An ESTP is one of the 16 personalities established by the Myers-Briggs model. Often known as entrepreneurs, explorers, persuaders, or promoters, the ESTP is the archetypal Doer. An ESTP identifies as confident, practical, perceptive, and social. That’s not a surprise to you, is it? But then again, do you know the functions of the ESTP personality?
In this post, we will conduct a quick review of what an ESTP personality is in terms of their functions and a short description of each of their four primary functions. After that, we will look at the four main functions of an ESTP personality. We will take an in-depth look at an ESTP’s shadow functions and how an ETSP’s functions typically show up in the workplace.
Breaking Down the ESTP Personality: What are an ESTP’s Functions?
An ESTP has four primary functions: extraverted sensing, introverted thinking, extraverted feeling, and introverted intuition. Extraverted sensing and introverted thinking are their most dominant functions. ESTPs also have four shadow functions, which are the opposites of their primary functions, representing the unconscious part of their personality.
The Myers-Briggs ESTP personality represents approximately 4% of the general population based on MBTI test results. The letters in ESTP correlate to Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving, which represents the four major dimensions of personality.
The following list is to quickly recap what each of these designations means:
- Extraverted – ESTPs enjoy meeting and talking to new people. They are very social butterflies and draw energy from people. ESTPs rarely need alone time to rejuvenate, and they oftentimes have a charismatic and fun exterior.
- Sensing – An ESTP is mainly focused on the present situation. They are hands-on workers that strive to get tasks done.
- Thinking – ESTPs are logical and unbiased, especially when making decisions. They are problem solvers and rely heavily on knowledge to find solutions or answers.
- Perceiving – ESTPs are flexible and spontaneous. These are the optimistic types with creativity and productivity at their core.
The ESTP personality type is based on the Myers-Briggs theory of personality. While these four dimensions shape an ESTP’s personality, they do not explain how they function in the world.
Carl Jung’s cognitive function theory influences the basis used to define these personalities. Thus, you can also elicit the primary and shadow functions from an ESTP using Jung’s theory in conjunction with the Myers-Briggs personality type.
The Primary ESTP Functions
In addition to examining the different aspects of an ESTP individually, each personality type has four primary cognitive functions. These functions explain how individuals live and communicate with others in their daily lives. Of the four primary functions, the first is the most dominant, and the fourth is much more reserved.
The following are the different types of primary functions as they relate to the ESTP:
- Dominant or hero function – Focuses on how an ESTP is seen in the world, by themselves and others. Since they have an extraverted, dominant function, they are mainly concerned with other people‘s perceptions of them.
- Auxiliary or parent function – Focused on order, rules, and how an ESTP acts in the world
- Tertiary or eternal child function – This function harnesses the inner child and draws on how we respond to other people. It can often be a childish response. As it is sitting in the tertiary position, it is quite underdeveloped when compared to the other functions.
- Inferior or anima or animus function – This is the least developed function of the primary function. It focuses on how we relate to people who are different from us.
Depending on the personality, the functions that sit in each category above may vary. For example, an ESTP’s dominant function is extraverted sensing, but an INFP’s dominant function is introverted feeling.
The ESTP functions are as follows:
- Se – Extraverted Sensing. This primary, dominant function relates to how the ESTP learns. They have strong senses that help them understand information. Sensory experiences attract ESTPs.
- Ti – Introverted Thinking. This auxiliary function relates to how the ESTP interacts with their world, seeks knowledge, and aims for understanding. Here ESTPs use hands-on skills or analyze information. ESTPs are great at organizing the information they sense and perceive into a logical framework.
- Fe – Extraverted Feeling. This third function relates to how the ESTP processes emotions and interacts with others. ESTPs love to enjoy other people‘s company. ESTPs tend to strive to help others and show affection by doing things.
