The Executor – Understanding the ESTP Personality Type
In the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator framework, personality types represent various approaches to life. Each one is a fascinating study with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. And people have succeeded immensely by understanding them better.
Most people take the MBTI in order to understand themselves. Understandably so. However, this tool is just as useful in understanding others, especially for managers and HR personnel.
There are 16 different MBTI personality types, which might seem like a daunting list to familiarize yourself with. Yet the benefits can be intense.
When we really know who we’re working with, we’re in a much better position to maximize their potential.
Take the ESTP, also known as “The Executor.” One of the more common Myers-Briggs categories, it’s marked by a straightforward, no-nonsense outlook on life. ESTPs live in the present, relying heavily on their five senses to understand themselves, their environments, and the people around them – along with the best ways to deal with all of it.
There are so many details worth knowing about ESTP personality types, starting with their daily life, as described below…
An ESTP’s Daily Life
Being an ESTP means your main way of living is externally centered: You literally and concretely experience everything through what you see, hear, taste, smell, and tangibly feel. That stimuli then overwhelmingly and unconsciously influences the way you handle situations – which, fortunately, tend to be both logical and sensible.
ESTPs have straightforward, gregarious personalities and can easily be the life of any party they go to. They’re doers who thrive in active environments where they can interact unhindered with the world around them, including their fellow human beings.
This naturally means they’re not afraid of taking risks, either socially or in personal and professional pursuits. ESTPs are simple creatures in the best of ways, unpolluted by overthinking and self-doubt. When presented with a task, they’re very likely to jump right in and get their hands dirty.
They simply don’t give much thought to theory or introspection. Instead, they scrutinize the facts of the situation, swiftly decide on the necessary actions, execute them, and proceed to the next task.
There’s no muss or fuss necessary, if they have their way.
ESTP Strengths
ESTPs are exceptionally good at figuring out the motivations and attitudes of others. This might come as a surprise considering their lack of introspection, but their specific tendencies actually make them very attune to interpersonal cues.
Remember: They take great note of what they see and otherwise physically sense. So they’ll pick up on subtle indications like posture and facial expressions that most other personality types utterly miss.
Usually, this means they’re one or even two steps ahead of whoever they’re interacting with. It’s an intense advantage that can be used for great good.
When ESTPs determine that something is necessary, their “do it and get on with it” mentality almost assuredly means that it will, in fact, get done. Moreover, it will get done according to their particular set of moral convictions and values. ESTPs’ morality demands that they never act contrary to their convictions.
What else can we say about them? For one thing, drama and style are their strong suits. They’re quick-witted, quick-moving individuals who enjoy the finer things in life. And they typically have excellent storytelling and improvisational skills as well. Instead of following a plan, they usually make things up as they go along.
Overall, ESTPs want to have fun, want to see other people have fun, and are enjoyable to be around. Who wouldn’t want to be an ESTP?
Challenges Faced by ESTPs
As with every other personality type, however, there are detriments to falling into this category. Everyone is a combination of strengths and weaknesses, and a common ESTP challenge is that they see themselves as being above the law to a large extent.
Rules and regulations are recommendations for conduct, not orders. And this does mean they can injure people without even realizing it – especially if that person is out of sight (and therefore out of mind). Or, if they do realize it, they simply might not care.
It’s not that they’re deliberately trying to be heartless. They simply put their own values and conclusions above everyone else’s and don’t consider people’s feelings while making decisions.
In other words, intuition is an ESTP’s least developed trait. They find little value in theory and are impatient with it in their rush to get things done. Occasionally, an ESTP will experience strong intuition – but that intuition is frequently dead wrong.
This no doubt gives them even more reason to be skeptical of other people’s intuition as well. Which they automatically are.
Coaching and Development for ESTPS
The ESTP personality type faces several challenges in the classroom, particularly when they advance into higher education and more theoretical subjects. And once they’ve determined something to be impractical or illogical and therefore unapplicable to their daily tasks?
It’s all over. They become utterly disinterested and disengaged.
Since book-learning is often very theoretical in nature versus a hands-on, open-senses experience, ESTPs can have a very hard time in school despite their exceptional intelligence.
Obviously, this can translate into the workplace too, particularly in certain professions. So the best way to encourage an ESTP is to give them projects where they’re on the go. While limitations are important (and rules do need to apply), try to give them as much creative rein as possible to tap into their potential.
Otherwise, they will feel constrained and miserable – hardly the ideal workplace mentality to foster.
Practical, perceptive, outgoing, and spontaneous, ESTPs thrive on quickly coming up with creative solutions to problems. Keep in mind that they’re exceptional at starting things off and getting projects off the ground. It’s the follow-through – the daily grind – where they struggle more, which often prompts them to delegate “boring” chores to others.
This doesn’t mean ESTPs are incapable of follow-through, however. In fact, their managers should encourage them to do exactly that. How can you enhance your follow-through ship? Consider these tips to help make you your best self.
Learn to Say No. You more than likely have too much going on. Set up some feedback mechanism with your superior to ensure you are tracking with them. Make sure you use task software and utilize calendar programs to stay organized. Writing things down, even in digital formatting makes a big difference.
ESTPs in the Workplace
ESTPs are excellent motivators who can do amazing things if they identify their true talents and work within those boundaries. Natural-born salesmen, they have the ability to persuasively present any idea to anyone. And they’re excellent entrepreneurs who can inspire others to greatness as well, thanks to their high energy levels.
As such, potential ESTP career options include:
- Sales agent
- Marketing professional
- Police and detective work
- Emergency medical technician or paramedic
- PC specialist or network installer
- Tech support
- Business owner.