3 Weird and Wonderful Secrets About the ENFP Personality Type
“Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.”
– Dr. Seuss, a rumored ENFP
If you spend a lot of time in the personality community, you will hear ENFPs called a lot of different things. I’ve heard them called unicorns, oddballs, eccentrics, chatterboxes, party animals, and more. Some descriptors seem mildly flattering while others are just plain insulting. While these personalities are indeed unique and rare (they make up only 8.1% of the US population), there are a lot of rumors and misconceptions about them that create confusion about who they really are.
What does it really mean to be an ENFP? What “weird” and unusual characteristics embody their personality type? Let’s take a look!
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3 Weird and Wonderful Secrets About the ENFP Personality Type
Secret #1 – ENFPs Are Often the Most Introverted Extraverts
ENFPs are known for their warmth and friendliness, but they also need a lot more alone time than many other extraverted types. In fact, ENFP blogger Heidi Priebe states,“Their dominant function, extroverted intution (Ne), often masquerades as an introverted function since it can be activated while alone or while around others….The ENFP requires a great deal of introverted time in order to process their feelings but they ultimately feel the most energized when they are formulating exciting opportunities for the future.”
Time and time again I meet people who can’t decide if they’re ENFPs or INFPs. They may show a clear preference for Extraverted Intuition but because they crave so much alone time they feel they must not be true extraverts. In fact, many ENFPs would rather spend the day alone reading a good book or writing down ideas than dancing at a party or talking if the subject matter doesn’t interest them.
ENFPs often feel drained when they’re in social environments where they are creatively stifled or they have to focus excessively on small talk. If an ENFP isn’t mentally stimulated or given creative ideas to explore they can appear more introverted than extraverted. In situations like this, they will likely keep to themselves rather than go out and socialize.
Secret #2 – ENFPs Are Master “Dot Connectors”
ENFPs gather information in clusters. To them, everything is connected and nothing stands alone. They see abstract relationships and associations between objects, events, experiences, and possibilities that other people miss. Their global vision is astounding to many people who are more focused on momentary experiences. They are often seen as very quick of mind because they assimilate new information so rapidly and extrapolate hidden truths or future potential.
“Extraverted Intuiting (Ne) is a perceiving process that makes a person objectively aware of patterns, connections, and inter-relationships in the external world. These patterns are recognized almost instantly, sometimes even before enough data is on hand to confirm the existence of a pattern or connection.”
– Gary and Margaret Hartzler – Functions of Type: Activities for Developing the Eight Jungian Functions
Secret #3 – ENFPs Are Open-Minded But Would Die For Their Strongly-Held Values
ENFPs have an enthusiastic, sunny personality much of the time. Many people see them as adaptable, easy-going, and open-minded to anyone. In one respect this is true – ENFPs are always looking for new ideas and possibilities and don’t like to be limited in their scope. However, paradoxically, they will go to any lengths not to compromise a deeply-held value. As they develop their auxiliary function, Introverted Feeling (Fi), ENFPs start to discover what their conscience is telling them, what they believe is right and wrong, what’s important to them, what’s worth crusading or fighting for. When they’ve reached this point in their development, they are unflinching in their dedication to their values and would do anything not to betray what’s important to them on an ethical level.
As Margaret and Gary Hartzler say in Functions of Type
, “we would be willing to suffer and die for them (our values) rather than compromise them in any way.”
What Are Your Thoughts?
As you can see, ENFPs are more than the chatty, rainbow-spouting, unicorn-loving stereotypes that many online memes and descriptions would imply. They have a lot of depth, curiosity, intellectual thought, and a strong drive to live a purposeful, conscience-driven life.
Do you relate to these “weird” and wonderful characteristics? Let us know what you think in the comments! Find out more about your personality type in our eBook, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type.
Other Articles You Might Enjoy:
10 Things You’ll Relate to If You’re an ENFP
10 Things You Should Never Say to an ENFP
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Number 3 was one of the most relateable and right on things I have read about myself as an ENFP ☺️
Never heard such an accurate description of myself. Very cool!
I love this stuff! Everything was right and matched my personality. So strange!
Yay!! Glad to hear it!
I have gone back and forth so many times about whether or not I was an introvert or extrovert and I’m so glad to finally read why that happens. This described me scarily accurately. I have been called a weirdo all my life, i love people, but I also live in my head where Im constantly thinking up new ideas and theories which requires some alone time which I never get. So good.
I have tried a lot of Myers-Briggs personality type tests online, and even though some were close. This is the most accurate of description of myself and I am a Pisces as well. When I took the test I thought I was mostly an introvert but sometimes would socialize when I had to cause I’m usually a wallflower unless someone sparks up a conversation. So I was surprised I got Extrovert, but after reading this article it makes a lot of sense now
#1 was the most interesting thing I’ve read for a long time. I have SO often wondered how I could be “E” when so often I want nothing but to be alone with a good book and small talk drives me crazy after a short time. This explained it perfectly!
