
Additionally, ENFJ (Protagonist) types value finding meaning and purpose in their work.
They find joy not just in financial rewards, but in helping people through their work and making a positive impact on society.
Sometimes, they may struggle with the gap between their ideals and reality.
For ENFJ (Protagonist) types, it is important to find an environment where they can utilize their strengths and values in their career.
Pursuing long-term career development while discerning compatibility with their work environment can be said to be their challenge.
When Problems Arise in Career and Improvement Strategies
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people tend to struggle with the gap between their ideals and reality when problems arise in their career.
They may face difficulties in situations like the following:
- When organizational or supervisor policies don’t align with their values
- When excessive sense of responsibility leads to too much workload and potential burnout
- When unable to control their emotions, causing conflicts with colleagues
- Avoiding new challenges due to fear of failure or criticism
- Feeling limited career options and anxiety about the future
To improve these issues, it’s important for ENFJ (Protagonist) type people to pay attention to the following points.
First, accepting differences in values with organizations or supervisors and maintaining constructive dialogue. Next, recognizing their own limits and prioritizing tasks.
Also, controlling emotions and dealing with situations calmly. Additionally, not fearing failure and challenging themselves with new opportunities.
Finally, reconfirming their strengths and values, and having a long-term career vision.
By being mindful of these points, ENFJ (Protagonist) type people can find a healthier and more mature way of being in their careers.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Work Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Work Tendencies
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people tend to earn trust and respect from those around them at work. They have the following work characteristics:
- Strong sense of responsibility and approach work with full effort
- Consider colleagues’ and team members’ emotions and build good relationships
- Enjoy sharing ideas and finding creative solutions
- Always conscious of work’s meaning and purpose, maintaining high motivation
- Keep deadlines and promises, being a trusted presence
Moreover, ENFJ (Protagonist) type people value achieving self-realization through work. They work enthusiastically and confirm their self-worth by producing results.
Sometimes, they may become too absorbed in work and lose work-life balance. It’s important for ENFJ (Protagonist) type people to utilize their strengths at work while taking adequate rest.
Maintaining long-term performance while preserving work-life balance can be said to be their challenge.
When Problems Occur at Work and Improvement Strategies
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people tend to be unable to control their emotions when problems arise at work. They may face difficulties in situations like the following:
- Facing disagreements with colleagues or team members and becoming emotional
- Struggling with the gap between ideals and reality, causing decreased motivation
- Being too particular about work quality and falling into perfectionism
- Unable to suppress emotions and accumulating stress
- Overexerting themselves trying to meet others’ expectations
To improve these issues, it’s important for ENFJ (Protagonist) type people to pay attention to the following points.
First, not taking disagreements personally and maintaining constructive dialogue.
Second, maintaining balance between ideals and reality, and having a flexible attitude.
Third, breaking free from perfectionism and acting without fear of mistakes.
Fourth, expressing emotions appropriately and finding methods for stress relief.
Fifth, recognizing their own limits and learning to say “no.”
By being mindful of these points, ENFJ (Protagonist) type people can find a healthier and more mature way of being at work.
Compatible Types with ENFJ (Protagonist)
Compatible Types, People with N Included
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people can be said to have good compatibility with people who have strong N (Intuition) tendencies. Specifically, they are people of the following types:
- INFJ (Advocate): Share idealism and empathy, forming deep bonds
- ENFP (Campaigner): Share creativity and energy, able to stimulate each other
- INFP (Mediator): Share values and sensitivity, can build heartfelt relationships
- ENTP (Debater): Share intellectual curiosity, can exchange ideas
With these types of people, intuitive understanding and empathy are easily born, and connection at a deep level can be expected.
With them, you can build relationships where you share each other’s values and ideals, and grow while encouraging each other.
On the other hand, when the N (Intuition) tendency is too strong, realistic perspectives may be lacking.
For ENFJ (Protagonist) type people, it’s important to sometimes incorporate S (Sensing) perspectives in relationships with strong N (Intuition) people to maintain balance.
By doing so, you can build better mutual understanding and lasting relationships.
Compatible types, people who include F
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people also have good compatibility with people who have strong F (Feeling) tendencies.
Specifically, these are the following types of people.
