Have you ever heard the term ESFJ (Consul)?
This is one of the 16personalities (16 personality types), characterized by being devoted and caring.
ESFJ individuals find joy in helping those around them and tend to value harmony.
They prioritize maintaining good relationships above all else and are often sociable and approachable personalities.
So today, we will explain the characteristics and tendencies of ESFJs in detail.
We will analyze them from various angles including strengths and weaknesses, romance and friendships, child-rearing and careers, so please use this as a reference.
Whether you think you are an ESFJ type or not, you’re sure to find new discoveries.
※This article is written based on the translation of 16personalities official site’s English page.
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.
The video version of this article is available here!
目次
- 1 ESFJ (Consul) Strengths and Weaknesses
- 2 ESFJ (Consul) A and T
- 3 ESFJ (Consul) Romantic Relationship Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 4 ESFJ (Consul) Friendship Tendencies and Solutions
- 5 ESFJ (Consul) Parenting Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 6 ESFJ (Consul) Career Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
- 7 Work Tendencies and Improvement Strategies for ESFJ (Consul)
- 8 Compatible Types for ESFJ (Consul)
- 9 ESFJ (Consul) Summary
- 10 Supplement
- 10.1 The Bad Aspects of 16personalities: “Weak Scientific Foundation”
- 10.2 The Good Aspects of 16personalities: “Large Amount of Response Data and Fame”
- 10.3 Differences Between 16personalities and Other Personality Assessments: “MBTI”
- 10.4 Differences Between 16personalities and Other Personality Assessments: “Big Five”
- 10.5 Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “HEXACO”
ESFJ (Consul) Strengths and Weaknesses
ESFJ (Consul) Strengths
This type’s greatest strength is valuing harmony with people and supporting those around them.
ESFJs have the following strengths:
- High realistic and practical skills
- Strong sense of duty and emphasis on fulfilling responsibilities
- Seek stability and safety, very loyal personality
- Sensitive to people’s emotions, with compassion and warmth
- Good at connecting with people and sociable
In other words, ESFJs are good at interacting with people and excel at supporting and bringing people together.
They find joy in creating stable environments and value being helpful to others above all else.
Being loyal and having a strong sense of responsibility, it can be said they have a personality that always puts words into action.
ESFJ (Consul) Weaknesses
This type’s weaknesses are caring too much about social status and lacking flexibility.
ESFJs have the following weaknesses:
- Excessively concerned about social status and influence
- Dislike change and tend to stick to conventional ways
- Weak to criticism and become defensive easily
- Strong need for approval and excessively seek praise
- Too self-sacrificing and tend to ignore their own needs
ESFJs, in their emphasis on being socially recognized, sometimes lose creativity and flexibility.
Also, because they extremely dislike being criticized, they have difficulty accepting others’ opinions.
It can be said that ESFJs tend to resist changing their values and habits.
ESFJ (Consul) A and T
ESFJ-A (Assertive)
A caring supporter. Confidently responds to others’ needs and creates harmonious environments. Social and has the ability to bring people together.
Has a strong sense of responsibility and always keeps promises. Respects traditional values and emphasizes stability. Solves problems with practical approaches and supports others with concrete methods.
Can provide detailed care and is sensitive to people’s emotions. Has organizational skills and is good at planning and executing events. Values cooperation and teamwork.
Patient and good at building long-term relationships. Although they tend to seek approval from others, they act according to their own values.
For details, please see this article.
ESFJ-T (Turbulent)
A caring supporter but tends to have self-doubt. Has the ability to respond to others’ needs but constantly feels anxious about whether their efforts are sufficient.
Social but sometimes feels anxious about relationships. Has a strong sense of responsibility but sometimes feels overwhelmed by pressure.
Respects traditional values but worries about whether they can adapt to change. Takes practical approaches but sometimes lacks confidence in their own judgment.
Can provide detailed care but worries about not being able to meet others’ expectations. Has organizational skills but sometimes feels anxious about taking leadership.
