Sometimes referred to as “campaigners,” ENFPs are known for embracing grand ideas and imbuing others with a sense of hope and optimism to put these ideas into practice. So what are the eight reasons that make ENFPs feel misunderstood?
ENFPs are one of the most understood personality types. Although ENFPs are often misunderstood as weird, disorganized, and/or confused by other personality types, they are deeply passionate and enthusiastic people that are deeply empathetic toward others.
To better understand why other personalities misunderstand ENFPs, we will first unpack what ENFPs feel about this stereotype. Where after, the eight reasons why ENFPs feel misunderstood will be explored in greater detail:
Why Do Some People Find ENFPs Weird?
ENFPs are enthusiastic people that seek novel and genuine experiences. Due to their desire for authentic connections and their curious minds, ENFPs often forgo small details, structured plans, and repetition in favor of escaping the mundane.
Consequently, ENFPs consider the pursuit of happiness, individuality, diverse experiences, and genuine communication as the essential things in life.
Thus ENFPs enjoy talking about their love for people and creativity with others while never denouncing the view, opinions, goals, or ambitions of others. Therefore, ENFPs are often more concerned with grand fantastical ideas than the daily concerns of reality or plain facts.
Due to their enthusiasm and passion for large ideas, along with their enthusiastic delivery, love for life, and acceptance of all people, ENFPs are often viewed by others as unconventional, disorganized, and disconnected from reality.
However, many ENFPs stress that they are not merely vessels for expressing outlandish ideas and are instead thoughtful people that grapple with grand ideas logically and concisely. Some common misconceptions surrounding ENFPs are as follows:
- We are capable leaders. It’s just that our leadership style is not authoritarian.”
- “I want introverts to know that we can stay at home having deep conversations. I don’t want to be dismissed simply for being an extrovert.”
- I’m not nosy or looking to know things for any nefarious reason. I genuinely LOVE all your differences.”
- “I’m a scatterbrain, but it doesn’t mean I’m short on attention; it just means I am intensely interested in too many things.”
- “ENFPs are passionate, but it doesn’t mean we’re irrational.”
- “I tend not to judge, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have values.”
- “We can do hard rational logic; it just doesn’t look like that when we’re all bouncy and enthusiastic.”
- “Even though we’re highly expressive and sometimes come across heedless, we are very level-headed and deep thinkers.”
- “Please be more patient with us. It’s hard to focus on the practical side of things when we can imagine a much better world.”
Some examples of famous ENFPs that are often misunderstood are:
- Robin Williams,
- Drew Barrymore,
- Robert Downing Junior,
- Daniel Radcliffe,
- Russell Brand,
- Quentin Tarantino
- Will Smith.
What Are The Traits That Make ENFPs Feel Misunderstood?
There are eight ENFP traits (both strengths and weaknesses) that some people do not understand about ENFPs, that make them feel misunderstood:
- ENFPs Are Perceptive
- ENFPs Are Enthusiastic
- ENFPs Are Curious
- ENFPs Are Festive
- ENFPs Are Unfocused
- ENFPs Are People Pleasers
- ENFPs Are Overly Accommodating
- ENFPs Are Restless
1. ENFPs Are Perceptive
Because ENFPs are very perceptive, they can notice subtle expressions, opinions, and body language in others. Therefore, ENFPs may come across as disinterested in the content of another’s speech while intensely focusing on the underlying meanings portrayed by their body language!
2. ENFPs Are Enthusiastic
ENFPs are enthusiastic about any/all projects that interest them, whereby this enthusiasm is infectious, leading to improved performances and effort from those around them.
Some people may misconstrue this as an attempt by ENFPs to create a fake/disingenuous environment to be liked, but this is seldom the case, as ENFPs do not spread enthusiasm unless they themselves are genuinely passionate about a project.
3. ENFPs Are Curious
The curiosity of ENFPs drives them toward unique and exciting spaces. Consequently, ENFPs thrive out of their comfort zone and enjoy taking challenges head-on.
Consequently, ENFPs often have difficulty focusing on a single task, making them appear scatter-brained and confused.
4. ENFPs Are Festive
While many people go about their daily lives with little fanfare or excitement, ENFPs are naturally happy and joyful people, even in the face of hardship or challenges.
Consequently, an ENFP’s optimism can be confusing and delusional to more “grounded” personality types.
5. ENFPs Are Unfocused
While ENFPs are attracted to projects that interest them, they can quickly become disinterested in projects that do not change and evolve.
Therefore, while some personality types accept boring/mundane work as part of their daily lives, ENFPs will look to change the status quo for the benefit of others.
6. ENFPs Are People Pleasers
Because ENFPs are constantly looking to impress others, they may sacrifice too much for the sake of being a people-pleaser.
While other personality types may find it difficult to understand why ENFPs would sacrifice so much at the expense of their own happiness/well-being, it is often because different personality types lack the empathy of ENFPs.
7. ENFPs Are Overly Accommodating
ENFPs are over-accommodating and bad at setting boundaries; this can be exhausting and means that ENFPs often burn themselves out for no discernable reason.
Once again, an ENFP’s lack of awareness and self-preservation at the expense of others is often misunderstood as being self-destructive and naïve.
8. ENFPs Are Restless
Finally, because ENFPs are restless and eager to involve themselves in a project, they may become frustrated with those that hold them back or deny them the opportunity to get started on a project.
Consequently, ENFPs can become upset at small hurdles that most people will understand are simply part of a more extensive process or bureaucratic structure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ENFPs are a misunderstood personality type. However, if you just take a moment to understand their motivations and genuine enthusiasm for life, you will soon realize they are very logical, thoughtful, and passionate people!
