The Self-Promoting Campaigner
For an introductory look at self-promotion, please see our article “Everyday Self-Promotion and Personality Types.”
Campaigners (ENFPs) are charming and good at connecting with others. In fact, it might be said that, for many people with this personality type, such connections are core to who they are and what they do. However, this can go too far, and connecting can take on so much importance that some Campaigners may find themselves working too hard to win others over and bending over backward to increase the size of their metaphorical fan club.
Being so zealous about connecting can be seen as a positive tool for Campaigners who self-promote. Still, it can also become a liability if it goes too far.
What They Have Going for Them
Campaigners are social powerhouses. We all want people to like us, but Campaigners really want people to like them. This need may influence them to put some effort into self-promotion. They enjoy celebrating their successes and are likely to devise many interesting ways of turning celebrations into social events. There aren’t many better ways to self-promote than that.
What Gets in Their Way
Campaigners are often people pleasers. People pleasers generally crave other people’s approval and will go to great lengths to get it. There is nothing wrong with trying to please others when self-promotion is involved. But the self-promoter may tell the person they are working to impress everything that they think the person wants to know, which may be far more than the person needs to know. In other words, there may be a temptation for overkill. Trying too hard often comes across as needy or lacking confidence, which are elements of one’s personality that one wants to leave out when trying to impress others. People-pleasing often leads to going over the top, which can seem insincere, insecure, and overwhelming to others.
Self-Promotion Tip
In self-promotion, a little selling goes a long way. Campaigners may be one of the personality types that might want to embrace a “less is more” mentality. You need to know your audience well enough to know when to stop talking to them. Learning to trust yourself apart from the approval of others may paradoxically help you self-promote. Campaigners may need to be careful not to craft their stories with the sole intent of pleasing someone else. Decision-makers want something different, and if listening to your story sounds too much like they are listening to their own, some people might decide that you have nothing fresh to offer. Please yourself first – you may end up pleasing others more than if you try to give them what you think they want.
Connecting, Yes – Kowtowing, No
Kowtowing is literally bowing before another person by touching one’s head to the ground. It is a sign of obedience and honor. People-pleasing amounts to kowtowing. And while, certainly, some people and even some business cultures may respond well to this, most are looking for autonomy and a flair for leadership when considering advancing someone. There is nothing wrong with Campaigner personalities desiring to connect on a meaningful level with others. Still, they may want to balance that by developing boundaries, their sense of self, and their leadership abilities.
So, Campaigner, tell us about your self-promotion experiences. What’s the best tip that you have? What would you advise against? We’d love for you to share in the comment section below.
Further Reading
- Campaigner (ENFP) Productivity Tips: Results and Relationships
- 6 Intriguing Stats about Campaigner (ENFP) Personality Types
- Personality Type and the Need to Be Liked
- For more on how to achieve your career goals without feeling boxed in by others’ expectations, check out our premium Campaigner Career Guide & Tests.