ESFJ (Consul) Romantic Relationship Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Romantic Tendencies
For Consuls (ESFJ), romance holds great meaning in life and is something special.
This type’s romantic relationships have the following characteristics:
- They prefer serious relationships with marriage in mind rather than temporary relationships
- They strive to respect each other’s opinions and build deep understanding
- They find happiness in being loved and needed by their partner
- They are very sensitive to criticism from their partner and can be deeply hurt
- There is a risk of losing sight of their own values and becoming dependent on their partner
Consuls (ESFJ) tend to desire stable relationships with their partners above all else.
Feeling loved by their partner greatly affects ESFJ’s self-esteem.
On the other hand, they have no tolerance for criticism and can be deeply hurt by trivial matters.
When Romance Becomes Problematic and Solutions
Consuls (ESFJ) experience problems in romance when they lose sight of themselves.
Specifically, the following situations can be considered:
- They compromise their own values for approval from their partner
- They become too dependent on their partner and lose their sense of independence
- ESFJ’s devoted expressions of love may feel burdensome to their partner
To improve these problems, the following things are important:
- Cherish your own values and dreams, and don’t lose sight of them
- Strive to build a healthy relationship with your partner
- Make an effort to listen to your partner’s opinions and accept them flexibly
In other words, for ESFJs to have happy romantic relationships, it’s important to maintain a caring attitude toward their partner while preserving their own identity.
Aim for a relationship where you can respect your partner’s opinions while valuing each other’s individuality.
It’s important for ESFJs to express their devoted love in a way that takes into account their partner’s needs.
ESFJ (Consul) Friendship Tendencies and Solutions
Friendship Tendencies
Consuls (ESFJ) have sociable personalities and tend to value their friends.
This type’s friendships have the following characteristics:
- They build wide networks of friends and actively try to connect with people
- They find joy in helping and supporting their friends
- They spend a lot of time and energy maintaining friendships
- They prefer friends who share their values
- They greatly fear being betrayed and tend not to trust people easily
ESFJs value keeping promises with friends above all else.
If there’s a friend in trouble, they will immediately offer a helping hand.
On the other hand, they also tend to distance themselves from people whose values don’t align with their own.
When Friendships Become Problematic and Solutions
Consuls (ESFJ) can experience problems by defending their friends excessively.
Specifically, the following situations can be considered:
- They unconditionally justify their friends’ actions
- They extremely fear being criticized by friends and avoid conflicts of opinion
- They struggle to accept other perspectives and tend toward biased views
To improve these problems, the following things are important:
- Look at friends’ actions objectively and don’t be afraid to voice opinions when necessary
- Strive to communicate your own opinions to build healthy relationships with friends
- Make an effort to listen to other perspectives and accept diverse opinions
In other words, for ESFJs to build fulfilling friendships, it’s important to care for friends while maintaining appropriate distance.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to question friends’ words and actions.
By developing the flexibility to accept diverse values and opinions, ESFJs should be able to build better friendships.
ESFJ (Consul) Parenting Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Parenting Tendencies
Consuls (ESFJ) are dedicated parents who tend to wish for their children’s happiness above all else.
This type’s parenting has the following characteristics:
- Strive to provide children with a sense of security and satisfaction
- Provide detailed support and management of children’s daily lives
- Are enthusiastic about protecting children, sometimes becoming overprotective
- Tend to prioritize parental authority over children’s opinions
- Have difficulty respecting children’s independence
ESFJs spare no effort in supporting children in every aspect to make their daily lives comfortable.
On the other hand, since they find it difficult to respect children’s autonomy, there is also the risk of becoming overly interfering.
When Problems Arise in Parenting and Improvement Strategies
Consuls (ESFJ) experience problems in parenting when they cannot accept their children’s independence.
