ESTP:Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving

(File Last Modified Fri, Oct 25, 2002.)

• ESTP (13% of the American population)
• Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving
• Possible Blind Spots

ESTP (13% of the American population)

Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving

ESTPs don't worry--they're happy! Active, easygoing, and spontaneous, ESTPs enjoy the present moment rather than planning for the future.

Extremely realistic, ESTPs rely on and trust what their senses tell them about their world. They are curious and keen observers. Because they accept things as they are, they tend to be open-minded and tolerant of others and themselves. ESTPs like real things that can be handled, taken apart, and put back together.

ESTPs prefer action to conversation and enjoy dealing with situations as they arise. They are good problem solvers because they can absorb necessary factual information and then find logical and sensible solutions quickly, without a lot of wasted effort or energy. They can be diplomatic negotiators, happy to try unconventional approaches and usually able to persuade other people to give their compromises a chance. They are able to grasp underlying principles and make decisions based upon what is logical, rather than on how they feel about things. Therefore they are pragmatic and can be tough when the situation warrants.

Friendly and charming, ESTPs are popular and at ease in most social situations. They are outgoing, versatile, and funny, and may have an endless supply of jokes and stories for whatever situation they find themselves in. They can be good at easing tense situations by lightening up the atmosphere and getting conflicting parties together.

Possible Blind Spots

ESTPs's preference for living in the moment and adopting an ``emergency'' style of responding to unexpected crises can result in a chaotic environment for those around them. They may miss opportunities through lack of planning. They sometimes take on too much at one time and find themselves overloaded and unable to keep their commitments. ESTPs need to look beyond the current moment and their interest in the material world to try to anticipate ways of finishing tasks on time.

ESTPs also tend to overlook other people's feeling and may be blunt and insensitive in their desire to be honest, especially when they are rushing from one experience to another. Their flamboyance can sometimes be perceived as crudeness and may alienate the people they are trying to entertain. ESTPs become more effective with other people when they direct their keen powers of observation to be sensitive to the people around them. They are more effective when they rein in their boldness, energy, and love of a good time to a level where other people are more comfortable.

More interested in solving problems quickly and effortlessly, ESTPs tend to jump directly into the next crisis and not follow through on the less-exciting portions of current projects. They do well to learn and apply time management and long-range planning techniques to help them prepare for and complete responsibilities. slowing down to develop standards for their own behavior and considering the ramifications of their actions will make them more effective.