Investing in My Professional Growth: Understanding My ESFJ-T Personality

Understanding my Personality

As part of my commitment to my professional development, I've recently taken 16 Personalities' NERIS Type Explorer®, based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and discovered that I am an ESFJ-T, also known as the Consul. This discovery has been eye-opening and has provided valuable insights into my strengths and areas of growth. Here’s what being an ESFJ-T means for me:

🔹 Caring and Social: As an ESFJ, I thrive on building connections and fostering a supportive environment. I genuinely enjoy helping others and ensuring that those around me feel valued and cared for. This drives me to create positive interactions and maintain a harmonious workplace.

🔹 Strong Practical Skills: I excel in managing day-to-day tasks and maintaining routine, making sure everything runs smoothly for those I support. This skill is invaluable in both my personal and professional life, as it allows me to be reliable and efficient in any role.

🔹 Sense of Duty: With a deep sense of responsibility, I strive to meet obligations and uphold traditions with consistency and dedication. I believe in the importance of reliability, which motivates me to be a dependable team member who others can count on.

🔹 Loyalty: Valuing stability and security, I am committed to preserving the status quo and being a trustworthy presence in both personal and professional settings. My loyalty to my team and organization is something I take pride in, as it helps build strong, lasting relationships.

🔹 Warm and Sensitive: I aim to create harmony and be attuned to the feelings of others, always looking to foster positive, supportive relationships. This sensitivity allows me to connect deeply with others and contribute to a collaborative and empathetic work environment.

I wholeheartedly agree with the results of the personality test, as they reflect what I’ve found most fulfilling in my professional experiences. I find deep satisfaction in identifying issues and creatively solving problems, as well as being involved in teaching, coaching, or informing others. From my time as a student-athlete and coach, I’ve learned that even the most talented teams cannot reach their full potential without building harmony and mutual respect. This personality type resonates with me, as it highlights the importance of these values in achieving success.

Learning From My Weaknesses

While I find great strength in my ESFJ-T qualities, this assessment has also shed light on some areas I can work on as I move forward in my career:

🔹 Seeking Reassurance and Selflessness: My tendency to seek reassurance and be selfless can sometimes overwhelm others or lead me to neglect my own needs. Moving forward, I aim to create a more balanced dynamic by setting boundaries and ensuring that I am taking care of myself as much as those around me. This will allow me to show up more fully for both my team and myself.

🔹 Vulnerability to Criticism: Being vulnerable to criticism is an area I've been working on since becoming a competitive team-sport athlete. I’ve learned that constructive feedback is essential to personal and professional development, and rather than taking it personally, I am working on using it as an intentional tool for growth. After all, improvement only comes from analysis and challenge.

🔹 Concern with Social Status: Finally, I can sometimes become preoccupied with social status and the expectations of others, which may limit my creativity or open-mindedness. Learning to balance external validation with staying true to myself will help me be more innovative and adaptable in challenging situations.

My ESFJ-T personality type has given me a clearer view of how I can continue to grow professionally. By leveraging these strengths and acknowledging my areas for improvement, I am better equipped to contribute to my team and organization while also remaining open to opportunities for personal and professional development. Gaining a deeper understanding of my personality and what truly fulfills me has ignited my excitement to explore opportunities ahead.