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The ESTP personality type (extraversion, sensing, thinking and perceiving) is widely recognized as one of the 16 personalities under the Jungian Personality Type Indicator.
If you happen to fall under this particular personality type, then it is likely that you are frequently described as outgoing, action-oriented, and dramatic.
ESTPs, otherwise known as Entrepreneurs, Dynamos, or Persuaders, are a fascinating personality type renowned for their outgoing and charismatic nature. They relish the company of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances and are always up for an exciting and spontaneous adventure. ESTPs are known to live in the present, and their ability to focus on details is unparalleled, making them some of the most versatile individuals you’ll ever meet. They are problem-solvers who aren’t afraid to take risks and follow their intuition, which tends to guide their decision-making. In their pursuit of new knowledge and experiences, they often find themselves in uncharted territories, where their problem-solving skills shine, and their confidence is unwavering. The world needs more ESTPs because they bring unparalleled energy to any room they enter.
Who are the Persuaders?
Persuaders are truly a fascinating breed of individuals with remarkable and magnetic personalities that can easily draw people towards them. They possess an admirable ability to influence and sway others, catching their attention and keeping it fixed on them. You can easily spot a Persuader at any event or social gathering, as they are usually the life of the party, the center of attention, and the star attraction of the night. Everywhere they go, they tend to attract swarms of people, forming a sort of energetic vortex around them.
But don’t be fooled by their boisterous and amusing personality; Persuaders are talented and intelligent minds with sharp wits that quickly dissect and analyze information. They do not like wasting time on theories or abstract concepts; instead, they prefer to keep the dialogue lively and full of energy while focusing on practical intelligence and action. They are always ready to jump into action and respond to what is happening now instead of dwelling on future possibilities.
Persuaders do not always have a clear plan, but this never seems to deter them. They forge ahead with a bold attitude, using their unique blend of humor and charm to win over people and fix any mistakes as they go. Indeed, it is both intriguing and inspiring to witness the power that Persuader’s hold over their surroundings.
ESTP Characteristics
People with an ESTP personality type have a unique set of characteristics that are centered on their extraverted sensor tendencies. They are known to possess a great deal of decisiveness and have exceptional people skills. Some notable characteristics of this personality type include their ability to make speedy decisions when confronted with problems. Instead of spending a considerable amount of time planning, they prefer to improvise. ESTPs tend to be more practical, preferring straightforward information that is rational and can be acted upon immediately. They often display strong social skills, as they are extremely observant and can pick up on details that others may miss. ESTPs are usually described as fast-talkers possessing a high level of persuasion. In social settings, they stand out as being a few steps ahead of the conversation. Their impulsive nature sometimes leads them to act without planning. Consequently, this predisposition may lead them to say or do things that they later regret.
ESTPs Strenghts
Gregarious, funny, and energetic
Influential and persuasive
Action-oriented
Adaptable and resourceful
Observant
ESTPs Weaknesses
Impulsive
Competitive
Dramatic at times
Easily bored
Insensitive
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.
ESTP Cognitive functions
When we talk about individual personalities, we are actually talking about cognitive functions that are unique to every individual. These cognitive functions are sensing, thinking, feeling, and intuition, and each of these functions varies in terms of dominance. The way these functions are ordered hierarchically can play a significant role in how each person perceives and interacts with the world.
It is also worth noting that these functions can be either extraverted or introverted. The extraverted functions are the ones that are more focused on external factors, such as interacting with others and responding to the world around us. On the other hand, introverted functions are those that are primarily focused on internal processes like self-reflection and analysis.
The variation in these different cognitive functions and their focus allows for endless possibilities when it comes to understanding people and their unique personalities. By understanding these functions, we can gain better insight into ourselves and those around us, leading to greater understanding and more meaningful relationships.
Dominant: Extraverted Sensing
Extraverted individuals are highly social and gain their energy from socializing. Their outgoing nature makes them engaging and always on the lookout for something new and exciting. These individuals tend to be highly expressive and sensory, always seeking stimulation through the senses. In this manner, they are more open to experiencing sensations of all kinds, whether through touch, taste, sight, sound, or smell.
Furthermore, as they are reality-focused and present-oriented, they are practical and straightforward in their day-to-day dealings. Novelty and experience also rank high on their priorities, as opposed to daydreaming or flights of fancy, which they consider a waste of time. As doers, ESTPs act quickly and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. They enjoy being productive and value activities that benefit them practically, such as engaging in novel and challenging tasks or trying out new things, as opposed to engaging in mundane routines or repetitive exercises.
Auxiliary: Introverted Feeling
The ESTP personality type is known to have unique qualities when it comes to processing and judging information about the world. What sets them apart is their ability to focus inwardly and analyze things using a logical and rational approach. This part of their personality may not be immediately noticeable to others since ESTPs tend to be introverted. Nonetheless, this introverted side is where their strength lies. One notable trait this personality type possesses is a strong sense of self-discipline. They have excellent control over their actions, making them highly skilled at working independently towards achieving goals. Additionally, ESTPs are very observant and tend to notice details others might easily miss out on. They use these observational skills to gather information, and they then use their sense of logic to evaluate and come up with practical solutions. Overall, ESTPs make great problem-solvers in a wide range of situations.
