Myers-Briggs Type Indicator DescriptionsFour Extrovert-Perceiving Personality Types: ESTP, ESFP, ENFP, ENTPThis page summarizes four of the 16 personality types in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) system. These types are grouped by one of the four different Attitudes — the Extrovert-Perceiving set. As described in the MBTI Introduction, the Attitudes reflect the portion of a person's personality that he or she is willing to share publicly and be free and open about. The Extrovert-Perceiving type's Attitude is engaging and adaptive. They get their energy from their interaction with the outside world, and they enjoy relating to people, places, and things in meaningful ways. They value flexibility over closure, and adaptability over order. So, they are not the ones to go for a plan or schedule, but they are the ones who can help with a crisis. They react quickly and think on their feet in response to sudden changes. On the negative side, Extrovert-Perceivers can appear indecisive and panicked when their crisis management skills become overwhelmed. They have to be careful that they don't allow themselves to become overextended. Each of the four subtypes in the Introvert-Perceiver group fall into one of four Perspectives, dealing with the other two sets of characteristics in the Myers-Briggs system.
See also our introduction to the MBTI system. To find a specific MBTI personality type for yourself or someone else, use our interactive MBTI Matrix. The Negotiator - ESTP
Another name for this type is Promoter Executor. They like to sell others on ideas and products, and excel at making deals happen. With a personable, convincing style, it is easy for them to win others over to their points of view. They are skilled at picking up on other's non-verbal signals, and can often tell what people mean even when they don't say it. That gives them a strong advantage as they try to tailor their messages to convince the decision makers. Negotiators are enthusiastic, and their direct, humorous approach makes everyone else glad to see them come walking in their doors. Negotiators base their interpersonal dealings on a foundation of mutual respect. They relish the give-and-take of heated arguments. Conflicts are for the excitement and stimulation of the debate and are not about personal attacks. They do not want relationships with people they cannot trust or who do not treat others directly and fairly. For relationships with their close partners, Negotiators look for companionship. They tend to be generous and family oriented. Unfortunately, Negotiators are apt to come up with last-minute excuses to explain why they were not where they said they would be when they said they would be there. Their efforts to remain flexible can mean they don't plan ahead. Another potential problem is their focus on details. When Negotiators get lost in the data, they need to step back and reappraise the tasks at hand. They also can lose patience with routine, mundane tasks. But when they are able to keep these possible weaknesses in check, Negotiators bring energy and excitement to everyday life that all the other types value. The Enthusiast - ESFP
Another name for this type is Motivator Presenter. Enthusiasts are interested in making things happen, motivating others to accomplish projects — entertainments, reports, or presentations. They love the unknown and taking risks. Their warm, charming demeanor makes it easy for others to open up to them. They respect learning, and are generous and willing to help others get results. In relationships with others, the Enthusiast will naturally tend to be the center of attention. But their friends will not have a problem with that focus, since the Enthusiast is so willing to make shared times lively and merry. Enthusiasts are caring and supportive. For their close ties, they are very loyal, and they have no problem being affectionate. They appreciate spending quality time with loved ones and relating in deep, personal ways. One of the problems Enthusiasts have is becoming overextended. They are good at multitasking but bad at saying "no." The end result is that they can find themselves with too much to do in too little time. The flip side of their love for spontaneity is their aversion to order and planning. They can find themselves in trouble because they forgot to schedule everything necessary to make their projects run smoothly. They are also present-focused and are not able to see the broader consequences of how what they do today affects tomorrow. However, with their cheerfulness and optimism, Enthusiasts provide a welcome burst of playful energy in everyone else's day. The Facilitator - ENFP
