How can I leverage my personality strengths for my career? (Extravert edition)

Posted 14 March 2024 by
Vanessa Bradford

5 min. read

People with Extraverted personality types are typically the first to speak up in meetings and the first to say a resounding “yes” to social invitations from coworkers. As someone with an Introverted personality type, I admire the enthusiasm and candor I often see from Extraverts. In fact, I appreciate the innate and diverse strengths we all bring to the table. In a future blog post , we’ll cover how the natural strengths of Introverts help them in their career. But this first post will focus on those preferring Extraversion.

Before we shift our focus to Extraverts, here’s a quick explanation about the difference between Extraversion and Introversion:

People who prefer Extraversion (often called Extraverts) are energized by an outer world of people and experiences. They like to talk things through. This means they often verbalize ideas right away because they’re enthusiastic about the possibilities they’ve come up with.

People who prefer Introversion (often called Introverts) are energized by spending time alone in their own inner world. They like to think things through. This means they often review ideas and possibilities in their head before sharing them out loud.

It’s worth mentioning that personality type doesn’t put you in a box. Many Extraverts are thoughtful and reflective. And many Introverts are enthusiastic and socially confident.

Personality type may be innate, but it’s far from limiting – especially when you learn to grow outside of your comfort zone. If you’re an Extravert and you know your specific Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI) personality type, find yours below to learn what your natural strengths are. And learn a few professional development tips too. Introverts, read about your strengths in the next blog post.

If you have preferences for ESTP, your core strength is energy.

You’re energetic, pragmatic, and inventive
You enjoy solving problems with logic and enthusiasm
You like to be where the action is so you can achieve immediate results

Professional development tips for ESTP personality types:

Remain committed, even after the excitement wears off
Recognize that some tasks require reflection before action
Acknowledge that the first solution, while potentially efficient, is not always the best solution

If you have preferences for ESTJ, your core strength is decisiveness.

You’re logical, directive, and organized
You know how to hold yourself accountable
You’re typically brief and to-the-point in the directions you give others

Professional development tips for ESTJ personality types:

Take a moment to consider others’ viewpoints before rushing to judgement
Recognize that diplomacy and appreciation often help others stay committed
Challenge yourself to be open to new solutions instead of relying on what’s worked in the past

If you have preferences for ESFP, your core strength is enthusiasm.

You’re friendly, outgoing, and down-to-earth
You’re naturally collaborative and encouraging in team settings
You have a knack for using humor and vitality to break the ice and motivate others

Professional development tips for ESFP personality types:

Balance fun banter with focus on task completion
Weigh the pros and cons before jumping into a project
Recognize that being busy isn’t the same as doing what’s important

If you have preferences for ESFJ, your core strength is connection.

You’re helpful, warm, and compassionate
You know how to organize information to help people stay on track
You act decisively, always keeping everyone’s practical needs in mind

Professional development tips for ESFJ personality types:

Practice detachment to allow others to work in their own way
Recognize that in addition to praise, people also need constructive feedback
Learn to look for themes and patterns to help solve problems, not just the facts

If you have preferences for ENFP, your core strength is imagination.

You’re charismatic, perceptive, and encouraging
You can articulate possibilities in a way that motivates people to act
You’re appreciative of and open to a diverse array of viewpoints and ideas

Professional development tips for ENFP personality types:

Learn to prioritize projects and say no if needed
Give yourself extra time to think through details before going all in
Acknowledge that the people around you may need more structure and direction

If you have preferences for ENFJ, your core strength is responsiveness.

You’re warm, supportive, and friendly
You know how to meet goals and reach consensus even in the face of conflict
You can easily tune into others’ needs and foster collaboration for the common good

Professional development tips for ENFJ personality types:

Acknowledge that there’s often more than one way to meet a goal
Show your commitment to the team by focusing on the task at hand
Recognize that not everyone needs to be friends or get along to work well together

If you have preferences for ENTP, your core strength is initiative.

You’re perceptive, adaptable, and clever
Your can-do attitude motivates others to work toward a common goal
You’re a natural entrepreneur who brings an inventive spirit to problem-solving

Professional development tips for ENTP personality types:

Learn to ask about and consider others’ ideas and abilities too
Temper your enthusiasm for change with structure and routine
Take time to think through the specific steps needed to achieve results

If you have preferences for ENTJ, your core strength is drive.

You’re energetic, assertive, and confident
You can manage people and projects with order and logic
You’re good at making long-term plans and devising systems to reach goals along the way

Professional development tips for ENTJ personality types:

Learn to foster cooperation, not just competition
Take the time to consider others’ ideas before making a decision
Accept that sometimes a more collaborative problem-solving approach achieves better results

Not sure what your personality type is? Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator^® (MBTI) assessment to find out. And be sure to read these blog posts about Extraversion and career development: