ENFP Type: Discover The Campaigner Personality Type

Medically reviewed by Paige Henry, LMSW, J.D.
Updated October 17, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

The ENFP (extraverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving) personality type is one of 16 personality types identified on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which was developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs in the 1940s. They created this assessment as a way of helping people identify their personality and understand the differences among people. 

The MBTI is a popular personality test that people often turn to when they want to examine potential strengths and weaknesses associated with their personality type. They might use this information to adjust how they approach social situations, to help them make a good decision regarding their career path, or simply for in-depth self-reflection. 

This article explores the ENFP personality type and takes a closer look at the MBTI. We’ve also highlighted information that individuals who identify with the ENFP, or the Campaigner. 

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What is the theory behind the Myers-Briggs? 

According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), everyone has different tendencies in how they approach thought, behavior, and interaction, and those tendencies follow a pattern that makes up their personality type. The MBTI describes people in four-letter codes, like ENFP. In each of the four categories, you tend to lean toward one of two dichotomies. 

You can tend toward introversion (I) or extroversion (E). In terms of how you process information, you can tend toward sensing (S) or intuition (N). In terms of decision-making, you can tend toward thinking (T) or feeling (F). Finally, in terms of your orientation to the outer world, you can tend toward judging (J) or perceiving (P).    

What are the 16 personality types?

Myers-Briggs identifies four major personality types, each divided into 4 subtypes. Analysts are the Architect (INTJ), Logician (INTP), Commander (ENTJ), and Debater (ENTP). Diplomats are the Advocate (INFJ), Mediator (INFP), Protagonist (ENFJ), and Campaigner (ENFP). Sentinels are the Logistician (ISTJ), Defender (ISFJ), Executive (ESTJ), and Consul (ESFJ). Explorers are the Virtuoso (ISTP), Adventurer (ISFP), Entrepreneur (ESTP), and Entertainer (ESFP).

Each personality type’s moniker – e.g., Mediator for INFP and Campaigner for ENFP – helps sum up the traits associated with it. For example, INFP carries many traits with ENFP, but from an introverted lens. These “mediators” are said to be quiet, open-minded, and creative people who take a caring mediation-type approach to social situations. 

ENFP

ENFP is the four-letter code for Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving. This type is often characterized as optimistic, energetic, enthusiastic, and lively and tends to express strong emotions.

This type isn't necessarily a campaigner in a political sense, more so in the abstract, similar to how the Protagonist personality is not always the protagonist of the story.

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Traits of an ENFP

In terms of extroversion, people with this type tend to be social and outgoing people who love connecting with a wide circle of people. This type may, however, require significant time alone to determine whether they are moving in the right direction. 

In terms of intuition, ENFP types tend to favor working with the abstract, paying more attention to patterns and meaning while taking in information without much interest in the details. 

For feeling, this personality type may be easily distracted by external influences. Their decisions may be based on their individual opinions and those of the people close to them. 

Lastly, in terms of perceiving, this type tends to be spontaneous and flexible when it comes to planning or making crucial decisions. ENFP types are known to be initiators of visible opportunities. Individuals exhibiting ENFP traits tend to be more excited in the initial phase of any development.

A campaigner's pros and cons

Pros of a campaigner

ENFP Campaigners tend to be motivators and strong leaders. They are often called inspirers or champions. Their contagious curiosity, optimism, and enthusiasm for new ideas often create a similarly optimistic, enthusiastic environment for the people around them. While ENFP types often have great expectations from people closely connected to them, they also tend to be sincerely considerate and caring.

Possible downsides or weaknesses of a campaigner

While this type may lag behind with proper planning and management, they may offset that with their charisma, zeal, and creativity. ENFPs can also be prone to overestimation, and they tend to generate their thoughts over a relatively short time, which can make it difficult for them to evaluate the results accurately. 

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Also, ENFPs can lack patience or organizational skills, but they tend to be considerate and caring. People with the ENFP type often do better in jobs that offer more flexibility and less planning. Since they tend to be extroverted and empathetic toward the interests of other people, they often succeed in service-oriented jobs that require a lot of communication.

Discussing your personality type with an online therapist

If you have questions about whether you’re a Campaigner or some other type on the MBTI, you can discuss this with a licensed therapist. Understanding different personality types can make you a better communicator and improve your relationships.

Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp offer a convenient approach to therapy. You can connect with your therapist wherever you have a Wi-Fi connection. This flexibility cuts out extra time usually devoted to commuting to your appointment or waiting in the lobby. 

Online therapy has been found to be as effective as face-to-face therapy in treating many mental health conditions, including depression, and effectiveness seems to hold true despite differences in gender, financial status, and physical health status among patients. 

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Takeaway

If you’d like to learn more about the ENFP and other Myers-Briggs personality types, you can discuss this with an online therapist with training and experience walking people through this process. You can take the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory and discuss your results with a licensed counselor. Take the first step to learn more about yourself by reaching out to BetterHelp today.
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