Leading ESTPs: Change Leadership Series

See where ESTPs shine – and where they struggle – when change comes knocking and how best to lead them through transitions.

Aug 28, 2024

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In a snowy National Mountain Park, a confident male ESTP, clad in yellow attire and sunglasses, strikes a pose while to the left, a couple dressed warmly in winter clothing and holding skis take pictures of him with their camera. An annoyed park ranger stands to the right of the ESTP man. The letters “ESTP” are prominently displayed in the middle of the image. — Image from 16personalities.com

How to spot ESTPs (Entrepreneurs):

ESTPs (Entrepreneurs) share the Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, and Prospecting personality traits.
They embrace change with enthusiasm, diving in and adapting on the fly. They may playfully challenge traditions and push for fresh approaches. Listen for their passionate arguments to shake things up as they brainstorm creative solutions and pitch bold ideas, rallying others to join in.

Are the ESTPs on your team feeling impatient? 🤔 If you’re currently leading your team through uncertainty, then they just might be, according to our research:

A yellow character icon with a speech bubble sits above the text: “Insight of the Day. ESTPs (Entrepreneurs) are one of the most likely personality types to say they find it more difficult to be patient when the outcome is uncertain.” — Image from 16personalities.com

ESTPs thrive on action and immediate results. They’re natural problem-solvers who prefer concrete outcomes. Uncertainty and waiting games can be particularly frustrating for team members with this personality type. In times of change or ambiguity, ESTPs may become restless or impatient. This can lead to hasty decisions or a desire to take control, even when it’s not appropriate.

Here are three leadership strategies you can apply when guiding ESTPs through change:

Provide clear, short-term goals: Break down larger projects into smaller, actionable steps. This gives ESTPs tangible targets to focus on and achieve.
Communicate progress regularly: Keep ESTPs in the loop about developments, even if the final outcome is still uncertain. This helps satisfy their need for concrete information.
Leverage their problem-solving skills: Engage ESTPs in brainstorming sessions or change task forces. This allows them to feel productive and contribute their natural talents, even in uncertain situations.

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Ready to take this one step deeper? ESTPs are energetic, spontaneous, and always up for a challenge. They thrive on the excitement that comes with change, but that doesn’t mean they’re immune to change challenges. Let’s see where they shine – and where they struggle – when change comes knocking and how best to lead them through transitions.

Next, we’ll cover:

The special strength that ESTPs bring to navigating workplace change
The greatest hurdle that ESTPs encounter during periods of uncertainty
A key leadership strategy for supporting ESTPs through transitions

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