ESTP Introduction

People with the ESTP MBTI personality type are recognized for their bright, active, and adventurous behavior. ESTPs are high-energy thrill seekers who thrive on putting out actual or metaphorical fires. Although they appear to be very social, they are rarely sensitive; the ESTP prefers fast-paced and humorous situations to emotional or serious ones.

I. What Does ESTP Stand For?

ESTP stands for Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Perception and is one of 16 personality types studied from the MBTI test (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). The MBTI personality assessment developed by Isabel Briggs Myers, Katharine Cook Briggs, and David Keirsey from the work of psychiatrist Carl G. Jung, the types of psychology based on theories of cognitive functions. Keirsey named ESTP The Doer/ The Entrepreneur because their goal is to convey their self-worth and ideas to others. ESTP is one of the 4 personality types of The Artisan. 

II. Personality Traits of The ESTP Group

ESTPs are positive people, who tend to practice to solve problems rather than just discuss them. 

People with ESTP personality types are very collective, spontaneous, and frank. Sometimes, they are viewed as rude or reckless, but ESTPs really love to act and always jump right into the heart of the problem.

They are also artistic in promoting and influencing others to act together. Be specific in words and realistic in actions, they always bring a plentiful energy source to the collective. ESTPs prefer to focus on tangible results rather than thinking about long-term goals. 

ESTPs tend to view laws, rules, and obligations as recommendations or guidelines rather than rigid principles. If ESTPs believe that something has to be done and the main reason is accurate and ethical, they will go ahead and do it, regardless of what laws or social rules warn. This does not mean that

ESTPs are offenders - they often have a clear understanding of what is good and what is evil.  

ESTPs do not like theory and abstract thinking, they often have difficulty in school, especially in later years. People with this kind of personality view theoretical discussions as boring and meaningless. 

ESTPs do not like theoretical debates or thinking about the future – they only care about the present moment and focus all their efforts on things they like rather than thinking about what is possible.

ESTPs rarely make detailed action plans, instead, they often get down to business right away. If necessary, they are not afraid to start over and correct their mistakes.

ESTPs love to watch movies and pursue their interests and other material pleasures. However, people with this type of personality should know that their passions are conducted in many different ways, including quite a few nasty or unhealthy tricks – such as gambling. 

ESTPs are also energetic so they become uninterested in tedious situations or with learning too much theoretical information. They are people who are ready to get to work right away and are willing to take risks to get things done. When faced with problems, people with this personality type quickly look at the facts and come up with an immediate solution. They tend to improvise rather than spend a lot of time planning.

Because they usually focus on the present, ESTPs are pragmatic. They are interested in the sights, sounds, and experiences that are going on all around them and they don't have time for daydreaming. They want to feel, hear and see anything that excites them. When learning about something new, it is not enough to just read a book or listen to a lecture, they want to experience it for themselves.

III. The Cognitive Functions of The ESTP Group

Dominant: Extraverted Sensing

Like other extrovert groups, ESTPs receive energy from social participation and tend to seek stimulation through the senses. They are realists and are concerned with immediate and tangible senses and experiences – more than anyone else, they want to genuinely and vividly experience what caught their attention. Due to their high energy sources, ESTPs can find academic and theoretical environments tedious. They are also willing to take the risk of getting things done and looking for new activities or doing something useful.

Auxiliary: Introverted Thinking

ESTPs focus inward when making judgments about the outside world and processing information in a rational manner, which is something others may not immediately notice. The function's sense of internal control gives ESTPs a great deal of self-discipline, independent work skills, the ability to observe things that others might miss and a logical and realistic approach to their goal.

Tertiary: Extraverted Feeling

This function is focused on creating social harmony and relationships, so ESTPs love to be the center of attention and are good at establishing friendly relationships with others. They have a great need for social participation even though expressing feelings is a challenge for them. They are sometimes uncomfortable sharing their opinions and judgments with others, instead, they focus more on pleasing others, finding humane solutions, and maintaining harmony – this can sometimes cause them to ignore their own needs.

Inferior: Introverted Intuition

This aspect of personality focuses on examining information for patterns and developing a sense of intuition about situations. It allows ESTPs to hypothesize about impending data and develop a sense of the future. They can look for connections that will help them understand what to expect next. However, since this is the personality's most inferior function, their instinctive response may be inaccurate in many situations.

