Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging

by Joe Butt (jabutt@sacam.oren.ortn.edu)

Guardians of birthdays, holidays and celebrations, ESFJs are generous entertainers. They enjoy and joyfully observe traditions and are liberal in giving, especially where custom prescribes.

All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest. ESFJs, as do most SJs, bear strong allegiance to rights of seniority. They willingly provide service (which embodies life's meaning) and expect the same from others.

ESFJs are easily wounded. And when wounded, their emotions will not be contained. They by nature "wear their hearts on their sleeves," often exuding warmth and bonhomie, but not infrequently boiling over with the vexation of their souls. Some ESFJs channel these vibrant emotions into moving dramatic performances on stage and screen.

Strong, contradictory forces consume the ESFJ. Their sense of right and wrong wrestles with an overwhelming rescuing, 'mothering' drive. This sometimes results in swift, immediate action taken upon a transgressor, followed by stern reprimand; ultimately, however, the prodigal is wrested from the gallows of their folly, just as the noose tightens and all hope is lost, by the very executioner!

An ESFJ at odds with self is a remarkable sight. When a decision must be made, especially one involving the risk of conflict (abhorrent to ESFJs), there ensues an in-house wrestling match between the aforementioned black-and-white Values and the Nemesis of Discord. The contender pits self against self, once firmly deciding with the Right, then switching to Prudence to forestall hostilities, countered by unswerving Values, ad exhaustium, winner take all.

As caretakers, ESFJs sense danger all around--germs within, the elements without, unscrupulous malefactors, insidious character flaws. The world is a dangerous place, not to be trusted. Not that the ESFJ is paranoid; 'hyper-vigilant' would be more precise. And thus they serve excellently as protectors, outstanding in fields such as medical care and elementary education.

Other ESFJs

U.S. Presidents

William Henry 'Tippecanoe' Harrison

William McKinley

William J. Clinton

Famous People

Jack Benny

Don Knotts ('Barney Fife')

Desi Arnaz ('Ricky Ricardo')

Sally Struthers

Sally Field

Julia Roberts

LeVar Burton ('Giordi LeForge,' "Star Trek: The Next Generation")

Margaret Butt

Nancy Kerrigan (U.S. olympic figureskater)

Fictional ESFJs

Babbitt (Sinclair Lewis)

Hoss Cartwright ("The Virginian")

Felix Unger, ("The Odd Couple")

Jim 'Bones' McCoy ("Star Trek")

Miles O'Brien ("Star Trek: The Next Generation", "Deep Space 9")

Monica ("Friends")

Haleh ("ER")

Donald Duck

Rabbit ("Winnie the Pooh")

Now that you possibly know more about me than you ever wanted to.....try taking the MBTI yourself! Let me know how you do....

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