ESTP Personality Type (Se-Ti)

What is an ESTP Personality Type?

ESTP stands for Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving. Originally, it was a term from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (or MBTI), which was developed by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs. The Myers-Briggs theory (which many incorrectly refer to as just “MBTI”) originally labelled 16 personality types. Myers and Briggs drew their inspiration from Carl Jung’s theory of the cognitive functions. The 4-letter acronyms have now become commonplace within various offshoots or interpretations of Carl Jung’s original work.

ESTP Meaning

The ESTP personality type is Extraverted, which does not necessarily mean that they are socially extraverted, although many may be. They will, however, be cognitive extraverts. In Carl Jung’s description of the cognitive functions, Extraversion simply means a focus on the objective or external world.

The ESTP personality type values Sensing, which means they prioritize concrete information over abstract information. Being a Sensor does not mean the ESTP is incapable of being abstract, but rather they will lean more heavily on concrete information, viewing it as more reliable.

The ESTP personality type values Thinking, which does not mean they have no emotions or are unaffected by their emotions. Rather, they will have a natural focus on impersonal data, in an attempt to approach things in a way that they believe to be the most logical.

The ESTP personality type prioritizes Perceiving, which means they prefer a spontaneous and flexible lifestyle. Perceiver types are prone to feeling smothered by too much structure or organization.

ESTP at a Glance

ESTP types will desire to interact with their environment in order to learn and experience new things. They prefer to live in-the-moment, and enjoy life to its fullest. When healthy, they are playful, friendly, and adaptable. This personality type typically deals with life on a day-to-day basis, rather than over-planning. This makes it easier for them to switch paths, or make adjustments based on current events. ESTPs excel at systematic thinking, and rely on an internal sense of consistent logic. Assuming they are socially extraverted, they are often warm and likeable individuals who are good at getting others on the same page.

Common Strengths (when healthy)

Adaptable
Personable
Energetic
Direct
Observant
Practical
Analytical

Common Weaknesses (when imbalanced)

Impulsive
Scattered and unfocused
Sharp-tongued and divisive
Facetious or phony
Excessive pleasure seeking (hedonism)
Avoidance of the future or long term planning

Cognitive Functions of an ESTP

The cognitive functions for the ESTP personality type, in order, are Se-Ti-Fe-Ni. Below, we attempted to break down each cognitive function and practically explain how it will surface in an ESTP. Please realize however that everyone is unique, and the entire world cannot fit into 16 personality type boxes. Ergo, it’s unlikely that an ESTP will relate to or demonstrate every single quirk or trait mentioned below. However, an ESTP should relate to the underlying principle of each function, and most of what is described below. Exceptions may occur when the ESTP is stuck in a Se-Fe loop or in the grip of Ni. These scenarios may be briefly mentioned in the description below, but this page is not specifically written with those scenarios in mind. With all that said, we hope you find this description useful for self-analysis or understanding the minds of others.

Dominant Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se)

The ESTP personality type leads with Extraverted Sensing (Se). Dominant Se is what gives this personality type an ingrained desire for sensory experiences. (Click here for a more in-depth description of Se.) This drives them to interact with the tangible world, although not always in the cliff-diving fashion that some descriptions would have you believe. Rather, ESTPs will feel the need to act, whether that means doing something or creating something. They would rather act on their desires, impulses, or dreams rather that just talking or thinking about it. They will view theorizing as pointless if there is no potential for it to lead to action or produce something useful or tangible. This does not mean that ESTPs lack imagination, ideas, or dreams. It simply mean that they will be defined by their actions not their dreams. They will feel restless until they are able to put any ideas that they have into action, and ideas that do not appear “realistic” or achievable will likely be dismissed.

Dominant Se users are incredibly in tune with their environment, but not in the way that people generally think. ESTPs react to their environment immediately as things unfold. They will probably be highly observant as they draw in all of the relevant details from whatever scene or situation they are focusing on. This may or may not be subconscious. However, they are not storing away all the details in order to recall them later, like an Si user would. Remember, their sensing function is external, driving them to act. Once they have been driven to action, they will likely discard the information because the details served their purpose and are now no longer worth remembering. (ESTP won’t readily recall tons of past details). As a result, an ESTP won’t seem worried about repeating past negative events, and won’t overly dwell on what has happened in the past. They’ll be more concerned with enjoying the here and now, not paying too much mind to potential negative consequences.

