Developing Your Type – ESFJ
ESFJ Practical Contributor: Communicate and Cooperate
“Many hands make light work.”
12.3 % of the population
Type Dynamics for the ESFJ
Dominant (Fe): Outwardly decisive, collaborative and sensitive to needs of people
Auxiliary (Si): Inwardly focused on the practicalities and realities of each situation
Tertiary (N): As they mature, consider broader possibilities to enhance human potential
Inferior (Ti): Developmental challenge is to assess situations logically and objectively
The ESFJ Preferred Mode
Practical Contributors use Extraverted Feeling (Fe) as their core approach to work and living. This outward, collaborative, results-oriented approach tends to accomplish results using the best talents of the people involved.
Practical Contributors thrive in situations where they can harness the energy of a group of people toward a mutually beneficial goal. They often take on and enjoy supervisory roles. If you are a Practical Contributor, you are likely at your best when you are working with others cooperatively to accomplish direct results.
Adding a Secondary Approach
To avoid moving down the wrong path or making inaccurate decisions, Practical Contributors tend to pay attention to the facts and realities of a situation. This secondary approach ensures their plan of action is helpful and useful. By using an approach that is both personal and realistic, Practical Contributors can provide efficient products or services to assist or serve people.
Development Pathway
ESFJs will likely be convinced to develop their non-preferred preferences when they have personal reasons to do so.
As Practical Contributors develop, they learn to look more at long-term implications and consequences of actions. For example, a young ESFJ may take actions to meet people’s immediate needs. A more mature ESFJ will pay greater attention to the long-term needs of people to ensure the actions taken are helpful and effective in both the long and short term.
Over time Practical Contributors can also learn to place more emphasis on making a logical, objective appraisal of a situation. They will be motivated to do this when it serves their preferred mode of operating. For example, an ESFJ can be convinced to approach situations impersonally when they see how these actions help them accomplish tasks and help others. Using a more impersonal approach can help the Practical Contributor manage criticism and disagreements.
Developmental Tips for the Practical Contributor
Take a broader perspective before deciding. Consider alternative courses of action as well as the obvious ones.
Look at long-term as well as immediate implications and consequences of your actions and decisions.
When making a decision create a list of logical pros and cons.
You likely feel responsible and want to participate in many social and community groups. Recognize your limits and create time to meet your own needs.
You will want to resolve conflicts. However, some problems are not easily solved. Sometimes it is important to agree to disagree and move forward.
Donna Dunning
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