Developed by the mother-daughter duo Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabella Briggs Myers, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality assessment tool based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types.
It categorizes individuals into one of 16 personality types based on their preferences in four dichotomies:
- Extraversion (E)—Introversion (I)
- Sensing (S)—Intuition (N)
- Thinking (T)—Feeling (F)
- Judging (J)—Perceiving (P)
These preferences result in combinations such as ENFP (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving) or INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving). Each type has its own cognitive functions, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses that make them stand out.
The concept is helpful in modern-day business scenarios where leaders must manage a diverse group of people. Knowing whether your team members are ENFP or INFP will allow you to understand them better, and you can plan tasks for them accordingly.
In this article, we will explore the main differences between ENFPs and INFPs and ways to set collaboration strategies to cater to their unique needs.
ENFP vs. INFP: Unveiling the Contrasts in Personality Types
Summarize this article for me pleaseENFP vs. INFP Personality Types at Glance
Here’s a quick overview of ENFP and INFP’s differences and similarities.
Differences:
| Feature | ENFP | INFP |
| Behavior preference | Considered Extraverts, as they prefer their main outward-oriented function (Extraverted Intuition) over their introspective function (Introverted Feeling) | Considered Introverts, as they prefer their main introspective function (Introverted Feeling) over Extraverted Thinking |
| Social preference | Derive energy from social interactions | Derive energy from solitude and introspection |
| Decision-making | Make impulsive decisions | Struggle with indecisiveness |
| Concentration | Struggle to maintain focus | Can maintain focus easily |
| Nature | Naturally assertive | Become assertive when triggered |
Similarities:
- Both want to make the world a better place
- Both have a knack for out-of-the-box thinking
- Both are driven by their personal values and beliefs
- Both share the same cognitive functions (but in a different order)
We’ll take forward the discussion on INFP vs. ENFP in a while, but before that, let’s get a glimpse of each personality type.
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is an ENFP Personality Type?
Outgoing and full of life, ENFPs are the heart of the party. Thanks to their dominant extraverted functions, they feel energized in the company of others. As creative individuals, they love their freedom and seek to bring something innovative to the table.
As natural leaders, ENFP personalities find happiness in unleashing the best in others. They are often referred to as Champions because of this trait.
Key characteristics of an ENFP
- ENFPs are full of enthusiasm and charisma
- They prefer to focus on the future rather than working on routine everyday tasks
- They understand people well
- They have natural leadership qualities
- They seek approval and praise from others
ENFP strengths and weaknesses
Strengths:
- Possess excellent communication and social skills
- Make assertive and confident leaders
- Devise original and creative solutions to complex problems
- Take a stand for what they believe in
Weaknesses:
- Find it difficult to stay focused and disciplined
- Have overthinking tendencies
ENFPs at work
ENFPs do well in creative roles where they can express themselves through their artistic sensibilities. Let’s explore their work management styles and preferences as leaders and employees:
ENFPs in leadership
ENFPs, as leaders, are deeply committed to their team members’ growth. They offer a lot of flexibility and freedom to the teams they lead, encouraging employees to think out of the box. However, as they are heavily focused on ideals, they often neglect the nitty-gritty of practical implementation. They might benefit from having team members who excel at execution.
ENFPs as employees
As employees, ENFPs are not fond of routine, mundane work—they prefer novel tasks that require imagination and feed their curiosity. They motivate others to do well and encourage creativity. While they are great at brainstorming new ideas, they struggle to finalize a course of action and move forward.
ENFP career paths
ENFPs can unlock their true potential in the following career paths:
- Human resource manager
- Market research analyst
- Sales manager
- Training and development specialist
- Public relations manager
- Psychologist
- Teacher/professor
- Graphic designer
- Writer
- Interior designer
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is an INFP Personality Type?
Also known as The Idealist, The INFP personality type is driven by their ideals, values, and feelings. They are open-minded, creative, and inward-oriented individuals who enjoy time alone. They have their eyes fixed on the big picture and seek ways to impact the world positively.
INFPs are often called Mediators because of their gentle and empathetic approach to people. Just like customer success teams use empathy maps to understand their customers, INFPs use intuition to understand the people around them and form meaningful connections. They find joy in empowering others.
Key characteristics of an INFP
- INFPs care for others and understand them on a deeper level
- They want to make the world a better place
- They have a creative and artistic bent of mind
- They often lose touch with ground reality
- They set high expectations for themselves and seek ways to achieve continuous growth
INFP strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- Possess high intellectual and moral integrity
- Aim to have a positive impact on the world
- Consider everyone’s viewpoints with an open mind
- Advocate personal development for themselves and others
Weaknesses
- High idealism makes them oversensitive
- Lack of a pragmatic approach to real-life problems
INFPs at work
At the workplace, INFPs are open to collaboration and prefer work that aligns with their values and purpose. Let’s explore their unique work styles as leaders and team members:
INFPs in leadership
INFPs in leadership positions recognize the latent talent of their team members and encourage them to think beyond the limits of tried-and-tested solutions.
INFPs’ farsightedness allows them to devise impactful long-term strategies for the organization. They thrive among cooperative team members and often struggle to deal with opposing opinions.
