ESFJ - Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging

"What Can I Do For You?"

I am motivated to help other people in real and practical ways through direct action and cooperation. I am responsible, friendly and sympathetic.

Because I place such importance on my relationships with other people, I tend to be popular, gracious, eager to please and talkative. I need harmonious relationships with others and work hard to achieve and maintain them. In fact, I often idealizes whatever or whomever I admire. I need to be appreciated for myself and my service, so I am highly sensitive to indifference or criticism. I usually express strong opinions and am decisive and likes to have things settled.

Practical and realistic, I tend to be matter-of-fact and organized. I attend to and remember important facts and details and like others to be sure of their facts as well. I base my planning and opinions on my own personal experience or that of someone else I trust. I am aware of and involved with my physical environment and like to be active and productive.

Because I am conscientious and traditional, I am bound by my sense of duty and commitment. I nurture established institutions and tend to be an active and cooperative member of committees and organizations. My social ties are important and well maintained. I often go out of my way to do something helpful and nice for someone else and especially enjoys being responsive in times of trouble or great celebration.

Possible Blind Spots

Because I value harmony so highly, I tend to avoid conflict rather than dealing with problems head-on. I sometimes place too much importance and value on the opinions and feelings of those I care for. During tense or hurtful times, I can become blind to the facts of the situation. I need to learn to deal directly and honestly with conflict, trusting that my natural sensitivity to others’ feelings will provide me with the necessary tact in even the most difficult situations.

I often overlook my own needs because of my desire to please or help other people. I have a difficult time saying no or asking for help because I don’t want to risk offending or disappointing anyone. I usually have trouble giving or accepting constructive criticism because I take things so personally. I can become pessimistic and gloomy when I don’t see ways to make changes in my life. Taking a step back from my problems to get objectivity usually helps me gain a fresh outlook.

In my effort to help other people, I sometimes express my strong opinions in ways that are bossy and domineering. I do better to wait to find out if my help or suggestions are really wanted before offering them.

I often make decisions too quickly, before I’ve had adequate time to gather all the less obvious facts and considering the implications of my actions. I don’t tend to look for new or different ways of doing things and can appear inflexible. Postponing judgments in favor of staying open to novel approaches to problems will give me a better base of information and help me make better decisions.

The 3 Most Important Things For Me To Focus On

Slow
down

Consider possibilities that don't already exist

Don't take things so personally

My Strengths

Great energy and drive to get things accomplished and be productive
Ability to cooperate and create harmonious relationships with others
Practical and realistic attitude and aptitude for working with facts and details
Nurturing and helpful nature; I praise and reinforce good behavior in others
Strong organizational skills and clear work ethic
Loyalty and belief in the value of working within a traditional structure
Sense of responsibility; I can be counted on to do what I say
Ability to follow established routines and procedures
Common sense and realistic perspective
Decisiveness and stabilizing factor

My Weaknesses

Reluctance to embrace new and untested ideas
Sensitivity to criticism; I feel stressed by tension-filled situations
Desire to focus on the present rather than the future
Difficulty adapting to change and switching gears quickly
Tendency to be oversensitive and avoid unpleasant situation
Difficulty working alone for extended periods of time; strong need to socialize
Tendency to show favoritism
Tendency to become drained by taking on others’ emotional burdens
Inclination to make decisions prematurely before I have enough information
Focus on specific details rather than implications and the “big picture”
Tendency to become discouraged without praise or expression of appreciation
Difficulty focusing on future needs as opposed to present ones
Tendency to be opinionated and rigid
Difficulty hearing and accepting opposing viewpoints
AVOID BURNING BRIDGES ONCE I THINK I’VE CROSSED THEM
Try not to view situations as either all good or all bad. Look for grey areas and make some trade-offs
Take time to reflect on my options. Don’t run the risk of making decisions too hastily before I’ve had a chance to gather all the information I can.

Try not to become easily discouraged

Accept constructive criticism in the spirit in which it is intended and try not to take it personally.

Adjust my focus to long-range plans

Create a set of goals for one, five and ten years from now. When making big decisions, check them against this list to see of they will help me move forward towards your goals.
Resist the tendency to take stop-gap jobs because I am beginning to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about my security. Try not to compromise by getting involved in short term activities that will jeopardize my long-term goals.
Work to resolve conflicts with co-workers supervisors and those I manage.
Ask people to be clear about what they expect from me in a task
Leave environments where there is great interpersonal tension.
-Volunteer for a meaningful cause
Make sure I have enough social stimulation during the day.
Implement efficiency systems and require those I manage to use them.
If not a manager, identify a project I think needs doing and volunteer to take it on
Find people with complementary strengths to give me input and balance.
Set up short-term goals that I can meet.

To learn more about your personality type, purchase the book, "DO WHAT YOU ARE" by Barbara Barron-Tieger & Paul Tieger