ESFP Enneagram Types: Overview of Major Differences

Combining ESFP personality traits with Enneagram personality theory allows us to see all the subtle nuances of the ESFP character. In short, ESFP Enneagram types explain why some ESFPs behave atypically while others are textbook examples.

Adventurous and passionate, ESFPs leave no one indifferent, regardless of their Enneagram type. However, in this article, we will take a more in-depth look at all of the differences between ESFP subtypes. This way, you will understand how the fundamental characteristics of this personality type shift and change depending on their Enneagram variation. Let’s start!

A Quick Overview of the ESFP Personality Type

Lively and energetic, ESFPs enjoy being in the spotlight and sharing their enthusiasm for life with other people. They easily win others over with their benevolent sense of humor and genuine personal warmth, and they always make sure everyone around them has a good time.

These individuals are masters at enjoying life, so tasting new food, exploring nature, and meeting interesting people are all that life is about for them. They are also grounded in reality, but they still find life beautiful despite all the turbulence we all inevitably experience.

As feeling types, they empathize with other people and are always willing to help. Moreover, because of their pragmatic, down-to-earth nature, they always offer concrete, tangible assistance.

The Nine Enneagram Types of the ESFP

People typically have the impression that ESFPs are the life of the party, constantly enjoyable to be around. However, not all ESFPs are so outgoing and sociable.

Now that we’ve reminded you of some of the ESFP key traits, let’s see how they change in combination with Enneagram types.

#1. ESFP Enneagram Type 1

ESFP Enneagram Ones have a strong drive to please others in the sense that they want to do everything perfectly. They are significantly less relaxed and outgoing than typical ESFPs, and they have a very strong moral compass and inner critic.

Since Ones are very strict and have substantial perfectionistic tendencies, these ESFPs often feel guilty for enjoying life too much and especially for their preference for sensory experiences. So, they make an effort to uphold humanistic principles, but their desire for fun and adventure is conflicting.

Moreover, ESFP Ones are often deeply afraid of disappointing other people, so they do their best to amuse, help, and entertain others and answer their needs. This is their way of silencing the voice of their merciless inner critic.

Finally, since these people are often torn between the imperative to be good and the need to enjoy life, their biggest desire is to be free of such conflicts and enjoy life without feeling guilty after every little pleasure they get.

#2. ESFP Enneagram Type 2

ESFP Enneagram Type Two is a people-person with a great ability to read other people’s needs and answer them intuitively. Helping others and supporting them to be the best versions of themselves fills ESFP Enneagram Twos’ hearts with deep joy.

They have amazing networking skills and find it natural to connect with other people and bring them together. Warm and kind, they radiate love and positive energy, and making friends is something they could write a book about at any time.

Unlike typical ESFPs, who can be flighty when it comes to making arrangements and following through, these ESFPs stick to their words and can always be counted on. What’s also different about them is that they can be pretty stubborn at times and not as open to change as regular ESFPs.

ESFP Enneagram Twos don’t dream as much about adventures as core ESFPs. At the end of the day, they just want a stable family life, surrounded by their loved ones and filled with beautiful experiences.

When it comes to their fears, rarely would anyone guess how much they are afraid of abandonment based on how self-assured and stable they seem. However, one of the ways in which this core fear is expressed is through people-pleasing behavior—they have trouble saying “no,” as they are afraid others would abandon them if they do.

Explore ESFP Enneagram Type Two's unique traits with a visit to the Enneagram 2 memes page—a fun and insightful way to learn more about this type.

#3. ESFP Enneagram Type 3

ESFP Enneagram Type Threes are irresistibly charming and warm people who communicate with ease and enjoy being admired. These individuals use their people skills and empathy not just to help other people but also to succeed in their field of interest.

ESFP Threes are more driven and ambitious than regular ESFPs, and social status plays a significant role in their lives. That’s why they seek the company of people of high social rank and make connections that they believe are beneficial whenever they get the chance. So, in other words, these people know what they want and are out to get it.