INFPs as employees
As employees, INFPs are rarely drawn toward money or status alone. They prefer to work with like-minded people who share similar visions and are committed to a greater purpose.
When it comes to problem-solving, they generate creative and innovative input after considering everyone’s points of view. They tend to avoid highly competitive work environments.
INFP career paths
The following career options allow INFPs to make the best use of their potential:
- Fashion designer
- Graphic designer
- Psychologist
- Writer
- Editor
- Human resource manager
- School/career counselor
- Social worker
- Speech-language pathologist
- Special education teacher
A quick tip: Want to learn more about INFPs? Explore this curated list of INFP books for in-depth insights.
Summarize this article for me pleaseKey Differences and Similarities Between ENFP and INFP
While INFPs and ENFPs share a few common traits, they also have some distinct differences.
Key differences
The two personalities are governed by the same four cognitive functions (mental processes we use to perceive the world or make decisions). They have two introverted functions and two extraverted functions each. However, the functions operate in a different order, leading to dissimilarities.
The cognitive functions preferred by each personality type are as follows:
| Cognitive Functions | ENFP | INFP |
| Dominant function | Extraverted Intuition (Ne) | Introverted Feeling (Fi) |
| Auxiliary function | Introverted Feeling (Fi) | Extraverted Intuition (Ne) |
| Tertiary function | Extraverted Thinking (Te) | Introverted Sensing (Si) |
| Inferior function | Introverted Sensing (Si) | Extraverted Thinking (Te) |
Let’s understand the main differences between the two personality types:
Interacting with others
ENFPs are extroverted individuals who feel happy and energized by interacting with others. They speak as they think, and they’re more likely to come up with quick replies that move a conversation forward.
They also require occasional alone time, but long periods of solitude and a lack of external stimuli bore them.
On the other hand, INFPs are governed by dominant introverted functions and turn inward to seek energy. They enjoy spending time alone and often feel drained in social situations where they have to interact with large groups.
They are rarely heavy on words in gatherings, but they can connect with a small, like-minded group of close friends on a deeper level.
Approach to action
ENFPs are action-oriented. They don’t think twice before jumping into a task—they do it first, and process it later. They are more likely to make quick and impulsive decisions. They love new experiences and adventures.
On the other hand, INFPs show strains of indecisiveness. They contemplate a good deal before making a decision and taking action. They are driven by imagination, introspection, and reflection on their inner world. They take every step thoughtfully and cautiously.
Focus
ENFPs are high on enthusiasm, often starting multiple projects at a time and then failing to pursue them fully. It’s difficult for them to focus on one thing for a long time. That’s why they struggle to finish the tasks they’ve started.
On the other hand, INFPs are deep thinkers who remain focused on the task at hand. They don’t pay heed to distractions, and when they start a task, they are more likely to finish it.
Assertiveness
ENFPs are comfortable and confident with their Extraverted Thinking (Te) function, which makes them naturally assertive. They can lead a team effortlessly, exerting assertiveness in a friendly, non-threatening way.
On the other hand, INFPs tend to suddenly switch to assertiveness when triggered by a person or a situation. This might occur when something goes against their values and beliefs, leading onlookers to think the individual is overreacting.
Key similarities
ENFPs and INFPs are similar in the following ways:
1. Innovative thinking
Both personalities think from innovative perspectives, which helps them come up with unique, out-of-the-box solutions for complex problems.
2. Value system
ENFPs and INFPs lead their lives by staying true to their values and beliefs. They think little of logic or set expectations.
3. Making the world a better place
Both personalities have a deep desire to leave a positive impact on the world. They do so by being empathetic, encouraging others to do well, and living life aligned with the bigger purpose.
Summarize this article for me pleaseENFP and INFP Collaboration Strategies
Some prefer to work alone, while others do well in collaborative work environments—different MBTI types have different preferences. However, when their outlook on life, decision-making styles, and approach to work are miles apart, it gets challenging to work together.
To address this issue, HR managers and team leaders can implement collaboration strategies that consider all personality types’ preferences and bring them under one umbrella.
Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Streamline communication for all personality types
Establish a work environment where every personality type—introvert, extrovert, or anyone on the spectrum—feels at home and thrives. One way to achieve this is to diversify communication channels, so team members can interact with each other in any mode they prefer.
Work management tools like ClickUp offer multiple ways of communication, all within a centralized platform. Employees can use these channels to connect with others in real time or go async, whichever they prefer. Let’s explore how:
- Record your screen with ClickUp Clips and share ideas with team members quickly. Turn Clips into Tasks, assign them to owners, comment to provide feedback, and keep the work moving. From onboarding customers, sharing product demos, reporting bugs, and sharing design feedback, to providing project updates, Clips is the easiest way to communicate
- Manage all team communications in a single place with ClickUp’s Chat View and connect with team members in real-time. Use the @mention feature in Task comments to directly address team members, seek help, get clarifications, provide updates, or follow up
- Set up a detailed communication plan using ClickUp’s Communication Plan Whiteboard Template.
Use it to outline your target audience for conveying a message, objectives, message content, delivery methods, and frequency, and make interactions more intentional and effective.