IV. ESTP Values and Motivations

1. ESTP values

ESTPs tend to prefer personal values, opinions, and principles more than what others or society thinks.

ESTPs value practical teaching or approaches. They always find obstacles in schools or highly organized environments, not because they are not smart but because they always feel as if they are held back in their personal growth.

ESTPs favor rules and laws. Each ESTP has his/ her own rules of ethics and standards, and for them, it will be easier to implement these rules and produce more optimal results than spontaneity.

2. ESTP Motivations

ESTPs' energy and passion are virtually unlimited when it comes to areas they consider to be practical and interesting. They can be very inspiring and persuasive – this makes them excellent at positions such as sales reps, consultants, and entrepreneurs. 

ESTPs are energetic when interacting with people and good at observing people's needs. They are adept at communicating and persuading others to fulfill work requirements, which can be said that they are masters of negotiation to achieve their goals in the most effective way.

ESTPs are often motivated by thinking and by providing immediate and direct feedback. They are agile and adaptive people who have the opportunity to show off their talents using their agility and confidence.

ESTPs tend to be independent to explore the world around them at leisure. They feel excited when they can discover something new. Freedom of exposure to their environment when they want is the opportunity that ESTPs tend to seek often.

ESTPs are full of energy when taking the spotlight. When they can entertain or attract attention from those around them, ESTPs often feel as valuable and comfortable as being at home.

V. Strengths and Weaknesses of ESTPs

1.  ESTP Strengths

They are capable of untying problems for others to accompany them, and at the same time, bringing good things to life. That is why ESTPs are also called Promoters.

People with this type of personality also have an innate ability to recognize other people's thoughts and motivations, ESTPs can easily detect minor changes in someone's facial expressions, clothing, or behavior, while other types of personalities don't have this mysterious ability.

ESTPs have a deep appreciation and vision. With the advantage of extrovert tendency, they are always looking for new experiences and ideas, so they are quite suitable for businesses. They are also very bold and practical. This combination of features helps them see problems and come up with solutions that others don't realize. Realistic vision is often the foundation of ESTP's business dynamics, and it often helps them become extremely successful in their careers as an entrepreneur.

ESTPs are natural leaders who are often very skilled at sharing their visions with others. Although they are not good at expressing their emotions, they are still a type that integrates with direct and blunt communication styles. This can cause problems in relationships, but in business, it can inspire employees to motivate and lead them on the job.

2. ESTP Weaknesses

ESTPs tend to inadvertently hurt others – they are very frank and based on facts and Thinking (T) rather than Feeling (F), so their words can easily hurt people with more sensitive personalities.

ESTPs prefer face-to-face contact, whether it's facing or solving problems, without often letting emotions interfere. That is why people often judge them as realistic and insensitive. Because ESTPs are so frank, they can fall into awkward emotional situations. They also have difficulty acknowledging and expressing their feelings.

ESTPs have their own set of standards and a way of working to keep themselves excited. As a result, they have their own "speed" and will be annoyed by those who have slower paces. Having to do something at a slower pace or waiting for someone can be challenging with ESTPs.

ESTPs are not well-organized. They are frank in approaching problems or opportunities, which causes them to ignore social norms and expectations in doing so.

Because of the aforementioned impatience, ESTPs can fall into unpredictable risks on their own. With a personality that fights boredom, they may make their situation worse.

During the development of personality at an early age, ESTP children may have a tendency to overuse their Extraverted Sensing function without balance and support of the remaining three cognitive functions. This can lead to them indulging in pleasant feelings or continuing to search for new emotions without thinking of the lasting consequences. They may also think that they are somehow immune to danger and act too quickly in situations where it should be very cautious. Another problem ESTP children may face is the expression of stubbornness or arrogance amid discussions or arguing. They tend to see discussion and analysis as a game to win and therefore can sometimes offend and hurt other people's feelings. Over time, these trends tend to decrease as they grow and mature as the cognitive functions of their personality are further developed in a directed way.

VI. Personal Relationships of ESTPs

1. Romantic relationship

ESTPs live in the present and enjoy the fun happening right now rather than planning long-term commitments in romantic relationships. But their enthusiasm and unpredictability make them interesting partners in dating. ESTPs love unique concepts and occasional philosophical discussions – but they rather be topics that can be discovered through action, not just idle talk.