- Ni – Introverted Intuition. The weakest of the four functions for an ESTP is intuition. It is difficult for ESTPs to harness often due to it being quite draining. An introverted intuition allows ESTPs to use the information they have stored in their brain to predict outcomes and search for or recognize patterns.
Depending on the personality, the functions that sit in each category above may vary. For example, an ESTP’s dominant function is extraverted sensing, but an INFP’s dominant function is introverted feeling.
The Impact of Each Function on an ESTP’s World
Each of these functions plays an integral role in how an ESTP is perceived in the world and how they perceive themselves. Below we will discuss how each of the primary functions influences the internal or external world of an ESTP. And we will let you know what that all means for interactions with an ESTP.
These four functions play either core or supporting roles for an ESTP’s internal and external worlds. The following chart summarizes each of these roles:
| Type of Function | Role in an ESTP’s Personality |
| Extraverted Sensing | The core role of the external world |
| Introverted Thinking | The core role of the internal world |
| Extraverted Feeling | The supporting role of the external world |
| Introverted Intuition | The supporting role of the internal world |
As you may have noticed, introverted functions are how you act in your internal world or your mind. In comparison, extraverted functions exemplify your role in the external world through your interactions with others. Keep reading to see how these four functions influence an ESTP personality’s actions, demeanor, and beliefs out in the world.
How Does An ESTP Function In Their Internal World?
Because ESTPs have thinking and intuition at the core of their internal world, they tend to function using nurturing balanced with logic and abstract thinking. Their internal world is ruled by a need for organization and searching for meaning.
The following is a list of functions that help an ESTP excel in their internal world:
- Adventurous
- Always in analysis mode
- Balance logic and instinct to make decisions
- Can combine abstract and concrete thinking
- Crave new challenges
- Goal-oriented
- Great problem solvers
- Great under pressure
- Risk takers
- Subconsciously planning five steps ahead
Both the internal and external functions of an ESTP influence how they operate in the world overall. And it is worth noting that just as their introverted functions impact their internal world, an ESTP’s extraverted functions affect their external world.
How Does An ESTP Function In The External World?
An ESTP’s external world is ruled by extraverted sensing and feeling. This means ESTPs function as lively, good with people, and task-oriented. Their focus is on influencing the emotions of those around them. ESTPs can be impulsive yet easily adaptable.
The following is a list of functions that help an ESTP excel in their external world:
- Always aiming to utilize all five senses to their full potential
- Always moving
- Create an active lifestyle
- Dislike drama
- Flexible
- Great at analysis
- Love new tasks
- Motivated by results
- Sympathetic of others
- Think on their feet
- Thinks with the group in mind
One thing that can be a major weakness for an ESTP is their need to be hands-on for all of their work. ESTPs like to make decisions in the midst of working through a problem without necessarily stopping to readjust their approach.
ESTP: The Analyzer
The Ti function has been studied in-depth, and the ESTP personality falls into a category of people who can do multiple analyses simultaneously. There are three main types of analysis that an ESTP can use when making decisions or developing solutions.
The following are the three types of analysis used by an ESTP:
- Deductive Analysis – This is the most utilized of the three analyses. This area uses verbal or symbolic reasoning to create solutions from linear information. As an example, since A equals B and B equals C, then A must equal C.
- Expert Classifying – This is the second most utilized type of analysis. Classifying is all about using logic and reasoning to categorize concepts, ideas, and things.
- Odds Assessing – The final type of analysis used weighs the risks associated with any situation. This represents the pros and cons list that an ESTP keeps on a tally in their mind.
This is all to say an ESTP can be in a ready state for dealing with high-risk problems, and they can tackle a crisis with ease.
The Shadow Functions of An ESTP Personality
In addition to the primary functions of an ESTP, there are also shadow functions. This is a more detailed look at the functions. These functions can also be referred to as the unconscious or hidden parts of your personality.
Oftentimes people overlook the shadow functions, but they can be very revealing.
