Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsESTJ MeaningKey CharacteristicsStrengths and WeaknessesCognitive FunctionsPersonal RelationshipsCareer PathsInteraction TipsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator GuideESFJ: The Caregiver (Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

ESTJ Meaning

Key Characteristics

Strengths and Weaknesses

Cognitive Functions

Personal Relationships

Career Paths

Interaction Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Guide

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Learning more about the ESTJ personality type is also beneficial for increasing your recognition of how you interact with others. It may even help you choose a career that will play to your strengths and preferences.

ESTJ MeaningIn the Myers-Briggs, ESTJ stands for Extraverted (likes to spend time with people), Sensing (pays attention to the five senses), Thinking (weighs principles and facts heavily), and Judging (prefers a more structured lifestyle).

In the Myers-Briggs, ESTJ stands for Extraverted (likes to spend time with people), Sensing (pays attention to the five senses), Thinking (weighs principles and facts heavily), and Judging (prefers a more structured lifestyle).

What Is the ESTJ Personality Type?

ESTJs are often described as logical, take-charge kinds of people.They areassertiveand concerned with making sure things run smoothly and according to the rules.

ESTJs are also committed to traditions, standards, and laws. They have strong beliefs and possess sensible judgment—and they expect that others will uphold these same principles as well.

David Keirsey, the creator of the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, suggests that the ESTJ personality type is the “Guardian Supervisor.” This is one of four Guardian archetypes, the others being Inspector, Provider, and Protector.

Is ESTJ the rarest personality type?An estimated 8% to 12% of the U.S. population has an ESTJ personality type.That makes this one of the most common, along with ISTJ, ISFJ, and ESFJ. Each of thesepersonality typesappears in roughly 8% to 14% of the population, whereas other types only appear in 1% to 9% of people.

Is ESTJ the rarest personality type?

An estimated 8% to 12% of the U.S. population has an ESTJ personality type.That makes this one of the most common, along with ISTJ, ISFJ, and ESFJ. Each of thesepersonality typesappears in roughly 8% to 14% of the population, whereas other types only appear in 1% to 9% of people.

Key ESTJ Personality Type Characteristics

If you or someone you know is an ESTJ, there are a few characteristics that are likely present.

Individuals with this personality type tend to place a high value on tradition, rules, and security. Maintaining the status quo is important to ESTJs, and they often become involved in civic duties, government branches, andcommunity organizations.

Because of their orthodox approach to life, an ESTJ can sometimes be seen as rigid, stubborn, and unyielding. Their take-charge attitude makes it easy for ESTJs to assumeleadershippositions.

Their self-confidence and strong convictions help ESTJs excel at putting plans into action. However, at times, they can appear critical and overly aggressive—particularly when other people fail to live up to their high standards.

People often describe ESTJs as predictable, stable, committed, and practical. They tend to be very frank and honest when it comes to sharing their opinions, which can sometimes be seen as harsh or overly critical.

RecapThe main characteristics of an ESTJ personality type include being organized, goal-oriented, structured, and dependable.

Recap

The main characteristics of an ESTJ personality type include being organized, goal-oriented, structured, and dependable.

ESTJ Strengths vs. Weaknesses

As with all personality types, an ESTJ has both strengths and weaknesses. ESTJ’s strengths include being dependable, hard-working, and self-confident. ESTJ weaknesses include seeming insensitive and inflexible, and they often have troubleexpressing feelings.

StrengthsPractical and realisticDependableSelf-confidentHard-workingTraditionalStrong leadership skillsWeaknessesInsensitiveInflexibleNot good at expressing feelingsArgumentativeBossy

StrengthsPractical and realisticDependableSelf-confidentHard-workingTraditionalStrong leadership skills

Practical and realistic

Dependable

Self-confident

Hard-working

Traditional

Strong leadership skills

WeaknessesInsensitiveInflexibleNot good at expressing feelingsArgumentativeBossy

Insensitive

Inflexible

Not good at expressing feelings

Argumentative

Bossy

Cognitive Functions for ESTJ

The MBTI suggests that each personality type is made up of a number of cognitive functions (sensing, thinking, feeling, and intuition) that are either directed toward the outside world (extraverted) or inward (introverted).Additionally, these functions can be dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, or inferior.

