ESTJ

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Characteristics of an ESTJ

(E) Extraverted - (S) Sensing - (T) Thinking - (J) Judging

ESTJs are the pragmatic organisers, they like things done and done properly. They have little time for anything ethereal, woolly or conceptual preferring facts, figures, plans and procedures. These are the action-oriented characters who cut to the car chase and move quickly to completion, taking the least circuitous route.

Their desire to get things done may mean that they ignore the niceties, the softer issues as they tend not to be so well-tuned in to how other people are feeling. There is a strong competitive edge to the ESTJ, and a need to assume control and this can often make it difficult for others to deflect them from their chosen course of action. The ESTJ simply wants to get on and get things done.

Formal and structured the ESTJ works best when everyone is clear as to the ground-rules, (the ESTJ will happily create them if they are lacking!), and they tend to be better at maintaining the status quo squeezing more out of the existing processes rather than radically recreating new ones. Factual, accurate, detailed and process driven the ESTJ will bring order, structure and focus to their environment.

This can mean the ESTJ will be traditional and often quite conservative in their approach, preferring the known to experimenting or trying a more novel, creative approach. Thus the ESTJ may not always adapt well to change (unless they are doing the changing!), and indeed if pushed hard can make formidable opponents to any new order. For the ESTJ change must make logical sense and ‘if it ain’t broke then why fix it?’ Emotional arguments or pleading won’t work as only hard facts and logical reasoning ‘compute’ with the ESTJ.

Read more about ESTJ characteristics »

Famous ESTJs

Michelle Obama

First Lady

Condoleezza Rice

Politician

Alec Baldwin

Actor

Michele Bachmann

Politician

View more famous ESTJs »

ESTJ Relationships

• Family oriented
• Factual
• Outspoken
• Direct
• Not subtle
• Non-reflective
• Caring
• Doers
• Not readers of people
• Formal, exact
• Works hard at things
• Driven by duty
• Traditional
• Stubborn
• Loyal

The ESTJ is outspoken, a person of principles, which are readily and directly expressed. ESTJs are not afraid to stand up for what they believe is right even in the face of overwhelming odds. ESTJs are able to take the tough decisions and every single person will know exactly where they stand. This honesty and directness is both refreshing and hard-hitting in equal measure. If you ask the ESTJ what they are thinking they will tell you, bluntly and in minute detail.

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ESTJ Careers

• Operational roles
• Practical and doing
• Hands-on
• Plan the work
• Work the plan
• Managing people
• Set clear direction and guidelines for people
• Create efficiencies
• Delivery-focused
• Target and performance driven
• Tangible
• Clarity of expectations
• Create processes
• Action oriented
• High pressure

The ESTJ excels in operational environments where the pressure is intense. Their action-oriented approach lends itself to taking a project and driving it through to completion ensuring delivery on time and within budget. The like clarity and dislike anything they perceive as woolly or ethereal preferring hard facts and clear guidelines.

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ESTJ at Work

• Needs to be organised, structured
• In the thick of it
• Likes to take charge
• Focused on doing
• Needs a plan (or will create it)
• Needs clarity (or will create it)
• Everything in its place
• Hands-on, relentless
• Conservative
• Practical, pragmatic
• Implementer, efficient
• Action oriented
• High pressure
• Likes managing people
• Delivery-focused

In a team situation, the ESTJ will be the organiser, of materials, of people, of deadlines making sure tasks are planned and coordinated and that everyone is clear what is expected and what should happen next

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