Only 4% Of The Population Has This Rare, Impulsive Personality Type—Do You?

ESTP famous characters and people:

5 key traits:

According to Blaylock-Solar, ESTP people are known for having somewhat of a "live fast, die young" attitude that wants to keep busy, experience a lot of things, and always be in the middle of something.

That aforementioned fast-paced attitude often looks like impulsivity and impatience, with Blaylock-Solar noting that ESTPs tend to rush into things without much forethought, because they enjoy risk and drama. This includes the things they say out loud, as well.

Being a Sensing type, ESTPs are known to be logical, practical, and keen observers of their environment. "They can be a bit insensitive, living more in the intellectual space than being in touch with their emotions and feelings," Blaylock-Solar tells mbg, adding, "They're not as emotionally charged, but very practical, and they can reason very well."

The ESTP tends to be "very bold," according to Blaylock-Solar, and quite passionate in their expression. Rule-averse and highly original, the ESTP's passion often ends up presenting as defiance, she adds, noting that ESTPs want the autonomy to do their own thing as much as possible.

Lastly, the ESTP is known for their directness, which could be viewed as a strength or weakness, depending who you ask. As Blaylock-Solar explains, they can come off as insensitive, though "directness can be very helpful, and it's a skill that a lot of people don't have—this type of personality is able to say exactly what they mean and mean what they say."

Common strengths:

Common weaknesses:

ESTP compatibility:

ESTP and INFJ

An INFJ has all the opposite traits of an ESTP, and say what you want about opposites attracting, but according to both Blaylock-Johnson and Hallett, these two may have difficulty connecting. INFJs are highly intuitive, sensitive, introverted, and structured, while ESTPs are not, and so there's not a lot of middle ground between these two personalities. (Here's more on INFJ compatibility.)

ESTP and INFP

Another particularly sensitive and intuitive personality type, the INFP is another type that may not click well with an ESTP romantically. As Dario Nardi, Ph.D., a personality expert and author of Neuroscience of Personality previously told mbg, INFPs' sensitive and idealistic nature can also make dating and intimacy a challenge to begin with, and with ESTPs being known for their brash and bold attitude, there could definitely be some tension here.

ESTP in the workplace:

Common ESTP careers:

How to thrive as an ESTP:

Blaylock-Solar also suggests ESTPs do some work to tune into their bodies, especially when they're feeling particularly activated, impulsive, or passionate. Noticing what's going on in their bodies before they make rash decisions, she says, is beneficial "because sometimes our bodies tell us what we're feeling before our intellect."

And lastly, Blaylock-Solar says ESTPs would benefit from "taking a beat," as it were. This is an impulsive and risk-taking personality type, and that doesn't always serve them. Whether it's finding more structure in your every day life, taking a pause before jumping into something, or just thinking before you speak, she says, can be really helpful.

The takeaway.

ESTPs, while sometimes a bit brash, are fun-loving, passionate people who love socializing, observing, and taking action. As long as you can keep up with their fast pace—and aren't easily offended—these folks can be exciting and energizing co-workers, friends, or lovers.