ESTPs value action above all else. ESTPs (or any dominant Se user) will be ones that won’t look before they leap. They are impulsive and would rather act first and worry about the consequences later. This doesn’t mean they’re stupid or never think, just reactive. ESTPs will just assume that they’ll change course as needed and everything will still work out in their favor. Remember, their primary drive is to experience life with their senses. Because of this desire, those with the ESTP personality type will be prone to hands-on or action oriented hobbies. It could be something crazy like sky diving, and or it may simply mean drawing, painting, building, or playing an action oriented video game. They will probably find competition to be highly motivating. Although, realize that dominant Se users can easily be lazy, especially in regards to something they don’t want to do, or something that doesn’t please their senses.

(Bear in mind, an Se dominant could have absolutely no affinity for athletics. The main thing that Se is doing is driving someone toward physical sensory experiences, however extreme or mild they may be. )

In social scenarios, ESTPs are more likely to be the types that socialize through a shared activity, rather than, for instance, just sitting around and talking. This doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy downtime or relaxing hobbies. It just means that they will prefer doing something with their friends, even if that means just watching a movie or going out for a cup of a coffee. Additionally, actions will always be valued far above words, and this spans to their friendships. IE: A hurt ESTP would rather see that someone’s actions have changed rather than receiving an apology. Also, the ESTP personality will be prone to incorporating physical touch into their day-to-day interactions, like pats on the back.

Auxiliary Function: Introverted Thinking (Ti)

The ESTP personality type has Introverted Thinking (Ti) as their second, or auxiliary, function. Strong Ti users desire to make everything they see and experience in life fit logically into what they already know. However, since the ESTP is not a dominant Ti user, they won’t necessarily be in a constant state of processing information. Instead, their Ti will be used to either help determine the focus of their Se or temper their Se’s desire to leap before they look. As a dominant Extraverted Perceiver (Se, in this case), the ESTP’s desire to act and perceive will come first and foremost, and then Ti will jump in to help order their observations and make judgement calls. Of course, these judgement calls will be based primarily on logic rather than emotions. Like the dominant Ti users, ESTPs will have a need to make sense of things, but not everything – only whatever their dominant Se is currently focusing on.

ESTPs will be analytical, but they’ll prefer to do the analysis while in action. They’ll probably enjoy things that have a problem solving element, but they won’t let over-analysis get in their way when there is a need to act. They will be good at thinking on their feet, and making snap decisions in the heat of the moment. Since their judging function is both internal and auxiliary, ESTPs will probably appear more open-minded and non-judgemental as a general rule. However, when Ti is extraverted, it may come across a couple of different ways, the first being external analysis. Statements such as “I think that makes sense” or “I’m not so sure about that” tend to be characteristic of strong Ti users. ESTPs will probably struggle to outright dismiss or accept any new logical “fact” until they have had time to analyze it fully, but they will initially run it through their Ti “database” to produce one of the previously mentioned statements. (However, an ESTP will be quicker to accept a new piece of information and “recalculate” than an IXTP will.) The other way Ti might extravert is through a sudden, sharp statement or jab, amidst matter-of-fact analysis, in a debate or in conversation. As a result, ESTPs may find themselves accidentally offending someone or hurting someone’s feelings. They will probably be aware of what they have done the moment the words leave their mouth, or not long after (as a result of low Fe). While ESTPs can be incredibly friendly and easygoing, this personality type usually won’t strike people as very emotional, nor will they be prone to sharing personal information unless they have a close relationship with whomever they are conversing with.

In arguments, ESTPs will be the among the personality types to call out logical error and inconsistencies rather than appealing to emotions or arguing about values. (This doesn’t mean ESTPs will never argue about personal beliefs, but rather that the style of argument will be centered around poking logical holes in the arguer’s reasoning.) ESTPs will ignore rules that don’t make logical sense to them, and won’t have a natural respect for authority in the external world. Combining that fact dominant Se’s primary desire to act, ESTPs will probably come off as a rebel, especially if they frequently choose to ignore rules, regulations, or authority figures. ESTPs will probably also enjoy strategy centered games which utilize their Ti.

