Myers-Briggs personalities 13-16

Explorers (Those Looking for Feelings)

13. Entrepreneur Personality (ESTP)

Entrepreneurs always make an impact on their surroundings. At a party, the easiest way to spot one is to look for the swirl of people gathering around them as they move from group to group. They make up about 6.1% of the population.

They love to be the centre of attention, entertaining and making people laugh with a blunt, earthy sense of humour. If someone from the audience is asked to go on stage, Entrepreneurs volunteer, or volunteer a shy friend.

Key ESTP characteristics

• When faced with a problem, ESTPs quickly look at the facts and come up with an immediate solution. They tend to improvise rather than spend a lot of time planning.
• ESTPs have little use for abstract theories or concepts. They are more practical and prefer straightforward information that they can think through rationally and act on straight away.
• They are very observant and often notice details that others miss. Other people sometimes describe them as persuasive “fast-talkers.” In social settings, they often seem a few steps ahead of the conversation.
• ESTPs are not planners. They react in the moment and can be quite impulsive or even risk-taking. This leap-before-you-look attitude can cause problems and sometimes leads them to say or do things they wish they could take back.
• A common myth is that ESTPs are reckless. Sometimes they can slip into reckless behaviour, but in most cases they act quickly on the basis of their impressions and logic.

Pros:

• Sociable, funny and energetic.
• Influential and persuasive.
• Action-oriented.
• Adaptable and resourceful.
• Observant.

Cons:

• Impulsive.
• Competitive.
• Dramatic at times.
• Easily bored.
• Insensitive.

14. Entertainer Personality (ESFP)

If someone is going to burst spontaneously into song and dance, it will be the Entertainer. Entertainers get caught up in the excitement of the moment and want everyone else to feel it too. No other personality type is as generous with time and energy in encouraging others, and none does it with such irresistible style. They make up about 6% of the population.

Key ESFP characteristics

• ESFPs tend to be very practical and resourceful. They prefer to learn through hands-on experience and tend to dislike book learning and theoretical discussions. For this reason, students of this type sometimes struggle in traditional classrooms, but they excel where they can interact with others or learn from direct experience.
• ESFPs live very much in the here and now and sometimes fail to think about the long-term consequences of their actions. They often rush into new situations and work things out as they go. They also tend to dislike routine, enjoy new experiences and are always looking for a new adventure.
• As well as being very aware of their surroundings, they are understanding and perceptive about other people. They can sense what others feel and know how to respond. People tend to find them warm, sympathetic and easygoing.
• A common myth is that ESFPs are attention-seekers. They are fun-loving and do not shun the spotlight, but they are more interested in living in the present and doing what feels right at that moment.

Pros:

• Optimistic and sociable.
• Enjoy people and socialising.
• Focused on the present and spontaneous.
• Practical.

Cons:

• Dislike abstract theories.
• Get bored easily.
• Do not plan ahead.
• Impulsive.

15. Virtuoso Personality (ISTP)

Virtuosos love to explore with their hands and eyes, touching and examining the world around them with cool rationality and lively curiosity. They are natural makers, moving from project to project, building things useful and superfluous just for fun, and learning from their surroundings as they go. They make up about 9.8% of the population.

Virtuosos, often mechanics and engineers, find no greater joy than getting their hands dirty, taking things apart and putting them back together a little better than before.

Key ISTP characteristics

• ISTPs are result-oriented. When there is a problem, they want to understand its cause quickly and put a solution in place. They are often described as quiet, but easy-going with others.
• ISTPs enjoy new experiences and often seek thrills or take risks. They often take up risky or fast-paced hobbies such as motorcycling, hang gliding, bungee jumping, surfing or ice hockey. Some look for adventure in careers such as racing, flying or firefighting.
• They prefer to judge on the basis of objective criteria rather than personal beliefs or values.
• ISTPs are not well attuned to other people’s emotional states and can sometimes seem a little insensitive. They also keep a distance from their own emotions, ignoring their feelings until they become overwhelming.
• A common myth is that ISTPs are the stoic, silent type. They do tend to be reserved, but this does not mean they do not feel strong emotions. They are simply good at keeping a cool head, staying objective and coping well in a crisis.

Pros:

• Logical.
• Learn by experience.
• Action-oriented.
• Realistic and practical.
• Enjoy new things.
• Self-confident and easy-going.

Cons:

• Hard to get to know.
• Insensitive.
• Get bored easily.
• Risk-takers.
• Dislike commitment.

16. Adventurer Personality (ISFP)

Adventurers are true artists, though not necessarily in the typical sense: they are not always out painting pretty landscapes, although they often could. What they do is use aesthetics, design, and their choices and actions to push the limits of social convention. They make up about 6.6% of the population.

Adventurers enjoy upsetting traditional expectations with experiments in beauty and behaviour. Chances are they have said “don’t box me in!” more than once.

Key ISFP characteristics

• ISFPs like to keep their options open, so they often delay decisions to see whether things change or new options appear.
• ISFPs are kind, friendly, sensitive and quiet. Unlike extraverts, who gain energy from interacting with others, introverts spend energy when they are around people. After time with others, introverts often need some time alone. For this reason, they usually prefer a small group of close friends and family.
• Although quiet and reserved, they are also known for being peaceful, caring and considerate. ISFPs are easy-going and tend to accept other people as they are.
• ISFPs focus on details. They spend more time thinking about the present than worrying about the future.
• ISFPs tend to be “doers” rather than “dreamers.” They dislike abstract theories unless they can see a practical use for them, and they prefer learning situations that involve hands-on experience.

Pros:

• Very aware of their environment.
• Practical.
• Enjoy hands-on learning.
• Loyal to values and beliefs.

Cons:

• Dislike abstract, theoretical information.
• Reserved and quiet.
• Have a strong need for personal space.
• Dislike arguments and conflict.

Source of the population percentages: The Myers-Briggs Company.