The ESTP Personality Type: Key Traits, Strengths, Weaknesses & More

ESTP stands for Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. This personality type makes up roughly 4% of the population, with ESTPs twice as likely to be men than women.

According to licensed therapist De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar, MSW, LCSW-S, CST, this type is sometimes referred to as "the Entrepreneur," and they're known to be very active, social, and even impulsive.

When it comes to relationships, romantic and otherwise, ESTPs are going to attract people who enjoy their sociable, bold, and direct spirit. On the other hand, folks who are more sensitive and introverted might find ESTPs to be overwhelming and even harsh.

As Blaylock-Solar explains, they do have a way of loving without inhibition, but their adventurous attitude doesn't always translate to a desire for romance. These people want to keep things interesting, and their logical mind can be quick to let a relationship go if they get bored.

When they do commit, however, the relationship is sure to be fun, exciting, and full of action. "Having a partner who is more adventurous—who can go toe-to-toe with them—that would be helpful as opposed to someone who's not," Blaylock-Solar explains.

Board-certified clinical psychologist Kristina Hallett, Ph.D., ABPP, has previously echoed a similar point, writing for mbg that "Differences in extroversion/introversion may cause the most conflict in long-term relationships. Opposites in this dimension may really enjoy each other in the beginning, but over the long haul, the stay-home-vs.-go-out debate can result in repeated friction."

Another particularly sensitive and intuitive personality type, the INFP is another type that may not click well with an ESTP romantically. As Dario Nardi, Ph.D., a personality expert and author of Neuroscience of Personality previously told mbg, INFPs' sensitive and idealistic nature can also make dating and intimacy a challenge to begin with, and with ESTPs being known for their brash and bold attitude, there could definitely be some tension here.

According to Blaylock-Solar, ESTPs as colleagues in the workplace are going to have a "work hard, play hard" mentality, and they expect everybody to do what they're supposed to be doing.

"If they are in a position where they feel like they have to carry the weight, then it's a problem—but if everybody is contributing in an equitable manner, these folks can be actually fun to work around."

Their impulsive and somewhat unstructured propensities can cause some difficulty, as they don't love following rules, which is why Blaylock-Solar adds this type also likes careers where they can work with people on their own terms.

Think something like sales: The ESTP still interacts with clients, but they won't necessarily be micromanaged by a superior while they're working.

Being a highly logical personality, an ESTP can benefit from getting in touch with their emotions and, further, learning how to feel safe to express those emotions to others in a healthy, compassionate way.

And lastly, Blaylock-Solar says ESTPs would benefit from "taking a beat," as it were. This is an impulsive and risk-taking personality type, and that doesn't always serve them. Whether it's finding more structure in your everyday life, taking a pause before jumping into something, or just thinking before you speak, she says.

ESTPs, while sometimes a bit brash, are fun-loving, passionate people who love socializing, observing, and taking action. As long as you can keep up with their fast pace—and aren't easily offended—these folks can be exciting and energizing co-workers, friends, or lovers.