ESFp (SEE) – The Champion – Socionics Personality Type

What is an ESFp (SEE)?

The SEE is…

• Charming
• Daredevil
• Ambitious
• Loyal
• Independent
• Challenger
• Positive
• High Energy

The SEE (ESFp) has some cross-compatibility from Socionics to MBTI. therefore, the MBTI ESFP and the Socionics ESFp are not the same. There are apparent differences between the types that cannot be crossed over. Although there are some characteristics that can correlate between the two systems, which are further explained below.

The ESFp values the Information Elements (“Cognitive Functions”) of Se, Fi, Te, and Ni – respectively Extroverted Sensing (“Force”), Introverted Ethics (“Relations” or “Introverted Feeling”), Extroverted Logic (“Pragmatism” or “Extroverted Thinking”), and Introverted Intuition (“Time” or “Telos”). This distinctly places them in the Gamma Quadra of Socionics.

However, identifying a type by Quadra can pose several challenges. When it comes to the SEE, they can appear quite different from the rest of Gamma Quadra. Socionics Researcher Ibrahim Tencer developed the Theory of Triads. It helps identify how each type may not appropriately represent all the values of a particular Quadra. However, in this article, we will attempt to get underneath this personality and uncover its secrets.

Methods of Typing the SEE

When we take a look at the SEE, what we see manifest as values are: Force, Relations, Pragmatism, but not Time/Telos. Time/Telos (Introverted Intuition) is the suggestive function (5th), and therefore, nearly invisible as a value that is manifested. In other words, this particular value may appears to be unvalued at first glance.

Additionally, we see the ESFps strengths as manifested strengths, or openly visible as something that is strong (even if it is not valued). This will contain the 1st, 2nd, and 8th function. So what we are looking for when identifying the SEE is Extroverted Sensing (Se), Introverted Ethics (Fi), and Introverted Intuition (Ni).

Lastly, when evaluating the characteristics of this personality type, we cannot forget what is obviously weak. The manifested weaknesses of this type, or the weak “cognitive functions” would be in the areas of Introverted Intuition, Extroverted Intuition, and Introverted Logic/Thinking.

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Describing the Manifested Strengths of the SEE

1.) Extroverted Sensing (“Force”) – Base Function

The SEE, at its core, is a type that often pushes and shoves their way through life. They tend to pit themselves against the biggest of challenges to see what they’re capable doing and where their limits are. Their intention is the expansion of their area of influence. To an onlooker, this may cause them to appear to have an attitude of aggression, assertion, or domination of their surroundings at will.

However, it is often not the pursuit of power itself that motivates the ESFp, but rather to exceed their current ability in whatever action they take. Often times, this makes them competitive – but not for the sake of just “beating others” — though that can be fun for them too. The motivation of this behavior is to measure up against others to assess their level of skill so that they can adapt & improve themselves to face bigger challenges. If they can defeat the person above them, then their skill must have improved! Such reasoning is the core of the SEE.

This tendency results in generally having an approach of constant and continuous improvement. They do not want to be confined to unnecessary “red tape” that prevents them from expanding their skills and knowledge and testing it against reality. This streak for independence is the largest contributor that often elevates them to “the top dog,” as long as they are doing it on their own volition.

To an outside observer, this type can appear to have a certain “relaxed intensity” to them, influencing others with some type of reluctance to challenge the ESFp. This allows them to further dig deep into who they are by “testing their mettle” against outside conditions.

So independence, freedom of thought, and preventing others to impose on them is one of the strongest themes in the SEE.

Ironically, most SEEs see themselves as “starting from the bottom” and hard work is the only way to effectively maximize their experience in life. In other words, “rising up from the ashes” and taking down whatever challenges that arise, gives them the name “Champion.”

Want to learn more about each “cognitive function?” Try Socionics-8!

2.) Introverted Ethics (“Relations”) – Creative Function

Due to their common need for notoriety and fame, they can often distance or bridge the gap with others at their own discretion. Though it may not appear like it at first glance, the ESFp heavily relies on their relations with others as the way to climb the ladder of success instead of relying on the imposition of a set of rules or laws.

The SEE has a very nuanced interpretation of relational differences between themselves and one another. For example, you may find that certain people they know are more privy to particular information than others. Everyone seems to have their place in the world of the ESFp, their unique utility, and how that utility aligns with their own. Whether that is enjoyment of the relationship itself or a mutual partnership in attaining some long-term plan or objective, such relations are easily established and maintained by the SEE.

The inner sentiments of the ESFp personality type are expressed when desired, to those around them, showing others what they want others to see. Other times, they may successfully hide such expressions from those who they may deem unworthy, immoral, or of bad character, and instead putting on a face of stoic, practical logic (Extroverted Logic).

