Eureka!

First I thought I was an ESTJ, and indeed I think I was close to it before college.

Then, I realized that I'm more of an F than I thought, thus translating my letters to ESFJ.

But after several conversations about personality profiles with friends from church, I was completely amused when Greg, our Associate Pastor, said, "So you're an E and a J with something in between."

So, I started reading profiles and I identified with too many of them. So then I found another test online that had the questions mixed up (like you're supposed to) and I made myself answer them directly and immediately, rather than thinking about what they referred to.

This is what it told me... and I think they're actually finally right (even though I may still be similar to the ESFJ as well). So in the last six years I went from thinking I was an ESTJ to an ENFJ... impressive, don't you think? The ESFJ slogan is Lean on me, and the ENFJ's is Benevolent Mediator... and I may be more the latter than the former.

Here's the description that finally clinched it for me (mostly because of the "functional analysis" below):

Extrovert iNtuitive Feeling Judging

ENFJs are the benevolent 'pedagogues' of humanity. They have tremendous charisma by which many are drawn into their nurturant tutelage and/or grand schemes. Many ENFJs have tremendous power to manipulate others with their phenomenal interpersonal skills and unique salesmanship. But it's usually not meant as manipulation -- ENFJs generally believe in their dreams, and see themselves as helpers and enablers, which they usually are.

ENFJs are global learners. They see the big picture. The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.

ENFJs are, by definition, Js, with whom we associate organization and decisiveness. But they don't resemble the SJs or even the NTJs in organization of the environment nor occasional recalcitrance. ENFJs are organized in the arena of interpersonal affairs. Their offices may or may not be cluttered, but their conclusions (reached through feelings) about people and motives are drawn much more quickly and are more resilient than those of their NFP counterparts.

ENFJs know and appreciate people. Like most NFs, (and Feelers in general), they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people. ENFJs often take on more of the burdens of others than they can bear.

TRADEMARK: "The first shall be last"
This refers to the open-door policy of ENFJs. One ENFJ colleague always welcomes me into his office regardless of his own circumstances. If another person comes to the door, he allows them to interrupt our conversation with their need. While discussing that need, the phone rings and he stops to answer it. Others drop in with a 'quick question.' I finally get up, go to my office and use the call waiting feature on the telephone. When he hangs up, I have his undivided attention!


Functional Analysis-now it all fits... wow... weird...

Extraverted Feeling
Extraverted Feeling rules the ENFJ's psyche. In the sway of this rational function, these folks are predisposed to closure in matters pertaining to people, and especially on behalf of their beloved. As extraverts, their contacts are wide ranging. Face-to-face relationships are intense, personable and warm, though they may be so infrequently achieved that intimate friendships are rare.

Introverted iNtuition
Like their INFJ cousins, ENFJs are blessed through introverted intuition with clarity of perception in the inner, unconscious world. Dominant Feeling prefers to find the silver lining in even the most beggarly perceptions of those in their expanding circle of friends and, of course, in themselves. In less balanced individuals, such mitigation of the unseemly eventually undermines the ENFJ's integrity and frequently their good name. In healthier individuals, deft use of this awareness of the inner needs and desires of others enables this astute type to win friends, influence people, and avoid compromising entanglements.

The dynamic nature of their intuition moves ENFJs from one project to another with the assurance that the next one will be perfect, or much more nearly so than the last. ENFJs are continually looking for newer and better solutions to benefit their extensive family, staff, or organization.

Extraverted Sensing
Sensing is extraverted. ENFJs can manage details, particularly those necessary to implement the prevailing vision. These data have, however, a magical flexible quality. Something to be bought can be had for a song; the same something is invaluable when it's time to sell. (We are not certain, but we suspect that such is the influence of the primary function.) This wavering of sensory perception is made possible by the weaker and less mature status with which the tertiary is endowed.

Introverted Thinking
Introverted Thinking is least apparent and most enigmatic in this type. In fact, it often appears only when summoned by Feeling. At times only in jest, but in earnest if need be, Thinking entertains as logical only those conclusions which support Feeling's values. Other scenarios can be shown invalid or at best significantly inferior. Such "Thinking in the service of Feeling" has the appearance of logic, but somehow it never quite adds up.

Introverted Thinking is frequently the focus of the spiritual quest of ENFJs. David's lengthiest psalm, 119, pays it homage. "Law," "precept," "commandment," "statute:" these essences of inner thinking are the mysteries of Deity for which this great Feeler's soul searched.

Take the test... its the best one I've seen online.

What this means is that these are the relationships that other types have with me...

ENFJ ~ Identity ~ Krissy, Jonathan, Josie, Mark S.
same types: a typological mirror-image
INFJ ~ Pal ~ Amy, Emily?, Mason?
work and play well together: minimal natural type conflict
ENFP ~ Compliment ~ Corrin
compatible strengths with opposite emphases
INFP ~ Contrast ~ Alecia, Katie
point and counterpoint on each function
ESTP ~ Supplement
like Pal, but functions are farther removed: each can add to the other's strengths
ISTP ~ Anima
fits Dr. Beebe's description of the anima/anumus: each is the other's inferior (4th) function
ESFP ~ Suitemate
a person one might be comfortable sharing an office. Prefer similar climates, but don't necessarily have much in common as far as goals or world view
ISFP ~ Cohort
mutually drawn into experiential escapades
ENTJ ~ Companion ~ Greg
similar modes of expression: bear each other's company well
INTJ ~ Tribesman ~ Jason
share a sense of culture, but with different interests and abilities
ENTP ~ Advisor ~ Aaron
each has an area of insight that the other lacks
INTP ~ Pedagogue ~ Maren, Andy?, Luke?
each is both the other's mentor and student: has a "parent to child" feel
ESTJ ~ Enigma ~ Rosie
a puzzle: totally foreign in nearly every facet
ISTJ ~ Novelty ~ Dad, Shaun
intriguingly different: interestingly so
ESFJ ~ Neighbor ~ Mom, Hannah
arrive at the same place by variant processes
ISFJ ~ Counterpart ~ Liana, Ellen
perform similar functions in totally different realms