We all have a role to play in making our world a better place through the pursuit of justice, liberation, equity, inclusion, and solidarity. Last time I introduced Deepa Iyer’s Mapping Our Roles in a Social Change Ecosystem, which helps us to identify our values and roles. Make sure to click here to read that introduction for context, and so you know the definitions of each of these roles. In this post and the next I want to highlight each Myers-Briggs type and what top 3 social change roles I think they might excel in.
This is NOT meant to limit you because I believe any type can work in any role, so go where you feel called even if it’s not listed here. My intent is to give a good starting place for anyone still struggling to figure out which role they might be a good fit for.
If you don’t know your type but would like to learn, I will soon be opening up profiling services. I also have a few other profilers I can recommend to you in the mean time. You can message me through my Contact page.
If you’d like to watch the video version of this post, click here to watch it on YouTube.
FJ Types
You’ll see that I give all of the FJs a Healer and/or Caregiver role because of their preference for the cognitive function “Fe” (extroverted feeling), which is all about harmony and being in tune with those around them. FJs are passionate about helping and caring for others. xNFJs generally are more focused on helping to heal more deeply-rooted traumas and the more abstract mental health or existential struggles. Whereas xSFJs generally are more focused on and excel at meeting the more concrete and physical needs of others.
INFJ: Healer, Visionary, Guide
INFJs are often nicknamed “the counselor” because of their caring, accepting, and trustworthy presence, their active listening skills, and their understanding of people and how their minds work. These natural abilities combined with their excellent pattern recognition skills make them a perfect fit for the role of “Healer.”
INFJs as “Ni” (introverted intuition) doms are very forward thinkers. They rarely have their mind on the past (except to record the abstract patterns) and instead are often looking to the future. They are big dreamers and goal setters, which makes them natural Visionaries. Their growth path will likely be learning to extrovert their visions into the world instead of keeping it to themselves.
INFJs also have a natural strength and passion for helping others grow and reach their full potential. All of these gifts when added with years of learning and experience can make them empathetic and effective Guides.
In general, these roles may look a bit different than their more extroverted counterpart—the ENFJ. INFJs are naturally more of the “quiet leader” types—the ones who may not be the most outspoken in the group but who nonetheless can have a strong influence on those they’re around, especially those closest to them. Their example often has the loudest impact. They may also take to a writing medium to more clearly express their thoughts.
Again, these are generalizations, not fact nor limitations. Case and point: Here I am, a super introverted introvert, who speaks out loud to a group on YouTube and occasional public speaking events. I’m just naturally a much better writer than speaker but can do both with practice.
ENFJ: Visionary, Guide, Healer
I chose the same top 3 roles for ENFJ as INFJ, but I want to point out how we might see these two types showing up slightly differently in these roles though they have the same cognitive functions just in a slightly different order.
ENFJs tend to be a bit bolder with sharing their visions and advice than INFJs (though of course this is NOT to say an INFJ can’t also be bold in sharing). While an INFJ who has a preference for their inner world and may realize their vision by processing information in solitude or with a few trusted friends, an ENFJ is more likely to realize their vision by being out in the world, observing and interacting with people, and figuring it out by talking through it out loud with others.
As Fe (extroverted feeling) doms who have a preference for the external world, they can be opposite of an INFJ in that they may prefer speaking to writing though, as I said before with the INFJ, they can do both if they work at it. But speaking tends to come much more naturally for them.
However with such a strong preference for Extroverted Feeling, they can have a charming charisma that draws people to them. They make empathetic, insightful, and inspiring leaders who can cast vision, guide, and heal those around them in powerful ways.
ISFJ: Caregiver, Healer, Storyteller
God bless xSFJs. They are such a strong, dependable anchor through even the toughest of storms.
My husband is an ISFJ, and I am constantly impressed by his servant’s heart, unconditional love, and unwavering loyalty.
ISFJs are really good at seeing the needs of other people and how to meet those needs. They’re also great at setting short-term goals and following through with diligence and excellence, especially when it’s for or involving other people. They are hardworking, reliable, and practical.
Their tender hearts make them great empathetic listeners. The shoulder to cry on. The warm hug. Or the hands holding the tray of freshly baked cookies.
I also included Storyteller because as Si (Introverted Sensing) doms they have an incredible attention to detail, memory, and love for telling and passing on stories. If you want the word to get around, you can count on an ISFJ to accurately relay the information.
They are truly the rocks—often humbly behind the scenes—that support our movements.
ESFJ: Caregiver, Frontline Responder, Weaver
Like ISFJs, ESFJs also have an amazing ability to see the physical and emotional needs of those around them and jump right in to try to meet those needs. They’re very aware of and concerned with making sure everyone is hydrated, fed, well rested, comfortable, and happy. They won’t let you slip by without getting the care you need. ESFJs will make sure you are well and whole so you can continue your work without losing yourself or your health.
Their lead Extroverted Feeling function (Fe) makes them naturally a bit quicker at responding to external stimulus with good decision making, which can make them confident and prepared Frontline Responders even when facing immediate crises.
Where an ENFJ may excel at connecting abstract ideas, an ESFJ has an incredible ability to connect people and see the throughlines of their common experiences. This makes them really great Weavers. They will make sure you feel like you belong in a group and get you connected with the right people to accomplish your goals.