Susan, I really love this article. I think ENFPs are less of the population than the 8% as I’m guessing that a lot of ESFPs are mistyped. Heidi Priebe has mentioned this, too. But you’ve helped show us as not airheads, which I appreciate.
This is so accurate!!! I literally can’t believe it! Lately I’ve been getting too confused whether I am an introvert or an extrovert..this is so amazing man! Thanks for clearing my doubts?..now I can sleep peacefully after a 1hr research of which personality am I ??
As an ENFP I agree with most the article except that it over exaggerates our Introverted side when in reality we can become drained from being alone as well and crave the energy from social interactions and this is a defining factor between ENFP’s and INFP’s. A term used when describing us that the Myer Briggs doesn’t cover is being an ambivert. Example of this in my real life sometimes i feel really excited to meet new people and other times a feel a wave of nerves, or if I spend too much time alone I start to feel sad and down in the dumps.
I am totally same as described above 🙂
As one who’s been lovingly called a “sunshine and butterflies” ENFP, I’ve also been not-lovingly called a “two-faced flip-flopper” when I’ve bristled against social injustice, violence, repression, insane politics, etc. In this potently charged political climate, I’ve had to proclaim my ability to juggle a range of thoughts and emotions as well as demand my right to express these thoughts and emotions — I can invoke a kinder, gentler world while also rebuking lies and violence. To some casual acquaintances I am “not allowed” to be angry or aggrieved — they just don’t “get” me. I very much understand the feeling of being alone in a crowd while working the room.
Thanks for this article!!
I screamed when I read “professional dot connectors” as this is something that perfectly describes my mind and that i cannot explain to other people and get them understand it
I’m glad this resonated with you! 🙂
I am an ENFP. I thought I was an INFP for many years until I had an MBTI certified profiler test me and help me to really understand that extraverted isn’t always about people, but also can be applied to things and nature as well. It was hard to honor my needs when I thought I was an introvert and kept using introverted strategies that were actually draining me. I have found it’s very possible to extravert alone! I thought you were spot on with these 3 characteristics.
I disagree with the first secret. I hate being alone and prefer dancing at a party. As I got older I’ve had to adapt to being alone and entertaining myself. I love to read fantasy. I still prefer to be around like-minded people and I get my energy from being around them. I don’t get introverted people. Why would you want to be alone when you could be having all sorts of adventures with friends? I only prefer to be alone when I find the people around me uninteresting.
I do see things as all connected and quantum physics now supports this fact. I’m definitely weird and revel in that fact. The western adult world has no place for ENFPs who aren’t talented enough to make it in show biz, writing or theoretical science. Work and everyday “normal” life is so boring. I wonder if there are so few of us because we are conditioned out of being this way to survive in western societies. I do tend to hide in fantasy books, movies & TV shows. I am Anne of Green Gables. If only there were more of us out there. We see the beauty in the world, the possibilities.
We make great shamans. I am a spiritual person. “ENFPs are more than the chatty, rainbow-spouting, dragon-loving stereotypes. They have a lot of depth, curiosity, intellectual thought, and a strong drive to live a purposeful, conscience-driven life.” I have to add spiritual to that last sentence. We feel deeply giving us the capacity to care deeply. People who don’t understand us make fun of us. Their loss is all I have to say to that.
This so felt like someone was actually describing me…! Yes I am introverted extravert . I love spending time with people but at the same time I can’t live without my ‘me’ time…
There is deep resonance for me in your writing about development of the Fi in ENFPs. I very recently experienced the strength of my dedication to my values. I was thrown off balance for a couple of weeks until coming out at the clear end of an emotional jungle into light!
Thank you!
I have always described myself as an introverted extrovert
I’m an ENFP and I’ve got to say, these are spot on. I’m glad I’m not alone out there! Metaphors for everything! Sunny side the mass majority of the time! Must have plenty of alone time at the end of the day to recharge! Thank you!!
ENFP here. Myers Briggs info really helps me to understand myself when I over- react to others who are usually strong ‘ S’ types. As there are so many more of these people I can feel ‘ other’ and misunderstood often. When I check up on my strengths and ways I differ from others I can regain my composure and positivity.
I am fascinated by the INTJ personality type, always trying to work them out but failing which adds to their mystery…
You describe my mom. I love her but often misunderstand her. This is quite helpful, because we are often our most “self-centered” when we are fighting to be understood.
My sister the ESTJ locks horns with her frequently, but takes great care of her. Thank you for giving the insight to enjoy my mom more. – INFJ
Every sentence describes me. ENFP
Oh my god… for years I thought Im an infp but now I know.. I relate to everything about enfps
Tbh im an enfp and these are accurate bur i dont think that makes us people with this personality type weird if anything the people who say its weird are weird