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.
What Is the ESTJ Personality Type?
ESTJs are often described as logical, take-charge kinds of people. They are assertive and 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. 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 these personality types appears 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 personality type, 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, and community 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 assume leadership positions. 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.
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 trouble expressing feelings.
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 to make 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 may rush to judgment before 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 at remembering things with 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 having habits and routines they 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 their creativity. 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 own emotions, so this function often operates on a largely unconscious basis.
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.
Lyndon B. Johnson, U.S. PresidentMegyn Kelly, journalistBilly Graham, evangelistAlec Baldwin, actor
Fictional characters with an ESTJ personality type include:
Dwight Schrute, The OfficeMiranda Bailey, Grey’s AnatomyMonica Geller, FriendsDarth Vader, Star Wars
As extroverts, 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.
ESTJ Career Paths
Because they appreciate order and organization, ESTJs frequently do well in leadership roles. When in such positions, they are committed to making sure members of the group follow the rules, traditions, and laws established by higher authorities. 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.
Tips for Interacting With ESTJs
The best way to interact with an ESTJ 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 likely forge strong friendships with 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.
