How to support ESTP personality types in the workplace

ESTP personality types, or “Entrepreneurs,” are known for being energetic, spontaneous, adaptable, and resourceful. They’re also quick thinkers who excel at hands-on work and thrive in dynamic workplaces. 

However, their impulsive tendencies may clash with more structured workplaces, leading to possible friction. While Entrepreneurs excel under pressure, their dislike for routine can create further disruptions.

In this article, we explore ESTPs’ strengths and weaknesses and show you how to support this personality type in the workplace.

Overview of ESTPs in the workplace

Entrepreneur types possess these key characteristics:

• Extroverted (E): Recharge in quick-paced environments and prefer social interactions that allow them to express their ideas freely.

• Sensing (S): Focus on reality instead of possibility, keeping their attention on the present and concrete information.

• Thinking (T): Make decisions rooted in rationality, logic, and objective analysis over personal feelings or societal expectations.

• Perceiving (P): Enjoy flexibility in their jobs and life and dislike sticking to plans.

Strengths and contributions to the workplace

Before we cover how you can help Entrepreneurs succeed at work, let’s look at what they can bring to the table:

• Adaptability: Entrepreneurs aren’t stuck on routine and can easily navigate workplace changes.

• Practical problem-solving: Hands-on and practical, ESTPs are great at finding solutions, even in challenging situations.

• Openness to feedback: ESTPs enjoy receiving constructive criticism and tend not to take it personally.

• Speed: Entrepreneurs can handle higher-stress positions and situations where they need to create and launch solutions quickly.

• Personability: ESTPs are great communicators and negotiators because they’re charming and influential.

• Strong teamwork skills: Entrepreneurs are social and love to work closely with teams.

• Independence: You don’t need to check up on ESTPs to make sure tasks get done. 

• Leadership skills: ESTPs are comfortable taking risks, love new ideas, and are happy to take control of situations and teams.

Common challenges and pain points

Like any personality type, Entrepreneurs have areas they may need to improve. They can be:

• Blunt communicators: ESTPs can be straightforward and efficient in communication, which can feel abrupt to other team members.

• Impatient: Entrepreneurs can feel restless with routine, repetitive tasks and structure because they love innovation and fresh ideas.

• Too spontaneous: ESTPs may overlook details and long-term impacts of their decisions because they thrive on spontaneity.

• Challenged by abstract ideas: Entrepreneurs may struggle to understand tasks when they can’t learn through hands-on training.

ESTP communication styles and team dynamics

Entrepreneurs shine in workplaces that provide a dynamic pace and lots of varied, hands-on work. Project-based work, for example – where every day is different, and an ESTP can roll up their sleeves and work on something specific – is ideal.

On the flip side, Entrepreneurs can struggle in workplaces where there’s high predictability and where the stakes feel low. They can become demotivated if they don’t feel they’re making an impact at work, and they might overcompensate by acting too spontaneously and taking too many risks. 

The following tips help you temper these traits so you can harness the best qualities of Entrepreneurs on your team.

Effective communication strategies for ESTPs

Use these strategies to ensure strong communication with your ESTP employees:

• Reduce ambiguity. Keep communication short and action-oriented. Avoid extra details and include action items so the ESTP can jump into work. Use examples and visual material where you can rather than abstract ideas, as it’s easier for Entrepreneurs to “see” practical plans.

• Provide frequent feedback. Since Entrepreneurs move fast, you’ll want to provide a continual flow of feedback to keep them on course. Doing so ensures that they don’t miss any details and that their decisions align with the team’s – and the company’s – overall goals. 

• Praise them publicly. Acknowledging Entrepreneurs’ work shows them they’re on the right track. Praise also shows the ESTP they’re making an impact, which can keep them from getting bored.  

Best practices for integrating ESTPs into teams

To temper Entrepreneurs’ bluntness and help them integrate into teams, try these tactics:

• Offer ways for Entrepreneurs to show their spontaneity. ESTPs thrive in brainstorming activities, lively discussions, and whiteboard sessions where they can explore lots of practical solutions.

• Add fun. Playing a game together or even competing in a friendly competition – such as a team-building escape room challenge – is a practical way for Entrepreneurs to bond with others on their team. Other personality types get a chance to see their ESTP colleagues in a more “human” light, too, which can help them become more accepting of Entrepreneurs’ direct communication style.