2. Keep everyone on the same page
Build a transparent workspace where everyone stays in the loop regarding project objectives, progress, and deadlines. When team members are aware of who’s working on what, it’s easier to avoid scheduling conflicts and help the team move forward as one unit.
With 15+ customizable options, ClickUp Views is a useful tool to execute this strategy. Whether teams want a bird’s eye view of their projects or a deep dive into a particular task, they can do so easily. Let’s explore how:
- Drag and drop Tasks, visualize progress, and identify roadblocks early using Kanban boards with ClickUp’s Board View
- Build a flexible schedule using the Timeline View in ClickUp, prioritize tasks based on deadlines, and keep internal and external stakeholders updated
- Know what your team members are working on, which Tasks have been completed, and estimate workload capacity with the ClickUp Team View
As a team communication app, ClickUp also offers customizable, ready-to-use communication plan templates to maintain transparency across teams and hierarchies.
Let’s take ClickUp’s Communication Matrix Report Template, for example.
This template offers a visual overview of which teams are connected and working together on projects.
Use it to outline which team members interact with whom and how frequently, identify communication gaps, and eliminate redundant communication channels for better efficiency and swifter decision-making.
Customize the template to fit your workflow and deliver messages to the right stakeholders at the right time.
If regular team meetings are essential in your workflow, you can use ClickUp’s Team Communication and Meeting Matrix Template to stay organized.
It helps teams to:
- Define roles and responsibilities for Tasks
- Establish timelines for upcoming projects
- Set up meeting schedules
- Outline meeting objectives/goals
- Lay out guidelines for regular standups
Besides improving communication, this template optimizes information sharing across teams, increases accountability, and boosts productivity.
3. Offer seamless collaboration
The communication system should have enough room for both collaborative and independent work, addressing the preferences of different personality types.
While independent tasks are easy to manage, collaboration in cross-functional remote teams is no easy feat. You need to offer a virtual space where teams can tap their creativity and develop new ideas, much like an in-person brainstorming session.
This is where ClickUp Whiteboards can help.
It’s a visual collaboration platform where team members can work alongside each other in real-time and transform their ideas into meaningful actions, even when they’re sitting in different parts of the world.
Here’s how:
- Brainstorm, add notes, and ideate with your team to come up with innovative solutions
- Outline product development, customer acquisition, inbound growth, or any other core strategy with a visual roadmap
- Organize team retrospectives and stay on top of agile workflows
- Create Tasks directly from Whiteboards
- Add links to other Tasks, Docs, and files to add context to your action items
4. Speed up work with AI
Different personalities approach work in different ways and have varied levels of focus. For instance, ENFPs tend to lose focus easily if the work isn’t gratifying enough. On the other hand, INFPs can remain focused on a task, but it has to align with their values and purpose.
As HR managers or team leads, you can try to optimize work processes with AI so employees don’t have to waste time on mundane, repetitive tasks.
A convenient AI co-pilot like ClickUp Brain can be a great addition to your workflow, helping team members stay productive and channel their energy into core tasks that move the needle.
Here’s how ClickUp Brain can ease your workload and save valuable time:
- Look up Tasks, Docs, and people within your Workspace and get accurate answers—no need to interact with teammates for quick queries (unless you really want to!)
- Create automated Task summaries and standups to stay updated with your team’s progress
- Summarize meeting notes with zero manual effort
- Craft messages and emails in a desired tone of voice without spending hours
- Automate project brief writing, blog post writing, and content editing
5. Encourage professional growth
Some personality types, especially ENFPs, are driven by personal and professional growth. Leaders can encourage this by providing resources for learning and development, conducting regular training, and offering mentorship programs.
As a manager or HR professional, you can provide career map templates to employees and help create a roadmap to achieve their professional goals.
For example, you can use ClickUp’s Employee Development Plan Template to help your workforce acquire new skills and prepare them for higher positions within the company.
This ready-to-use framework allows you to create individualized and comprehensive development plans, track progress toward goals, and retain the best talents.
With ample room for growth and learning, employees feel motivated and develop a productive mindset. The template is designed to unlock the best potentials of your workforce, ensuring that the new skill sets enrich them individually and maximize their contribution to the organization.
6. Bring cross-functional teams under one roof
The secret to successful collaboration is to align everyone with the bigger organizational goals and make them an integral part of an ecosystem. Establishing this is not easy for remote, cross-functional teams. You need a work management and collaboration tool like ClickUp Teams.
From product development, marketing, sales, project management, and human resources to customer service and more, ClickUp Teams is loaded with features designed for every department at your workspace.
With its centralized software, your teams can manage their workload from a single platform. They can communicate with internal and external stakeholders, stay aligned with personal and professional targets, and manage all work-related documents, conversations, and resources in one place.
No need to switch from one app to another—ClickUp does it all!
Summarize this article for me pleaseOne Platform for Multiple Personality Types
Understanding the nuances of the INFP vs. ENFP personality type makes it easier to manage people and bring out the best in them.
Implement the strategies we discussed above with ClickUp’s comprehensive project management software, and make way for better and more efficient collaboration.
Get started with ClickUp today!
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