MBTI Type: ESFJ

Tami builds most of her life around how her actions will affect others—she really has no interest in attending local events, bringing tons of rice crispy treats, hosting things, etc., but she knows that’s her “job” because her husband is the coach, so she goes along with it. She’s very warm and likable, able to “roast” her husband in a way that doesn’t cast him in a bad light or hurt his feelings, while also reaffirming to everyone present how much they love and care about everyone they know. She is forthright in sharing her opinions and on wanting to clear the air, showing that she can process her feelings as things happen and deal with them instantly. The kids find her trustworthy as a counselor because she can coax them out of their shell, encourage them to do their best, and build up their sense of self-worth, while still having strong opinions about their life choices. Tami is pretty concerned with tangible, practical things—such as using money for academics when she becomes a principle rather than allowing it all to go into the football department. She stresses the fact that they lost three teachers, and that’s more important than a new scoreboard, so she tries to reallocate the funds. Her husband warns her that this is a bad thing to do for her first decision, but she doesn’t see how it will blow up as much as it does. She is good at attending to the details of her job, but not at seeing the bigger picture; Tami is often shocked by what is going on with Julie, because she noticed nothing unusual in her behavior (she is surprised to hear she dumped Matt, surprised to learn her daughter is jealous of her relationship with Tyra and the volleyball team, thinks nothing of laughing and talking with another man until her husband has a problem with it, etc). Her tert-Ne shows in how she takes ideas and runs with them, once they come to her attention. She wakes up Eric and tells him not to take a job, because she has a “feeling” about it. She knows something is up with Tyra, even though she has no real evidence. Same with her daughter. Tami encourages the kids to think about their future careers, and doesn’t seem to care about what their family situation is in terms of telling them to “think bigger.” (Tyra would be the first person in her family to finish high school, much less attend college or get a degree.) She is leery about giving people information or allowing them to stay too long in her house, in case it causes problems later. Tami is opportunistic, but also present, and likes to be involved once she has questioned things enough to understand them.

Enneagram: 2w1

Tami builds her sense of identity around being needed by other people, and refuses to give way when she feels she can be the bigger person in giving generously to others. She insists on trying to raise their baby by herself while staying in Dillon and allowing her daughter to finish out high school, because she won’t let her husband “give up his dream” just because she got pregnant, then finds out she cannot do it on her own and feels relieved when he comes home. She frames her need to stay there as doing what’s best for Julie and “I can’t abandon the kids” (her counseling sessions). But she is also assertive, knows what she wants, and does not mind reminding people of their responsibilities (making sure Buddy knows he’s not allowed to come inside when her husband gets home, because this is “family time”). She takes Tyra to the sheriff’s office to report her assault, even though Tyra doesn’t really want to go, and is quite good at getting others to confide in her and trust her judgment. But she can also be critical and firm in her opinions; a lot of her fights with Julie are about Julie’s insolent behavior, doors-slamming, and talking back to her folks. Tami feels upset with herself for slapping Julie at one point, but also refused to allow her to make out with a total stranger in the driveway.

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