ESFPs are well attuned to their feelings, unlike Threes, who easily lose touch with their emotions. For this reason, ESFP Enneagram Threes can be seen as a more focused ESFP or as a more authentic Type Three—no matter how we look at this combination, the result is a harmonious personality.

On a final note, the desires and fears of ESFPs and Threes overlap, so we can expect an ESFP Enneagram Three to be very concerned about being admired and achieving social recognition while being afraid of rejection and failure.

#4. ESFP Enneagram Type 4

ESFP Fours are a rare combination, so they will not be easy to identify. Because of the Four’s typical moodiness, they are also more likely to score as turbulent than assertive ESFPs.

ESFP Enneagram Fours will be very unpredictable because they are sensitive people whose behavior depends on their mood. They often tend to express their emotions in a very dramatic way because they've learned that’s the easiest way to get other people’s attention. And since they often confuse attention with affection, they can never get enough of it.

They are chronically afraid that no one will ever truly understand them, which is why they tend to overexplain and act out their feelings. However, when they stop fishing for love through attention-seeking behaviors, these ESFPs become deeply compassionate and very insightful.

The ESFP Enneagram Four subtype craves attention, understanding, and acceptance, and because of that, they often dream about becoming famous or extraordinary in some way.

#5. ESFP Enneagram Type 5

ESFP Type Five is another rare combination. ESFPs are emotional, extroverted people, and Fives are exactly the opposite, so these ESFPs will surely not be as friendly and sociable as they usually are. However, because Fives are so logical, their sensing function will be more prominent, and these ESFPs will be more observant and analytical than most ESFPs.

The fierce individuality of Fives and the ESFPs’ need to please and connect with others create chronic inner conflict in this personality. So, to relieve the inner tension, these people employ their extensive knowledge and skills typical of Type Five to help others and feel better about themselves, which is typical of ESFPs.

These individuals may also feel guilty for craving independence, as their need for independence clashes with the ESFP’s need for connection. They often have phases when they are extroverted and sociable and phases when they withdraw and enjoy time alone.

Ultimately, they fear being rejected and therefore accumulate knowledge, as they believe competence ensures love and acceptance for them. As for their desires, they have many passionate interests and dream of being free to pursue them.

#6. ESFP Enneagram Type 6

A typical ESFP is uninhibited and free-spirited, unbound by worries about the future. An ESFP Enneagram Type Six is what happens when an ESFP experiences fear. These ESFPs are just as kind and generous toward other people but need a lot more reassurance to feel safe and relaxed.

The difference between an ESFP Enneagram Type Six and a typical Six is that once these ESFPs satisfy their need for security, they become optimistic and gregarious and look more like typical ESFPs.

Meanwhile, Sixes are always cautious and never too extroverted, unlike the ESFP Enneagram Sixes, who just need to overcome their fears and trust issues to enjoy life and express themselves freely.

Obviously, security will be the main issue and the biggest desire of ESFP Enneagram Sixes. They typically change a lot as they mature and their sense of security grows. Since they find a lot of security in belonging to their peer groups, families, or companies, they are usually terrified of being abandoned and left without support and guidance.

#7. ESFP Enneagram Type 7

An ESFP Seven is an ESFP in all its glory: charming, witty, open-minded, and full of life’s joy! Both the typical Seven’s and ESFP’s traits will be strongly pronounced in this type, so this personality is undoubtedly the soul of the party, always looking for ways to have fun. So, needless to say, adventurism, hedonism, and curiosity are this ENFP’s trademarks.

These individuals tend to bend and break the rules, even without the intention of doing so—they just follow their impulses and go with the flow, taking whatever life’s serving them. Therefore, they will enjoy risky adventures, extreme sports, and challenges in general. Of all the ESFP subtypes, these are the most impulsive and chaotic.

However, their capacity to cope with unpleasant feelings usually isn’t completely developed. For that reason, they show strong tendencies toward avoiding serious relationships and deep conversations, facing their fears, and denying any negative feelings. That’s because they dread the mere possibility of having to go through pain and sorrow.