Another name for this type is Discoverer Advocate. Being perceptive, they can use their insights to facilitate communication between divergent groups. They are excellent at motivating others and identifying what others need even before they realize it themselves. When they see all the pieces fit together, Facilitators do not hesitate to make decisions quickly — but they are slower to act when those decisions will potentially hurt people. They are passionate, innovative, collaborative, adaptable, expressive, and cooperative, giving them a strong talent in bringing out the best in other people. Facilitators enjoy being with people, and they like to share good times with them. They take pleasure in getting to know people and building strong connections, understanding not only what others like to do but why they like to do it. In their close relationships, they are both romantic and idealistic. They would love to be the fairy-tale couples and live happily ever after, even if it sounds a bit unrealistic. Facilitators also have their weaknesses that they need to work around. They are somewhat moody and work in erratic spurts, so it can be difficult for them to get things done on time. They object to working alone and are more productive when they can talk through a problem with another person rather than trying to sort it out by themselves. When the environment becomes stressful and tense — as every work environment can, even with a Facilitator's best efforts — the Facilitator can withdraw. It can be a struggle for the Facilitator not to become labeled as undependable, overly talkative, and easily discouraged. However, when they have found the right niche that employs their talents, Facilitators empower others and motivate them to achieve their best. The Visionary - ENTP
This type is also called the Explorer Inventor. They like to solve puzzles by coming up with new ways to improve productivity, make people happier, and enhance systems or products. They are good at pulling together diverse information and developing models to use in analysis. They also love an argument, and are willing to play devil's advocate just for the sake of ensuring that all sides have been heard. They are remarkable agents for change, having a solid vision of what could be and a willingness to go there. The Visionary looks for friends that want to share ideas. They love to travel, and strong connections are forged through shared journeys. Although they may have a few people with whom they are very close, this type finds it difficult to express their feelings. They are apt to think that their actions speak for them. However, they are loyal to their partners, and are helpful and supportive even though they are not demonstrative. Those who have dealt with a Visionary realize that one of the weaknesses of this style is the tendency to be drawn into so many projects that none of them is ever completed. They see too many things that should be done, and each gets started, but few actually get finished. They try many different ventures, but they must adjust their expectations and realize that failure at one is just a temporary setback and not an indictment of their self-worth. Unfortunately, sometimes the Visionary takes lack of success to heart, and consequently needs to guard against depression. A Visionary should learn to handle a natural tendency to have wide mood swings, keeping his or her emotions on a more even keel to be ready to effectively tackle the next project. More Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Descriptions:  |
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The Negotiator is a risk-taking nonconformist who likes to live a spontaneous, exciting life. They are restless types with an entrepreneurial spirit who are impatient to wait for tomorrow — they want to see their visions in action today. They operate under the philosophy that everything is negotiable. Therefore, they not only see what is, but what could be. Negotiators tend to focus on one day at a time and one project at a time, and they manage details well. They have fun working with people and can be both productive and dynamic. Jobs that Negotiators are attracted to include the following: pilots, paramedics, insurance agents, sales representatives, purchasing managers, and public administrators.
The Enthusiast is a restless adventurer who is always ready to seize the moment, grab the gusto from each experience, and bring everyone else along for the ride. They take risks, do the outrageous, and startle others with their candor and their guts. They are outgoing and usually have a quick sense of humor and engaging banter. People like to be in their company and they love to be with other people. Enthusiasts are versatile, emotional, sensitive, and free-spirited. They can be easily bored, so they are not the ones to assign to routine tasks. Jobs that fit well with this personality include artists, actors, fashion designers, stock brokers, social consultants, and public relation officers.
The Facilitator is good with people in two ways. First, as an Extrovert, the Facilitator gets energy and spark in social settings by interacting with others. Second, as one of the Feeling group, he or she is in tune with emotions and relationships and is able to communicate empathically. A Facilitator is a joy to be around, fun-loving and warm. Other people are drawn to this type. Words that describe them include enthusiastic, persuasive, inspirational, creative, spontaneous, effervescent, and gregarious. Who wouldn't want to rub shoulders with them? Jobs that Facilitators would enjoy include politicians, diplomats, consultants, coaches, and union representatives. 
The Visionary is the one who comes up with new ideas, new inventions, new businesses, and new ways of doing things. They are restless, argumentative, creative, and cutting-edge. They put things together in innovative ways. They are social but also abstract, so they are able to construct an intellectual framework and then communicate it convincingly to others. They can be impatient and sometimes arrogant. They have a lot of energy and they thrive on debating and challenging others much more than working alone. Occupations that fit a Visionary's style include careers in marketing, photography, training, foreign services, and business development.