The Secret Weapon of an ENFP-T: Why Cracking Personalities Wins Elections
How my "campaigner" personality turned coalition building into both an art and a science
There's a reason they call ENFP-Ts "The Campaigner."
When I first discovered my Myers-Briggs type, I laughed out loud. Of course I'm a Campaigner. I've spent years building coalitions for local candidates, rallying volunteers who'd never knocked on a door before, and convincing skeptical voters that their voice actually matters—even on page four of the ballot.
But here's what I've learned that most political strategists miss: You can't build a winning coalition if you treat every person the same. The magic isn't in the message. It's in understanding who you're talking to.
The ENFP-T Advantage (and Its Shadow)
As an ENFP-T, I run on connection. I genuinely feel excited meeting new people. I want to understand what makes them tick, what keeps them up at night, what would make them show up on Election Day. That "E" for extroversion means every door knock, every community event, every coffee meeting fills my tank rather than draining it.
But that "-T" at the end? That's my turbulent side. I second-guess. I worry. I replay conversations wondering if I said the right thing.
For years, I thought this was a weakness. Turns out, it's my superpower.
That turbulence makes me pay attention. While others are broadcasting their message, I'm listening for the subtext. What did that voter really mean when she said she "doesn't usually vote in local elections"? Why did that community leader hesitate before agreeing to endorse?
The answer is almost always in their personality—and once I learned to decode it, everything changed.
The Personality Matrix: My Political Secret Weapon
I stumbled onto the Big Five personality model (OCEAN) a few years ago, and it revolutionized how I approach coalition building. Here's the framework:
O - Openness: How curious are they? Do they embrace new ideas or prefer tradition?
C - Conscientiousness: Are they detail-oriented planners or big-picture thinkers?
E - Extroversion: Do they get energy from people or need time to recharge alone?
A - Agreeableness: Do they default to "yes" and prioritize harmony, or challenge everything?
N - Neuroticism: Are they worriers who plan for every contingency, or calm and unflappable?
Every person sits somewhere on each of these spectrums. And once you start "speed-reading" people—picking up on their language, their body language, their questions—you can tailor your approach in real time.
Why This Matters in Political Strategy
Let me give you a real example.
Last cycle, I was working on a school board race. We needed to build a coalition that included:
Young parents worried about curriculum transparency
Longtime residents who remembered "the good old days"
Business owners concerned about property taxes
Teachers who felt unheard
Same candidate. Same values. Four completely different conversations.
For the high-openness young parents, I led with innovation: "She's bringing fresh ideas and isn't afraid to ask hard questions."
For the low-openness longtime residents, I honored tradition: "She grew up here. She understands what made our schools great and wants to protect that."
For the high-conscientiousness business owners, I came with data: specific budget numbers, timelines, and a clear plan with measurable outcomes.
For the high-agreeableness teachers, I created space for dialogue: "She wants to hear from you. What would you change if someone was actually listening?"
Same candidate. Same truth. Different doors into the conversation.
The Art of "Cracking" Someone's Personality
Here's where my ENFP superpower kicks in.
I don't just want to categorize people—I want to understand them. There's a difference. Categorizing is clinical. Understanding is connection.
When I meet a potential coalition partner, I'm listening for clues:
Questions I ask:
"What's been keeping you busy lately?" (Conscientiousness clue: Do they list projects or go with the flow?)
"Tried any new restaurants around here?" (Openness clue: Are they adventurous or loyal to favorites?)
"How's your week been?" (Neuroticism clue: Are they stressed or steady?)
Body language I watch:
Do they lean in during group conversations or hang back? (Extroversion)
Do they nod along with everyone or push back with questions? (Agreeableness)
Language patterns I notice:
"I've been thinking through all the scenarios..." → High neuroticism, high conscientiousness
"Let's just see how it goes!" → Low conscientiousness, low neuroticism
"That's interesting, but have you considered..." → Low agreeableness, high openness
Once I have a read on someone's matrix, I can communicate in their language, not mine.
The Coalition Builder's Dilemma
Here's the tension: As an ENFP-T, I naturally want everyone to like me. I want harmony. I want the whole coalition singing from the same songbook.
But real coalitions are messy.
You're bringing together people who might not naturally agree with each other. The detail-oriented planner (high-C) will frustrate the big-picture visionary (low-C). The extroverted rally organizer will exhaust the introverted policy researcher.
This is where "cracking" personalities becomes essential. Not to manipulate—but to translate.
When my high-conscientiousness volunteer coordinator clashes with my low-conscientiousness creative director, I can see exactly what's happening. One wants timelines and checklists; the other wants freedom to experiment. Neither is wrong. They just speak different languages.
My job? Be the translator.
"Hey, I know you need structure. What if we set up a weekly check-in so you know what's happening, but give the creative team room to explore between meetings?"
That's not manipulation. That's leadership through understanding.
Why ENFP-Ts Are Built for This Work
Political coalition building requires:
✓ Genuine curiosity about people (ENFP: check)
✓ Ability to adapt communication style (ENFP: check)
✓ Comfort with ambiguity and change (ENFP: check)
✓ Attention to emotional undercurrents (ENFP-T: double check)
✓ Willingness to do the uncomfortable thing for the greater good (That's the turbulence talking)
I won't pretend it's easy. That "-T" means I lie awake replaying conversations. I worry about the volunteer who seemed off at the last meeting. I second-guess whether I handled a conflict the right way.
But I've learned to reframe it: My turbulence is just my caring nature turned up to eleven. And in political work, where we're asking people to trust us with their community's future, caring deeply isn't optional—it's the whole point.
The Ethical Imperative
One more thing, because it matters.
Understanding personality isn't about manipulation. It's about empathy in action.
When I "crack" someone's personality, I'm not looking for a weakness to exploit. I'm looking for the best way to make them feel heard. I'm figuring out how to present information in a way that respects how their brain works. I'm meeting them where they are instead of demanding they come to me.
There's no "right" or "wrong" personality. The high-neurotic worrier who thinks through every worst-case scenario? They're invaluable in crisis planning. The low-conscientious free spirit who can't stick to a schedule? They're the ones who come up with the creative breakthrough nobody else saw coming.
Coalition building is about honoring all of it. Finding the place where every personality type can contribute their gifts. Creating a team where differences become strengths.
Your Challenge
Next time you're building a coalition—for a candidate, a cause, or even just a neighborhood project—try this:
Decode yourself first. Where do you fall on each OCEAN trait? What's your default communication style?
Start speed-reading. Listen to the questions people ask. Watch how they make decisions. Notice their language patterns.
Adapt your approach. Lead with details for the high-C person. Lead with possibilities for the high-O person. Give the introvert time to process. Give the extrovert a chance to talk it out.
Embrace the mess. Coalitions aren't supposed to be tidy. They're supposed to be effective.
As my fellow ENFP-Ts know, we were literally made for this. Our enthusiasm is contagious. Our curiosity is genuine. Our turbulence keeps us humble.
Now go crack some personalities and build something that wins.
Vanessa is the founder of The Right Influencer, a digital marketing consultancy helping local candidates and small businesses stand out through AI-powered marketing solutions. She believes no good business—or candidate—should fail simply because they weren't visible enough.
Ready to build a coalition for your campaign? Let's talk.
Source: The OCEAN personality matrix framework referenced in this post comes from Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards, specifically Chapter 7: "Solve — How to Crack Someone's Personality."
