Hidden Sides of MBTI Types
ESFJ: While they are usually kind-hearted and well-intended, they're often not warm and fuzzy. This is because they often try to love people before they learn to like them. They are the biggest nerds out of all the ESxx types, often gravitating towards Enlightenment Era ideals. They also make great pranksters, because they are clever and love to get reactions from people.
ISFJ: They're a lot more laid back than most profiles will have you believe (because ALL SJs MUST HAVE THEIR NOSES TO THE GRINDSTONE 24/7 pssh yeah right). Yes, they take what they do very seriously, but they need an awful lot of downtime because they are highly sensitive to sensory and social input. They may have a tendency to give up on things they should persist on, and persist in things they should give up. They are more open-minded than they seem - while they are extremely cautious with strangers, they are usually willing to learn to understand others as they get to know them, regardless of their differences. They are also the most fantasy-prone of any Sensing type, with a love for lore and literary analysis - it is a way for them to keep in touch with traditions.
ESTJ: Most of them aren't actually self-righteous. If they are, it's only toward their family members - this is mostly out of insecurity rather than a firm belief that they have made all the right choices. When faced with someone close to them making different choices than they did, they worry that perhaps they themselves should have taken a different route in life. Out of the SJ types, they are probably the worst at teamwork.
ISTJ: Sillier, softer, and stranger than any profile would dare to mention, and often more so than they themselves are aware of. They become so firmly set in their habits that they often fail to realize how idiosyncratic some of them are. They are quite vulnerable and can become depressed and anxious when they are faced with a difficult decision, more so than other types. This is because of their strong sense of accountability. They can also have a knack for puns and poignant descriptions, though most would never peg this type as "poetic."
ENTP: The main reason they appear "non-committal" is because they are often, in actuality, extremely committed to someone or something that prevents them from pursuing new possibilities far enough or for long enough to gain anything from them. Imagine a fish that struggles to swim off in a variety of directions only to be reeled back in again and again, not even realizing that it's attached to a hook. They are probably the least self-aware of all iNtuitive types. Contrary to popular belief, they are not reckless. They may participate in reckless activities, but they are extremely cautious while doing so.
INTP: They care a great deal about what other people think of them and theirs - the "socially awkward" stereotype comes from over-thinking the situation, rather than under-thinking it. They are not wishy-washy, they are just extremely skilled at picking their battles. They can argue a lot for its own sake, but it wears them out more than they let on. Out of all the NTs, they are probably the best team players. They may pretend not to care about gossip or "sap", but they often secretly find these things irresistible.
ENTJ: They are usually not Machiavellian. Their strong sense of individualism often extends to others (which makes them respectful of others' uniqueness), and they use their brave and outspoken nature to amplify others' voices who may be going unheard. They are often the "bully's bully" - if they see someone picking on someone who's in no place to fight back, you can bet they will not hesitate to put that person in their place. They may seem tireless and unsinkable, but when they fail to meet their own standards, they often need to temporarily withdraw from their endeavor in order to regroup.
INTJ: They value free will fiercely, but they aren't stubborn. If they learn the value of something they previously resisted, they can do a complete 180. Because of their tendency to analyze things for extended periods of time, this is something that can happen quite often. They are more aesthetically oriented than other Thinking types, and they are often quite whimsical (though they may not always express it). While they can appear cold, they can usually be quickly defrosted by a cause or by something they relate to. They tend to be quite compassionate towards people and things that are misunderstood, urging others to look beyond their biases and at the facts and circumstances. While they are very independent in their thoughts, they usually don't mind (and can sometimes prefer) to assist and be assisted, due to their keen sense of where they and others fall short.
ENFJ: They tend to suffer from a poorer self-image than most ExxJs. While their perpetual concern for others may look like the picture of responsibility, it can also be a means for them to avoid dealing with their own problems. This hyper-altruistic tendency coupled with a weaker Sensing function can lead to an ENFJ's life falling into severe disarray, and because of their Fe image-focus, they tend to be very good at hiding it. They are quite prone to vices - contrary to the Goody Two Shoes picture painted of them by most MBTI profiles.
INFJ: While their NF righteousness usually compels them to be open and honest, they can be surprisingly artful and manipulative due to their knack for knowing what people want (and don't want) to hear. They are masters at keeping their friends close and their enemies closer. While many INFJs are spiritual people, their aptitude for coming to conclusions with little to no evidence does not come from any sort of mystical source, but rather their constant unconscious analysis of small details that most others don't notice at all and which they themselves have difficulty pinning down specifically. They are the most cerebral of all the Feeling types.
ENFP: They may be extraverts, but they are often not outgoing because their Fi compels them not to over-extend themselves emotionally. Their extraversion manifests more in exploration of various interests and gathering information from outside the self, interpreting it in terms of the connections between different pieces of information. While they almost always have unconventional senses of humor, they are not necessarily "goofballs" - they take their moral causes, values, and social relationships very seriously and one can readily observe this intensity any time these topics are brought to the ENFP's attention.
INFP: Often regarded as frivolous daydreamers, they can be shockingly practical, readily seeing the value of using time and resources wisely. They often have no time for things they see as irrelevant to their causes, projects, or values. In a society where ExxJ behavior is seen as the norm, this might look like someone acting "too cool for school". In reality, the INFP is as busy as they are. The only difference is that the source of motivation is intrinsic, and the projects are usually personal. They are also not as pleasant as most sites paint them as. Many INFPs are harshly judgmental towards people and things they see as transgressing against their values. Though they may not always speak up about it, they will frequently shun those who don't meet their standards without a second thought or a closer examination.
ESTP: Contrary to popular belief, they do value book-smarts and often enjoy conversing with Rational types. They may not grasp the concepts as easily (nor apply them as responsibly), but they find philosophical topics stimulating - another piece of equipment on life's big playground. While they are naturally persuasive people, they are often disinterested in the corporate and political spheres where they could potentially thrive - ladder-climbing within organizations doesn't appeal to them (in fact, many ESTPs cringe at the very idea). Because of this, they often do not pursue these career tracks despite their high level of potential for success in them.
ISTP: They are usually much more caring than most profiles give them credit for. They have a deeply fraternal nature about them and they often use their trouble-shooting skills and practicality to give advice and assistance to their friends. While typically independent and solitary in the pursuit of their hobbies, they are usually not aloof in social situations and they have a knack for observational humor.
ESFP: Out of all the Feeling types, ESFPs often have the most difficulty dealing with emotions, whether their own or those of others. They are not good at giving advice or confronting their own emotional issues - this is because of their tendency to minimize problems. Their Feeling side manifests more in their genuineness. You typically won't find them deliberately playing games with others' feelings or pretending to be someone they're not in order to be liked - their natural confidence is usually enough for them to win friends and influence people.
ISFP: They're not snobs or hipsters. Well, not necessarily. They know what they like, full stop. Whether their tastes are considered refined or eclectic by the rest of the world varies from ISFP to ISFP. They're not that shy - many an ISFP is possessed of an SP-typical brazen sense of humor and they love to talk at length about their interests. They are also not as prone to spring at new opportunities or experiences as other SP types - "I don't know, it doesn't sound like something I'd like" is a phrase commonly uttered by ISFPs.
