Myers-Briggs® MBTI® Test ESFJ Personality Types and Leadership

In Business and Leadership, ESFJ, Leadership, MBTI, Personality Type by Geeta Aneja

Knowing your Myers-Briggs® personality type can help you be an efficient, self reflective and effective leader. This week’s blog post is focused on Extraverted- Sensing-Feeling-Judging personality types (ESFJ) and how they can capitalize on their own strengths and work to maximize the productivity of their teams.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Leaders today face increasing challenges in a global environment (Richmond, 2008). That means that they need to have even more information about their own working style and those of their colleagues in order to function optimally in fast-paced, complex environments. Luckily, leaders today have a plethora of resources at their fingertips to aid in their growth and development. According to Richmond (2008), one of the most powerful tools for gaining such insights is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®). ESFJ personality types thrive in nurturing, harmonious environments. They enjoy working closely with others to establish clear goals and ensure that all members of their team feel supported on the road to success. They are open to suggestions and input of their colleagues, but sometimes put so much emphasis on others’ perspectives that they lose direction or can become overly critical of themselves. While ESFJ’s do think quickly and intuitively, they sometimes lose sight of the forest through the trees, making it difficult for other, more logical personalities to understand their goals. For this reason, MBTI test ESFJ’s should work towards recognizing the benefits and value that can emerge from debate and disagreement. They should also make an effort to slow down decision making and reflect actively on how each immediate action of their organization contributes towards long-term goals.

ESFJ’s are highly involved with their teams and emotionally invested in their organizations. They are fiercely loyal, and suffer real stress if their organization begins to suffer internally. They tend to be adverse to change, which can manifest positively by quickly following through with plans of action. However, it can also manifest negatively in that they tend to preserve organizations’ norms even when they are no longer optimal. Richmond (2008) suggests that ESFJ’s should establish a few close colleagues with whom to reflect on organizational practices and increase efficiency.

Richmond (2008) also identifies a few additional strategies ESFJ’s can use to become even more effective in the workplace. First and foremost, she suggests that ESFJ’s learn to look beyond institutional practices or policies towards their original purposes instead of valuing the practices in and of themselves. As a leader, considering the needs and culture of your organization is of the utmost importance, and older practices may not necessarily align with social or political changes. Furthermore, she suggests that MBTI test ESFJ’s have a tendency to have difficulty delegating and instead try to take on too much themselves. Practicing delegating will not only demonstrate your trust in your team members and employees, but will also leave you more time to focus on big-picture issues. Reconsidering your time management will, in the long run, make you an even more valuable leader.

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References

Introduction to Type and Leadership (Richmond, S. CPP. 2008)

Learn More About the MBTI ESFJ Personality Type

ESFJ Careers

Click on one of these corresponding popular ESFJ Careers for detailed information including Career Stats, Income Stats, Daily Tasks and Required Education: Hotel, Motel, or Resort Clerk, Kindergarten Teacher, Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner, Personal or Home Care Aide, Radiologic Technologist, Receptionist or Information Clerk, Registered Nurse,Secretary, Teacher Assistant, and Teller.

Explore additional information that delves deeper into the ESFJ Personality Type by examining various personality and career based subjects:

Click On Your Personality Type Below & Read About Your Leadership Style:

ISTJ ISFJ ESTP ESFP
ISTP ISFP ESTJ ESFJ
INFJ INTJ ENFP ENTP
INFP INTP ENFJ ENTJ

Click on a link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