ESTP
the energetic problem solver
ESTP strengths & weaknesses
ESTPs at their best
ESTPs are energetic problem solvers which means they’re often inventive, innovative, and sometimes disruptive. Because they have big ideas and often shun authority, they can get things done on their own in a way that’s outside the norm. They might maneuver around long-accepted structures and this often leads to exciting new ideas and innovations.
They read people well and know what to say to get their way. ESTPs are incredibly self-reliant and don’t tend to worry about what others think.
Potential development areas for ESTPs
ESTPs might have difficulty managing their time. Being so immersed in immediate problems or situations could lead them to ignore long-term problems, and they may well lose interest in long, complex projects.
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ESTPs and stress
ESTPs feel stressed if they think others are disregarding their input or advice, or if they have to plan or explain how to do things. They’d much rather just jump into action. Inefficiencies and isolation cause them stress too.
Socially, ESTPs can be stressed by subtle clues. They prefer people to be direct and to the point, and they’ll get frustrated if they’re expected to notice things that aren’t being communicated.
If you’re an ESTP personality type, you can try a few key things to balance these feelings of stress.
- Pay attention to the things that others are communicating subtly or without words.
- While you may be a direct speaker who doesn’t shy away from confrontation, others may be less direct. Look out for this at work or in your personal relationships.
- Avoid putting yourself into situations with lots of micromanaging or deadlines.
- ESTPs thrive in situations that allow freedom to experiment, and it’s difficult to avoid these stressors in a traditional or hierarchal work setting.
- Consider how to ask people for things without manipulating or coercing.
- While it’s OK to observe others to best understand what everyone wants, ESTPs can irritate if it seems like they’re using other people.