World Social Work Day is celebrated worldwide on March 21. It is a great day when social workers worldwide stand together to advance their common message globally.
With reference to this day, the team of ThePleasantPersonality decided to compile expert opinions on different personality traits of a social worker & which MBTI personality types can excel in this field.
At the same time, we also questioned which MBTI personality types may witness failures in social work and how empathy is essential in this career.
So, without further ado, let’s dig into the insights.
Justin Hyde, a registered Independent Psychometrist with the HPCSA
When considering the five-factor personality traits, it is worth noting that social workers typically score quite high on agreeableness. This is due to their innate altruistic tendencies and empathetic nature, which are crucial for the work they do.
On top of that, given the challenging nature of their day-to-day responsibilities, social workers require a great deal of resilience. This is supported by higher levels of extraversion, which is characterized by positive emotions, and lower levels of neuroticism, which is associated with negative emotions.
In other words, social workers who possess these traits are better equipped to handle the emotional demands of their work and maintain their composure in the face of adversity.
Michael Dadashi, Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Social workers are compassionate, empathetic, and have strong interpersonal skills. They need to be able to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives in order to help those in need. Social workers must also be organized, patient, proactive, assertive, flexible, ethical and non-judgmental.
Michelle Giordano, Community Counselor and Outreach Specialist for Live Another Day
The top personality traits of social workers may vary based on individual opinions and experiences. Still, some commonly recognized traits include empathy, compassion, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, resilience, patience, and a desire to help others.
Dr. Jay Slosar, Psychologist at Practicalpie
- Empathy: Social workers need to understand and relate to their clients’ experiences, emotions, and challenges to provide effective support and guidance. Social workers should have a genuine concern for the well-being of others and a desire to help those in need.
- Strong Communication Skills: Social workers must be able to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
- Flexibility: Social work is a constantly evolving field, and social workers need to be able to adapt to changes in policies, procedures, and client needs.: Social workers should be willing to listen to different perspectives and ideas and be open to new approaches and solutions. Social workers must be able to adjust to different environments and situations and be willing to learn new skills and knowledge as needed.
- Resourcefulness: Social workers should be able to find creative solutions to problems and be able to access a range of resources to support their clients. Social workers should be able to maintain a neutral and non-judgmental attitude towards their clients while still advocating for their best interests.
- Ethical awareness: Social workers should be aware of the ethical principles and standards that guide their work and be committed to upholding them in all aspects of their practice.
Dr. Ketan Parmar, MD (Psychiatrist, Mental Health Expert) at ClinicSpots
Social work requires a specific set of skills and personality traits that enable a professional to succeed. Social workers must possess the ability to empathize with those they serve, have an understanding of various cultural backgrounds, have excellent communication skills, be organized and able to multitask, know when to refer clients for additional help or services, and have an overall passion for helping others. Let’s take a look at the top personality traits social workers should possess.
Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & article reviewer at psyche-mag
- Empathy
- Approachable
- Flexible
- Good communication
- Ethical
- Respectful and patient
- Trustworthy and passionate
Justin Hyde, a registered Independent Psychometrist with the HPCSA
As explained above, extraversion would assist the social worker in their resilience. So any personality type with extraversion would have an advantage. Two specific MBTI types that come to mind are:
- ENFJ – ENFJs are often known for their charismatic and empathetic nature. They are excellent communicators and have a talent for connecting with people from all walks of life. ENFJs have a natural ability to inspire and motivate others, making them effective advocates and leaders in the social work field.
- ESFJ – ESFJs are often known for their warm and caring nature. They have a talent for connecting with others and making them feel heard and understood. ESFJs are often drawn to social work due to their strong desire to impact their communities positively. They are also highly organized and excel at managing complex tasks and projects.
It is important to remember that personality types are not a box that cannot be broken out of.
Michael Dadashi, Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Most MBTI personality types can excel at social work with the right attitude and training. However, those who strongly focus on feelings tend to be more successful in this field.
For example, INFJs (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) have the ability to connect with their clients on an emotional level and are able to build strong relationships with them.