Tertiary Function: Extraverted Feeling (Fe)

The ESTP personality type has Extraverted Feeling (Fe) as their third, or tertiary, function. Fe in this spot will cause ESTPs to appear more emotionally expressive than their ISTP counterparts. Healthy ESTPs should have fairly strong use of their tertiary Fe, being able to utilize it as a strength. They may feel somewhat inadequate regarding their ability to read and empathize with others, yet this shouldn’t be an extreme insecurity for them. Of course, on the other hand, they may view themselves as completely competent in this area. They may also feel a heightened need to help or connect with others.

However, less healthy ESTPs might also be prone to using Fe more mischievously (to argue, jest, or provoke conflict), or simply as a warning signal, telling the ESTP when it’s time to leave a situation that is slowly unraveling into disharmony. They may be the types that slip out before a situation gets too emotionally intense, or on the flip side, they may be right in the center of it all, egging it on. Tertiary Fe can cause this personality type to manipulate the emotions of those they are interacting with when they’re trying to get what they want or achieve a certain goal. They’ll also probably be more charismatic as a result of this function.

In the negative, Fe desires validation from others. In the case of ESTPs, they will probably appear very confident, while secretly desiring that their actions or arguments be validated. While an Fi user wants to be agreed with, Fe users are more looking to have their arguments, viewpoints, or actions deemed valid, even if disagreed with. For instance, they may be prone to arguing something out until they can get the recognition that their argument or viewpoint isn’t illogical.

Inferior Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)

The ESTP personality type has Introverted Intuition (Ni) as their fourth, or inferior, function. Their use of Ni will be low and will likely cause them problems early in life. In most cases, inferior Ni will give ESTPs either a fear of the future (or a tendency toward paranoia), an inability to see beyond the present, or just a general sense of pessimism whenever the idea of the future comes up. Inferior Ni, unlike inferior Ne, does not fear an abundance of possible negative outcomes, but rather one negative outcome, perhaps carried out to an extreme… meaning: “this will happen, then this, then that, and then I’ll die.”

Underdeveloped inferior Ni will lead them to avoid thinking about the future, wanting to stay entirely in the present and live in the moment. They may not even be interested in planning their future or setting life goals, which can make them drifters early on in life with no particular focus. Or, perhaps they do set life goals, but their desire to please their senses in the moment ends up preventing those goals from ever being realized. (Obviously, inferior Ni has the potential to be very self-destructive.) Additionally, inferior Ni may cause an ESTP to readily set aside or distrust their hunches in favor of what can be concretely proven.

Developing their Ni will allow ESTPs to get past possible shortsightedness and focus on the long term consequences of their actions, so that they’ll be able to temper their impulse to act when necessary and patiently work toward an ideal future or goal. It will also allow ESTPs to take their intuition into account, and pay attention to any hunches or gut instincts their Ni may provide them.

ESTP Careers and Job Ideas

At Practical Typing, we hesitate to list specific careers, because each person is far more than their personality type. Cognitive functions do not determine skills, only cognitive preferences. However, there will be certain aspects within a given career field that play better to an ESTP’s strengths. For instance, positions that allow the ESTP freedom to experiment and interact directly with the cause-and-effect of their work will complement their natural instincts and inclinations. They will enjoy a fast-paced work environment, that provides a steady stream of varied work. They often excel at quick-thinking, and reacting in the moment. The ability to both collaborate with others and work independently may help keep them from burning out due to excessive repetition. They often appreciate a job that is technical in nature, or focuses on problem-solving. They may prefer to avoid jobs that are overly structured, tedious, too emotionally involved, or have little practical application.

ESTP Relationships and Compatibility

Within a relationship, ESTPs are often excited and engaged partners who enjoy spontaneity. They are always ready to participate in a stimulating, shared activity. They bring a sense of realism and rationality to their relationships, while maintaining a playful and supportive nature. Furthermore, they value independence and will gladly allow space for some solo activities. They will feel frustrated if the relationship is too restrictive or smothering, since they enjoy having the freedom to experience life at their leisure.