ESFP

ESFP (Extroverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving) is one of the sixteen personality types which is used in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and is based on the well-known research of Carl Jung. Carl Jung first developed the theory that every person has their own psychological type. Myers and Briggs further developed Jung’s Theory. The MBTI preferences indicate the differences in people based on the following:

•	How they focus their attention or get their energy (Extraversion or Introversion)

•	How they perceive or take in information (Sensing or Intuition)

•	How they prefer to make decisions (Thinking or Feeling)

•	How they orient themselves to the external world (Judging or Perceiving)

As a person uses their preference in each of these areas, they develop what Jung and Myers defined as psychological type, which is an underlying personality pattern resulting from the dynamic interaction of their four preferences, environmental influences, and their own personal tendencies. People are likely to develop behaviors, skills, and attitudes based on their particular type. Each personality type has its own potential strengths as well as areas which need improvement.

MBTI Cognitive Functions
The attributes of each personality form a hierarchy. This represents the person's "default" pattern of behavior in their day to day life. The Dominant is the personality type's preferred role, the task they feel most comfortable with. The auxiliary function is the role they feel the next most comfortable with. It serves to support and expand on the dominant function. One of these first two will always be an information gathering function (sensing or intuition) and the other will be a decision making function(thinking or feeling) in some order. The tertiary function is less developed than the Dominant and Auxiliary functions, but develops as the person matures and provides roundness of ability. The inferior function is the personality types Achilles' heel. This is the function they are least comfortable with. Like the tertiary function, this function strengthens with maturity.


 * Dominant Extroverted Sensing (Se)
 * Auxiliary Introverted Feeling (Fi)
 * Tertiary Extroverted Thinking (Ti)
 * Inferior Introverted Intuition (Ni)

ESFP (Extraverted Sensing with Introverted Feeling)
According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, people with ESFP preferences live life to the fullest. They live in the moment and find great enjoyment in people and material comforts. They rarely let conventions interfere with their lives and find creative ways to meet human needs.

ESFPs are excellent team players, focused on completing the task at hand with a maximum amount of fun and a minimum amount of discord.

Characteristics of ESFPs
ESFPs are interested in people and take pleasure in new experiences. Because they learn more by doing rather from studying or reading, they tend to rush into things, learning as they go. ESFPs are most likely to be

•	Observant

•	Practical, realistic, and specific

•	Active, involved in immediate experiences.

ESFPs make decisions by using their own personal standards. They use their Feeling judgment internally to make decisions by identifying and empathizing with others. They are good at interpersonal interactions and often play the role of peacemaker. Thus, ESFPs are likely to be

•	Generous, optimistic, and persuasive

•	Warm, sympathetic, and tactful

ESFPs are keen observers of human behavior. Being attentive and observant by nature, they quickly sense what is happening with other people and immediately respond to their individual needs. They are especially good at mobilizing people to deal with crises.

How Others May Perceive Them
ESFPs get a lot of satisfaction out of life and are fun to be around. Their exuberance and enthusiasm draw others to them. They are flexible, adaptable, congenial, and easygoing. They seldom plan ahead, trusting their ability to respond in the moment and deal effectively with whatever presents itself. They dislike structure and routine and will generally find ways to bend the rules.

ESFPs tend to learn by doing and take the hands on approach in most things. They also learn by interacting with their environment. They usually dislike theory and written explanations. Traditional schools can be difficult for ESFPs, though they do extremely well when they see the relevance and are allowed to interact with people or the subject area being studied is of interest to them. Others usually see ESFPs as

•	Resourceful and supportive

•	Gregarious, fun-loving, playful, and spontaneous

Potential Areas for Growth
Sometimes life circumstances do not support ESFPs in the development and expression of the Feeling and Sensing preferences.

•	If they have not developed their Feeling preference, ESFPs may get caught up in the interactions of the moment, with no mechanism for weighing, evaluating, or anchoring themselves.

•	If they have not developed their Sensing preference, they may focus on the sensory data available in the moment. Their decisions may then be limited to gratification of the sensual desires, particularly those involving interactions with other people.

If ESFPs do not find a place where they can use their gifts and be appreciated for their contributions, they usually feel frustrated and may

•	Become distracted and overly impulsive

•	Have trouble accepting and meeting deadlines

•	Can be hypersensitive and internalize others’ actions and decisions

It is natural for ESFPs to give less attention to their non-preferred Intuitive and Thinking parts. If they neglect these too much, they may

•	Fail to look at long-term consequences, acting on immediate needs of themselves and others

•	Avoid complex or ambiguous situations and people

•	Put enjoyment ahead of obligations

Under great stress, ESFPs may feel overwhelmed internally by negative possibilities. They then put energy into developing simplistic global explanations for their negativity.

Things to Remember about Personality Type
Each person is unique and there is not a right or wrong type. The purpose of learning about your type is to help you understand yourself better and to enhance your relationships with others. Your results on the MBTI suggest your probable type based on the choices you made when you answered the questions; however, only you know your true preference. Lastly, type does not explain everything. Human personality is much more complex.

References:

1. Myers, Isabel Briggs (1998). Introduction to Type: A Guide to Understanding your Results on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Mountain View, CA: CPP, Inc.

Notable ESFPs

 * Saint Mark
 * Dale Evans
 * Gracie Allen
 * Kelly Slater
 * Rob Machado
 * Bob Hope
 * Eva Gabor
 * Willard Scott
 * Goldie Hawn
 * Kyle Petty
 * Arsenio Hall
 * Mary Lou Retton
 * Kathy Lee Gifford
 * Steve Irwin
 * Woody Harrelson