Tertiary: Extraverted Feeling
The function being discussed here plays a vital role in improving social relationships and creating harmonious bonds with others. Even though ESTPs may not be known for their emotional intelligence, they possess a strong desire for social engagement and thrive in social settings where they can interact with others. They are highly social beings and enjoy being at the centre of attention, establishing cordial relationships with people they meet.
However, their people-pleasing nature often comes at a cost. They may feel uncomfortable sharing their opinions and prefer to maintain harmony by overlooking their own needs and making others happy. This tendency to put others first is admirable, but it is crucial for ESTPs to strike a balance and take care of their own well-being too.
One of the most notable traits of ESTPs is their humanitarian spirit and drive to help others. They often use their practical skills to solve problems and make a positive impact on the world. This aspect of their personality is highly valued and contributes to their success in various fields.
Inferior: Introverted Intuition
This passage highlights the significance of intuition in ESTPs (Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving) and how it impacts their decision-making process. ESTPs have a unique personality trait that allows them to perceive patterns and gain a sense of the future based on their instinctive reactions. However, their intuition may not always be accurate, leading to a sense of mistrust in their instincts. ESTPs need to seek connections between the information available to them to make sense of what may happen next.
Yet, despite the importance of intuition in their decision-making process, ESTPs may also face challenges when this trait is not as robust as it could be. They may make overly hasty judgments, not grounded in accurate evidence, causing them to question their intuition. Therefore, developing strong intuition is critical to their success, as it enables them to make connections between disparate pieces of information and look for emerging patterns to inform their decisions.
ESTP Personal Relationships
The ESTP personality type is known to be extroverted, which means that they derive their energy from socializing and being around people. In social settings, people with this type of personality are often seen as fun-loving, charming, and friendly. One of the biggest strengths of ESTPs is their exceptional people skills, which makes them particularly good at influencing others. They also have a natural ability to interpret nonverbal communication, which is an asset in many social situations.
However, ESTPs are often characterized by their tendency to live in the moment, making it difficult for them to commit to long-term plans or relationships. This lack of commitment can sometimes be mistaken for insensitivity, as ESTPs can come across as not being fully tuned in to the thoughts and feelings of others. As a result, they may need to put in extra effort to pay attention to their friends and partners and avoid saying things that could be perceived as insensitive. Despite these challenges, ESTPs are known for being extremely social and outgoing individuals who are always up for having a good time.
ESTP Career Paths
The Jungian Personality Type Indicator (JPTI) is a useful tool for determining career preferences and strengths based on personality types. Specifically, people with an ESTP personality type tend to feel energized when they interact with diverse groups of people and perform best in jobs that involve working with others. While routine and monotony are not preferable, a fast-paced work environment is ideal for their personality. Due to their strengths, ESTPs are often well-suited for careers in sales and marketing, where they can capitalize on their strong people skills. Furthermore, ESTPs are action-oriented and resourceful individuals with quick-thinking abilities, making them a great fit for first-responder positions such as
- emergency medical personnel,
- police officers,
- detectives, and
- computer support technicians.
Entrepreneurs and sales agents also make excellent career choices for individuals with an ESTP personality type. Overall, it is crucial to consider personality type when exploring career options as it can greatly impact job satisfaction and success.
Tips for Interacting With ESTPs
Friendships
ESTPs are adventure enthusiasts, which can be beneficial in building friendships with them. You can be a supportive friend by proposing new activities that offer novelty, excitement, and challenge.
Parenting
Parenting an ESTP child may require consistent boundaries and fair discipline because they tend to be independent and bold. They are experts in hands-on activities, but routine settings can be tedious for them.
Relationships
Relationships with ESTPs can also be fulfilling as they are entertaining and mirthful. However, they can get disinterested in predictable routines quickly. ESTPs like to maintain a flow of conversation by discussing interests and fascinating topics rather than initiating lengthy philosophical debates. It is important to note that they may encounter challenges with commitments and planning for the long-term future.
Interesting Facts about ESTPs
- On personality trait measures, score as Dominant, Flexible, Demanding, and Sociable
- More frequent among patients suffering from chronic pain
- One of four types reporting highest levels of assertiveness in college
- One of two types with lowest college GPA
- Among most likely of all types to stay in college
- Values at work include autonomy, variety, independence, and structure
- Overrepresented among MBA students
- Commonly found in careers in marketing, skilled trades, business, and law enforcement
How rare is the ESTP personality type?
ESTPs make up:
- 6.1% of the general population
- 7.8% of men
- 4.7% of women
ESTP Famous Persons
Famous ESTPs include:
- Mike Tyson
- Angelina Jolie
- Donald Trump
- George W. Bush
- Winston Churchill
- Kevin Spacey
- Park Ji-min (Jimin)
- Meryl Streep
- Mae West
- Eddie Murphy
- Miley Cyrus
- Bruce Willis
- Madonna
- John Wayne
- Evel Knievel
ESTP Book Recommendations
Here is a collection of the best books and other items on the market for the ESTP personality type:
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Your Thoughts about the ESTP Personality Type
It’s highly recommended that you jot down any ideas or reflections that come to mind regarding the ESTP personality type, including related behaviours, emotions, situations, or other associations you may make. This way, you can refer back to them on your Dashboard or Reflect pop-ups, compare them with your current behaviours, and make any necessary adjustments to keep evolving. Learn more about this feature and how it can benefit you.
