ESTJ - The Director
People with ESTJ Personality Type are often described as practical and willing to take charge.
They are committed to traditions, standards, procedures, and laws and expect others to uphold these same principles.
Directors will ensure that things run smoothly and according to plan and the rules.
With Extraverted Thinking as their dominant and top extraverted function, Directors are Judgers who use objective reasons when making decisions, with little emotion from their Introverted Feelings lowest function.
Directors like to organize the facts and are results-oriented with their Introverted Sensing.
With their Extraverted Intuition, they are focused more on the here and now, preferring concrete concepts over abstract ideas.
They are structured, like to plan, and prefer closure.
Directors are extraverted, preferring time with others to talk things out.
| Process Information: | Organize Facts |
| Decision Making: | Tribe Reasons |
Dominant Function - Extraverted Thinking
- ESTJs rely on objective information and logic to make decisions rather than personal feelings.
- They are skilled at making objective, impersonal decisions.
- Rather than focusing on their 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 but tend to lose interest in abstract or theoretical things.
- ESTJs enjoy concrete facts as opposed to abstract information.
- They are good at making fast and decisive choices. Still, they may often rush to judgment before considering all the information about a situation.
- On the positive side, this trait makes them good leaders. Still, it can sometimes lead them to be viewed as harsh or abrasive.
Auxiliary Function - Introverted Sensing
- They are good at remembering things with great detail.
- Their memories of past events can be quite vivid.
- They often use their recollections of past experiences to connect with current events.
- Because their sensing function is focused inwardly, they 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 make them stubborn and unyielding.
Tertiary Function - Extraverted Intuition
- This aspect of personality seeks out novel ideas and possibilities.
- It compels people with this personality type to explore their creativity.
- As they process new ideas and information, they may explore the possible meanings 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 Function - Introverted Feeling
- When this function is used, it may lead ESTJs to make decisions based more on feelings than 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, a person might allow their subjective feelings to override their objective interpretation of a situation.
- ESTJs tend to give much thought to their own emotions, so this function often operates largely unconsciously.
Traits
- They are responsible, realistic, and conventional.
- People often describe ESFJs as predictable, stable, committed, and practical.
- They love spending time with family and friends.
- They can be too demanding and fail to recognize other people’s opinions and feelings.
- They tend to be frank when sharing their opinions, which can sometimes be seen as harsh or overly critical.
- Their primary function is Extraverted Thinking, while their auxiliary function is Introverted Sensing.
- This allows them to recognize concrete needs and remember data in detail.
- ESTJs tend to place a high value on tradition, rules, and security.
- They use logic and traditional principles to guide them through life.
- Because of their orthodox approach to life, they can sometimes be seen as rigid, stubborn, and unyielding.
- Maintaining the status quo is essential to ESTJs, and they often become involved in civics, government, and community organizations.
- Community is crucial to the ESTJ.
- They focus more on linking the past to the present.
- They are direct and honest, take their role seriously, and are known as “model citizens.”
- They thrive on order and continuity.
- They learn best in situations where objectives are established (as well as details), so they can plan.
- Thus, they are good with deadlines.
- Weaknesses include their general inability to adapt to new environments.
- Their take-charge attitude makes it easy for ESTJs to assume leadership positions.
- They are quick to come up with a plan and finish it off.
- They place importance on closure.
- They are self-confident and assertive.
- Their self-confidence and strong convictions help them excel at putting plans into action.
- They can sometimes appear critical and overly aggressive, particularly when others fail to meet their high standards.
Strengths
- Practical and realistic
- Dependable
- Self-confident
- Hard-working
- Traditional
- Strong leadership skills
Friendships
- People with this personality type are very social and enjoy getting their friends involved in activities that they enjoy.
- ESTJs often prize dependability over almost everything.
- If you are a stable friend who sticks to your commitments, you will likely be able to forge strong friendships with an ESTJ.
Personal Relationships
- As extraverts, ESTJs are very 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 also vital to ESTJs.
- They put a great deal of effort into fulfilling their family obligations.
- Social events are also important; they are good at remembering essential events such as birthdays and anniversaries.
- They look forward to attending weddings, family reunions, holiday parties, class reunions, and other occasions.
- One potential weakness for ESTJs is their tendency to be rigid in rules and routines.
- They take their own opinion quite seriously but are far less inclined to listen to what others say.
Partner Relationships
- ESTJs are dependable and take their commitments seriously.
- Once they have dedicated themselves to a relationship, they will stay true to it for life.
- They tend to neglect feelings, which can sometimes be difficult for their partners.
- While they may not express their feelings through words, remember that they will often convey their emotions through actions.
Parenting
- ESTJs children tend to be very responsible and goal-directed, but be cautious to avoid placing too many expectations on your child's shoulders.
- They enjoy structure and routine.
- While they are good at being self-directed, they still need guidance and rules to give them the security they crave.
Career Advice
- Because they appreciate order and organization, they frequently do well in supervisory and management positions.
- When in such positions, they are committed to ensuring that members of the group follow the rules, traditions, and laws established by higher authorities.
- They strive to follow directions to the letter and show a great deal of respect and deference for authority figures.
- Their high respect for laws, authority, and order help them excel in law enforcement roles.
- ESTJs are very hard-working and dependable in school and work situations.
- They are thorough and punctual about completing their work and rarely question or complain about it.
- ESTJs have various personality characteristics that help them excel in various careers.