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Several employers across the globe continue to rely on personality assessment tests such as Myers-Briggs Indicator Type (MBTI) even today. While many organizations have discontinued the tool, calling it ineffective, others have continued using it as a hiring criterion.
Whether MBTI is effective or not, it’s one of the most widely used personality tests in the world. The test comprises a questionnaire that helps respondents gain a deeper understanding of their personality, attitudes and behaviors.
ESTJ, which stands for Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking and Judging, is one of the 16 personality types identified by MBTI. Read on to understand ESTJ meaning and how such individuals tend to navigate their professional lives.
ESTJ Meaning And Scope
ESTJ people are known to be logical, who like to take charge and make use of their organizational skills. ESTJ indicates an individual who likes spending time with others (Extraverted), focuses on facts instead of concepts or theories (Sensing), makes logical and well-reasoned decisions (Thinking) and prefers planning and organization to spontaneity. They are also known as the executive personality type because of their tendency to take charge and ensure things are done correctly.
Here are the core characteristics of the ESTJ personality type:
- They’re traditionalists who place emphasis on rules, security and convention; they enjoy maintaining the status quo and doing things as it’s always been done
- Their affinity and ability to take charge of situations make it easy for them to assume leadership roles
- They’re highly self-confident and have strong convictions; this helps them put their plans to action and work aggressively toward achieving something
- They can be open and frank when sharing opinions; they’re also stable, practical and committed to whatever they do or pursue
What Drives The ESTJ Personality Type
Any personality type comprises complex cognitive functions, some of which dominate over others. This gives rise to strengths and weaknesses in every personality type. Let’s see how these factors play out in ESTJ personality:
1. Strong Points Of ESTJ
- They’re highly dedicated people who like to see things to completion; they’ll do everything it takes to finish the task on time as long as it’s the right thing to do
- Their strong will is what encourages their dedication; they’re unlikely to give up easily and are relentless when it comes to defending their principles
- They don’t like getting lost among theories and concepts; instead, they are driven by facts that are grounded in reality
- When they’re committed to something, they keep their word; they’re not only reliable but also patient, loyal and committed
- They don’t do well amidst chaos, which is why they tend to organize things and create order; these qualities make them good administrators
2. Weak Points Of ESTJ
- Their love for rules and tradition can make them inflexible and stubborn; they can get fixated on things and may dismiss other approaches, ideas or solutions
- Their need to maintain dignity and integrity can be constantly stressful; this is why such individuals find it difficult to relax
- They have strong ideas of what’s right and what’s wrong; they have a compulsion to create order and work according to things that are socially acceptable
- They set high standards in the process of meeting social expectations; they can get easily worried about their public image and how they appear in social settings
- Their greatest weakness is their inability to express emotions; they can get so caught up with facts and reality that they overlook people’s emotions and feelings of empathy
ESTJ Personality In The Workplace
As we have already established, the executive personality thrives in settings where they can take charge. This makes them ideal for leadership or managerial positions in professional life. They excel at organizing projects, operations and people. Their powers of conviction also give them strong decision-making capabilities.
Their relationship with rules makes it easier for them to integrate into a workplace culture. Their reliability, commitment and dedication prompt them to complete projects on time and be accountable throughout. Their eagerness may lead to them getting overworked, which is why it’s important for them to find the right balance.
If you want to identify an ESTJ and help them tap into their true potential by leveraging their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses, you need to identify and understand them better. Harappa’s Navigating Workplaces course will teach you how to assess your workplace culture and identify the decision-makers. By gaining clarity through the Power Structures framework, you’ll understand the types of power people hold and who are quick to take charge and make decisions. Get skilled at collaborating effectively at work by understanding your colleagues better. Start your free trial now!
Explore Harappa Diaries to learn more about topics such as Overview of Myers Briggs Personality Types, What are ESTJ Traits, Understanding ESTP Personality and ESFJ Personality to build strong professional networks.