Though many are quick to deem SEEs as morally flexible themselves, SEEs often have deep sentiments of what is right or wrong, and external variables are taken in case by case, rather than black-and-white absolute thinking or rigid principles. This bit of flexible logic paired with a finely tuned emotional response can make them often extreme or fair judges of character.

Their ability to make strong judgements and form meaningful bonds works in the most advantageous ways for the SEE. It is not that they are always trying to leverage relations to their advantage, but that they are able to fully distinguish which relations are of value to them, and which ones are not. Loyalty is of the utmost importance to the ESFp, though it may seem contractual at times, such as moments where “calling in a chit” is necessary – it isn’t contractual at all. These relationships with others are instead, very transactional – “as in you get what you put in” instead of “this is my role, and I’ll do it.” The ability to manage relations with such volitional force comes with the territory of power plays that are associated with the SEE’s agenda (Extroverted Sensing or “Force” in Socionics).

Like the ESI personality type, the SEE can be very protective of their loved ones, they often leverage their relations to consolidate their position to exercise their will and freedom to expand and grow, to continue to accrue knowledge, and become the best that they can be.

It’s not what you know, it’s also not who you know. It’s both.

8.) Extroverted Ethics (“Emotions”) – Demonstrative Function

The SEE is a force to be reckoned with because of their ability to influence others at a whim. They can be charming, dashing, and individuals who can put on whatever mask they want, when they want. They use their energy and enthusiasm to charge others up when they have a goal in mind, or in some cases, use others for their own personal gain.

Their desire to have a maximum effect on others often leads them to “chameleon-like” behavior. Adopting traits, language, and and mannerisms of the people around them so smoothly, that others may become enamored with them rather quickly. Most often, they aren’t even aware of their tendency to do this without further examination, much like a chameleon might not be aware of the color of its own skin.

The SEEs ability to use their volitional sensing paired with Extroverted Ethics allows them to very easily control conversations and resulting narratives of such conversations – easily taking control of a room, and showing prowess in the ability to do so. Often navigating through groups and people like a hot butter knife leaving nothing but the desire to further know the SEE in their wake.

ESFps can tightly pack the message they want to convey to others through the power of their tonality, excitement, and expression. But more often than not, they prefer to just express their inner sentiments in a way that is best in line with their own agenda, and often excluding others from such if they aren’t part of the agenda. Though, for those really close to the SEE, they are willing to treat those people as extensions of themselves and reveal the deeper part of themselves or their inner sensitivity which may be better left unspoken and just witnessed through their actions.

Manifested Weaknesses

3.) Extroverted Intuition (“Ideas”) – Role Function

For the ESFp, the primary advantage is to gain some type of influence or impact over others or achieve the goals they have set out for themselves. This inherently requires them to assess the inner potential of others, so they know who to spend their time with, and who not to spend a second with. It is to identify “what someone is made of” beneath the surface. Those who do not serve their interests may fall to the wayside, not because they have necessarily deemed them a terrible person, but rather that this person’s potential doesn’t have a place in their plans.

With their use of Ideas, they can immediately know who will be a part of their “clan” and who will not. What purpose one will serve and to what extent they will remain loyal, and their motivations remain clear of deceit.

However, because Ideas is weak within the SEE, they struggle with accuracy with this quick and swift judgment, and it can come with a biting cynicism, often being hard on those wishing to earn their loyalty. It is almost as if people have to earn their place next to the SEE in a trial by fire. This can be very intimidating for an onlooker,

On the other hand, it is also not uncommon for SEEs to be overly assuming of people’s intentions, as they don’t want to put too much emphasis on “guessing.” It can be best stated like this “I’ll trust you until I can’t.”

This thought process can be quite frustrating for those who fall within this type of purgatory, because the SEE hasn’t taken enough time to evaluate whether or not they really want this person in their life. Until that person’s shortcomings begin to clash with the SEE. At which point the SEE may condemn them too harshly without any chance for redemption.

4.) Introverted Logic (“Laws”) – Vulnerable Function

The ESFp’s resistance to establishment and “sticking it to the man” is typically a result of their lack of processing in the information aspect known as “Laws.” Their prime approach to life is their valued and effective management of relationships, which typically cannot remain subject to static rules and procedures, but must adapt to what makes the most sense in the moment (Extroverted Logic). What works now takes precedence over what is the “rules of engagement.”

SEEs fiercely fight for their own independence and abhor when rules and regulations are placed on them. They are most comfortable at the top of the food-chain, where they can be the master of their own fate. Hierarchical structures have a very small place in the world of the SEE, where they are only meant to be navigated to get to the top. Anything other than that can be seen as ineffective, antiquated, and excessive red-tape.

What is most apparent to those with a keen eye, is the ESFp personality type may seem to lack an identity, moving from crowd to crowd often changing their persona to match those around them. They don’t rely on some default operating principles, but rather, using extroverted ethics, they are able to adapt to the atmosphere of a room quite readily when desired.

