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{<b><p16>ENFP:  People Are the Product<n><p12> }
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{One doesn't typically consider the ENFP's characteristics -- effervescence, enthusiasm, and spontaneity -- as those of top corporate managers, but the fact is ENFPs do very well in executive roles. At their best they bring a refreshing alternative style to top management and decision making. 

A zest for life combined with social gregariousness (Extraversion) is linked with endless possibilities and alternatives (iNtuition), which ENFPs apply to a host of interpersonal encounters (Feeling) while always working their day-to-day events so as to maximize their options (Perceiving). Like their first cousins, the ENTPs, they can exhibit wide mood swings -- almost within the same moment -- and probably experience higher "highs" and lower "lows" in the process. Nevertheless they tend to bring enthusiasm and energy to most activities, which can be highly contagious, especially to those they lead. As they do with most things, their tendency is to convert managerial tasks to some sort of a grand game plan, then play it to the max, relying on their persuasiveness and creativity to keep people motivated. 

The problem is that ENFPs can be so skilled at "flying by the seat of their pants" and doing a host of different things fairly easily -- sometimes all at the same time -- that they can neglect to make advance preparations. As a result, on any given occasion an ENFP can be found saying, "This is exciting, but I wish I had been a little better prepared," or "With a little more planning, it would have gone that much better."  

Though there are more female ENFPs than males, when it comes to promotions, it is the males who tend to rise to higher positions. This is a reflection not so much on the females as on the male-dominated Sensing-Thinking-Judging leaders who are doing the promoting. This can create some special problems. For example, because all ENFPs tend to be caring, empathic souls, their warmth can be mistaken as flirting or even worse, when this is generally not intended. With male ENFPs in higher positions, it sets up a dynamic in which their female underlings may become anything from flattered to resentful. What starts out as a natural warmth or affirmation can, at a moment's notice, turn quickly into a misunderstood innuendo, perhaps even charges of sexism or harassment. 

Ironically, in their attempt to circumvent such scenarios, and because they are so readily adaptable, male ENFPs sometimes adopt a pseudo-ISTJ persona to project an image of toughness and masculinity. In the process, they lose twice: Not only is their attempt to be something they're not less than successful, they cover up or deny their natural skills.  

The female ENFP, too, has her problems. If she gives in to her natural ENFP tendencies, she may quickly become labeled as "fluffy" or an "airhead," which may be far from the truth, her spontaneous and gregarious behavior notwithstanding. While such workplace qualities may be acceptable in males, they may not be in females. Her attempts to compensate by behaving in a more abrasive, guarded way fare no better. 

ENFPs' ability to empower others is one of their most impressive contributions to the workplace. Unlike the control-obsessed Thinking-Judgers, ENFPs more easily encourage freedom and independence. In their persuasiveness they can easily accomplish the basic manager's goal of "getting work done through others," and at the same time make those "others" feel vital and useful in the process. Certainly there are some areas of work where they have some need to feel in charge -- the specific areas may be different for each person -- but as a general rule they are a reasonably nontoxic presence that gets thrilled about, and revels in, others' accomplishments. In the process there will be no hesitation from the ENFP in giving credit where credit is due. This can be inspirational, to say the least. Inspiration, rather than control, is key to the ENFP's management style. 

Another great asset of ENFPs is their ability to generate options. It's always more exciting to engage in several projects at a time and to have more than one way to accomplish any one of them. Like other EPs, this is an idea person who loves to upset the proverbial apple cart and come up with new ways of coping with boring routines and slow-moving projects. Indeed, it's often more exciting to generate alternatives than to complete the task at hand. 

Still another asset is the ENFP's people skills. As a rule, ENFPs give strokes freely and are responsive to other people's needs. They can generally find time to pause and help, affirm, listen, or do whatever else is needed to get someone unstuck and back into the swing of things. They tend to feel loyal to those who are responsive to their own enthusiastic way of relating, which in turn engenders more loyalty throughout the system.  

For the ENFP stress generally comes in the form of those areas of their lives, private and professional, that cannot be converted into play or fun. As a task or responsibility drags on and its mantle becomes increasingly routine, the ENFP can become more pensive, moody, and even rigid. The more rigidity is demanded of the ENFP, the more rigid he or she may become, giving way to behaviors quite removed from his or her normal enthusiasm and effervescence. Filling out income tax forms, paying bills, working too much alone, or being compelled to meet specific deadlines are the kinds of tasks that set the ENFP up for stress and, in doing so, make them quite stressful to be around. Interpersonal conflicts and other "people issues" all can be distorted when the ENFP is stressed, and can lead to wide behavioral swings by the ENFP. Such behavior has a tendency to spread quickly among others. 

Those who must confront such behavior would do well to check the sort of tasks or work that is problematic for the ENFP. It is important to help the ENFP see that it is okay to work in fits and starts rather than according to some schedule. It would be even better if the task could be done collaboratively. Talking through the tax form is better for the ENFP than doing it alone. Generally an ENFP's stress is reduced by engaging others, even competitively. It helps them to attack stressful situations by creating a grand scheme growing out of whatever inspiration strikes them. Physical exercise, mental activities, and any of the meditative experiences are especially helpful to ENFPs, particularly when couched in the context of meaningful relationships. 

A happy work environment is very important to an ENFP, and without it he or she can waste a great deal of company time on the wrong issues. Their natural ability to identify with others can mire them in unconstructive bitching sessions. Alternatively they can respond to a stressful workplace through avoidance -- avoiding issues, certain tasks or people, perhaps even avoiding coming to work. In whatever fashion, it is an ENFP trait to become absorbed, perhaps even obsessed, with others' personal problems. 

Though quite productive when allowed to work by themselves, those dependent on an ENFP can become frustrated by the ENFP's poor ability to manage time, work flow, and quantity. This can create tremendous stress among those around them. Another constant plague is mixed signals: starting one thing and either getting redirected, misdirected, or losing interest altogether. Again, this can be quite frustrating to colleagues and subordinates. If the ENFP is the top dog in the organization, their constant generation of ideas or alternatives -- few of which may represent more than thinking out loud -- is yet another source of frustration, especially to Judgers.  

Their hunger for the excitement of the new and different can lead ENFPs to respond to the brushfires of the moment, to the neglect of ongoing duties and responsibilities. This sometimes misplaced enthusiasm can lead to the wide mood swings already mentioned and may result in any of the three physical maladies common to both ENFPs and their first cousin, the ENTP: headaches, upper back and neck pain, and extreme fatigue. With each day a series of more starts than finishes, the ENFP ultimately becomes unstable, undependable, fickle, and easily discouraged. It is the ENFP of whom it was stated, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." 

When an ENFP successfully settles in on one of the many career choices that may be at his or her disposal, the ENFP's greatest reward will come from those careers that allow free and nonbureaucratic response in some sort of service to humanity. ENFPs excel especially in independent sales, public relations, pediatrics, psychiatry, general family medicine, and almost anything entrepreneurial.

<b>Workplace Contribution:<n>
Motivates and invigorates through inspiration, enthusiasm and unyielding attention to personal relationships

<b>Pathway to Professional Growth:<n>
Must learn to follow projects and commitments through to completion and to be aware that wide mood swings can frustrate and confuse those with whom you work

<b>Leadership Qualities:<n>
Motivates, inspires and cajoles people to accomplish tasks and to develop both personally and professionally

<b>Team Spirit:<n>
Teams are fun and energizing--especially when conflict, hierarchy and tight timelines can be avoided}