ISFJ vs. ESFJ: The Differences

ISFJ vs. ESFJ is another case of two personality types being close enough to each other that it can be hard to tell them apart. This makes a degree of sense, considering they both have a great deal in common with each other. Sometimes people are stuck between ISFJ vs. ESFJ because they are riding the line between outgoing and reserved. When this happens, many people feel like it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. Fortunately, there are other indicators for ISFJ vs. ESFJ that can be used. Hopefully, this article will help clear up the ISFJ vs. ESFJ confusion by emphasizing those differences.

ISFJ vs. ESFJ: Why the Mistype?

Typically this mix up comes down to a failure in understanding extraversion. Cognitive extraversion and social extraversion are not the same thing. We have another article that covers that topic here: Introversion vs Extraversion. It can be common for a Fe user to not feel socially extraverted enough and use that conclusion to dismiss being a cognitive extravert. When this happens the ESFJ can easily start thinking that they may be an ISFJ. On the other hand, when an ISFJ is socially extraverted, they may feel that ESFJ fits better. When dealing with your cognitive type, however, it is more important to focus on what function has the highest priority. This has a cascading effect the entire way down the stack. So not only will Fe have higher priority, Ne will be more prevalent as well. When Si has the highest priority, Ti will be more prevalent.

ISFJ vs. ESFJ: Cognitive Functions

Before getting started, I’m going to list the cognitive function stacks.

ISFJ = Si-Fe-Ti-Ne
ESFJ = Fe-Si-Ne-Ti

As seen above, ISFJs and ESFJs have the same cognitive functions. The only difference in the stacks is the order the functions are organized in. Naturally, this will make the two types seem very similar without closer examination. The order of the functions plays a vital role in cognition and will change the priorities and behaviors of the individuals. (See Attributes of the Top 4 Functions.)

ISFJ vs. ESFJ: The Differences

1. ISFJs prioritize stability, while ESFJs prioritize connection

The first difference between the ISFJ and the ESFJ is what they prioritize most. ISFJs are introverted perceiving dominants, and as such, will focus on Si. They will use it as the primary lens with which they will view the world. So, what does this mean? Si is a function that is observation first. It wants to create a subjective sensory impression of all the information it takes in and see if it’s familiar to any other impressions that it has taken in before. This allows the ISFJ to evaluate what level of comfort they will feel with the situation they are currently faced with. Si likes predictability within it’s environment, and this also means stability. When Si is in charge, it will influence the ISFJ to seek out a stable environment to mitigate unforeseen circumstances. Si will also lead them to seek out and replicate what is interpreted as the most ideal environment for them and others to flourish. This will lead to a line of reasoning like, “If I can just provide the correct atmosphere, everything else should fall into place.” The focus will be somewhat removed from the individual and toward the details of the circumstances instead.

ESFJs are dominant extraverted judging types, and will focus on Fe. Fe is, first and foremost, a function focused primarily on judging the emotional environment. This will make them acutely aware of whether the emotional environment is one that they want to participate in. They will primarily focus on connections with others. This means seeing things through the lens of how they relate to the people they interact with. ESFJs will try to form positive connections to those they come in contact with. They want to leave others feeling good about them and the time they spent together. This is because Fe likes harmony within its environment. They will have a desire for everyone to be on the same page to avoid conflict among their social group. They will achieve this either through some form of mutual compromise, or they may find some other way to control the emotional environment. While they probably have a good idea of the type of environment they want to create, they will be more likely than the ISFJ to modify it for the sake of others. This is because Fe is the top priority and not Si.

2. ISFJ vs. ESFJ Weaknesses

The Inferior Function is another area that will cause the ISFJ and ESFJ to differ from one another. ISFJs have inferior Ne, which will cause them to dislike the unknown. They will tend to be suspicious of anything new that they haven’t had a chance to check into for themselves. Some personality types may feel excited or energized by thinking about all the unknown possibilities or things that may happen. However, too much focus on this will overwhelm the ISFJ and may even make them uneasy or anxious. It will cause them to attempt to control the amount of unknowns they allow in their life. They will strive to stay within the confines of what is familiar and safe, while only venturing out into what ifs and uncertainties in a controlled way if possible. This may mean that trying new things will be very taxing for them. It will take a lot of energy to overcome the mental roadblocks they have placed in an attempt to isolate themselves from their weakness. (Note: ISFJs may be willing to generally speculate with close friends, or while in their comfort zone. That is not necessarily an indication of higher Ne.)

