ESTP Personality Characteristics, Myths & Cognitive Functions

ESTP Personality Characteristics, Myths & Cognitive Functions Theories Personality Psychology Print ESTP: The Persuader (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) An Overview of the ESTP Personality Type By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Updated on January 04, 2019 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Overview Intuitive-Thinking INTJ INTP ENTJ ENTP Intuitive-Feeling INFJ INFP ENFJ ENFP Sensing-Judging ISTJ ISFJ ESTJ ESFJ Sensing-Perceiving ISTP ISFP ESTP ESFP In This Article Table of Contents Expand Key ESTP Characteristics Cognitive Functions Personal Relationships Career Paths Tips for Interacting With ESTPs View All ESTP is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). People with this personality type are frequently described as outgoing, action-oriented and dramatic. ESTPs are outgoing and enjoy spending time with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. They are interested in the here-and-now and are more likely to focus on details than taking a broader view of things. Illustration by JR Bee, Verywell People with this personality type are logical. When making decisions, they place a higher value on objectivity rather than personal feelings. ESTPs dont like to be pinned down by excessive planning. Instead, they like to improvise and keep their options open. According to psychologist David Keirsey, the creator of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, approximately four to ten percent of people exhibit an ESTP personality. It is believed to be one of the most common personality types. Key ESTP Characteristics When confronted by problems, people with this personality type quickly look at the facts and devise an immediate solution. They tend to improvise rather than spend a great deal of time planning.ESTPs dont have a lot of use for abstract theories or concepts. They are more practical, preferring straightforward information that they can think about rationally and act upon immediately.They are very observant, often picking up on details that other people never notice. Other people sometimes describe them as fast-talkers who are highly persuasive. In social settings, they often seem like they are a few steps ahead of the conversation.ESTPs are not planners. They react in the moment and can often be quite impulsive or even risk-taking. This leap before they look attitude can be problematic at times and it may lead them to saying or doing things that they wish they could take back.One common myth about ESTPs is that they are reckless. In some instances, people with this personality type can veer into reckless behavior. In most cases, however, ESTPs act quickly based on their impressions and logic. Strengths Gregarious, funny, and energetic Influential and persuasive Action-oriented Adaptable and resourceful Observant Weaknesses Impulsive Competitive Dramatic at times Easily bored Insensitive Cognitive Functions The MBTI suggests that personality is also composed of a number of different mental functions (sensing, thinking, intuition, and feeling) that are either directed inwardly (introverted) or outwardly (extraverted). The most prominent of these functions plays the largest role in personality, while the secondary function acts as a co-pilot. The tertiary and inferior functions tend to have smaller influence. Dominant: Extraverted Sensing Because they are so focused on the present world, ESTPs tend to be realists. They are interested in the sights, sounds, and experiences that are going on immediately around them, and they have little use for daydreams or flights of fancy.As sensors, people with this personality type want to touch, feel, hear, taste and see anything and everything that might possibly draw their interest. When learning about something new, its not just enough to read about it in a textbook or listen to a lecture â€" they want to experience it for themselves.ESTPs also have lots of energy, so they can become bored in situations that are tedious or in learning situations that involve a great deal of theoretical information. ESTPs are the quintessential doers â€" they get straight to work and are willing to take risks in order to get the job done. Auxiliary: Introverted Thinking When making judgments about the world, ESTPs focus inwardly where they process information in a logical and rational way. Because this side of personality is introverted, it is something that people may not immediately notice.This inner sense of control gives ESTPs a great deal of self-discipline. They are skilled at working independently and can be very goal-directed when they want to achieve an objective.They have excellent observational skills, noticing things that others may overlook. As they take in information, they then apply their sense of logic to look for practical and immediately applicable solutions. Tertiary: Extraverted Feeling This function focuses on creating social harmony and relationships with others. While emotions are not an ESTPs strongest suit, they do have a great need for social engagement. They enjoy being at the center of attention and are good at establishing a friendly rapport with other people.While they are social, ESTPs are sometimes less comfortable sharing their opinions and judgments with others. Rather than rock the boat, they are more focused on pleasing others and maintaining harmony.  They may overlook their own needs at times to ensure that other people are happy. Inferior: Introverted Intuition This aspect of personality focuses on looking at information in order to see patterns and develop a gut feeling about situations.This aspect of personality allows ESTPs to gain impressions of incoming data and develop a sense of the future. They may look for connections that will allow them to gain a sense of what to expect will happen next.Intuition is not an ESTPs strong suit, but they will sometimes develop strong gut reactions to a situation that may actually be completely inaccurate. Because of this, they may feel that they do not have good instincts. ESTPs You Might Know Donald Trump, businessman and U.S. PresidentMadonna, singerErnest Hemingway, novelistThomas Edison, inventorCaptain James T. Kirk, fictional character, Star Trek Personal Relationships As extroverts, ESTPs gain energy from being around other people. In social settings, people with this personality type are seen as fun, friendly and charming. According to Keirsey, people with this personality type are particularly skilled at influencing people. ESTPs are not only great at interacting with other people, they have a natural ability to perceive and interpret nonverbal communication. Thanks to these abilities, ESTPs tend to do very well in careers that involve sales and marketing. Career Paths People with an ESTP personality type feel energized when they interact with a wide variety of people, so they do best in jobs that involve working with others. They strongly dislike routine and monotony, so fast-paced jobs are ideal. ESTPs have several different personality characteristics that make them well-suited for certain careers. As mentioned previously, because they are so observant and have such strong people skills, ESPTs make great salespeople. Because they are action-oriented and resourceful, they are great in first-responder positions that require fast-thinking and quick responses such as emergency medical personnel and police officers. Popular ESTP Careers Sales agentMarketerEntrepreneurPolice officersDetectivesComputer support technicianParamedic Tips for Interacting With ESTPs Friendships ESTPs have an inexhaustible thirst for adventure. You can be a good friend by always being ready to head out for a new experience, or even by coming up with plans that offer excitement, novelty, and challenge. Parenting ESTP children can be adventurous and independent, which is why parents need to set boundaries and ensure that fair, consistent discipline is used. Kids with this type of personality needs lots of hand-on activities to keep them busy, but they may struggle in classroom settings where they quickly grow weary of routines. Relationships ESTPs are exciting and fun-loving, but they can grow bored with routines quickly. They do not enjoy long, philosophical discussions but like to keep the conversation flowing as they talk about shared interests and passions. Be aware that your partner prefers to take things day by day, may struggle with making long-term commitments, and has a hard time making plans for the future.