ESTP Personality Type – The

“Persuader”
Extraverted (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T) and Perceiving (P)

The ESTP personality type is nicknamed the "Persuader" and belongs to the SP
Creator temperament. ESTPs live in the "here and now." Their strength lies in their
ability to persuade others and get things done. They are enthusiastic and lively.
They think on their feet and thrive in crisis situations. The rush that risk-taking
situations produce is very appealing to the ESTPs. They are straightforward,
realistic and take criticism well.

ESTPs direct their

energy outward. They
are energized by
interaction with
others. They are
gregarious, outgoing,
assertive and
talkative. As Sensors,
Persuaders process
information through
their senses. They are
realistic, practical and
concrete thinkers.
They live in the present. Persuaders are Thinkers and are thick-skinned. They see
things objectively and do not take things personally. ESTPs are rational and logical
people. ESTPs are spontaneous and carefree. They are adaptable and like to keep
their options open.

Persuaders have an uncanny ability to read other people's nonverbal

communication and to anticipate what others will say and do. They are very adept
at winning others over. They are generous, likeable and humorous. Persuaders are
drawn to people they can have fun with and talk to. They are good at getting people
to do what they want.

"I learned a long time ago in Hollywood that the only person I
 should vote for is myself." — Jack Nicholson

ESTPs are concrete learners. They enjoy learning practical skills and they often
prefer to acquire those skills by hands-on experience. They may become bored with
in-depth analysis or passive learning. ESTPs do not like to sit still and they learn
well through interaction.

Describing an ESTP
ESTPs can often be described with these words. They commonly posess the
following strengths and weaknesses.

Characteristic of an ESTP

Realistic Spontaneous loving Lively

Practical Outgoing Carefree Informal
Adaptable Risk taking Objective Rational
Direct Thick-skinned Sociable Problem
Experiential Enthusiastic Active solver
Logical Assertive Persuasive
Factual Sensation- Gregarious

Typical Strengths Possible Weaknesses

Persuasive and charming Not able to express their own

Humorous and popular feelings
Great at dealing with crisis Easily becomes bored
situations Commitments are difficult
Fun-loving and generous Can be insensitive with their
Handles criticism well humor

ESTPs make
up 10% of all
16
personality
types. ESTPs
are the fourth
most
prevalent
personality
type. On
average,
people are
 more
Extraverted,
Sensing and
Thinking than
the opposite
preferences.

1 in every 8
males is an
ESTP (12.5%
of all males).
1 in every 13
females is an
ESTP (7.5%
of all
females).
Male ESTPs
are the third
most
common
type-gender
combination.

There are
significantly
more male
ESTPs than
there are
female
ESTPs. Just
over one-
third of
ESTPs are
female. One
reason there
are more
male ESTPs
is that males
tend to be
Thinkers (T)
while
females are
more often
Feelers (F).

ESTP Preferences
The ESTP's Preferences are Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking and Perceiving. These
determine the ESTP's Personality Type.
Extraverted (E)
Extraversion is characterized by a
preference to focus on the world
outside the self. ESTPs are energized
by social gatherings, parties and group
activities. Extraverts are usually
enthusiastic, gregarious and animated.
Their communication style is verbal
and assertive. As Extraverts, ESTPs
often need to talk. They enjoy the
limelight.
Thinking (T)
Thinking prioritizes objectivity. As
Thinkers, ESTPs make decisions based
on facts. They are ruled by their head
instead of their heart (but are not
without emotion). ESTPs judge
situations and others based on logic.
They value truth over tact and can
easily identify flaws. They are critical
thinkers and oriented toward problem
solving.
ESTP Cognitive Functions
Every person engages the world through four Cognitive Functions. The ESTP's
primary function is Extraverted Sensing and secondary is Introverted Thinking.
Extraverted Sensing
(Primary)
ESTPs use this function most often.
Through Sensing (S), ESTPs process
data with their five senses. The
Extraverted Sensing function allows
them to process life through their
experiences. It is being aware of what
Sensing (S)
Sensing focuses on the present. As
sensors, ESTPs are "here and now"
people. They are factual and process
information through the five senses.
They see things as they are because
they are concrete and literal thinkers.
They trust what is certain. ESTP value
realism and common sense. They like
ideas with practical applications.
Perceiving (P)
Perceiving refers to a person's
adaptability and flexibility. Persuaders
are random thinkers who prefer to keep
their options open. They thrive with the
unexpected and are open to change.
They are spontaneous and often juggle
several projects at once. They enjoy
starting a task better than finishing it.
Persuaders play as they work.
Introverted Thinking
(Secondary)
ESTPs use of this function is
somewhat high. While Thinking (T),
Persuaders make decisions based on
logic and reason. The Introverted
Thinking function enables them to
categorize and analyze information
is seen, smelled, touched, heard and that they receive. It is the ability to
tasted. It is being energized by identify inconsistencies and know how
experience and living "in the moment." things work as well the ability to solve
problems.

