People with ESFJ preferences radiate sympathy and fellowship. They
concern themselves chiefly with the people around them and place a high
value on harmonious human contacts. They are friendly, tactful, and sympathetic.
They are persevering, conscientious, orderly even in small matters, and
inclined to expect others to be the same. They are particularly warmed
by approval and sensitive to indifference. Much of their pleasure and satisfaction
comes from the warmth of feeling of people around them. ESFJs tend to concentrate
on the admirable qualities of other people and are loyal to respected persons,
institutions, or causes, sometimes to the point of idealizing whatever
they admire.
They have the gift of finding value in other people's
opinions. Even when these opinions are in conflict, they have faith that
harmony can somehow be achieved and they often manage to bring it about.
To achieve harmony, they are ready to agree with other's opinions within
reasonable limits. They need to be careful, however, that they don't concentrate
so much on the viewpoints of others that they lose sight of their own.
They are mainly interested in the realities perceived
by their five senses, so they become practical, realistic, and down-to-earth.
They take great interest in the unique differences in each experience.
ESFJs appreciate and enjoy their possessions. They enjoy variety but can
adapt well to routine.
ESFJs are at their best in jobs that deal with people
and in situations where cooperation can be brought about through good will.
They are found in jobs such as teaching, preaching, and selling. Their
compassion and awareness of physical conditions otten attracts them to
health professions where they can provide warmth, comfort, and patient
caring. They are less likely to be happy in work demanding mastery of abstract
ideas or impersonal analysis. They think best when talking with people,
and enjoy communicating. They have to make a special effort to be brief
and businesslike and not let sociability slow them down on the job.
They like to base their plans and decisions upon
known facts and on their personal values. While liking to have matters
decided or settled, they do not necessarily want to make all the decisions
themselves. They run some risk of jumping to conclusions before they understand
a situation. If they have not taken time to gain first-hand knowledge about
a person or situation, their actions may not have the helpful results they
intended. For example, ESFJs beginning a new project or job may do things
they assume should be done, instead of taking the time to find out what
is really wanted or needed. They have many definite "shoulds" and "should
nots;' and may express these freely.
ESFJs find it especially hard to admit the truth
about problems with people or things they care about. If they fail
to face disagreeable facts, or refuse to look at criticism that hurts,
they will try to ignore their problems instead of searching for solutions.