Specifically, the following situations can be considered:
- Not respecting children’s autonomy and imposing parental opinions
- Unable to accept children’s growth and trying to maintain an overly dependent relationship
- Fearing children’s challenges and depriving them of opportunities to experience failure
To improve these problems, the following things are important:
- Make an effort to listen to children’s opinions and respect their autonomy
- Celebrate children’s growth and understand the importance of fostering independence
- View failure as an opportunity for growth and support children’s challenges
In other words, for ESFJs to be good parents, it is important to encourage children’s independence.
It will be necessary to respect children’s opinions and sometimes allow them to experience failure.
If they can celebrate and watch over their children’s growth, ESFJs should be able to become wonderful parents.
ESFJ (Consul) Career Tendencies and Improvement Strategies
Career Tendencies
Consuls (ESFJ) are suited for careers where they can utilize their high interpersonal skills and practical abilities.
This type’s career has the following characteristics:
- Excel at maintaining harmony and order within organizations
- Steadily handle routine work and show stable job performance
- Find fulfillment in helping people and have a strong spirit of service
- Feel unsatisfied with simple tasks alone and seek interaction with people
- Gain motivation from being appreciated and recognized by others
ESFJs find joy in cooperating with people to advance things.
They are suited for jobs such as management positions or helping professions where they bring people together or provide support.
Being recognized for their work performance becomes ESFJs’ driving force.
When Problems Arise in Career and Improvement Strategies
Consuls (ESFJ) experience problems in their career when they lose sight of their own value.
Specifically, the following situations can be considered:
- Compromising their own opinions to gain approval from others
- Focusing so much on serving people that they neglect their own skill development
- Fearing challenges and settling for the status quo while seeking stability
To improve these problems, the following things are important:
- Value your own values and goals, and not fear conflict with others
- Having opportunities to acquire new skills for personal growth
- Having the courage to sometimes abandon stability and challenge new things
In other words, for ESFJs to build fulfilling careers, it’s important to maintain an attitude of continuous growth while cherishing their authentic selves.
They need to move forward toward their goals without being swayed by evaluations from others.
If ESFJs can fully utilize their interpersonal skills and practical abilities, they should surely be able to build wonderful careers.
Work Tendencies and Improvement Strategies for ESFJ (Consul)
Work Tendencies
Consuls (ESFJ) value interpersonal relationships and excel at maintaining organizational harmony.
The following characteristics can be observed in this type’s work style:
- Respecting social order and hierarchical relationships, emphasizing adherence to rules
- Preferring to cooperate with people and valuing teamwork
- Finding joy in supporting others and working devotedly
- Having aspects where they fear criticism and are prone to stress
- Tending to be particular about status and position, with strong need for approval
ESFJs focus on maintaining harmony as members of an organization.
They value following their supervisor’s instructions and cooperating with colleagues above all else.
On the other hand, they also have a tendency to accumulate stress due to being overly concerned about their own evaluation.
When Problems Arise at Work and Improvement Strategies
Consuls (ESFJ) encounter problems at work when they become too attached to their roles.
Specifically, the following situations can be considered:
- Blindly following supervisor’s instructions to the point where they can’t express their own opinions
- Prioritizing relationships with colleagues to the point where work efficiency decreases
- Being so particular about their role that they become unable to respond flexibly
To improve these problems, the following things are important:
- Communicating your own opinions when necessary, even regarding supervisor’s instructions
- Valuing human relationships while not losing sight of work priorities
- Responding flexibly according to situations and challenging new roles
In other words, for ESFJs to demonstrate their abilities, it’s important to have a flexible attitude that sometimes breaks free from conventional frameworks while maintaining harmony.
They will need to skillfully communicate their opinions and respond adaptively according to situations.
If ESFJs can develop flexibility while utilizing their interpersonal skills, they should surely be able to show wonderful work performance.