Unbound by the fear of the future, these ESFPs dream of living exciting lives full of passion, joy, and exciting adventures. So, when boring everyday life threatens to extinguish their enthusiasm, they seek the excitement and thrill of new escapades.

#8. ESFP Enneagram Type 8

Similarly to ESFP Enneagram Type Three, these ESFPs will be more focused, goal-oriented, and ambitious. But, unlike ESFP Threes, they will not be so concerned with image and reputation as with power. All their intuitive abilities, empathy, and understanding of other people’s needs now serve the one goal of having power over life.

The reason why these ESFPs are so concerned with power is that they usually have some experience of being victimized and manipulated by someone in their early years. Therefore, their primary impulse is to control their environment.

However, essentially, they keep all their generosity and kindness—they just need more time to get in touch with these. In the meantime, they show a lot of understanding for the underdog and are often deeply concerned with injustice.

The ESFPs’ typical fear of rejection transforms into the fear of betrayal, so ESFP Enneagram Eights keep their relationships light and demand many proofs of loyalty before they become really close to anyone.

Finally, their hunger for power is more of a need than a desire. And when they satisfy this need, they desire everything a typical ESFP dreams of—to live their lives to the fullest while engaging with the world around them.

#9. ESFP Enneagram Type 9

ESFP Enneagram Type Nines are the most prone to people-pleasing behaviors, but their empathy and intuition are exquisite. They feel obliged to ensure that harmony is protected in their environment and are ready to put up with a lot of inappropriate behavior from other people in the name of peace, just like typical Nines.

Unsurprisingly, that kind of attitude inevitably leads to rage issues, as avoiding conflicts rarely solves anything. When their efforts to preserve the peace in the community go unnoticed for a long time, these individuals struggle with anger and sadness.

Still, ESFP Enneagram Nines are generally amazing and genuinely kind people who assume a protective attitude toward the people they love. They are not as expressive as typical ESFPs but are no less sociable and people-oriented.

These ESFPs’ biggest desire stems from their need for peace. They dream of enjoying a harmonious environment and living surrounded by people they love. However, just like typical ESFPs, they are also deeply afraid of rejection and abandonment.

The Most and Least Common ESFP Enneagram Types

ESFPs are one of the most extroverted personality types, with a strongly pronounced need for connection. This fact alone significantly narrows the possible Enneagram correlations.

Obviously, they are more likely to identify with the more extroverted, easygoing Enneagram types, and following the same logic, the Enneagram introverts are the least likely to identify as ESFPs.

The Most Common ESFP Enneagram Types

The most common ESFP Enneagram types are Sevens, Twos, and Threes.

If this confuses you because these three types have nothing in common, bear in mind that all of them are highly extroverted, warm, and people-oriented types, just like ESFPs. Sevens highlight the ESFP’s adventurism, Twos emphasize their compassion, and Threes reflect their need for contact and social approval.

The Least Common ESFP Enneagram Types

The least common ESFP Enneagram types are Ones, Fours, and Sixes. Ones are extremely rare, as their rigid and idealistic nature has nothing in common with the essence of ESFPs. Fours’ complex emotional nature doesn’t match the easygoing spirit of ESFPs, and Sixes’ need for security opposes ESFPs’ need for new experiences, either.

Curious to discover your personality traits according to your blood type? Take our Blood Type Personality Test to find out!

Conclusion

In essence, ESFPs are in love with life and eager to explore the world with all their senses, make connections, foster relationships, and share their enthusiasm with all the people who come their way. While their life strategy changes depending on which Enneagram type they identify with, they remain just as gregarious and compassionate at their core.

So, to sum everything up, Sevens, Twos, and Threes are the most common Enneagram types among ESFPs, as they are just as extroverted as they are. Meanwhile, the perfectionistic Ones are the rarest Ennatype among ESFPs, followed by the moody Fours and anxious Sixes.