The dominant function plays a primary role in personality, although the auxiliary function plays an important supporting role. Tertiary and inferior functions are less prominent, but can still have an influence on how people behave and interact with the world. Here are the various levels of function for the ESTJ.

Dominant: Extraverted Thinking

ESTJs rely on objective information and logic rather than personal feelings tomake decisions.They are skilled at making objective, impersonal, and impartial decisions. Rather than focusing on their own subjective feelings when making judgments, they consider facts and logic to make rational choices.

People with ESTJ personality types tend to be very practical. They enjoy learning about things they can see an immediate, real-world use for and tend to lose interest in things that are abstract or theoretical. ESTJs enjoy concrete facts as opposed to abstract information.

ESTJs are good at making fast and decisive choices but mayrush to judgmentbefore considering all the information about a situation. This trait makes them good leaders but it can also sometimes cause them to be viewed as harsh or abrasive.

Auxiliary: Introverted Sensing

ESTJs are good atremembering thingswith a great deal of detail. Their memories of past events can be quite vivid and they often utilize recollections of past experiences to make connections with present events.

Because their sensing function is focused inwardly, ESTJs tend to be less concerned with novelty and more focused on familiarity. They enjoy havinghabitsandroutinesthey can depend upon. While this gives them stability and predictability, it can also make them stubborn and unyielding.

Tertiary: Extraverted Intuition

This aspect of the ESTJ seeks out novel ideas and possibilities. It compels people with this personality type to explore theircreativity.

As they process new ideas and information, ESTJs may explore possible meanings in order to spot new connections or patterns. This allows them to look at incoming information and recognize that there may be more than one interpretation or possible outcome.

Inferior: Introverted Feeling

When this function is used, it may lead ESTJs to make decisions based more on feelings than on logic. These are often internal valuations that lead to “gut feelings” about some situations.

While this function is not used as often, in some cases, an ESTJ might allow their subjective feelings to override their objective interpretation of a situation. ESTJs tend not to give much thought to their ownemotions, so this function often operates on a largely unconscious basis.

ESTJs You Might KnowFamous people with an ESTJ personality type include:Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. PresidentMegyn Kelly, journalistBilly Graham, evangelistAlec Baldwin, actorFictional characters with an ESTJ personality type include:Dwight Schrute,The OfficeMiranda Bailey,Grey’s AnatomyMonica Geller,FriendsDarth Vader,Star Wars

ESTJs You Might Know

Famous people with an ESTJ personality type include:Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. PresidentMegyn Kelly, journalistBilly Graham, evangelistAlec Baldwin, actorFictional characters with an ESTJ personality type include:Dwight Schrute,The OfficeMiranda Bailey,Grey’s AnatomyMonica Geller,FriendsDarth Vader,Star Wars

Famous people with an ESTJ personality type include:

Fictional characters with an ESTJ personality type include:

Personal Relationships With an ESTJ

ESTJs are dependable and take their commitments seriously. Once they’ve dedicated themselves to a relationship, they will stay true to it for life. That said, ESTJs tend to avoid emotions and feelings, which can be difficult for their partners at times. While they may not express how they feel through words, remember that they will often convey their emotions through actions.

Asextroverts, ESTJs are outgoing and enjoy spending time in the company of others. They can be very boisterous and funny in social situations and often enjoy being at the center of attention.

Family is of the utmost importance to ESTJs and they put a great deal of effort into fulfilling their obligations to those they love. Social events are also important and ESTJs are good at remembering important events such as birthdays and anniversaries. They look forward to attending weddings, family reunions, holiday parties, class reunions, and other occasions.

One potential area of weakness for ESTJs when it comes to their relationships is their tendency to be rigid with rules and routines. They also take their own opinion quite seriously and may be less inclined to listen to what others have to say.