Compatible Types for ESFJ (Consul)
Compatible Types, People with S
Consuls (ESFJ) are compatible with people who have strong sensing tendencies (S). Specifically, the following types can be mentioned:
- Realistic and practical ISFJ (Protector)
- Social and cheerful ESFP (Entertainer)
- Tolerant and highly cooperative ISFP (Adventurer)
ESFJs tend to prefer realistic and practical approaches. Therefore, they can be said to be compatible with sensing types (S) who are similarly concrete and realistic. They can easily share values with each other and are considered likely to build stable relationships.
Compatible Types, People with F
ESFJs are compatible with people who have strong feeling tendencies (F). Specifically, the following types can be mentioned:
- Compassionate and dedicated INFP (Mediator)
- Passionate and inspiring ENFJ (Protagonist)
- Gentle and harmonious ISFJ (Protector)
ESFJs tend to prioritize emotions and human relationships. Therefore, they are compatible with feeling types (F) who similarly value emotions. They can easily understand each other’s feelings and are likely to build deep bonds.
Feeling type (F) individuals highly appreciate ESFJ’s compassion and consideration. At the same time, ESFJs are likely to open their hearts to the warmth and empathy of feeling types. They will find joy in cooperating together to support those around them.
ESFJ (Consul) Summary
The Consul (ESFJ) is a personality type that values social harmony and finds joy in serving others.
They excel in interpersonal skills and tend to gain trust from those around them through their dedicated attitude.
On the other hand, they also show aspects of being too self-sacrificing or vulnerable to criticism.
For ESFJs to live a happy life, it’s important to build healthy relationships with others while cherishing their own authenticity.
Sometimes, they also need the courage to assert their own opinions or challenge new things.
If ESFJs can leverage their strengths while overcoming their weaknesses, they should surely be able to lead a fulfilling life.
Supplement
The Bad Aspects of 16personalities: “Weak Scientific Foundation”
16personalities (16-type personality assessment) can be said to have challenges in terms of scientific evidence.
First, there are few peer-reviewed papers, lacking academic backing.
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, regarding the relationships between personality and academic performance, income, brain function, and genetic factors, sufficient evidence has not been presented at present.
The Good Aspects of 16personalities: “Large Amount of Response Data and Fame”
On the other hand, 16personalities (16-type personality assessment) also has significant advantages.
The first is that it has accumulated enormous response data. Since many people participate in 16personalities assessments, the reliability of the data might be high.
Also, Korean idols have taken and spread it, and it’s gaining attention in dating matching apps, making it quite widespread among the general public.
This point can be said to be an advantage that the 16personalities assessment has over other personality assessments.
Differences Between 16personalities and Other Personality Assessments: “MBTI”
16personalities (16-type personality assessment) is based on MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and the 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 MBTI’s four indicators (E Extraversion-I Introversion, S Sensing-N Intuition, T Thinking-F Feeling, J Judging-P Perceiving) while adding the Identity (A and T) indicator and establishing unique question items and evaluation criteria.
However, it has the same weak scientific foundation as 16personalities, including the lack of basis for the dichotomous approach.
Differences Between 16personalities and Other Personality Assessments: “Big Five”
The Big Five is one of the most influential trait theories in personality psychology.
The Big Five measures five traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Also, while the Big Five evaluates traits as continuous numerical values (e.g., extraversion 3.5), 16personalities and MBTI use type classification (e.g., either extraverted or introverted), which is a major difference.
Furthermore, it has been researched for a long time, has many papers, and extensive research has been conducted in other fields such as academic performance, income, brain, and genetics. The Big Five can be said to have relatively stronger scientific backing.
As a reference, papers showing the correlation between the four elements of the Big Five and MBTI also exist.
Differences between 16personalities and other personality tests: “HEXACO”
HEXACO (HEXACO Personality Inventory) is a 6-dimensional personality model that extends the Big Five.
HEXACO measures six traits: Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness.
By adding the dimension of Honesty-Humility to the Big Five, it attempts to capture a broader range of personality traits, such as personality darkness (and brightness).
Like the Big Five, this model can be said to have relatively strong scientific backing, with a greater number of research papers compared to 16personalities or MBTI.