FP Types
INFP: Visionary, Healer, Storyteller
INFPs are often nicknamed “idealists” because of how they so easily and beautifully cast vision for their future and the future of the world. They are hopeful and give others hope through their way of seeing what life could be. The picture is so clear in their minds and they hold tight to their dreams.
INFPs can also make wonderful Healers because of their natural gift for emotional depth. They are brilliant with processing their own emotions and are able to use that personal understanding to help others process their own emotions. They’re really good at holding space for other people, holding space in a safe environment where people can feel seen, heard, and fully accepted. Through my personal experience with INFPs, they’re really good at making me feel like it’s ok to feel what I feel. That my emotions are valid.
INFPs are super creative storytellers. They bring their emotional depth into their work to create truly moving pieces that are full of deeper meaning. Where ISFPs may be more likely to go in deep with a focused subject of the human condition, an INFP may be more likely to go with a broader focus to communicate their big ideas and overarching concepts.
ENFP: Weaver, Visionary, Experimenter
As Ne (Extroverted Intuition) doms, ENFPs have an extraordinary gift for making connections—whether it be between ideas, people, movements, or even the most seemingly unrelated things. This makes them really great for the role of Weaver. They’re able to see the throughlines that others may not see, which can be critical for linking ideas, networking with others to collaborate in solidarity, or other important work that requires that connective eye.
Their bigger picture thinking, personal values, heart for others, and optimist outlook make them great at casting vision. They enter each day with a childlike curiosity and hopeful attitude that can find insightful ways forward and inspire others along the way.
This natural curiosity and strong motivation for the causes that matter to them makes them a good fit for the role of Experimenter. They can easily dream up a bunch of possibilities and have a tendency to want to jump right in to creatively solve the problem themselves. An ENFP Experimenter would do especially well partnered with a Builder who is gifted in the more tedious details of executing the ENFPs ideas.
ISFP: Storyteller, Healer, Disruptor
Where the ISFJ makes a great storyteller through their accurate and detailed memory, ISFPs (much like INFPs) make great storytellers through their strong personal understanding and creative flair. They have immense depth for relating to and connecting with human emotion and experience, so an ISFP who is a musician, writer, artist, or some other type of creative carries that depth into their work to create powerfully moving pieces that touch the heart and inspire the soul. Their art can provoke or empower a movement. Or beautifully encapsulate the emotional atmosphere of a moment in time.
This rich emotional depth also can make them great Healers because their empathy comes from a very self-reflective place to find pieces of connection and relatability, while recognizing the things they cannot understand. They aren’t afraid to sit with you through your darkest feelings and expressions—walking with you where others may not dare go. ISFPs also can be very warm and accepting with an appreciation for the unique differences between people and cultures. They also having a relaxed, present energy that can have a calming effect.
Though they are very open and accepting, when it comes to injustice or harm done to others, they will stand up for what they believe in even if it disrupts the system or status quo. No one wants to be looked down on, but they see a role of Disruptor as a necessary risk worth taking for the world to change for the better. They will take that stand to speak their minds.
ESFP: Frontline Responder, Experimenter, Weaver
With Extroverted Sensing (Se) as their dominant function, ESFPs often fit well into the Frontline Responder role. They are great at being fully present in the moment and handling whatever surprises are thrown at them with ease. They’re able to handle a lot of stimulus at once that may stress out other personality types much more quickly. They feel a sense of security in the present moment and often even enjoy having to respond and adapt. Their strong personal values, boundless energy, and swift reaction time make them great frontline responders.
Their empathy, awareness, and “let’s do it!” attitude also make them great Experimenters. They’re good at noticing their surroundings and taking action when they see a need. ESFPs aren’t afraid to take risks and plunge in head first to test out if something will work.
Weaver is another role an ESFP can excel at with their natural desire to know a lot of people and their excitement over connection and relatability between people, especially when core values align. They’re good at charming other people into feeling comfortable around them and can easily facilitate connecting one person to another.
Advice for Feelers
As Feelers, you may burn out more quickly in a role such as Disruptor that may force you into situations where there is extra conflict and disharmony. This can especially be hard on a Feeler, so just be mindful of the toll it takes. Either avoid such a role when possible or make sure you have a strong support system of Caregivers or Healers who can encourage you and fill you back up.
Also be aware of your energy levels. An extrovert might burn out more quickly in a role such as “Builder” if there’s too much focused alone time in their inner world with little to no external stimulus. Whereas an introvert might burn out more quickly in a faster-paced role such as a Frontline Responder. It doesn’t mean you can’t participate in such roles; it just means you may need more recharge time or to ALSO be in a role that’s less of a strain on you so you’re not having to push yourself all the time.
COMMENT DOWN BELOW:
What’s your Myers-Briggs type? What roles resonate the most with you? Do you agree with my choices? If not, what do you think would be a better fit?
In the next post we’ll cover the Thinker types!
I’m an ISFJ, and while I have no problem with your listed roles, I find myself naturally falling into and most enjoying the role of Builder, though I am a Nurturer as well at home. However, I’m married to an ENFP, so maybe my Builder tendencies come from over a decade of us bouncing off one another.