Who is compatible with an ESTJ?If you are an ESTJ, you have higher compatibility withISFJs,ISTPs,ISTJs, andESFJswhen it comes to dating and marriage. Personality types that have the lowest compatibility with an ESTJ areINFPsandINFJs.

Who is compatible with an ESTJ?

If you are an ESTJ, you have higher compatibility withISFJs,ISTPs,ISTJs, andESFJswhen it comes to dating and marriage. Personality types that have the lowest compatibility with an ESTJ areINFPsandINFJs.

ESTJ Career Paths

In school and work situations, ESTJs are hard-working and dependable.They strive to follow directions to the letter and show a great deal of respect and deference for authority. ESTJs are thorough and punctual about completing their work, and rarely question or complain about the jobs they have to do.

ESTJs have a wide range of personality characteristics that help them excel in a number of different careers. Their emphasis on rules and procedures makes them well-suited to supervisory and management positions while their respect for law, authority, and order helps them excel in law enforcement roles.

Popular ESTJ CareersPolice officerMember of the militaryJudgePoliticianTeacherSchool administratorBusiness managerAccountantBanker

Police officerMember of the militaryJudgePoliticianTeacherSchool administratorBusiness managerAccountantBanker

Tips for Interacting With ESTJs

The best way to interact with an ESTJ personality type depends on the type of relationship you have.

Friendships With an ESTJ

People with an ESTJ personality type are social and enjoy getting their friends involved in activities they enjoy. They often value dependability over almost everything else. If you are a stable friend who sticks to your commitments, you will likelyforge strong friendshipswith an ESTJ.

Parenting an ESTJ

ESTJ children tend to be responsible and goal-directed, but be cautious to avoid placing too many expectations on their shoulders. ESTJs enjoy structure and routine. While they are good at being self-directed, ESTJs still need guidance and rules to give them the security they crave.

Dating an ESTJ

ESTJs are loyal and dependable. However, they can also be blunt and sometimes come off as stubborn or domineering. However, they enjoy spending quality time with their partner, so it is important to set aside time to spend together if you are in a romantic relationship with an ESTJ.

Frequently Asked QuestionsNone of the MBTI personality traits are objectively “better” than any other. Each of these types has strengths and weaknesses, which is why knowing more about your type can be helpful. ESTJ has many great qualities, including high confidence, a strong work ethic, and good leadership skills.As the acronym suggests, ESTJs are extroverts. However, they do have two introverted functions that make up their personality type. While extraverted thinking is their dominant function, they do tend to look inward when it comes to sensing and feeling. They enjoy habits and routines that are inwardly focused and designed to bring comfort and structure. They also tend to trust their instincts when making decisions.

None of the MBTI personality traits are objectively “better” than any other. Each of these types has strengths and weaknesses, which is why knowing more about your type can be helpful. ESTJ has many great qualities, including high confidence, a strong work ethic, and good leadership skills.

As the acronym suggests, ESTJs are extroverts. However, they do have two introverted functions that make up their personality type. While extraverted thinking is their dominant function, they do tend to look inward when it comes to sensing and feeling. They enjoy habits and routines that are inwardly focused and designed to bring comfort and structure. They also tend to trust their instincts when making decisions.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The Myers & Briggs Foundation.MBTI basics.Keirsey D.Learn about the Guardian Supervisor.The Myers & Briggs Foundation.How frequent is my type.Myers Briggs Type Indicator.ESTJ: the efficient organizer.O’Neil DA, Petty MD.Heuristic methods for synthesizing realistic social networks based on personality compatibility.App Netw Sci. 2019;4:19. doi:10.1007/s41109-019-0117-4

The Myers & Briggs Foundation.MBTI basics.

Keirsey D.Learn about the Guardian Supervisor.

The Myers & Briggs Foundation.How frequent is my type.

Myers Briggs Type Indicator.ESTJ: the efficient organizer.

O’Neil DA, Petty MD.Heuristic methods for synthesizing realistic social networks based on personality compatibility.App Netw Sci. 2019;4:19. doi:10.1007/s41109-019-0117-4

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