Executive (ESTJ)

ESTJ people use their thinking to run as much of the world as may be theirs to run. They like to organise projects and then act to get things done. Reliance on thinking makes them logical, analytical, objectively critical, and not likely to be convinced by anything but reasoning. They tend to focus on the job, not the people behind the job.

They like to organise facts, situations, and operations related to a project, and make a systematic effort to reach their objectives on schedule. They have little patience with confusion or inefficiency, and can be tough when the situation calls for toughness.

They think conduct should be ruled by logic, and govern their own behaviour accordingly They live by a definite set of rules that embody their basic judgments about the world. Any change in their ways requires a deliberate change in their rules.

They are more interested in seeing present realities than future possibilities. This makes them matter-of-fact, practical, realistic, and concerned with the here-and-now They use past experience to help them solve problems and want to be sure that ideas, plans, and decisions are based on solid fact.

They like jobs where the results of their work are immediate, visible, and tangible. They have a natural bent for business, industry, production, and construction. They enjoy administration, where they can set goals; make decisions, and give the necessary orders. Getting things done is their strong suit.

Like the other decisive types, ESTJs run the risk of deciding too quickly before they have fully examined the situation. They need to stop and listen to the other person’s viewpoint, especially with people who are not in a position to talk back. This is seldom easy for them, but if they do not take time to understand, they may judge too quickly, without enough facts or enough regard for what other people think or feel.

ESTJs may need to work at taking feeling values into account. They may rely so much on their logical approach that they overlook feeling values-what they care about and what other people care about. If feeling values are ignored too much, they may build up pressure and find expression in inappropriate ways. Although ESTJs are naturally good at seeing what is illogical and inconsistent, they may need to develop the art of appreciation. One positive way to exercise their feeling is to appreciate other people’s merits and ideas. ESTJs who make it a rule to mention what they like, not merely what needs correcting, find the results worthwhile both in their work and in their private lives.

How Common Is This Type?

• 9% of the general population
• 11% of men
• 6% of women

Strengths

Extraverted Thinking with Sensing

Characteristics

Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact, with a natural head for business or mechanics. Not interested in subjects they see no use for, but can apply themselves when necessary. Like to organize and run activities. May make good administrators, especially if they remember to consider others’ feelings and points of view.

Career Paths

• Natural leaders - they like to be in charge
• Value security and tradition
• Loyal
• Hard-working and dependable
• Athletic and wholesome
• Have a clear set of standards and beliefs that they live by
• No patience with incompetence or inefficiency
• Excellent organizational abilities
• Enjoy creating order and structure
• Very thorough
• Will follow projects through to completion
• Straight-forward and honest
• Driven to fulfill their duties

ESTJs have a lot of flexibility in the types of careers that they choose. They are good at a lot of different things, because they put forth a tremendous amount of effort towards doing things the right way. They will be happiest in leadership positions, however, because they have a natural drive to be in charge. They are best suited for jobs that require creating order and structure.

The following list of professions is built on our impression of careers that would be especially suitable for an ESTJ.

Recommended Career Paths for ESTJs are:

• Sales Engineer
• Stockbroker
• Insurance Agent
• Sales Manager
• Purchasing Agent
• Real Estate Agent
• Hotel Manager
• Credit Analyst
• Budget Analyst
• Insurance Adjuster
• Financial Counselor
• Project Manager
• Management Consultant
• Office Manager
• Public Administrator
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Military Officer
• Police Officer
• Airline Pilot
• Vocational Teacher
• Farmer or Rancher
• Chef
• Attorney
• Paralegal
• Judge
• Auditor
• School Principal
• Property Manager
• Restaurant Owner
• Pharmacist
• Dentist
• Physician
• Athletic Trainer
• Civil Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Industrial Engineer
• Flight Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Real Estate Appraiser
• Cost Estimator
• Building Inspector
• Factory Supervisor
• General Contractor
• Funeral Director

Hobbies and Interests

Building and repairing things around the home, gardening, volunteering, community service, and playing and watching sports.

People Associated With This Type

• Bernard Montgomery - U.K. Field Marshal
• Henry Ford - Industrialist and founder of Ford Motors
• Margaret Thatcher - U.K. Prime Minister
• Hillary Clinton - U.S. Secretary of State (D), Presidential Candidate
• Dr. Phil - Psychologist
• Michelle Obama - U.S. First Lady
• Uma Thurman - Actress
• Lucy Liu - Actress
• Emma Watson - Actress
• Courteney Cox - Actress
• Bill Reilly - Political commentator
• Alec Baldwin - Actor
• Condoleezza Rice - U.S. Secretary of State (R)

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