10 ESTP Cognitive and Sarcastic Functions Explained

ESTP (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving) is one of the 16 personality types identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. ESTPs are frequently described as outgoing, action-oriented and dramatic. ESTPs typically enjoy spending time with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances they can relate with. They are mainly interested in what happens in the present time and they are more likely to focus on details than taking a broader view of things. People with this personality type are generally logical in their thinking. They will place a greater emphasis on objectivity rather than personal feelings when making decisions. ESTPs are known for being persuasive with other people.

1. Extraverted Sensing
Having a great focus on the present world, ESTPs can be viewed as realists. Sights, sounds, and experiences that are going on immediately around them catch their interest, and they have little use for daydreams or flights of fancy. People with this personality type want to touch, smell, hear, taste and see anything and everything that could possibly draw their interest. It isn’t enough for ESTPs to read about things in a textbook or listen to a lecture if they want to learn something new. Having lots of energy they want to experience things for themselves as long as the process isn’t tedious.

2. Extraverted Feeling
This function focuses on creating social stability and relationships with others. ESTPs have a great need for social engagement, even though emotions are not their strongest suit. They love being at the center of attention and are generally good at establishing a friendly rapport with other people. While they want to socialize, ESTPs can sometimes be less comfortable sharing their judgments and opinions with others. Instead of ruffling any feathers, they focus more on pleasing others and keeping the peace with everyone around them. At times they may overlook their own personal needs to make sure that other people are happy.

3. Introverted Thinking
When making judgments about the world, ESTPs tend to focus inwardly where they process information in a way that is logical and rational. Other people may not notice this because this side of the ESTP personality type is introverted. Having a feeling of control, ESTPs are enabled to have a great amount of self-discipline. Their observational skills are excellent as they will notice things that others won’t see right away. As they take in information, ESTPs then apply whatever sense of logic they have to look for practical and immediately applicable solutions. They employ their thinking to evaluate, structure, and order their observations.

4. Introverted Intuition
ESTPs can be easily blinded to the point where their inferior function impacts their decisions and behavior. Without sufficient enough awareness, ESTPs will continue to feel incomplete and will be prone to making unwise decisions in their lifestyles, careers, and relationships. As a consequence ESTPs seeking more knowledge and personal growth must work to understand how this inferior function manifests in their personality. ESTPs focus on looking at information in order to see patterns and develop a gut feeling about issues. They will gain impressions of incoming data and develop a sense of the future. They may look for connections to gain a sense of what to prepare for next.

5. Bold and Original
ESTPs are more likely to become entrepreneurs compared to other people. They are typically full of life and energy and they take great pleasure in pushing boundaries and discovering and using new things and ideas. Having both boldness and practicality, ESTPs love to experiment with new solutions that may work. They have a tendency to put things together in ways that no one else would think to. Because of their boldness, ESTPs are particularly skilled at influencing people. They are willing to push the envelope with their original ideas regardless of how strong or weak they may end up being in execution.

6. Direct
When ESTPs feel very passionate about certain topics, they will express themselves in ways that are not only bold, but they also prefer to communicate clearly. When they try to drive home to others their key points, they will have the intent of providing direct and factual questions and answers. In their minds, things are what they are. In attempting to maintain a strong public image, they may be particular about punctuality, and they prefer not to sugarcoat any important details. While they like to be friendly and socialize with others, telling jokes isn’t a top priority that ESTPs consider.

7. Insensitive
Feelings and emotions fall far behind facts and reality for ESTPs. People with the ESTP personality type will often engage in emotionally charged situations that become awkward and uncomfortable affairs. The blunt honesty voiced by ESTPs sometimes hurts in these situations. They often have a lot of trouble acknowledging and expressing their own feelings while also trying to better understand the feelings of others. When ESTPs tell jokes they will sometimes miss the mark and come across as insensitive to others who may feel offended by what was said. The straightforward approach of ESTPs can be seen as too aggressive as well as insensitive to others.

8. Impatient
ESTPs will move at their own pace to keep themselves excited. If they have to slow down because someone else doesn’t understand specific details, or if they have to stay focused on one detail for too long, ESTPs will start feeling overly challenged and annoyed. They can grow bored with routines quickly, and they will want to stay busy with lots of hands-on activities. ESTPs find it difficult to focus, especially during lengthy discussions. They will respond to these discussions by taking their attention off other people, or they will change the topic to something else. Wasting time is the worst thing for them to do.

9. Independent
ESTPs often enjoy the independence of action and the freedom to move. Rules and regulations are things that will easily make ESTPs lose interest in any given activity. Following the rules other people have made serves as a good way for ESTPs to miss opportunities and adventures, and they will break them if they believe there is potential in it. If they feel micromanaged by their superiors, ESTPs will find it to be an encroachment to their independent nature. Being in an environment that features repetition doesn’t sit well with ESTPs since they prefer to take action first and learn later.

10. Risk-Takers
The lack of patience that ESTPs show can push them into uncharted territory without thinking of the long-term consequences. Whenever they get bored ESTPs will intentionally combat it by taking more risks. They take risks because of their adventurous nature. While they can usually dodge problems as they appear, if they struggle to overcome certain problems, the results can be catastrophic, both for them and for the people around them. They are also motivated to take risks if their competence is doubted by others. Conflict could be generated if people show a lack of trust in the ability of ESTPs.

Conclusion

People with an ESTP personality type feel energized when they interact with a wide variety of people. They perform their best at jobs that involve working with others. They have a strong dislike for routines and monotony, and they prefer to work more fast-paced jobs. Because of their many different personality characteristics, ESTPs are well suited for certain careers. They will fare well working as sales agents, marketers, entrepreneurs, police officers, detectives, and computer support technicians. They generally make great salespeople because they are so observant and have such strong people skills. ESTPs can work with plans that offer excitement, novelty, and challenges.