Extraverted Feeling (Tertiary) Introverted Intuition (Least)

ESTPs use this function but to a lesser
degree. When Feeling (F), ESTPs make
decisions based on feelings. The
Extraverted Feeling function allows
ESTPs to tune their behavior to the
needs of others. Is it the ability to
relate and the desire to connect with
others with warmth and consideration
as well as draw others out and
responds to expressed or unexpressed
needs.
ESTPs use this function least of the
four. With Intuition (N), ESTPs process
data through impressions, possibilities
and meanings. Introverted Intuition
enables Persuaders to have a sense
about the future. It is the ability to
grasp a pattern or plan. Information
that is hard to understand and dissect
is more easily processed through
Introverted Intuition.

ESTPs and Work

ESTPs often do well in business. They love the challenge of selling and negotiating.
They are driven to achieve what others might consider impossible. They are
energized by results and are not slowed down by obstacles. ESTPs are gifted at
using the resources they posses in order to achieve their goals.

ESTP Career Matches

People with the ESTP personality type may find satisfaction with the following
careers which tend to match well with their Persuader personality.

Carpenter Detective Comedian Manager

Craftsman Driver IT Support Computer
Paramedic/E Firefighter Entrepreneur Technician
MT Military Marketer Sales Agent
Police Officer Farmer Project

Famous ESTPs
Here is a sampling of Famous People and Fictional Characters that may share the
ESTP personality type.
 Donald Michael J. The Simpsons
Trump Fox
US President, Actor (Back to
Businessman the Future)
Madonna Joan Cusack
Singer Actress,
Comedian
Jack
Nicholson Chuck Norris
Actor Martial Artist,
Actor
James
Buchanan Louie
American DePalma
President Taxi

Mae West Jake "J.J"

Actress Gittes
Chinatown
Ernest
Hemingway Spike Spiegel
American Cowboy Bebop
Novelist
James Bond
Simon Peter James Bond
Disciple of Series
Jesus
Sonny
Lucille Ball Corleone
Actress (I Love Godfather
Lucy)
Tuco
Roy Rogers The Good, the
Singer, Actor Bad and...
Eddie Murphy Charlie
Actor, Dead Poets
Comedian Society
Ann Jillian Elle Driver
Actress Kill Bill Vol. 1
Jimmy Huckleberry
Conners Finn
Tennis Player The
Adventures of
Cybil Tom Sawyer
Shepherd
Actress Bernie
Bernbaum
Jacob (Israel) Miller's
Jewish Crossing
Patriarch
Vincent Vega
Bruce Willis Pulp Fiction
Actor (Die
Hard) Bart Simpson

Conclusion
ESTPs are people-oriented. They are flexible and adaptable in all situations. They
are energetic and fun. They are direct and clear and can take the same kind of
honesty from others. The ESTP's greatest contribution is their ability to get things
done and work well with others.
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Protectors Creators Intellectual Visionaries

(SJ) (SP) s (NT) (NF)
ESTJ - ESTP - ENTJ - Chief ENFJ -
Overseer Persuader Mentor
ENTP -
ESFJ - ESFP - Originator ENFP -
Supporter Entertainer Advocate
INTJ -
ISTJ - ISTP - Strategist INFJ -
Examiner Craftsman Confidant
INTP -
ISFJ - ISFP - Artist Engineer INFP -
Defender Dreamer

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