ENFJs (Extravert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) draw on their intuition to gain insight into their clients and are able to empathize with them.
Those who have strong Thinking preferences, such as ISTJs (Introvert, Sensing, Thinking, Judging), may also be successful at social work but need to learn how to effectively manage their emotions.
Michelle Giordano, Community Counselor and Outreach Specialist for Live Another Day
People with the INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) personality type may excel in social work. INFJs are often highly empathetic and intuitive, making them skilled at understanding and connecting with others.
They also have a strong sense of compassion and a desire to make a positive impact on society, which aligns with the values of social work.
Dr. Jay Slosar, Psychologist at Practicalpie
- ESFJ: They tend to be warm, caring, and reliable individuals who enjoy helping others. They are often very detail-oriented and can be counted on to follow through on their commitments.
- INFJ: They are often highly intuitive, with a deep understanding of others’ emotions and needs. They are also very ethical and are committed to making a positive difference in the world.
- ENFJ: They are often charismatic and outgoing, with excellent communication skills. They are skilled at motivating and inspiring others, which can be valuable traits in leadership positions within social work.
- ISTP: They are often very resourceful and practical, with strong problem-solving abilities. They are often skilled at finding creative solutions to complex problems, which can be valuable in social work.
Dr. Ketan Parmar, MD (Psychiatrist, Mental Health Expert) at ClinicSpots
Certain Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personalities can excel at social work because they tend to be patient and people-oriented.
These types include the ISFJ (introverted, sensing, feeling, and judging), who tend to be responsible and devoted to their clients; the ESFP (extroverted, sensing, feeling, and perceiving), who are outgoing and enthusiastic about helping others; and the ENFJ (extroverted, intuitive, feeling and judging) which is focused on relationships and understanding.
Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & article reviewer at psyche-mag
- INFJ
INFJs are kind and perceptive people with an innate capacity to comprehend the emotional needs of others. They are adept at providing a secure and encouraging atmosphere for their customers because they have a high sense of empathy. Their inventiveness and intuition might help them develop original solutions to challenging societal problems.
- ENFJ
Natural leaders that are devoted to assisting others are ENFJs. They are good at inspiring and encouraging people and have outstanding communication abilities. They may successfully promote social justice and bring about long-lasting change because of their capacity for seeing the broad picture and setting long-term objectives.
- ESFJ
ESFJs are sociable, outgoing, empathic people who take pleasure in helping others. They are skilled at forming bonds with individuals from various backgrounds and possess good interpersonal abilities. They can be successful social workers because they empathize with others’ needs and desire to preserve peace.
Justin Hyde, a registered Independent Psychometrist with the HPCSA
One thing to remember is that personality is not a box that no one can operate outside of. Your personality traits/types define your automatic responses to situations.
For instance, introverts may prefer to take time for themselves after a stressful day, engaging in activities such as reading, watching a movie, or going for a solitary hike. Conversely, extraverts may seek comfort in social situations, seeking out the company of others to cope with stress.
However, this does not mean that introverts cannot handle crowds or that extraverts cannot enjoy solitude. With practice and effort, individuals can learn to function beyond their comfort zones. It is just not their preference.
Looking at a person holistically might show that while they fall slightly into an introverted or thinking type, their interests, values, and potential draw them into social work.
Michael Dadashi, Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Those who have a strong focus on Thinking may not excel at social work, as they need to learn how to read between the lines and be more emotionally aware.
People with ESTPs (Extravert, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) or INTPs (Introvert, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving) personalities may struggle more as they are generally less patient and have difficulty connecting with their clients on an emotional level.
Those who are overly analytical or critical may also find it difficult to excel at this profession due to the need for empathy and understanding towards those in need.
Michelle Giordano, Community Counselor and Outreach Specialist for Live Another Day
People with the ESTP (Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) personality type may struggle in social work.
ESTPs are often highly practical and action-oriented but may struggle with the emotional demands of social work. They may also prioritize personal interests over the needs of others, which may not align with the values of social work.
