ESFJ Archetype: The Cavalier
ESFJs are dutiful and compassionate Defenders focused on justice, support, and providing value to whatever group, family, or institution they're a part of. Many ESFJs choose careers as First Responders, military personnel, or other positions that require reliability and sacrifice. They're drawn to what is valued by others. If you find a functioning group, family, or company, there's a good chance there's at least one ESFJ there, acting as the essential cog that makes success possible.
Some examples of famous ESFJs include:
- Oprah Winfrey
- Ben Affleck
- George W. Bush
- Prince Harry
- Dolly Parton
Expression Style
As is the case for all personalities, the ESFJ lies at the intersection between a specific expression style and a specific worldview. Their interaction style is Starter. Starter types are people who thrive at creating initial momentum by sparking progress at the beginning. ESFJs like to frontload their effort to get projects, ideas, or families off the ground, while they may struggle with follow-through and completing tasks. They're among the best at starting things. ESFJs' communication style is informative, initiating, and progression.
Informative: ESFJs are all about providing context and information in conversations. They allow other people to pick from something they said and respond to that. ESFJs are sometimes even accused of being passive-aggressive because of their indirect communication.
Initiating: ESFJs are among the most social of all the types. They go to others and initiate with them, finding new things to talk about with ease. They're skilled at making others feel included in their interactions.
Progression: ESFJs are all about progress. They rarely spend time on elaborate planning before getting into action. They prefer to let the vision of the whole plan come to them after they've hit the ground running and made progress.
Worldview
The ESFJ is part of the Guardian worldview, also known as the SJ temperament. This means that they are systematic, affiliative, and concrete.
Systematic: While ESFJs are all about progress, they are also systematic. They complete tasks by forming repeatable steps in which they can accomplish the same result every time. Though they can be chaotic, ESFJs also have a method to their madness for every task they do.
Affiliative: ESFJs are all about doing the right thing. They view every situation through a lens of "What's the socially acceptable thing to do?" They view problem-solving as "What is the right way of doing it?" as opposed to a pragmatic view which is only concerned with functionality.
Concrete: ESFJs are critical of letting anything pass their concrete filter. What's real is real to them, and everything else is not. They are very focused on the here and now and are critical of abstraction.
Cognitive Functions
Fe Hero
ESFJs are extremely aware of how other people feel. They're deeply empathetic, taking on the literal emotions of the people around them. They go out of their way to comfort others and help resolve emotional pain. Their Fe Hero also absorbs the values and moral qualities of the people they surround themselves with.
Si Parent
Introverted Sensing (Si) Parent makes the ESFJ dutiful, reliable, and strong. Si Parent can be very responsible about embracing its duty and enduring until a task, mission, or project is seen through. It also makes the ESFJ cautious about what they allow themselves to experience.
Ne Child
Ne Child wants to give everyone a choice. ESFJs go out of their way to give everyone what they want. They respond well when others are clear about their goals, vision, and desires. Ne Child is always seeking your desire, so clear communication is appreciated.
Ti Inferior
As kind, social, and warm as ESFJs come across, they're deeply insecure about the value of their own thinking. They're constantly worried that they're not smart enough or that others will perceive them as unintelligent. ESFJs appreciate when others listen attentively and provide feedback to their thinking.
Fi Nemesis
Fi Nemesis makes the ESFJ constantly worried about their own worth, value, and use. It puts pressure on their Fe Hero to be selfless, giving, and compassionate. ESFJs often feel the need to prove their worth and value to others.
Se Critic
ESFJs are very critical of other people's appearance, neatness, and performance. They expect others to meet their standards of competence and appearance. They're also critical of their own performance and appearance, striving to meet their own high standards.
Ni Trickster
ESFJs have no idea what they want, and the only mechanism they have for making choices is their Si Parent. They often rely on others to tell them what they should do and struggle with making decisions based on their own desires.
Te Demon
Te Demon is a hateful, bitter expression of Te, which involves stripping others of their voice and reputation, often publicly. ESFJs may use Te Demon to attack others when their Ti Inferior feels unheard or undervalued.
The Four Sides of the Mind
INTP Subconscious
ESFJs can find their path to responsibility and maturity through their INTP Subconscious. Developing disciplined habits and embracing the responsibility of duty can help mold their Si Parent into a strong and enduring aspect of their personality.
ISFP Unconscious
The ISFP Unconscious reveals the ESFJ's path to wisdom. ESFJs can develop wisdom by focusing on appreciating their own values, moral philosophy, and physical expression. It's about embracing their worth and recognizing that their self-worth doesn't solely depend on others' appreciation.
ENTJ Superego
The ENTJ Superego is where the ESFJ's path to love lies. ESFJs can learn from their Super Ego by listening more, processing information from other smart people, and developing their own intellectual capabilities. This can lead to others valuing and listening to them.
Summary
ESFJs are often unassuming intellectuals, searching for substance and depth in life. While they excel in social situations, they also have a desire for intellectual growth and creative expression. Encouraging their thinking and supporting their pursuit of other aspects of their personality can lead to a more fulfilled ESFJ.
