Extroverted, bubbly, intense, sentimental, light of the party. Yes, these characteristics describe both ENFP and ENFJ personalities. And although they can be very similar, they have very significantly different personality traits that distinguish them from one another.
If you are confused as to which one you really are, or if you are just curious, we’ll be listing here a few of these traits. Keep reading to check them out!
11 Important Differences You Need to Know About ENFJ vs ENFP
#1 Organization
Are you the type that loves to plan everything out? Or the kind that just goes with the flow? If you tend to plan parties, dates, events, work, weekdays and weekends in general, and even outfits, then you are probably an ENFJ. If you, however, love to just live in the spur of the moment, then you are probably an ENFP.
ENFJs are much more organized compared to ENFPs. This is due to the ENFJs being more task-oriented.
They like to stick to plans and schedules because it fuels their motivation and consequently their energetic side. They are natural party planners!
On the other hand, ENFPs are more people-oriented and love to do things when they feel like, whenever they feel like.
They enjoy the spur of the moment, which in this case, fuels their energetic side. ENFP just loves a dramatic change of events, which is a solid no for an ENFJ.
#2 Leadership
Both personality types love to communicate with others, express their ideas and be the center of attention. But ENFPs like to do that a little too much.
ENFPs are more open to other paths and possibilities than ENFJs. They hate being tied down to rules and specific groups of people because the simple thought of being tied down to something limits their creative spirit.
So they are most likely to try new things every now and then, leading and inspiring other people wherever they go.
ENFJs are also very open and love to be around others. However, they are much more likely to persist in leading certain groups, completing group tasks than hopping right away to another group. Their focus gets the job done efficiently and considerably better than ENFPs.
As previously mentioned, ENFJs are goal-oriented and love to plan everything out before taking action. This sense of organization is what (probably) makes them better leaders.
#3 Acceptance
ENFPs are spontaneous beings with an overflowing creative mind. They tend to have strong ideals and values, but being excellent communicators, they are perceptive and always open to hearing other people out. This is what their “P” stands for.
ENFJs despite being a bit more reserved and tactical than ENFPs, love to openly talk about their beliefs and point of view in everything.
They are also very judgemental, which leads them to be very defensive of their ideas to the point of causing a bit of a commotion. ENFJs are not conflictual beings, but to them, hearing someone out is not the same as accepting their point of view. It is what their “J” stands for.
ENFPs are people-pleasing and dislike anything remotely close to conflict, so they will most likely give in when caught up in a conflicting situation.
ENFJs are condescending. They are the type that loves to teach and openly express their beliefs, often leading to a patronizing kind of persuasion, which is not the best persuasive strategy. ENFJs are not very accepting of rejection and will doubt themselves if it comes to it.
#4 Sense of judgment
Our previous topic is only a spoiler on how judgemental ENFJs can be in comparison to ENFPs. This is one of their biggest diversions.
When it comes to ENFJ vs ENFP, ENFJs are more inclined to the unrealistic or the overly idealistic. They are protagonists. So, they tend to put a lot of pressure upon themselves and distrust themselves sometimes, especially when making decisions.
They feel as if they have to fix the world, righting every wrong, and they think other people have the same perceptions and principles. Therefore, they often get judgemental when someone doesn’t act or think according to their principles.
ENFPs are campaigners, so they consequently have more flexible thinking. Their ability to communicate better than any other personality also gives them the position of great listeners.
They have caring, optimistic, considerate, and altruist personalities. They are also the least judgmental, which makes them able to keep up any healthy conversation for a little longer. You can open up and talk to them about everything! (Or almost everything!)
#5 Sentimentality
Both types are not afraid to express how they feel and put everything they have in a relationship — sentiments, values, and beliefs.
However, ENFPs tend to be more authentic when it comes to sentimentality. They are the biggest defenders of everyone’s right to be different. And are much more accepting of their differences despite what most people would think since it is just natural for them. The Fi in ENFP causes them to be extra subjective and passionate.
ENFJs tend to be very idealistic in their relationships. They are inclusive, but their feelings change more flexibly.
This is due to the Fe in ENFJ, which causes them to take in more outside information. In other words, they like to know more than just what meets the eye. This makes them have a more accurate interpretation of others’ feelings.
#6 Relationships
As said earlier, ENFJs and ENFPs are very sentimental. This makes them take any type of relationship seriously.
