ESTP
The ESTP is the “committee person,” constantly looking for the “next big thing” and immersing him or herself in social activities with gusto. ESTPs need such experiences, as it is through these activities that they best learn and understand. The imaginative, reflective life is not for them; they prefer to jump in and see what happens.
ESTPs do not enjoy the constraints of deadlines, schedules, or end dates.
ESTPs are pragmatic, tough-minded, and will act on the facts and data, rather than emotion. If an ESTP does exactly what you tell him, it is only because he wanted to in the first place. ESTPs are spontaneous, active individuals.
Activities involving great power, speed, thrill, and risk are attractive to the ESTP. Chronic stifling of these impulses makes the ESTP feel drained and ready to move on to the next thrill, often without thinking through the consequences.
Characteristics
- Adaptable
- Makes the most of every situation
- Highly observant
- Fun-loving
Areas of Growth
- Set goals and work toward them
- Set priorities and follow through
- Be open to the “big picture”
- Be sensitive to others’ needs
Attitude
It should come as no surprise that ESTP managers have a “can-do” instinct about them; nothing is impossible.
Energizers
- Freedom to interact with people
- Having options in the way tasks are accomplished
- Working as part of a team
- Clear structure
Stressors
- Deadlines
- Having to conform to a rigid routine
- Long-term planning
- Binding commitments
To function at their best
ESTPs need challenge and excitement. They love to put out fires and to rally the troops. They crave lots of action and adventure. Don’t tell them what to do; they love to be asked.
Relationships
ESTPs are fun-loving, adventurous, gregarious individuals who will be the life and soul of the party—until their boredom levels kick in and then they’ll be off looking for the next big adventure. The sensing (S) factualness goes strangely with the perceiving (P), which means that they want to quickly get as many sensory experiences as possible—all that can be fit into one day.
ESTPs are family-oriented and will protect and support those close to them. However, they do not like to be constrained, bored, or—worst of all—told what to do. Constantly in a rush to move onto something more exciting, ESTPs may forget the niceties of considering how other people are feeling. This is not because they don’t care; it is more about not noticing as the blur of moving from one interesting, sensory experience to the next holds their attention.
ESTP at work
In a team situation, ESTPs will bring an urgency to get a plan rolling—and make sure it happens right now. ESTPs will look to have an immediate and positive impact on the team and will be a good catalyst for action, cutting through anything woolly or ethereal.
They have the energy and drive of ENTJs and ESTJs, but ESTPs have a much lower boredom threshold, so they can lose interest once the initial fascination has passed. In the initial stages, however, ESTPs can bring their tremendous energy and enthusiasm to bear on the team, invigorating, motivating, and cutting through the red tape to get things done. ESTPs have incredible drive and energy, but it’s all focused on practical application and sorting things right now. They bore easily and need short, practical, difficult tasks to work on.
ESTPs will focus forensically on the problem at hand. Then, once it is done, they will get bored and need another thrill. They work in short bursts of energy and need to move on at the first hint of the energy steadying out. ESTPs are essentially a practical type, preferring to use facts, data, knowledge, and experience to fix things and will not really value reflecting or “blue sky thinking,” preferring to jump in and act.
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