What Are The Most Common Enneagram Types for ENFPs?
Energetic, people-centered and enthusiastic, ENFP personality types fervently champion things they care about, including people, possibilities and ideas. Their particular passion is helping others reach their full potential, and they love to spend time with friends. Their unique combination of Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling and Perceiving makes for a social, out-of-the-box thinker who leads with heart and curiosity above logic and structure. Societal limits don’t apply.
If you or someone you know is an ENFP, you might wonder how all these traits translate into the Enneagram. Though the two personality systems are quite different, ENFPs tend to resonate with a few Enneagram types more than others.
Enneagram Type 7
One of the most obvious type matches for an ENFP is Enneagram Seven. Known as “The Enthusiast,” Enneagram Sevens have an optimistic nature and a relentless curiosity that drives them to take life by the horns—qualities that also belong to an ENFP.
Like ENFPs, Type Sevens:
- Have a spontaneous nature and a curiosity for all that is novel
- Get bored with repetitive, mundane tasks
- Prefer to live their life with plenty of variety
- Have a need for excitement and positivity
- Are thirsty for possibilities
While not all ENFPs will be Type Seven, the core fear and motivation of this Enneagram type could easily explain the ENFP’s unending optimism and adventurousness. Above all, a Type Seven wants to steer clear of pain and boredom, and this pushes them to live life to the fullest. Type Seven will do everything in their power to not go through negative emotions like sadness, and they will keep chasing possibilities as a way to outrun painful feelings.
ENFPs are Feelers, and they make decisions based on their feelings, visions and values, rather than cold, hard facts. Sevens, by contrast, operate from the head triad—they’re analytical decision makers, motivated by fear. Despite these different internal compasses, both types often decide things by imagining what will bring the greatest sense of excitement, freedom and satisfaction, for themselves or others. For example, rather than analyzing the potential consequences of jumping out of a plane, a Seven will focus on how unforgettable the rush and experience will be.
How to grow as an ENFP Seven: If you’re an ENFP Type Seven, your main desire is to avoid the hard stuff in life. You escape feelings of sadness, boredom, grief and so on by chasing fun experiences. But sometimes it’s healthier to “feel the feelings.” There’s nothing wrong with experiencing joy and excitement, but you should learn to balance it out by sitting with the occasional discomfort. Living through life’s ups and downs makes the exhilarating experiences all the more worthwhile.
Enneagram Type 4
Beneath their gregarious, outgoing nature, ENFPs also have a rich inner world and can be quite introspective. Their dominant cognitive function is Extraverted Intuition (Ne), and it's supported by Introverted Feeling (Fi). Ne-Fi loves exploring possibilities and filtering them through the ENFP’s internal value system. This gives them a “head in the clouds” vibe as well as a deep sense of identity and values-based decision-making based on their own unique perspective.
These traits match up with Enneagram Four, a type that screams self-expression. Fours have a strong (read: loud) inner world and approach the world through their feelings, values and search for authenticity. Type Fours feel unique from others and live their lives with a distinct sense of being ‘special.’ They can be hyper creative in their quest for self-expression. But behind the persona is a fear that they will never achieve the happiness that others have because they feel, in some way, “flawed.”
Like Type Four, ENFPs desire to remain true to themselves, rather than following trends or being “like everyone else.” Their decisions are guided by their personal values, and they won’t shy away from being different. In fact, ENFP may champion their uniqueness in much the same way a Type Four does, shouting their differences to cover up their fear of not fitting in, with happiness somehow always out of reach.
How to grow as an ENFP Four: If you’re an ENFP Type Four, know that being unique is great, and there’s nothing wrong with highlighting particular talents or traits. But your biggest struggle is in comparing yourself to others. Instead of arguing that there’s something essential missing within you, take time to recognize your worth. Everyone has flaws, but that doesn’t make you “flawed” or incapable of achieving true happiness. Try using creative projects to contend with heavy feelings, and remind yourself frequently that you’re no more flawed than anyone else.
Enneagram Type 2
Enneagram Type Two may, at first glance, feel very different from the happy-go-lucky ENFP. However, Type Two actually has a lot of overlap with ENFP traits. Both ENFPs and Type Twos have a passion for people.
Yes, ENFPs are truly adventurous, but they also strive to support others in achieving their goals. They are highly empathetic personality types with a people-focused nature. They are good at reading others, anticipating their needs, and responding from a place of compassion. When ENFPs lean into these traits, they share the caregiving heart of a Type Two.
Type Two’s core motivation is love—they want to feel love from others, so they always give of themselves to others in the hope of getting love and appreciation in return. Like ENFPs, these types could easily fit into careers like teaching, childcare, fundraising and healthcare. Because Twos ultimately fear being unloved and abandoned by others, they assert themselves as a necessary helper, supportive friend and loving partner.
Like Type Twos, ENFPs are the people who will offer endless support, check-ins, assistance and celebrations. Both types prioritize relationships, empathy and emotional connection, though their motivations could be rooted in the need to feel loved.
How to grow as an ENFP Two: If you’re an ENFP Type Two, your relationship-oriented heart is a natural, commendable strength. However, you struggle with your fear that others will somehow stop loving you. To combat this, remember to instill in yourself a sense of self-worth and self-love. You may easily fall into people-pleasing, but you also need to prioritize your own needs through self-care to stay healthy and happy. Don’t be afraid to say no. The truly worthy people in your life will love you for who you are, not just what you do for them.
All ENFPs Are Not Identical
Because humans are multifaceted and have individual experiences, no ENFP person is going to be identical. That’s what makes us human. A combination of your natural traits, upbringing and personal experiences go together to make you who you are. That means that, while you may be an ENFP, you may not have any of these common Enneagram types.
Still, the most common Enneagram types for ENFP (on paper) are likely Type Seven, Type Four and Type Two. Which one you land on depends on your outlook and life focus. ENFPs who prioritize adventure will likely be a Type Seven, while ENFPs who prioritize people will likely be a Type Two, and so on. To get the definitive answer on your Enneagram type, take Truity’s free Enneagram test.
Remember, whichever personality types you have are only a blueprint. Only you know exactly who you are, and everyone has differences, idiosyncrasies and things that make them uniquely them.