ESFps are pre-disposed to be erratic in their beliefs and principles, often acting on their impulses and not being entirely consistent in their interests, positions, or even methods of operating from one moment to the next. For this reason, you may find that in one moment, align to one particular school of thought, while rapidly transforming into an entirely different school of thought in a short period of time afterward.

That being said, they are not prone to ponder “who they are” at any given point, or off of what principles to operate. They are able to best define themselves by how they act in the here and now, through their abilities, their relationships with others, their morality, and how they fare against challenge or opposition, while improving themselves along the way.

5.) Introverted Intuition (“Telos / Time”) – Suggestive Function

The SEE struggles with seeing the long-term consequences or meaning of their actions. They are naturally inclined to believe that the better they get at life, the more they will find meaning in their day-to-day activities. This usually winds up being a fruitless endeavor that never feeds their thirst for more. But what is this more?

This question may sit in the back of the ESFps mind for years. Some of them may call it the search for truth, others may call it a grand purpose or goal, some find solace in religion. In any case, it can cause them to tie themselves and their identity to some belief that makes sense in the moment with the hope of surrendering sound thinking in exchange for higher meaning. Unfortunately, the abdication of such responsibility to discover this through their own accord can lead to often futile outcomes for the SEE.

The ESFp personality type can tend to falsely “craft” their own purpose, through their natural disposition of doing “whatever they want” and hoping that meaning will derive from action. Instead of actions manifesting as a result of inner stillness. This is the paradox that the ESFp suffers from the most. Though realizing this usually happens in the SEE’s latter years.

When they’re ready and humble enough, they can seek the aid of someone who can provide this information for them seamlessly. They need someone to create enough action inside of themselves that it will cause them to stop and think about when it is a good time to act, and when it is a good time to sit in the sidelines. Instead of being a slave to impulse, the SEE can begin to uncover their meaning through deliberate reflection.

This is the true point of pain. In other words, it can be hard for an SEE to accept that no action or accrual of any resources is going to bring a perspective of higher meaning without actually stopping external activity and directing their focus inward.

The Tricky Functions

6.) Extroverted Logic (“Pragmatism”) – Mobilizing Function

Extroverted Logic can appear very strong in the ESFp, to the point where they may be mistyped as a Pragmatism Base Type (LSE [ESTj], LIE [ENTj]).

The Extroverted Logic of an ESFp is bold & pronounced in their personality. Primarily showing itself as a residual gathering of facts to help support their positions and opinions on why they have formed a judgment. Or why someone isn’t competent enough to be part of their “inner circle.”

Their “off-the-cuff” ability to improvise, adapt, and manage allows them to often get ahead in life, but often resorting to rather inefficient manners of getting tasks done effectively. However, voicing such a criticism, can get a biting reaction from the SEE, as they wish to be seen as effective and competent, leading them to bite off more than they can chew.

The Extroverted Logic in this type can bring out the very Gamma Quadra values of harsh, critical judgment. Since it is activating, it is a weak function though it appears strong, and they can appear quite stoic when they wish.

However, it is the valuing of this information element that distinguishes the ESFp from alternative types. The SEE is always attempting to advance their skills and competitiveness – being one of the most competitive types in the Socion. Though, at a closer look, you can begin to see where this competitive edge derives from.

When it comes to the workings of the SEE, there is more often than not a specific focus on themselves. In other words, It may look like they are competing against others, but they are primarily driven by the “testing” of their own skills, so that they may observe it in reality, and continuously improve it – tweaking it for the sense of their own gain, so that they may expand their influence and relations.

In other words, the better they are, the better they can take care of their loved ones, be a figure of support, and advancing their goals by optimum performance.

7.) Introverted Sensing (“Senses”) – Ignoring Function

The SEE desires to often make things more comfortable, and providing a more rich experience for others. It is in service of their accomplishment of their goals, and should it not pertain to them, it will often be dismissed. To the SEE, life isn’t about the richness of experience, even though that is a nice luxury. It is about being able to continually improve themselves by testing their abilities against the raw forces of reality.

SEEs have an awareness of their own physical state and what needs to be done to ensure that it keeps performing. That being said, their body also requires its daily beatings to continue to grow and expand. The body is the vehicle that serves as the epicenter of human performance, that allows them to be the best that they can be.

Unlike types that have weaker introverted sensing, the ESFp knows what the limits of their body is, but they actively choose to ignore it, hoping that the reward at the end is worth the abuse that the body is fully capable of taking. Limits are meant to be broken, so break them – but break them with care and choice.

“Dude, watch this.”

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References

1.) World Socionics Society – SEE – Sensory Ethical Energizer – Jack Oliver Aaron, July 2015
2.) Whole Socionics, Information Element Agendas – Ibrahim Tencer, 2020
3.) SEE By Stratiyevskaya – Wikisocion.net – Vera Stratiyevskaya