Regarding their sex life, physical enjoyment and new ideas are welcome and the strong awareness of ESTP individuals helps them to fine-tune the needs of their partners. However, tension can arise if they separate their physical actions from the emotional connections that their partners of many other personality types seek in intimacy.

Moving the relationship into deeper and more meaningful stages can be a challenge for ESTPs. They are always looking for excitement due to their trait of easily getting bored, sometimes performing risky behavior if they fall into a deadlock, which can easily destroy relationships if their partner doesn't keep up or do not match them in terms of this characteristic. Reason and self-control make it easier for them to step out of a relationship.

However, ESTPs partners are adaptable and inquisitive, which certainly helps keep the passionate flame of the relationship. Maintaining healthy relationships is the last chance for them to show their talent in acknowledging any changes in their partner's moods and behaviors, and using their problem-solving abilities to please their needs. ESTPs can also reinforce more forgettable traits, like emotional sensitivity and long-term planning skills.

2. Friendship

ESTPs are even-tempered and tolerant of their friends with whom they never get bored. Their imagination and spontaneity are envious – ESTPs can always come up with exciting ideas to explore and find interesting things to do. They live completely in the present, rarely look back on the past, or care about the future, and this is one of the reasons why they are so attractive and admired by many.

ESTPs seem to get along with people and make new friends wherever they go. They are honest, straightforward, and do not worry about how others feel about them – and this helps them attract friends who share the same viewpoint of life. Besides, they like to enjoy reality and physical activity, so they often have lots of opportunities to create new friendships in an environment they are comfortable with. Friends who are intellectual and philosophical are those ESTPs seek for contributing and learning debates.

ESTPs are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors and can encourage their friends to get involved. People with this personality type look for excitement more than anything – this means they will be more willing to explore new things, but such a trait has drawbacks.

In short, ESTPs are people who love communicating, being easy-going, and are excited to enjoy every wonderful moment of life. ESTPs like action and are always eager to work. This inspiration spreads to their relationships, and they aspire to utilize and develop relationships daily. They get bored quickly and feel sad about having to change unless they find the right person. ESTPs live in the present, so long-term commitments are often not right for them. They are extremely committed, and they want to live up to their commitments daily.

3. Parenthood

In many ways, ESTP parents are perfect for kids. They enjoy spending time with their children and infusing them with their happy energy, understanding, and flexibility. Their natural curiosity and spontaneity are completely consistent with the charm and insatiable desire to learn that young children have.

ESTP parents love hands-on activities and encourage their children to freely participate in sports or developmental physical activities in a voluntary spirit. They also want their children to use their judgments for even the most personal things and follow their hearts. ESTP parents are always monitoring their children's moods and habits so they can provide additional guidance when things start to go wrong.

However, bonding with affection and intimacy can be challenging for them. If their children become more sensitive, this can be a source of stress between ESTPs and their children. At this time, softness and flexibility should be applied instead of frankness and reason. ESTPs' partners can also help with this if they are delicate and sensitive enough to create sharing and connecting activities. ESTPs parents will benefit from direct and understanding relationships – their children won't feel like they have to hide their mistakes and concerns.

4. Relationship with other personality groups

For ISTP, ESTJ, ENTJ groups: they have similar characteristics and many things in common so it is easy for ESTPs to share values, interests, and approaches with these groups

For ISTJ, ENFP, ENTJ, ESFP groups: they have some differences but these differences are attractive to ESTPs. They still have something in common to create a balance in their relationship with each other

For INTJ, ISFP, ESFJ, ENFJ groups: at first, ESTPs may have some difficulty accessing and connecting with these personality groups. However, after interacting for a while, they will discover commonalities as well as other points of view that can complement each other

For INTP, INFJ, ISFJ, INFP groups:  these personality groups are opposite and conflicting with ESTPs, but if it is possible to develop a relationship, this is an opportunity for ESTPs to learn and grow themselves, the challenges always come along with a great opportunity

VII. ESTP Career Paths and Development Areas

When it comes to careers, ESTPs have a long and varied career list to choose from. People with this type of personality are quick to make decisions, thus making them excellent candidates for roles that require on-the-spot thinking. This is further reinforced by the fact that ESTPs live in the present and want to see the results of their actions immediately instead of thinking about the future. They also tend to be very charming and are excellent individuals in connecting people – such a trait can give them a great advantage.

