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ENTP (extraversion, intuitive, thinking, perceiving) is a four-letter acronym used to represent one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. People with this personality type tend to be innovative, outspoken, and lively. They are idea-oriented and tend to focus on the future rather than the present moment.
ENTP Meaning
ENTPs are known for their dynamism, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
ENTPs are energized by social interactions (Extraversion), prefer abstract ideas and future possibilities over concrete details (Intuition), make decisions based on objective analysis rather than emotions (Thinking), and value flexibility and spontaneity (Perceiving).
They’re often characterized as innovative thinkers unafraid to challenge conventions. Quick-witted and strategic, ENTPs relish intellectual debates and exploring novel ideas.
They tend to be easy to get along with, but also can be argumentative at times. They are great conversationalists and make successful entrepreneurs.
However, their spontaneous nature might struggle with routine or detailed tasks, and their outspokenness can sometimes be perceived as argumentative.
Famous ENTPs include Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Julia Child, and Leonardo da Vinci.
ENTP is one of the rarer types in the population. ENTPs comprise:
- 3% of the general population
- 4% of men
- 2% of women
ENTPs are sometimes referred to as “the Debater,” “the Visionary,” or “the Innovator.” ISFJ is the opposite personality type of ENTP.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Innovate and creative | Stubborn |
| Great conversationalists | Argumentative |
| Confident | Insensitive |
| Adaptable | Unfocused |
| Non-judgmental | Non-committal |
ENTP Characteristics
ENTPs are highly innovative and creative individuals.
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- They are constantly absorbing new information from the world around them and arriving at original conclusions with their ideas.
- ENTPs are natural innovators, motivated to find new solutions to challenging problems. ENTPs are sometimes referred to as “the Visionary” or “the Innovator” because of their passion for new, ingenious ideas.
- However, ENTPs sometimes struggle to actually bring their plans into fruition and harness their full potential. They have trouble committing to one path and are constantly found jumping from one idea to the next.
- Once the initial excitement of a project wanes, ENTPs are ready to move on to newer thoughts.
People with the ENTP personality type are typically sociable and outgoing.
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- They enjoy interacting and conversing with others, especially if they are able to engage in a debate about something they care about.
- They appreciate learning about other people’s beliefs and exploring new topics through friendly arguments. They have a playful sense of humor and a unique way with words that others find charming.
ENTPs are known to be laid-back and easygoing.
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- They are non-judgmental and open-minded and like to use their banter and quick wit to analyze and understand other people.
- They deal well with change and are able to adapt well to any circumstances that might arise throughout their lives.
- However, ENTPs are also disorganized and seemingly untethered. They become bored easily and struggle with strict routines and schedules.
ENTPs are strikingly confident and fearless individuals.
- They have an unrelenting boldness in the face of challenges and are not afraid to fail and try over and over again.
- They are not distressed when their ideas do not go as planned but rather embrace these “failures” as opportunities to grow. ENTPs tend to enjoy many successes throughout their lives, but will also suffer from seeming failures.
- These moments of rock bottom do not deter ENTPs because they believe in the power of their ideas and know they will achieve greatness in the end.
Cognitive Functions
The MBTI suggests that the four different cognitive functions (thinking, feeling, intuition, and sensing) form a hierarchy where each function is either directed outwardly (extroverted) or inwardly (introverted). The order of these functions determines one’s personality.
The dominant function is the primary aspect of personality, while the auxiliary and tertiary functions play supportive roles.
Dominant: Extroverted Intuition
- Extroverted Intuition → ENTPs can quickly take in information from their surrounding environments, discovering patterns and making connections in the things they have observed.
- They have innovative minds and are constantly coming up with original, creative ideas.
Auxiliary: Introverted Thinking
- People with the ENTP personality type like to focus their attention on new information in order to reach logical conclusions.
- They seek to understand the why and the how when making sense of the world around them.
- They place a greater emphasis on rational evidence and fact rather than subjective emotions when making decisions.
Tertiary: Extroverted Feeling
- As a tertiary function, this aspect of the ENTP personality may not be as pronounced. When developed, ENTPs can be charming, good-humored individuals.
- However, when this aspect is less-developed, ENTPs can be seen as insensitive and combative.
Inferior: Introverted Sensing
- This function is focused on understanding the past and applying it to present experiences.