• Pair ESTPs carefully. For collaborative work, you’ll want to partner ESTPs with personality types like super-organized ISTJs or nurturing ISFJs. You could also pair them with INTPs, strategic thinkers who can complement the Entrepreneur’s spontaneity, or INFJs, who can help ESTPs slow down and think long-term.

Tips for preventing and resolving conflicts with ESTPs

Entrepreneurs’ flexibility and direct communication style are great for some projects, but some personality types struggle with ESTPs’ disregard for structure and routine. Below are some ways you can sidestep conflicts within your team.

• Center conversations on solutions. Entrepreneurs prefer addressing conflicts head-on, focusing on solutions rather than long discussions about the issue. When there’s a challenge, don’t ask how an ESTP feels or “why” they think a problem has happened. Instead, briefly describe the problem and focus on a practical resolution. 

• Create a roadmap together. ESTPs enjoy solving problems, so work with them to resolve conflicts that might come up. Or, consider giving them total freedom. When an Entrepreneur can contribute to their own innovative plan to fix a problem, they’re more likely to follow through on it.

• Find a way to move past problems ASAP. Entrepreneur types can become annoyed by ongoing complaints and issues. So, consider implementing a “fix in 15” rule where minor problems, like the office space being too loud, must be resolved in 15 minutes. This will appeal to ESTPs’ love of problem-solving and prevent small issues from snowballing.

How to motivate ESTP employees and keep them engaged

Entrepreneurs can become bored in the workplace, but they’ll go the extra mile when they’re engaged. Here’s how to make that happen:

• Create challenges. ESTPs are driven by high standards, so give them something to really work for. You could increase sales targets for a team with many ESTP employees, for example, or ask an Entrepreneur to set their own goals. You can even gamify work tasks by creating leaderboards or tracking results visually. This can awaken the ESTPs’ competitive nature and keep them interested in work.

• Focus on practical implications. ESTPs may be less resistant to repetitive tasks if you can link the job to a goal they’re interested in achieving. For example, you might explain how filling out sales forms every day gives the marketing department the data they need to sell more. 

• Offer autonomy. Entrepreneurs shine when they can make decisions independently and take ownership of their performance. Where you can, allow ESTPs to do things their own way as long as they meet work goals.

• Give them ways to level up. Create a career path that keeps ESTPs moving in your organization, always taking on new roles or responsibilities. For example, you might want to move an ESTP to an assistant manager and then a manager job in a retail space. When Entrepreneurs get promoted, they see it as a new adventure, which keeps them interested.

• Offer the right work. Projects with tight deadlines and clear and immediate results are best for Entrepreneurs. Work that has a high impact also satisfies the Entrepreneurial spirit. Leading a big project – like launching a new product or social media campaign – brings out the best in ESTPs. 

Guidance on personal development and career growth for ESTPs

Entrepreneurs love to learn and grow, especially in their professional lives. Here’s how to tap into that trait and help your ESTPs thrive:

Pair Entrepreneurs with one-on-one, practical training

They do well with one-on-one coaching and mentorship since it allows them to explore dynamic conversations. Hands-on training is also better than theoretical classroom work, which can bore ESTPs. For example, Entrepreneurs would rather create a mock-up of a product and have it critiqued rather than simply read about how to create a mock-up. 

Pick the right subjects

Communication and emotional intelligence training for Entrepreneurs can help them curb some of their bluntness and help them slow down enough to consider other people’s responses.

In addition, time management and risk assessment training can help ESTPs consider some of the long-term implications of their decisions and focus on details. 

Since ESTPs are charismatic, leadership training also helps them develop their natural leadership abilities.

Let Entrepreneurs set their training style and pace

When offering career and personal development opportunities for Entrepreneurs, let ESTPs create their own plans for learning. This allows them to choose the most exciting and fastest classes for them. It also leaves them feeling in control and, therefore, more likely to complete training.

How TestGorilla can help you support ESTPs in your workplace

ESTPs are enthusiastic, social, practical, and always able to find solutions – even on tight deadlines. However, their speed and occasional impatience can feel abrasive to others and lead to mistakes at work.

But when you give Entrepreneurs flexibility, variety, and hands-on tasks in their work and focus on pragmatic communication, these employees can become an advantage for your whole team.

To support ESTPs in your workplace, you need to know who on your team falls into this personality type. TestGorilla can help you do this quickly and easily. Our library of talent assessments includes the 16 Personalities test – plus other tests to evaluate candidates’ and employees’ job-specific skills, behavioral traits, and more.

Ready to start building a better team today? Explore our test library,book a free live demo, or sign up for a free TestGorilla account.