Dr. Jay Slosar, Psychologist at Practicalpie
- ISTJ: They tend to be very focused on rules and structure and may struggle with the flexibility and adaptability that is required in social work. They may also have a more analytical and logical approach, which may not always align with the emotional and empathetic nature of social work.
- ESTJ: They may be very focused on results and efficiency, which can sometimes conflict with the more compassionate and patient approach that social work requires. They may also struggle with the emotional demands of social work, which can be challenging for some individuals.
Dr. Ketan Parmar, MD (Psychiatrist, Mental Health Expert) at ClinicSpots
MBTI personalities that may not excel at social work are those that tend to be more independent-minded or task-oriented.
These include ISTP (introverted, sensing, thinking, and perceiving), ESTJ (extroverted, sensing, thinking, and judging), INTJ (introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging), and ENTP (extroverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving). These types may struggle to connect with clients and lack the empathy necessary for social work.
Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & article reviewer at psyche-mag
- ISTJ
They prefer to work in a structured environment with defined rules, so they are practical. They are often stubborn, too rigid, and judgemental, and they need to be correct, which is not the quality of a social worker.
- INTJ
INTJs like working independently or in small groups. They must be in a setting with little disruption. They are artistic perfectionists that like to carry out their own ideas. They can be insensitive, judgmental, overly analytical, and arrogant. So, they cannot be social workers.
Justin Hyde, a registered Independent Psychometrist with the HPCSA
Empathy plays a significant role in cultivating a genuine interest in people, and interest is one of the most powerful motivators for students. For social workers, an interest in caring for and advocating on behalf of others is essential to mastering the necessary skills of their profession.
Such an interest can also serve as a crucial source of inspiration and motivation throughout their careers, not just their studies.
By genuinely caring about their clients and striving to achieve the best possible outcomes for them, social workers can stay committed to their profession and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Michael Dadashi, Therapist, Psychologist & CEO of the Infinite Recovery
Yes, people with strong empathy are typically better suited to working in the social work field. This is because they have a heightened understanding of emotions, thoughts and feelings and are able to build stronger relationships with those in need.
They are also better at creating strategies and solutions that can help support their clients going forward. Empathy enables social workers to understand their clients on a deeper level and helps them to provide the best possible service.
Michelle Giordano, Community Counselor and Outreach Specialist for Live Another Day
Yes, people with empathy may excel in social work. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which is a crucial skill in social work.
Social workers often work with vulnerable and marginalized populations, and empathy helps them connect with and advocate for their clients.
However, empathy alone is not enough to succeed in social work, as it must be combined with other skills and traits such as communication, problem-solving, and resilience.
Dr. Jay Slosar, Psychologist at Practicalpie
Yes, people with empathy can excel in social work. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which is a crucial trait in social work, where the focus is on helping others and addressing their needs.
Social workers with empathy are better able to connect with their clients, understand their struggles, and provide the support and guidance they need to overcome their challenges.
They are also better able to build rapport and trust with their clients, which is essential in establishing a strong therapeutic relationship.
However, it’s important for social workers to maintain healthy boundaries and avoid becoming too emotionally invested in their clients’ struggles, as this can be detrimental to their own well-being and ability to provide effective support.
Dr. Ketan Parmar, MD (Psychiatrist, Mental Health Expert) at ClinicSpots
Yes, those who possess strong empathy are better suited to excel in social work. The ability to understand a client’s feelings and emotions while remaining detached is an important aspect of the profession.
Empathy also allows social workers to develop trust between themselves and their clients so they can provide meaningful advice or support. It is this skill that often makes the difference between success and failure when it comes to helping those in need.
Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & article reviewer at psyche-mag
In social work practice, empathy is very crucial. Patients who experience empathy throughout therapy see better results. So yes, social work requires empathy, and other skills like communication, understanding, trustworthiness, and passion are required.
Closing Thoughts
Now, we have a clear idea of personalities capable of excelling in social work and which ones are incapable. First, however, one must remember that assessing the traits or qualities that make you who you are can be challenging.
Besides, many scientific testing and empirical support measures are needed to identify the attributes that may become your innate strengths or weaknesses and influence your overall daily behavior.