- This is the least prominent aspect of the ENTP personality and is often a point of weakness for ENTP personalities as they are often more concerned with future possibilities.
ENTP Hobbies, Interests, and Careers
ENTPs seek work where they can express their creativity and originality in an intellectually challenging environment. They can succeed in a wide variety of careers as long as they are not constrained by strict routine, rules, and structure.
ENTPs want to have the creative freedom to apply their own innovative solutions to complex problems. They do best with conceptual work where they can think through problems creatively without having to stress over minute details.
As tenacious debaters with strong communication skills, ENTPs tend to thrive in careers in law and business. They enjoy the challenges, creativity, and logic that these occupations provide.
With a yearning for innovation, ENTPs also make highly successful engineers, scientists, and inventors. Other popular jobs for ENTPs can include psychologists, psychiatrists, designers, or journalists. ENTPs are also the most likely of all personality types to be self employed.
In their free time, ENTPs enjoy continuing education, writing, appreciating art, participating in sports, playing video games, traveling, and attending cultural events.
ENTP Work Environments
The ideal work environment for an ENTP is one that is intellectually stimulating with few limitations on their ingenuity. They bore easily so rigid, task-oriented environments can be exhausting for an ENTP.
ENTPs need a sense of personal freedom in their workplace so they can utilize their endless flow of ideas in a spontaneous, unrestrained manner.
The best workplace is one that allows them to engage their intellectual pursuits on their own terms.
They also like to be surrounded by other creative and intelligent coworkers.
They like to interact with other powerful, innovative people, but also want to delegate responsibility for the more tedious tasks to others.
ENTP Personal Relationships
ENTPs are extraverts with strong people and communication skills. They enjoy surrounding themselves with a wide circle of friends, family, and acquaintances.
ENTPs are quick witted individuals who will often engage in debates or arguments. Their strongest friendships are with those who can hold their ground in these arbitrary debates with valid, logical arguments.
Their ideal outing with friends consists of interesting conversations and random debates, but they have difficulty relating to others on a more emotional level.
Since they are not known to be sensitive or affectionate, ENTPs offer their best support to their loved ones by providing rational solutions to problems. An ENTP usually will form the closest relationships with those who understand not to take an ENTPs words too personally and aren”t afraid to discuss new, interesting ideas.
In romantic relationships, ENTPs are enthusiastic and spontaneous. They are exciting partners who are always seeking out new ideas and experiences.
They can be competitive or even argumentative, so they need a partner who is emotionally resilient and doesn”t take offense easily.
ENTPs enjoy sharing their love of adventure and intellectual explorations with their partners as they see this as an opportunity to grow in tandem and have fun together.
Tips for Interacting With ENTPs
Friendships
ENTPs are great at getting along with others and thrive in social situations. They are laid-back and easy going individuals, but can also be quite competitive.
As the friend or family member of an ENTP, you should be aware of their love for debates while being careful not to engage in combative arguments or competitions.
Relationships
ENTPs are passionate, loving partners with an endless need for spontaneity. The ideal partner for an ENTP is someone who appreciates their ingenuity and creativity and supports them in their ever-changing interests and pursuits.
It is also important to be emotionally resilient when in a relationship with an ENTP as they are more likely than other personality types to hurt their partners’ feelings without realizing it.
Parenting
ENTP parents are supportive and fun-loving and enjoy sharing their sense of wonder and excitement with their children.
They are more interested in educating their children and developing them as independent thinkers than caring for their children’s physical and emotional needs.
However, they derive great joy from parenthood and are constantly looking for opportunities to help their children learn and succeed.
Take the MBTI (Paper Version)
Sources
King, S. P., & Mason, B. A. (2020). Myers‐Briggs Type Indicator. The Wiley Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences: Measurement and Assessment, 315-319.
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Myers, K. D., & Kirby, L. D. (2015). Introduction to type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment. Sunnyvale, CA: CPP.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. (2019, May 28). New World Encyclopedia, . Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator&oldid=1020015.
Myers, Isabel B.; Myers, Peter B. (1995) [1980]. Gifts Differing: Understanding Personality Type. Mountain View, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89106-074-1.
Pittenger, D. J. (2005). Cautionary Comments Regarding the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 57(3), 210-221.
The purpose of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®. The Myers & Briggs Foundation: MBTI Basics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