- INFP (Mediator): Share sensitivity and idealism, can build heartfelt relationships
- ENFP (Campaigner): Share passion and creativity, can mutually stimulate each other
- ISFJ (Protector): Share compassion and dedication, can build warm relationships
- ESFJ (Consul): Share consideration for people and sense of responsibility, can cooperate with each other
With these types of people, emotional understanding deepens easily, and you can build relationships where you feel a heart connection.
With them, you can build relationships where you cherish each other’s feelings and support and grow together.
On the other hand, when the F (Feeling) tendency is too strong, you may become too emotional and unable to make calm judgments.
For ENFJ (Protagonist) type people, it’s important to sometimes incorporate T (Thinking) perspectives in relationships with strong F (Feeling) people to maintain balance.
By doing so, you can build more stable relationships that combine emotional empathy with rational judgment.
ENFJ (Protagonist) Summary
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people are attractive personalities who combine leadership and empathy. Their strengths can be summarized in the following points.
- Excel at the power to guide people and the ability to build human relationships
- Rich in imagination and creativity that generates ideas
- Rich in sensitivity, can understand and empathize with others’ emotions
- Strong sense of responsibility, work with full effort toward goals
- Pour passion into social contribution and humanitarian issues
On the other hand, ENFJ (Protagonist) type people may have the following weaknesses and challenges.
- Become too self-sacrificing and ignore their own needs
- Become too emotional and unable to control stress
- Idealism is too high, suffer from the gap with reality
- Fall into perfectionism and lack flexibility
- Sensitive to criticism or rejection from others and easily hurt
For ENFJ (Protagonist) type people to shine as themselves, it’s important to make use of their strengths while also facing their weaknesses and challenges.
Cherishing their own well-being and building relationships with others while maintaining appropriate balance will make their lives richer.
ENFJ (Protagonist) type people are wonderful beings with potential who can continue to give positive influence to the people around them with their excellent leadership and empathy.
Supplement
The bad aspects of 16personalities “Weak scientific backing”
16personalities (16-type personality diagnosis) can be said to have issues in terms of scientific evidence.
First, the number of peer-reviewed papers is small, and academic backing is insufficient.
Also, questions remain about the statistical processing methods.
The point of classifying traits into types rather than continuous numerical values is also problematic from the perspective of scientific validity.
Furthermore, the current situation is that sufficient evidence has not been presented regarding the relationship between personality and academic ability, income, brain function, genetic factors, etc.
Good points of 16personalities: “Many responses (data) and well-known”
On the other hand, 16personalities (16-type personality test) also has significant advantages.
The first is that it has accumulated vast response data. Since many people participate in the 16personalities assessment, the reliability of the data might be high.
Also, it has significantly penetrated among the general public, with Korean idols answering and spreading it, and receiving attention on dating apps as well.
This point can be said to be an advantage of the 16personalities personality test compared to other personality tests.
Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “MBTI”
16personalities (16-type personality test) is based on MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and Big Five.
Strictly speaking, 16personalities and MBTI are separate things.
MBTI is a personality assessment tool developed based on Jung’s psychological typology theory.
16personalities adopts the four indicators of MBTI (E Extroversion-I Introversion, S Sensing-N Intuition, T Thinking-F Feeling, J Judging-P Perceiving) while adding an Identity (A and T) indicator and establishing original question items and evaluation criteria.
However, it has the same weakness in scientific backing as 16personalities, such as the lack of basis for dichotomy.
Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “Big Five”
Big Five is one of the most prominent trait theories in personality psychology.
Big Five measures five traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Also, a major difference is that while Big Five evaluates traits with continuous numerical values (e.g., extraversion 3.5), 16personalities and MBTI use type classification (e.g., either extroverted or introverted).
Furthermore, it has been studied for a long time, has many papers, and extensive research has been conducted in other fields such as academic ability, income, brain, and genetics. It can be said that Big Five has relatively stronger scientific backing.
For reference, there is also a paper showing the correlation between four elements of Big Five and MBTI.
Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “HEXACO”
HEXACO (HEXACO Personality Inventory) is a six-dimensional personality model that extends Big Five.
HEXACO measures six traits: honesty-humility, emotionality, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness.
By adding the dimension of honesty-humility to Big Five, it attempts to capture a broader range of personality traits, such as dark (and bright) aspects of personality.
Like Big Five, this also has relatively stronger scientific backing compared to 16personalities and MBTI, such as having more papers.
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