Extraverted
Sensing with
Introverted Thinking
STRENGTHS
Gregarious, enthusiastic and sociable,
ESTPs are quick to form new relationships. Solution focused, they use their
Sensing function to perceive the world directly, 'as it is'. Focusing on observable
facts and hard data, they view life from an objective, realistic point of view.
Approaching tasks in a down-to-earth pragmatic way, they have little interest
in abstract theory unless this has clear practical applications. Flexible and
adaptable, they are not inclined to be rule bound, rigid or dogmatic. Expedient
and action orientated, they enjoy trouble-shooting and, when necessary, will
circumvent established systems and protocols in search of practical solutions
to current, real-world problems. Thus, they will not rigidly cling to traditional,
tried-and-tested methods and procedures. Fun-loving, they enjoy variety and
change and will actively seek out new, exciting challenges. Spontaneous, and
savouring the moment, they have a great capacity to enjoy life to the full.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Directing their attention to the Extraverted
world of people and events, ESTPs are lively, talkative, action-orientated individuals.
Inclined to speak first and reflect later, they will freely contribute their
ideas to debates and discussions. Outer-directed, they have a great interest
in all that is going on around them. Thus, others will generally be quick to
warm to them, appreciating their enthusiasm and zest for life. Flexible and
free-thinking, they are open to alternative points of view, which they will
critically examine in a logical, objective manner. Expedient and goal-directed,
they will want to achieve results with a minimum of effort and fuss. Decisive
and quick to act, they are not inclined to dwell unduly on their own, or others',
interpersonal or emotional needs. Spontaneous and adventurous, they are popular
team members, enthusing others into action. Plunging into things with great
energy, they will improvise solutions to problems as they arise.
THINKING STYLE
Having a logical, analytical thinking style,
ESTPs are known for their realistic, pragmatic approach to problems. Not inclined
to engage in abstract theoretical debate, they tend to focus on the known facts
in a given situation. Solution focused and goal directed, they are more interested
in directly perceiving how things work, rather than understanding why they work.
However, their pragmatic realism does not cause them to be closed minded or
dogmatic. Thus, they will be open to new methods and ideas, particularly when
they can see the practical advantages of adopting new approaches. Focusing on
the 'broader picture', they may not always see the point of closely adhering
to set procedures and systems. Similarly, attending to the detailed requirements
of a task may not come naturally to them. They will generally prefer to learn
about a subject by participating in lively informed debate or discussion, or
via direct hands-on experience, rather than through private study or reflection.
HOW OTHERS MAY SEE YOU
Colleagues will value their pragmatic down-to-earth
realism, and the active contribution they make to debates and discussions. Participating
enthusiastically in all that goes on around them, they will be seen as adventurous,
fun-loving and self-assured. Colleagues who are less assertive than them may
on occasion view them as being a little overbearing, or even somewhat opinionated
at times. However, this is to misunderstand their straight-forward, direct interpersonal
style and their lively, expressive manner. Avoiding dogmatism, they will be
seen as open-minded, independent thinkers. However, more cautious colleagues
may at times worry about their readiness to discard established systems and
procedures, in their attempt to find immediate solutions to pressing problems.
As ESTPs are confident and plain-speaking, their colleagues will know where
they stand with them. Moreover, their strong desire for action may at times
cause them to be impatient with the interpersonal dimensions of the task.
After publishing his seminal work on psychological types in 1921, Jung did little further work in this area. However the importance of his work was recognised by the mother and daughter team, Elizabeth Myers and Catherine Briggs. Realising that if Jung's ideas were to have any practical application it would be necessary to develop an easy method for assessing a person's psychological type, Myers and Briggs published the first type indicator in 1949. Moreover, they developed the now famous four-letter type code as a short hand way of describing a person's type.In addition to providing a short-cut route for describing a person's psychological type, the four-letter code also reveals a set of complex personality dynamics which provide insights into the order in which the preferred psychological processes are likely to manifest themselves in the person's daily life.
The way to discover the dynamic relationship between these psychological processes is by examining the middle two preferences; SN for perceiving, and TF for judging, types. These are referred to as functions. For any type, one of these functions is dominant and this dominant function is used in the preferred world (external or internal as indicated by the EI preference), with Extraverts using their dominant function in the external world and Introverts using their dominant function in the internal world. Moreover, the function which the type code indicates is not preferred is called the auxiliary function. Thus, if either the S or N function were indicated as being the preferred function, then either the T or F function would be the auxiliary function.
So, introverts are more likely to exhibit their auxiliary function when relating to the outer world, whereas their dominant function will be used mainly when relating to the inner world, and will thus not be readily accessible for others to see. In contrast, because Extraverts use their dominant function in the outer world, it will be available for all to see.
