What We Want to Thank Each Personality Type for this Thanksgiving

At Thanksgiving, we’re given a rare opportunity to reflect on what we have to be grateful for. High on that list of blessings are those special individuals who make us happy and who enrich our daily lives through their kind and caring presence.

When we contemplate such things, we wouldn’t normally do so within the context of personality types. But that is an oversight. Each of the different personality types has special qualities they bring to the world – and we think it’s about time we thanked them for those gifts! 

The list of the traits we could thank each personality type for is long. But for the sake of brevity, we’ll confine our expressions of gratitude to one outstanding characteristic for each of the 16 personality types. 

ESFJs: Their Supportiveness

When you’re feeling sad, troubled, distressed, or overwhelmed by life’s trials and tribulations, your ESFJ loved ones will be there to buoy your spirits and renew your sense of hope. They will offer you as much love and moral support as you need, and they are especially good at helping you take care of practical concerns or daily responsibilities that you might otherwise let slip. The ESFJs you care about will never let you down, and you’ll be grateful for their support in your time of need.

ENFPs: Their Optimism

If the Typefinder test was given to a large sampling of motivational speakers, spiritual leaders, and self-help gurus, it’s a good bet that ENFPs would be impressively represented. ENFPs are the ultimate “you can do it” types, and they know how to use their effusive and infectious personalities to convince you that anything really is possible. An ENFP truly wants the best for everyone, and their mere presence can be enough to lift your mood and motivate you to get going.

ENTPs: Their Ingenuity

ENTPs are the quintessential problem-solvers. They’re the Jack-or-Jill-of-all Trades types, able to jump in with constructive ideas and innovative solutions in a broad variety of situations and circumstances. They revel in being creative, and it brings them true joy to see others surprised by the unique guidance they offer. An ENTP is convinced there’s always a better way to do anything, and they will rise to the challenge to prove the legitimacy of this belief over and over again.

ESFPs: Their Enthusiasm

Your ESFP acquaintances are often seen as “life of the party” types, and the good news is that they tend to see life as a party that we should all be enjoying. Their energy and enthusiasm are infectious. They will fill your life with laughter and rescue you from the doom and gloom that can overtake you when you’re feeling stressed or weighed down by responsibility. ESFPs see opportunities to have fun everywhere, and because they’re Extraverts they will be happy to take you along for the ride.

ENTJs: Their Leadership Skills

As one of the more dynamic and inspiring types, ENTJs possess the ideal set of traits and characteristics for leadership positions. They are confident, decisive, process-oriented, and aware of the abilities that their teammates or companions do or do not possess. They are comfortable taking the lead in either formal or informal situations, and when an ENTJ is around you’ll never have to worry about the group you’re involved in losing sight of their goals or failing to accomplish required tasks.

ENFJs: Their Giving Attitude

It isn’t at all surprising that many ENFJs end up being teachers or instructors. They believe in people, are concerned for their welfare, and gain great satisfaction in sharing their knowledge and insights with those who really want to learn, grow, and achieve. Your ENFJ friends and family members have an authentic desire to see you succeed and find happiness, and they are always delighted when you reach out to them asking for advice, assistance, and support.

ESTJs: Their Strong Work Ethic

The bottom line with your ESTJ companions is that they know how to get things done. They will take the lead whenever it is necessary, as they do their best to inspire and motivate their companions. But they will also lead by example when they are cast in a supporting role. An ESTJ will have clearly thought-out ideas about how to turn good intentions into admirable deeds (they think about how to do this a lot), and because they are so responsible they won’t allow themselves to be outworked by anyone.

ESTPs: Their Adventurousness

You’ll never be bored when you’re around an ESTP. They are always looking for fun and excitement. And, because they are so spontaneous, they will never let an opportunity for adventure get away because they weren’t ready to seize the moment. Your ESTP companions will frequently urge you to throw caution to the wind, and when they see you get results after abandoning your inhibitions they will be elated by your success. You never know what’s coming next with an ESTP, and that is a good thing.

INFPs: Their Unconventionality

An INFP will not be wedded to tradition, but will prefer to develop their own ideas through a combination of deep reflection and creative imagination. If you come to them with a problem you’ve been unable to solve, they’ll help you find a solution that is original and helps you see things from a different perspective. INFPs are thoughtful, open-minded, and introspective, and the unique suggestions and opinions they offer are always based on a thorough and insightful analysis.

INTJs: Their Sense of Clarity

When you’re feeling befuddled or bewildered by life’s frustrations and complexities, your INTJ comrades can help you clear up your confusion and develop a coherent plan of action that will put you back on track to health and happiness. INTJs are analytical and rational and refuse to allow their emotions to deflect them or distract them, which helps them gain clarity in their own lives and can help you gain clarity in yours.

INFJs: Their Idealism

We would all like to make a positive impact in the world, working to bring about social, cultural, political, or environmental change. But while many of us rationalize that we’re too busy to spend time volunteering or organizing, INFJs refuse to let themselves (or us) off the hook. If you say to your INFJ friend, “someone should do something about that,” they will ask, “why not us, and why not right now?” They won’t let you make excuses, and for that you should be profoundly grateful.

INTPs: Their Broad-Ranging Intelligence

You may know several people you consider highly intelligent. But when you’re up for a stimulating discussion that ranges far and wide across the intellectual spectrum, you can be sure that your INTP acquaintances will always deliver.  INTPs are highly creative and imaginative, yet also logical and analytical.  A conversation with an INTP will never leave you feeling bored or disappointed, and your interactions with them will keep you on your toes and prevent you from becoming complacent.

ISFJs: Their Conscientiousness

ISFJs aren’t the type to just assume everything will turn out all right. Instead they will see it as their responsibility to make sure every detail is taken care of and every task is undertaken with diligence and care. An ISFJ will make a concerted effort to observe the Golden Rule in their dealings with their fellow human beings. They will honor their promises, fulfill their obligations, treat everyone with kindness and respect, and offer any type of assistance they can to those who need their help.

ISFPs: Their Aesthetic Sensibilities

ISFPs possess a finely-tuned capacity to recognize beauty and harmony in art, architecture, nature, home décor, and anywhere else that such characteristics might be displayed. They can introduce you to some of the subtleties that separate great art from the mediocre. A trusted ISFP can help you make smart home decoration or personal fashion choices, and they will take you to fascinating places that will stimulate your senses and leave you feeling renewed, refreshed, and fully aware of the world’s wonders.

ISTJs: Their Focus

Do you often fail to achieve your goals or meet your personal milestones? If so, you should ask your ISTJ family members and friends to help you out, or just observe what they do closely so you can see for yourself why they are consistently able to accomplish notable things.  Once an ISTJ has a goal in mind, they will create a plan of action that will ensure they achieve that goal in a minimum amount of time. And they will follow that plan to the letter, refusing to let distractions deflect their attention.

ISTPs: Their Flexibility

Noted for their adaptability and dependability, ISTPs are the ones to call when you’re facing an emergency or trying to resolve a conundrum quickly and aren’t sure how to proceed. ISTPs are results-oriented and incredibly skilled at troubleshooting, meaning they will design and implement solutions that really work, often thinking way outside the box or straying far off the beaten path to get things done. No matter how perplexed you might feel, the ever-resourceful ISTP will help you find a resolution.

Make Your Own List, and Say Thank You

So, what personality traits do you most admire in each type?

Whatever they might be, you should be thankful for the people you know who possess those marvelous characteristics. They’ve added spice, sparkle, texture, and depth to your life, enriching your human experience in ways that should leave you feeling profoundly grateful every single day.