ESTP Communication

ESTPs are engaging, active individuals who communicate in a convincing, straightforward and matter-of-fact manner. They like taking risks and are competitive in many things that they do.

They are action-oriented individuals, not liking to spend too much time in the discussion but rather take the time to act, persuade, or overcome barriers and find the best course of action.

They are practical and analytical people who seek to understand how and why things work the way they do. They like to work with practical realities and solve concrete problems, disliking the talk and discussion abstract ideas and big visions.

ESTP Communication: Communicating with them

When you are communicating with an ESTP:

BE LOGICAL AND OBJECTIVE

ESTPs work with and relate to information that is logical and objective. When you’re communicating with ESTPs, use impersonal analysis and a detached perspective to look at situations.

Stay away from information that is based on emotions and or personal values. While the ESTP may try to listen, such will do little to persuade or convince them to your point of view.

BE PRACTICAL AND CONCRETE

ESTPs dislike the abstract, wordy discussions or those that focus on future implications. Unless they can reference it from experience or they can see it in front of them, such information does not engage them.

When you’re sharing information with them, talk about immediate, practical and concrete realities that will result from current actions. Even if you have to share a big idea with them, be sure to break it down for them; into what they are supposed to do right here right now to move toward achieving it.

KEEP COMMUNICATION ENGAGING AND ACTIVE

ESTPs find it hard to focus, especially during lengthy discussions. You will find that they will lose their attention to you very quickly or change the topic to something else. To keep their attention, you could make your communication engaging by being humorous or light-hearted.

Another way would be to communicate with them while doing something else like walking, eating or something else that requires only a little attention. The ESTP would be able to stay with you throughout the conversation then. But as much as possible, keep the discussion short and sweet.

ESTP Communication: Conflict Points

That said; let’s look at what will possibly cause conflict with an ESTP, and how you can avoid it.

BEING SEEN AS OVERLY CASUAL

ESTPs approach their work with light-heartedness, and they enjoy the things they put their hands to do. They are also playful and fun, even when they are working. This can come across to others as putting pleasure before responsibility. This will cause the ESTP to feel misunderstood and possibly bitter.

Understand that the ESTP is naturally more fun loving and spontaneous. However, it doesn’t mean that they do not take their work seriously as well. When faced as such, a gentle reminder to focus on the task at hand will be more than sufficient to put their focus back.

MICROMANAGEMENT

ESTPs often enjoy the independence of action and freedom to manoeuvre. They need the space to operate and execute freely without being called into question all the time.

They greatly value that independence that they’re given to achieve the tasks. However, if there’s micromanaging by their superiors, ESTPs find that stifling to their independent nature. If overdone, it will cause extreme frustration to the ESTP.

Learn to give space to the ESTP to come up with solutions to existing problems. You might be surprised by their unconventional but brilliant suggestions.

WHEN THEIR COMPETENCE IS DOUBTED

ESTPs deeply value competence and believe in their competence in performing their tasks well. However, if people show a lack of trust in their ability, it could generate conflict.

Trust ESTPs to complete their tasks well by giving them the freedom and empowerment to do it. Believe that they will do a good job for you by resisting the urge (if any) to check on them once in a while.

Until proven otherwise, believe the ESTP can perform well.

ESTP Communication: Communication Growth

If you’re an ESTP, consider these as avenues for development:

OFFER POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND ENCOURAGEMENT

While you do not see the need for positive feedback or encouragement, others see it as important to be effective at their work. Learn to give praise, even for the small achievements, understanding that it will go a long way in building a good working relationship.

Also, hold back on your tendency to criticise. Learn to frame your corrective feedback more positively, for positive reinforcement can be a much more effective tool to motivate other people.

BUILD HARMONIOUS WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Know that for some people, a harmonious working relationship is essential for them to be effective or feel empowered to excel at their work, and therefore, they see a need to build personal relationships even for work.

Learn to resolve conflict with people as it comes, and learn to be more tactful in your words; understand that people do take comments personally.

LEARN TO SEE BEYOND IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES

Your natural tendency is to work with the current, immediate, practical realities. You work and live day-by-day, but you need to learn to see beyond what is ahead of you.

Learn to understand that everyday decisions have a long-term consequence as well, and the choices you make today can have a huge impact on the long term.

Take this same approach when troubleshooting as well; don’t just solve the immediate issue, but find the root of the problem and approach it from that angle.

Return to the 16 Types