While some people are more concerned than others with being "likable," there's no denying that there are certain individuals we especially enjoy spending time with. These folks tend to be more easygoing, pleasant to talk to, or just genuinely friendly. You can't be everyone's cup of tea—and we all have different preferences when it comes to those we spend time with—but there are certain personality types that tend to be the most likable, as determined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
The popular personality test was created by Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katharine Briggs, according to The Myers & Briggs Foundation. The results help people understand whether they lean more toward Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I); prefer to use Sensing (S) or Intuition (N) when interpreting information; make decisions by Thinking (T) or Feeling (F); and are more Judging (J) or Perceiving (P) when dealing with the outside world. Individual letters can be arranged to form 16 different combinations for 16 distinct personality types.
While it's not rooted in science, the MBTI self-assessment can be scarily accurate, revealing things about yourself that you might not even realize. According to experts, it can also identify the people who are more amiable than others. Read on to find out which six Myers-Briggs types are the most likable of the bunch.
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1 | ESFJ
Kaspars Grinvalds / ShutterstockThose who are extroverted, sensing, feeling, and judging are among some of the most likable people, Sameera Sullivan, matchmaker and relationship expert, tells Best Life. They can be identified by their "warm disposition and big hearts," she says.
"ESFJs are friendly and hospitable, and because they cherish tradition, they emphasize excellent manners," Sullivan explains. "This personality type epitomizes old-fashioned politeness, always maintaining the highest regard for social conventions."
Joseph Puglisi, CEO of Dating Iconic, agrees that ESFJs are more considerate, while also empathetic and "sweet to be around."
"They are emotionally intelligent, know how to make you feel comfortable, and are sensitive to the needs of those around them," he says. "People are always drawn to their respectful and kind nature, which makes them one of the most likable in my book."
2 | ENFJ
Jacob Lund / ShutterstockSimilar to the ESFJ, those who use intuition instead of sensing tend to be more popular people, thanks in large part to their desire to make everyone feel included.
"People who have this personality type are especially magnetic since they don’t want to leave anybody out," experts at The Eternity Rose explain. "They love to organize and plan events and then take great pains to encourage everybody to take part and enjoy themselves."
ENFJs have "naturally happy energy" that makes them more magnetic, they add, and they're especially emotionally intelligent, just like their sensing counterparts. "They automatically know how to help everybody feel comfortable and at ease."
Puglisi also lists ENFJs as among the most likable, as they can adapt to any situation and "draw people to themselves."
READ THIS NEXT: The 5 Most Trustworthy Myers-Briggs Personality Types, Experts Say.
3 | ISFJ
Chaay_Tee / ShutterstockIntroverts shouldn't be discounted on the likability scale, especially when they're also sensing, feeling, and judging. The Eternity Rose asserts that ISFJs' place on this list might be "surprising," because extroverts are often automatically characterized as being more popular, and therefore more likable.
"However, ISFJs are actually extremely likely to be captivating to others," they say. "Although people with this personality type may not be bubbly or chatty, they do have a calm and quiet charm, which lends feelings of safety and warmth to those around them."
They probably won't be the first in line for karaoke, but that's what makes ISFJs unique, and they'll always be helpful when it comes to keeping the peace in a group. "They make excellent friends and thank to their steadiness without intrusiveness, they exude an appealing warmth without needing to talk a lot," The Eternity Rose says.
4 | ENFP
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / ShutterstockExtroverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving people draw you in thanks to their charming and personable nature. "They can make others feel immediately at ease from the first encounter, and have the natural skill of holding their audience's attention so they can win them over," The Eternity Rose says.
In fact, even if you're meeting an ENFP for the first time, you may feel like you've known them forever. "Spontaneous, funny, energetic, and caring, ENFPs are genuinely authentic and are happy and willing to be fully true to themselves no matter who they’re with," The Eternity Rose tells Best Life. "What you see is what you get with an ENFP, and that authenticity means that there’s no guesswork involved in your friendship."
As ENFPs prefer to stay open to new information—which is thanks to their perceiving nature—they're often more "well-liked in a group setting," Anne Ellekjaer, psychologist and former matchmaker, says. "That is because they are less like to judge others for their shortcomings, which is comfortable to be around."
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5 | INFJ
Pressmaster / ShutterstockINFJs are another introverted personality type that others want to spend time with, as they're selfless in nature and willing to put others before themselves.
"They're empathetic, always ready to help, [and] put others' happiness first," Puglisi explains. Their intuition assists in their ability to "read the room," meaning an INFJ will know if something is off or if a friend is upset. Those who are more intuitive also think abstractly, according to Ellkjaer, meaning they are "more likely to be more relaxed in regards to rules and regulations, which can be liberating to be around."
INFJs won't make you feel like you need to be in line with every social standard, and if you're special to them, they're going to make it known. "They tend to go far for the people they value, are tolerant, and are easy to learn from or talk to," Puglisi adds. "Overall, they are the type of people you want around you because of their kind nature."
6 | ESFP
Kleber Cordeiro / ShutterstockIf you know someone who self-identifies as a "social butterfly," they very well might be an ESFP. They're extroverted and kind, always expressing "true interest in what others think and feel," The Eternity Rose says. They do pull focus, but it's actually an endearing quality as opposed to an annoying one.
"Often, an ESFP is the first person you spot when you enter a room, and while people who have this personality type have long been known to be flirts, they don't make everything about themselves," they add. "Rather, they like to make other people feel important and special, and that means it's exciting to spend time with them."
