The ENFJ in the Workplace

General Overview

ENFJs do well in a variety of roles in the workplace. This type uses extraverted feeling as their dominant function, which means they adapt well to different situations and to different people. Most ENFJs use this ability to sense and understand other’s emotions to try and make everyone around them happier, and this applies at work just as much as it applies in their personal lives. This is extremely important to them, because an ENFJ will never be happy at a job if their workmates are unpleasant or stressed, no matter how much they like the job itself. To this end, ENFJs are likely to become everyone’s favorite confidant, the person who automatically offers what the individuals and the group needs to be happy and satisfied.

This can also cause problems for the ENFJ. They have a tendency to become so swept up in the needs and emotional experiences of others that they forget their own needs, or even their own work. This can result in the ENFJ burning themselves out trying to help others, or to be what they need, and ENFJs need to be careful to take time for themselves to avoid this situation.

Company and society

ENFJs are creative and innovative people who bring to their workplace a spirit of exploration and an openness to change. This type uses introverted intuition as their auxiliary function, which takes in data from the external world and makes new patterns and connections from it. This function usually makes them extremely creative and open to new ideas and ways of doing things as long as they can be made to understand the purpose and the benefits of the new ideas. And because ENFJs are so focused on the emotional health of others, these benefits need to be people based rather than data based. ENFJs are unlikely to be persuaded of the advantages of a new idea by dry data, they need to understand how it will help on a personal level.

ENFJs are just as likely to be the one pushing for a new idea or for a change as they are to accept one from someone else. Introverted intuition often sees things that others don’t. It’s a future focused function, which uses its understanding of patterns to predict what’s going to happen. And for an ENFJ, that’s likely to manifest as an understanding of coming trends or events that seems almost magical to others. As ENFJs develop this function, they’ll find themselves filled with new ideas and a need for change that fits with what they understand about the future. And any business that wants to succeed would do well to listen to their ENFJ worker and make the appropriate changes.

Abuse in the workplace

ENFJs have an almost unbelievable amount of emotional intelligence and this is where they can get into trouble. Unhealthy ENFJs sometimes use this emotional understanding to manipulate or control the behavior of others. They have such an innate understanding of the motivations and pain points of the people around them that this can cause a great deal of damage and turmoil. ENFJs who use their skills in this way can bully and control others in extremely subtle ways, so it doesn’t become obvious until much later, after the fact. This may help the ENFJ get what they want, but it’s extremely destructive for the people around them and for the ENFJ because it goes against their deepest instincts and innate beliefs.

Fortunately, most ENFJs sense the emotions of others so naturally that the idea of doing this is repulsive to them. In fact, it’s more likely that an ENFJ will find themselves being bullied or manipulated by others. They’re so tuned into emotion that they want to help everyone, and this impulse can leave them open to being used by people around them who often don’t have the ENFJs strong moral core. When this occurs, it will usually take the ENFJ a long time to recognize the abuse and even longer to walk away. Their need to help others is so strong that they’ll often put up with a lot from the people around them and continue trying to help until it becomes really obvious that there’s nothing they can do.

Workplace Strengths

An ENFJs greatest strengths at work are their emotional intelligence and their innovative, creative nature. This often leads them to find work in fields or companies that are constantly pushing to create and innovate, and an ENFJ will feel right at home in the kinds of environments these companies usually cultivate. And if they can’t find a company or a career that fits their needs, the ENFJ will usually create it for themselves. This type doesn’t lack confidence, and they have the innate people skills to enjoy great success when they decide to start their own business or create their own products.

Workplace Weaknesses

ENFJs are very sensitive people. They’re sensitive to criticism and they’re sensitive to the atmosphere of their workplace. This can be a big problem for them in the often challenging and demanding modern workplace. ENFJs often don’t do well in places that have a culture of disrespecting workers or workmates, and will often suffer actual physical discomfort from the negative atmosphere created by this kind of behavior or company culture. And nothing can make an ENFJ run away faster than a negative or outright hurtful working environment.

Final Thoughts

ENFJs enjoy the social challenges that come with working with others. This type doesn’t usually do well working on their own because a great deal of their life satisfaction comes through interacting with and helping others. This makes them great workmates, and it can also make the working environment happier and just better in every sense.

References

1. Dodge, Antonia. ““Harmony” as a Decision-Maker“. Oct 14, 2011. (Retrieved Apr 2018).
2. Storm, Susan. “10 Signs That You Might Be an Introverted Intuitive“. Oct 28, 2017. (Retrieved Apr 2018).
3. “ENFJ – The Mentor“.
4. “The ENFJ Career Path“.
5. “The ENFJ as an Entrepreneur“.
6. “Best Jobs For Your Personality“.