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Consul (ESFJ) Self-Promotion: What’s Your Bottom Line?

Darrell 2 comments
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The Self-Promoting Consul

For an introductory look at self-promotion, please see our article “Everyday Self-Promotion and Personality Types.”

Consuls (ESFJs) like to show that they are part of the gang and know how to have fun. They love a workplace where harmony and duty come together. Depending on the audience, this prosocial vibe can sometimes be distracting. If the powers that be are looking for a factual, no-nonsense presentation, Consul personalities who bring out the gregarious social-director persona that they often adopt may find that they have lost their audience. As is often the case, self-promotion involves knowing what your audience needs to hear.

What They Have Going for Them

Consuls will likely add fun to their self-marketing efforts. That isn’t to say that they can’t do a good, serious presentation. But they may feel that they’re not using their strengths adequately if they aren’t appealing to something softer than a hard argument. They are likely to touch empathetic chords when they present their accomplishments. “Barbara, you know what it’s like when you want to connect with someone, and they won’t respond to your phone calls. We all struggle with that, don’t we? I know I do.” Consuls will present themselves with a sense that no matter their accomplishments, there was community involvement, and their experience was buoyed by the unity that they felt with coworkers. It may feel like celebrating a shared victory, but don’t be fooled. The message will clearly describe what status-conscious Consuls alone accomplished as a part of that group.

What Gets in Their Way

Consuls may want to ensure that amid their fun and great storytelling there is an appropriate degree of gravitas. While these gregarious personalities will benefit from their penchant for good times, an audience that is having too much fun may not see that there is a serious reason for the storytelling. Consuls may want to pay attention to their tone and remember their primary goal – convincing those who decide on promotions that they are effective.

Self-Promotion Tip

Consul personalities must show their serious, businesslike side enough that their intended audience can see all parts of them. They should avoid burying the lede under more superficial and less relevant information. They might want to try turning the idea or activity that they want others to remember about them into a succinct punch line and treat it like a mantra for a few days before a meeting or a get-together. Then they may want to drop it a few times during self-promotion conversations or presentations, so that their ultimate purpose stands out. Punctuating their main selling point by repeating and paraphrasing a single concept will show that they have focus and are dedicated to a coherent goal.

Okay, but Let’s See the Plan

There is no need for Consuls to put a hold on who they are. They love tradition. They love their community. And they love duty. These things will likely be helpful to Consuls hoping to garner attention. However, decision-makers often need to know something more tangible than the things associated with high morale. It’s likely that Consuls, in all their pragmatism, will have such information available. But they may want to make a special effort to highlight the items that are likely to impact productivity or the bottom line.

If you’re a Consul personality type, we’d love to hear anything that you might have experienced regarding self-promotion. What have you done that qualifies as self-promotion? Was it successful? Are you comfortable with the thought of promoting yourself?

Further Reading