In social situations, people with this personality type are said to be playful, friendly, and charismatic. According to David Keirsey, the ESTP group often has a significant influence on those around them. They are not only good at communicating and interacting with people, but also possess the ability to perceive and interpret sign language. It is through these capabilities that ESTPs do very well in professions related to sales and marketing.

However, they also tend to be very impatient, which means that a career or role that involves meticulous research or repetitive tasks is not right for them. Their observance can be very helpful in certain areas, but their curious and energetic nature will push them toward action-oriented rather than analytical. ESTPs will choose a less stable but interesting career path, they like to take risks whether big or small and will often be winners.

They are motivated by logical issues, often choose careers related to mechanical skills, sports, diplomatic, and negotiating skills. They also want to be able to flexibly handle issues without having to follow an existing rule. ESTPs are suitable for the following careers fields:

• Science and Life (Agricultural and Forestry Technician, Environmental Biologist);
• Education (Vocational Teacher, Administrator);
• Business, sales, and finance (Financial Advisor, Human Resource Management, Business Management);
• Technical maintenance and repair (Automobile Mechanic, Refrigeration Staff, Electronic);
• Production and Construction (Carpenter, Baker, Quality Control Inspector);
• Architects and Technical Engineer;
• Police, Bodyguard, Firefighter, Military Officer, Pilot.

VIII. How ESTPs perform in the work and learning environment

ESTPs often have problems with learning, especially higher study programs that are heavily involved in the theory.  They are bored with subjects that are not realistic. Though they can be very smart, learning will be a challenge for them.

It is easy to recognize an ESTP in any work environment because of his/ her energetic and spontaneous nature. Even at work, ESTPs enjoy entertainment and can be a little harsh at times. People with the ESTP personality type like solving problems so they can recount their great solutions later. They can adapt quickly and figure out how to make any situation more interesting.

With their dynamic nature, ESTPs are easily suitable for many different jobs. They love to lead things at work, be able to control themselves with their principles, and plan out the details of the project even though they are not in charge. However, working in a controlled and regulated environment is challenging for them – ESTPs will face many obstacles as subordinates if they enjoy experimenting and tend to think quickly and work spontaneously.

As coworkers, ESTPs are willing to face difficulties and do their best in each task, as long as it can benefit everyone. Their special charisma makes it easy for them to get along with anyone. However, they will also frankly speak their mind if there is a disagreement about the issue of their colleagues' inability and inertia. With a strong personality, ESTPs know how to observe and fine-tune changes in their peers.

As managers, ESTPs feel most comfortable because their flexibility is maximized. They are given the freedom to come up with a range of ideas and small measurable goals that make things go smoothly and get done faster. ESTPs' liberal and somewhat rebellious personality may create a chaotic work environment, but they know how to transmit induction and handle work well, so they can easily manage the work environment in their way.

IX. 10 Things you might not know about ESTPs

1. This is the fourth most popular personality group in the world and accounts for about 4-10% of the world's population.

2. By gender, only 3% of ESTPs are women and 6% are men.

3. ESTPs have a lot of talent – every ESTP must acknowledge his/her talents, as well as his/her strengths and weaknesses.

4. Very few personality types have the same charm and appeal as ESTPs. As bold people who love to experience new things, they always live creatively and inspiringly.

5. It's quite strange that ESTPs seem to admire those who can beat them.

6. "Shock effect" is a favorite technique of ESTPs to attract the attention of others. They love to be the center of attention and show off their abilities and courage.

7. ESTPs are willing to play with children in the role of an older child.

8. ESTPs tend to show love for their partner through materialism, which can be either their strength or weakness.

9. ESTPs do not feel threatened by conflict or criticism.

10. ESTPs can unknowingly hurt others with their words.

X. ESTP famous people

• James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States;
• Ernest Hemingway, an American journalist, novelist, short-story writer, and sportsman;
• Jack Nicholson, an American actor and filmmaker;
• Eddie Murphy, an American actor, comedian, writer, and singer;
• Madonna, an American singer-songwriter and actress;
• Bruce Willis, an American actor and film producer;
• Michael J. Fox, a Canadian-American actor, comedian, author, film producer, and activist;
• Lincoln Burrows, one of the two protagonists of the American television series Prison Break.