ESFJs, on the other hand, have inferior Ti which will cause struggles with understanding themselves outside the context of their relationships. This can lead them to either completely ignore that aspect of themselves or obsess over it. Ti, if used in a healthy way, will allow the ESFJ to create an identity based on their own logical rules. However, when not developed, they will look externally to form an identity based on a community and their sense of belonging instead. This will lead them to become dependent on keeping their place within the group. They will alter their own internal logic to align with whatever rules are set by their place of belonging. Inferior Ti will cause them to either struggle to form stances or opinions that go against their group, or struggle to maintain stances or opinions that go against their group. (In other words, they will significantly struggle to stick around in a group that they don’t align with.) They will fear that the group will turn against them if they voice a dissenting opinion. Additionally, they may become dependent on others to help them know who they are and to validate what they think.

3. ISFJ vs. ESFJ: Tertiary Functions

Another set of differences between these two types lies within the tertiary function. The ISFJ has Ti in the tertiary spot. As a result, they will be more in tune with their internal logical structure than the ESFJ. Practically speaking this means the ISFJ will have a stronger desire for their internal logic to make sense, and remain consistent. Tertiary Ti can be very stubborn. Once they form opinions, it will be very difficult for them to reassess, and change them. (Kind of like how ISTJs have a “set it and forget it” approach to their identity.) Like the ESFJ, it will bother ISFJs when their social group does not align with their way of thinking. However, they will have an easier time holding separate opinions, although they will likely keep this to themselves in order to maintain their stability. Unlike the ESFJ, they feel less compelled to change the group to their way of thinking, so long as they can continue to peacefully exist in it under the radar. (Naturally, they would certainly view it as ideal if the group fully aligned with them.)

ESFJs have Ne as their tertiary function and this allows them to have a greater degree of flexibility. In their interactions with other people, they will typically feel less stressed about coming up with things to say or finding topics to keep a conversation going. They are more likely to have the ability to pivot in the moment and come up with a new set of ideas if things start to go south. Similarily, these types will also be better at switching or discarding their plans because of a last minute need to accomodate someone. In addition, ESFJs will have a greater desire to experiment, both with relationships and with their environment. ESFJs will tend to latch onto new solutions or ideas for their lives or the lives of those around them (such as a new diet, workout routine, new schedule, etc.) and then promote these within their family or social group. However, down the road, you may find that they’ve completely forgotten about that, and have moved onto something else.

4. ISFJs will use Fe in service to their Si, while ESFJs use Si in service to their Fe

Because the dominant function for the ISFJ is Si, Fe will work to support Si’s priorities. In practice, it looks like this: The ISFJ will form relationships in service to their perceptions. They will allow their experiences to dictate what kind of relationships they forge and who they forge relationships with. All these actions will be in accordance with the goal of keeping things stable and calm. If someone is a perceived risk to their stability, they will avoid them. They will be more selective in their relationships, especially if they have been burned in the past. However, if someone is perceived as a positive addition to their group, they will subtley try to incorporate themselves into that person’s life. ISFJs will struggle more to imagine or accept future changes to the relationship, once it’s stabilized a certain way. (For the record, unhealthy ISFJs will feel the need to create a plan for the future, but may struggle to create one. In these situations, they will be effectively paralyzed. They will struggle with forging relationships until they can clearly see their path ahead.)

Because the dominant function for the ESFJ is Fe, Si will work to support Fe’s priorities. In practice, it looks like this: The ESFJ will create impressions that are in service to the relationships they have formed. Instead of just envisioning their own future, they use others as a starting point, playing out where that person’s current path might take them. They may then take that information and use it to nudge those people in a certain direction, based on the outcome they perceive to be better for them. The goal will be to guide them. Their perceptions are used to navigate relationships. What the ESFJ desires from the relationship influences what kinds of possibilities the ESFJ will imagine. (For the record, unhealthy ESFJs may struggle with forming relationships and connecting with others but will desire strongly to do so. They will be effectively unable to see the possible paths of others because they have yet to feel connected enough to someone to allow those possibilties to play out in their mind.)

Conclusion

When it comes to the ISFJ vs. ESFJ dilemma, really the most important thing to ask yourself is what their main priority is. What is the single most important thing that drives them? Are they proactive in their relationships? Do they need to be connected to and be apart of people’s lives? Or are they more prone to observing others and keeping some distance until someone else pulls them in? Is being mindful of their observations the most important thing to them? If you can nail down their top priority you are well on your way in distinguishing which one you are dealing with. As always, we hope you found this article helpful.

If you have any thoughts, feel free to share in the comments!