16 Personality Types That Define A Person's Preference In Engaging With People

The Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator is a self-introspective, popular and well-known system of personality typing developed by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Briggs, in the 1960s. Writing with the left-hand is difficult for right-handed people and vice-versa.

The Myers-Briggs system describes a person's personality through four opposite psychological preferences to be more proficient.MBTI allows people to explore and understand their own personalities, including their likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, and relationships with others. Based on the inventory answer, people are identified as having one of the 16 personality types.

The 16 personality types are abbreviated by four-letter—the initial letters of each of their four type preferences except for intuition which uses 'N' to distinguish it from 'introversion. These abbreviations are applied to all 16 personality types.

Now that the stage has been set let's take a look at 16 personality types that define a person's preference in engaging with people:-

1) ISTJ Personality– The Inspector

ISTJ—Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Judgment

This personality type is often described as 'The Inspector' as they are both responsible and realistic. Out of the 16 personality types, only 12% of the world's population exhibits this personality type. They prefer to follow the rules and procedures. So jobs that require respect for rules often appeal to those with this personality, and they tend to do well in their area of interest.

They are known for their punctuality and devotion to their duty and are calm, analytical, and objective. ISTJs engage with people they feel safe and protected with and tend to do the job that helps them feel secure, and constantly seek stability and security.

2) INFJ Personality –The Counselor

INFJ—Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Judging

This personality type is often described as 'The Counselor' as they are idealistic, compassionate, and sensitive. Out of the 16 personality types, this personality type makes up only 1-3% of the general population, making it the rarest personality type. INFJs enjoy working in peaceful work environments to develop their ideas and work out plans fully.

They prefer to have a handful of close friends rather than a wide acquaintances circle. INFJs are complex people, and they are usually gentle and reserved. They are reluctant to engage with other people as others might not understand or appreciate them.

3) INTJ Personality–The Mastermind

INTJ–Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging

This personality type is often described as 'The Mastermind' or the 'Strategist' due to their highly analytical, creatively strategic, and logical way of thinking. Out of the 16 personality types, this personality type makes up only 4% of the general population.

INTJ personality types tend to drive their true convictions to inspire their work. People with this personality type sparkle and look for friends with someone who gets them and values intellect, honesty, and self-improvement. INTJs may not feel an immediate connection with some people, but they'll likely get along with them on getting to know each other.

4) ENFJ Personality–The Giver

ENFJ–Extraversion iNtuitive Feeling Judging

This personality type is often described as 'The Giver' as the people with this type of personality inspire others and receive personal satisfaction from helping others. According to psychologist David Keirsey, the ENFJ personality type is inherent in up to 5% of all populations.

People with this personality type are often perceived as the most powerful "person" among all the personality types. They have excellent communication skills, are outstanding leaders, and create enthusiasm in a group and a sense of unity and harmony.

ENFJs love to engage and connect with new people regularly while maintaining close-knit relationships with friends and family.

5) ESFJ Personality–The Provider

ESFJ–Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging

This personality type is sometimes referred to as 'Provider' personalities because of their interest in taking care of others without hesitation, and want to be sure that everyone is cared for. ESFJ is the second most common out of the 16 personality types in the population, and they make up 12% of the general population.

ESFJs are altruists, and people with this personality type are effortlessly social, and take seriously their responsibility to help others, and have the desire to make others happy. People with this personality usually seek approval and expect their kind nature to be noticed and appreciated by others.

Since they are outgoing and gregarious, they also have a strong desire to control their environment.

6) INFP Personality–The idealist

INFP–Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Perception

This personality type is often role-playings an 'idealist' or 'mediator' personality as they possess qualities such as authenticity, empathy, and harmony. People with this kind of personality tend to try discovering their life's meaning and serve humanity, having strong interests in making the world a better place.

Out of 16 personality types, INFP is the ninth most common personality type in the population, making up 4% of the general population. People with this personality type are introverts, but they tend to excel at writing, music, or other creative expression forms, often are located writers.

INFPs are the epitome of chaos and sometimes a ball of confusion, but you realize that they are a warm and gentle puddle of emotions as you get to know them.

7) ESTJ Personality–The Supervisor

ESTJ–Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, and Judging

This personality type is sometimes referred to as Supervisor personalities because they tend to take charge and believes that authority is earned through hard work, dedication, honesty and people with this personality type make sure things are done correctly with honesty, commitment and dignity.

They trust facts more than theories. ESTJ personality type is the fifth most common type in the population, making up 9% of the general population. ESTJs take pride in bringing people together, and often take on roles as organizers, working hard to bring families and communities together.