Yet, ENFJs are less likely to make mistakes in a relationship than ENFPs. This is because of their judgemental trait, which makes them a bit smarter and aware of what is going wrong in the relationship.
This can also cause them to get over breakups more slowly, constantly doubting themselves and their partner, their decisions throughout the relationship, and sulking over the loss.
ENFPs can be so intense sometimes, to the point where they become naive to possible turn-offs in a relationship. Routines are non-existent to them; they seek a new adventure every day.
Once you are in a relationship with them, you are completely in. But when you are out, you are out for good.
#7 Spectatorship
One of their biggest differences. ENFJs live for the details. They love to observe and learn beyond what meets the eye. Their judgemental trait causes them to be very detailed, fueling all different kinds of passion and enthusiasm within them. They tend to be more careful and more observant of other people’s feelings, having deeper interpretations about them.
Anyhow, ENFPs can be very oblivious to them in most situations. They are constantly focused on the bigger picture of things. They are less observant and more entertained with what they perceive and how they perceive the world. Due to this, they are more prone to getting caught in misleading situations.
#8 Creativity
Maybe we have mentioned this a thousand times throughout the article, but ENFPs and ENFJs are very creative beings. But how different can they be, creatively speaking?
ENFPs are more spontaneous and can work anything (or nothing) under the mood they are in. Their unpredictability and fickleness allow them to be extra creative and more enthusiastic with their work, regardless of what others will say about it.
ENFJs creativity is fueled by other factors — their detail-oriented trait and their fascination for closer perceptions. What they see or what they already know is not enough; they will always need to know more to spike their curiosity.
In an art museum, for example, the more abstract paintings would definitely belong to ENFJs. Because of their inclination to idealistic ideas. Meanwhile, the more realistic paintings would definitely belong to ENFPs, because of their bais to the greater scenarios.
#9 Extraversion
Both personalities are extroverted. However, if we pay close attention to each of them, we will see significant differences between both extraversion.
Although ENFJs are considered extroverted, they are more aware and give more thought to how others perceive them. Differently from ENFPs that are more inclined to not care about other people’s opinions.
This lack of care makes ENFPs much more open and much more extroverted than ENFJs, who can bring themselves to be in constant doubt of everything.
Don’t get us wrong, ENFPs are not inconsiderate. They are just less likely to ponder how others perceive them than how they perceive themselves. This is a part of their overly optimistic way of living since they often believe they are well-seen amongst other personalities.
ENFPs’ extraversion makes them the center of attention in any case. It is also easier to figure out who is one by their tone, speech, and passion while speaking.
This is also the reason behind their likability. Most people prefer to be around such optimistic, extroverted people. Being themselves is being extroverted, and they would not have it any other way.
#10 Impulsiveness
Bubbly, cheerful, overly optimistic, and impulsive — these are ENFPs most apparent personality traits.
While ENFJs are more careful and aware of others’ feelings and surroundings, ENFPs can be highly impulsive.
They are not afraid to express their passions, beliefs, and feelings to others; they do not mask any of it.
The impulsivity and the need to work things out to the end can make them seem selfish. And sometimes, inconsiderate. But not at all; they are actually highly sensitive people.
ENFJs feel a lot and intensively. But are slightly more reserved and less impulsive than ENFPs.
Due to their judgemental and spectatorship traits, their impulsiveness runs low. ENFJs are passionate but careful, always watching their tongue.
#11 Confidence
ENFPs are overly confident about themselves, while ENFJs are self-doubting.
Confidence is one of ENFPs strongest traits. Their self-confidence is cultivated by simply spiking bits and bits of creativity and energy. They have a motivated state making them more confident and prone to succeed in many tasks and achieve life goals.
ENFJs are only less confident because they tend to question everything they do and every decision they make.
Although they are very excited, intense, and seem more confident than other personalities, the need for third-party approval is what stops them from being as confident as the ENFPs.
Conclusion
Now you know how to identify the vital differences between the ENFJ and the ENFP personality types. And see that, although they are very alike, when we open the layers of each personality type, they can be very different indeed.
Short disclaimer: these traits are mere tendencies of specific personalities according to the MBTI Personality Test.
We hope this article helped you figure out which personality you identify with the most. Did you enjoy this content? Keep reading our blog to check other articles like this!