Levels of the ESTP
Ideal:
- They’ve really nailed the charming behaviors down to a “T” and know how to stay away from being inappropriate or over-the-top (most of the time..)
- Learned how to be reliable – Keep commitments and appointments
- Works on improving their listening skills and makes an effort to listen to others
- Follows through with tasks
- Takes conflict seriously and does not try to brush it off with humor
- Able to tolerate others viewpoints without trying to have an offensive debate
- Makes an effort to stay present emotionally and learns how to not minimize others feelings
- Respects boundaries
- Understands when to stop joking around when others have had enough
Medium:
- Somewhat decent at keeping their commitments and adhering to rules but struggles from time-to-time depending on the specific event or topic
- Difficulty solving conflict but will make an attempt until it becomes too emotionally challenging to continue
- Displays more incongruent behaviors and can come across as a hypocrite if not careful
- Not the best listener but can be attentive when they focus
- Can be inappropriate at times although they’re not doing it on purpose
- Has a lot of difficulty connecting with others who do not align with their beliefs but will still make some effort until they don’t feel it’s worth it anymore
- Focuses more on their wellbeing and has a difficult time with sympathy and empathy
- Exaggerates and displays more obnoxious behaviors when they are trying to get a reaction from others
- May be somewhat delusional about reality because they are typically optimistic
- Usually has some difficulty respecting boundaries and limits
- May have trouble “connecting the dots”
Unhealthy:
It’s somewhat rare that an ESTP will display a lot of features from the “unhealthy” side because they recognize a certain need to interact with others and keep a job. They may have a more challenging time but because of the “P” preference they don’t get as worked up like the ENTJ and will cool down faster. The higher the “P” side the easier it is for an ESTP to fall back into a more ideal or moderate zone. They want to enjoy life and be able to make a decent money. Their love for socializing enables prevents them from becoming hermits when they’re stressed but will find it very difficult to relate to others when they’re in an unhealthy zone.: This could look like the “Manic” phase of Bipolar Disorder
- All over the place and changes their mind in different areas/topics daily
- Extremely poor listeners
- Uses their charm to try and manipulate others (even if they’re not aware that’s what they’re doing)
- Unable to deal with conflict and may become very defensive and aggressive (verbally or physically)
- Extreme difficulty with follow-through
- Insensitive to others needs and a displays a severe lack of empathy
- Difficulty keeping friends (or family members) who do not agree with their point of view
- May have difficulty keeping a job – they work better if they’re self-employed because then they don’t have to deal with authority
- Exaggerates and lies when they are afraid people may get upset with them
- Engages in extremely risky behaviors without thinking about the potential consequences
- Extremely obnoxious just to get a reaction from others
- Comes across as being hypocritical
- Consistently crosses boundaries and limits
- Delusional – has a hard time “connecting the dots”