8) ENTP Personality–The Visionary

ENTP–Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Perception

This personality type is sometimes referred to as 'Visionary' personalities because of their passion for new, innovative ideas and strategic and assertiveness. They tend to lead through their actions. ENTPs personality type accounts for approximately 2% to 5% of all people.

ENTP preferences are usually enthusiastic innovators and are good at acquiring friends of similar temperament. They are usually energetic, lively, and independent and often encourage others to take the initiative.

ENTPs are usually called devil's advocate as they enjoy challenging others to use their quick wit and command of language to keep the upper hand with other people.

9) ISTP Personality–The Craftsman

ISTP–Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception

This personality type is sometimes referred to as 'Craftsmen' personalities due to their innate mechanical ability and facility with tools. ISTP Personality type accounts for 5% of the general population. People with this personality type are funny, optimistic and results-oriented.

Out of all the personality types, people with this personality type are curious, and curiosity drives them to discover new things and sometimes also lead to something new before finishing what they started. It's effortless to make friends with this personality type, but maintaining friendships is difficult as they only allow a select few into their inner circle.

10) ESFP Personality–The Performer

ESFP–Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling and Perceiving

This personality type is sometimes referred to as 'The Performer' as their primary social interests lie in lifting others' spirits and are generous when it comes to encouraging. According to psychologist David Keirsey, approximately four to 10% of all people have an ESFP personality type.

ESFPs are an excellent listener and are very generous people. As they are people-oriented, they are likely to flood you with signs of affection and gifts, which some other personality types may find excessive and uncomfortable. ESFPs live in the moment and enjoy their life to the fullest.

11) ENFP Personality–The Champion

ENFP–Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, Perceiving– one of the sixteen personality types referred to as 'The Champion' or Encourager' because of their enthusiasm and ability to express inventive ideas to help other people explore their creative potential.

People with this personality type are very charming, energetic, and have a strong artistic side. They are creative, typically use the mastery of language to create engaging stories, are agile and expressive communicators. Using their wit, humour, and inventive ideas create a deeper understanding of human experience.

12) ESTP Personality–The Doer

ESTP–Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception

Out of 16 personality types people belonging to this personality type are often described as the quintessential 'doers' who live in a world of action due to their blunt, straight-forwardness, and willingness to get their hands dirty to get the job done. ESTPs make up 4% of the general population.

ESTPs are likely to get comfortable with similar interests and perspectives and usually avoid people, unlike themselves. They are a great storyteller and delight their friends & investors with their endless supply of stories and jokes.

13) ENTJ Personality–The Commander

ENTJ–Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging

This represents one of the 16 personality types and are often referred to as 'The commander' or 'The Chief' as they are confident, Highly rational and thrive in achievement scenarios. ENTJs make up between 1-3% of the population.

People with this personality type are supremely independent and strong-willed and aren't influenced by others' opinions. As they are mostly career-oriented, they view friendship as serious investments and spend less time with their family than other personality types.

14) INTP Personality–The Thinker

INTP–Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving

This is one of the 16 personality types described by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). People belonging to this personality type tend to be overly analytical, quiet, and logical in their behaviour.

They usually focus on their internal thoughts rather than the external world because they are described as 'The Thinker'. INTPs typically are quiet and reserved and tend to be close to a selected group of people rather than having a wide social circle.

15) ISFJ Personality–The Nurturer

ISFJ–Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, Judgment

This personality types people are natural caregivers or sometimes called industrious caretakers are compassionate, caring, and motivated to provide for others and protect them from the perils of life. Out of the 16 personality types, INFJ comprises 4% and is one of the more common ones.

INFJs tend to maintain a deep devotion to family and maintain harmony with others. They often rely on people they feel most connected for the long term.

16) ISFP Personality–The Composer

ISFP–Introversion, Sensing, Feeling, Perception

This personality type is called 'The Composer' due to their innate sensibility for creating aesthetically pleasing experiences and people with grounded warmth. Out of the general population, 10% of people have an ISFP personality type. People belonging to this personality type have a natural ability to excel in arts, and sometimes the term "Artisans" is used to describe them.

ISFP is the opposite of ENTJ. ISFPs are quiet and reserved people, and they do not force their view or opinion on other not because they are weak or have lack of direction because they are naturally considerate and respectful and are keen observes, People with this personality usually enjoy the moment and what's going on around them.

No one's personality type is "best" or "better" than the other. So, don’t worry if the above-mentioned personality types don’t fit you. It's just an inventory of questions and answers designed to look for dysfunctions, and the goal of the personality type test is to help you learn more about yourself and choose a suitable career in the future.

Always remember Myers-Briggs can’t define you or me or anyone else — and it never will!

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