it doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. i want to know what you ache for – and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. it doesn’t interest me how old you are. i want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love – for your dreams – for the adventure of being alive. — oriah mountain dreamer.

the enfp personality is a true free spirit. they are often the life of the party, but unlike explorers, they are less interested in the sheer excitement and pleasure of the moment than they are in enjoying the social and emotional connections they make with others. charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, the 7% of the population that they comprise can certainly be felt in any crowd.

you can change the world with just an idea

more than just sociable people-pleasers though, enfps, like all their diplomat cousins, are shaped by their intuitive (n) quality, allowing them to read between the lines with curiosity and energy. they tend to see life as a big, complex puzzle where everything is connected – but unlike analysts, who tend to see that puzzle as a series of systemic machinations, enfps see it through a prism of emotion, compassion and mysticism, and are always looking for a deeper meaning.

enfps are fiercely independent, and much more than stability and security, they crave creativity and freedom.

many other types are likely to find these qualities irresistible, and if they’ve found a cause that sparks their imagination, enfps will bring an energy that oftentimes thrusts them into the spotlight, held up by their peers as a leader and a guru – but this isn’t always where independence-loving enfps want to be. worse still if they find themselves beset by the administrative tasks and routine maintenance that can accompany a leadership position. enfps’ self-esteem is dependent on their ability to come up with original solutions, and they need to know that they have the freedom to be innovative – they can quickly lose patience or become dejected if they get trapped in a boring role.

don’t lose that 'little spark of madness'

luckily, enfps know how to relax, and they are perfectly capable of switching from a passionate, driven idealist in the workplace to that imaginative and enthusiastic free spirit on the dance floor, often with a suddenness that can surprise even their closest friends. being in the mix also gives them a chance to connect emotionally with others, giving them cherished insight into what motivates their friends and colleagues. they believe that everyone should take the time to recognize and express their feelings, and their empathy and sociability make that a natural conversation topic.

the enfp personality type needs to be careful, however – if they rely too much on their intuition, assume or anticipate too much about a friend’s motivations, they can misread the signals and frustrate plans that a more straightforward approach would have made simple. this kind of social stress is the bugbear that keeps harmony-focused diplomats awake at night. enfps are very emotional and sensitive, and when they step on someone’s toes, they both feel it.

enfps will spend a lot of time exploring social relationships, feelings and ideas before they find something that really rings true. but when they finally do find their place in the world, their imagination, empathy and courage are likely to produce incredible results.