Shadow functions are the non-dominant parts of an ESTP‘s personality. When an ESTP‘s shadow functions are in full view, they can be perceived as being critical, deceptive, manipulative, or oppositional. Usually, shadow functions appear when we are tired, annoyed, or in a situation that causes tension.
There are four shadow functions to a Myers-Briggs personality, and they fall into these categories:
- Opposing – This is the first of the shadow functions, and it acts as your main defense mechanism when you are met with a challenge. For ESTPs, this is Si. It focuses on comparing past and present experiences. This function helps keep the Se function in check.
- Critical Parent – The critical parent functions as the voice in your head, which means they become extremely focused on creating an order for an ESTP. This means they can become critical of others and see them as incompetent. Competition and confrontation may be highlighted for ESTPs when Te is experienced.
- Deceiving or Trickster – This shadow function calls on you to make quick and harsh judgments to protect yourself. For an ESTP, that means when FI is experienced, disorder is created. They often use deception when they feel attacked or aim their sights at other people‘s emotional shortcomings.
- Devilish and Destructive or Transformative – This shadow function is the weakest link in all of your cognitive functions. It shows up for an ESTP when they feel their ego is threatened. This function can make an ESTP feel frustrated and lost, as they do not tend to draw on abstract thinking. An ESTP will exhibit confusion and become scatterbrained when experiencing Ne.
These shadow functions are the opposite of all the primary cognitive functions of an ESTP. So, an ESTP who is an extraverted sensing person has the opposing shadow function of introverted sensing. To display this more clearly, the following chart shows the functions of an ESTP personality:
| Main Processes | Primary Functions | Shadow Functions |
| Sensing | Extraverted | Introverted |
| Thinking | Introverted | Extraverted |
| Feeling | Extraverted | Introverted |
| Intuition | Introverted | Extraverted |
Shadow functions appear at the worst times, usually when we are stressed and can easily say or do something hurtful. During these times when their shadow functions are expressed, expect to see actions uncharacteristic of an ESTP. For example, an ESTP who is usually focused and logical may become passive-aggressive and scattered when they face unexpected challenges.
The following is how the shadow functions of an ESTP show up in comparison to their dominant functions:
| Type of Function | Description of Primary Function | Description of Shadow Function |
| Sensing |
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| Thinking |
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| Feeling |
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| Intuition |
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As you can see, some of these shadow functions can be extremely harsh. Some instances may draw out a particularly mean side of an ESTP when compared to their nature when experiencing their primary functions.
An ESTP‘s Career Success Based On Their Functions
ESTP will do well in careers that are unpredictable and fast-paced. This is where the dominant ESTP function, Se, as well as the secondary function, Ti, come into play. Extraverted sensing (Se), Introverted Thinking (Ti) individuals will look for a career that allows them to move from task to task in a detail-oriented environment.
The following chart highlights the traits that make an ESTP employee great based on their functions:
| Type of Function | Strengths in the Workplace | Weaknesses in the Workplace | The Best Jobs for ESTP Personalities |
| Extraverted Sensing |
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| Introverted Thinking |
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| Extraverted Feeling |
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| Introverted Intuition |
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Based on the overview above, an ESTP‘s functions are an enhancement to any workplace. They thrive in environments that call for high levels of alertness. They enjoy a job that is different in its day-to-day activities.
Recap: An ESTP‘s Four Primary & Shadow Functions
In conclusion, an ESTP personality’s functions are extraverted sensing, introverted thinking, extraverted feeling, and introverted intuition. The most dominant of the functions being extraverted sensing is what affects an ESTP’s impulsive and surprise-loving attitude.
On the other hand, the least dominant of the primary functions is introverted intuition which impacts an ESTP‘s abstract thinking and ability to make unconscious connections.
These primary functions and their opposing shadow functions help shape an ESTP. Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of the role each of the eight functions plays in personality type. ESTPs are unique, logical, attentive, and understanding, but they can be crabby, quick to criticize, and over-analytical when their shadows come out.
