ESFJ-A and ESFJ-T: What's the Difference?
ESFJ-A and ESFJ-T: What's the Difference?
ESFJ-A and ESFJ-T are both outgoing and pragmatic personality types. Otherwise known as the consul, these personality types fall under either the turbulent (ESFJ-T) or assertive (ESFJ-A) classification.
Consuls are people with the personality types of extraversion, observation, feeling, and judgment. ESFJs are people-focused and like to be involved with the communities around them.
The inner lives of ESFJ-A and ESFJ-T
The difference between each of the consul personality types lies in the way that they deal with their regrets and personal failures. Turbulent consuls often regret their actions, whereas assertive consuls tend to regret the outcomes of their choices more than their behaviors and actions.
The assertive consul has an optimistic perspective toward their lives, which can allow them to justify certain behaviors as opposed to their outcomes. For the ESFJ-A, the outcome of an action is straightforward and can be measured in an objective manner.
They are often able to admit that their regrets motivate their actions and allow them to put a driving force towards making things better. The ESFJ-A is more likely to be able to let go of their regrets more easily than ESFJ-T individuals.
The ESFJ-T consul tends to put a spotlight on the way they behave when they make regrettable choices. Both ESFJ personalities are prone to feel personal blame for their mistakes and often have deep emotions about the consequences of their actions.
They often avoid talking or reminiscing about the mistakes they have made in the past, and they would rather forget that events happened than embrace them as a part of their personal journey.
ESFJ-As often try to find distractions to take them away from dealing with their feelings. They can sometimes be willing to process their emotions but can see them as a weakness if unpleasant emotions stick around for too long. ESFJ-Ts can find that dealing with their emotions is more challenging compared to the ESFJ-A personality type. ESFJ-Ts rely on support from their friends and family to lift them out of a slump. However, they find it difficult to completely let go of their emotions.
ESFJ-T, ESFJ-A, and their connections with others
The consul personality type relies on the social connections within their lives. ESFJ-Ts rely heavily on others. However, they are not needy. They lean on others more heavily than ESFJ-A individuals. They are deeply sensitive and aware of the connections they make with others in their lives and of the connections that have been broken.
ESFJ-As tend to keep to themselves more than ESFJ-Ts. The assertive consul is often indifferent to those who are a part of their social group and tend to prefer their own company. The ESFJ-A loves their independence and enjoys making decisions for themselves over making group-driven decisions.
The turbulent consul can change their behavior depending on the people around them. ESFJ-Ts are reputation driven and find that others' opinions of them are more important than being independent and true to themselves. The ESFJ-T is a social butterfly and will do anything to avoid offending people, even if it means they will have to attend events and talk to people that they would rather not in order to keep up appearances.
They are less likely than the ESFJ-A personality types to say what is truly on their mind if they disagree with something. But if they know they will be backed by at least one other person, they are much more likely to put their opinion out there. The ESFJ-T’s motto would be ‘safety in numbers.’ They prefer not to stand out from a crowd and will do anything to keep themself in a favored position.
ESFJ-A individuals don’t care so much about others’ opinions of them. The ESFJ-A finds their reputation to be important. However, not as much as the ESFJ-T. The assertive consul likes to maintain their relationships but finds that they are more likely to make their opinions heard even if the rest of the group does not agree.
Shared traits of ESFJ-A and ESFJ-T
While assertive and turbulent consuls have their own unique identities, they both have similar values in life.
For the consul, life is best when they are able to share the ups and downs with others. The ESFJ personality types like to open their homes and hearts to their friends and families. ESFJ-A consuls allow their efforts to be streamlined and don't tend to carry emotional baggage as heavy as the ESFJ-T. Although the ESFJ-T is sometimes tied down by emotional weight, they can use their feelings to give themselves an edge when it comes to connecting with others. Consuls are generous and well-mannered. They feel a sense of duty to those who surround them.
Consuls take their responsibilities seriously and can struggle to go against their morals. ESFJs tend to judge those who lose sight of what is important to them. The consul can find it difficult to accept when others disagree with them, and they tend to be meticulously opinionated. The consul personality type is aware of their actions and knows that everything they do has a consequence on somebody.
Their morals and social obligations that help them to navigate their lives are based on the utmost consideration of others. The consul personality type finds fulfillment in setting an example for others—if they can lead others in the right direction, they feel appreciated and satisfied.
