ENTP Personality

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With a constant thirst for knowledge, the ENTP personality type loves to analyze all viewpoints of a situation. They often do this by playing devil’s advocate. This is why someone of this type is often referred to as the “Debater.”

Whether this person agrees with a scenario or not, he or she will argue to learn the viewpoints of others or simply for fun. This individual sees possibilities though the ENTP also likes cold, hard facts and don’t typically take the feelings of others into consideration.

Making up only about 3 percent of the population, these innovators are known for coming up with visionary ideas.

• E – Extroverted: Engaging, conversational, influential, charming
• N – Intuitive: Innovative, curious, creative, ingenious
• T – Thinking: Knowledgeable, entrepreneurial, logical, objective
• P – Perceiving: Open-minded, unconventional, flexible, spontaneous

Because they enjoy spending time with others, ENTPs really try to avoid spending time alone. They need to be able to bounce ideas off of people who share their goals or even those who may have a differing viewpoint in an effort to gain more understanding.

Intellectually quick, Debaters are very expressive and enthusiastic about ideas that are of interest to them. When they speak about these concepts, their excitement can almost be felt, and it’s likely to spread to those around them.

Ones to love challenges, those of this personality type will jump in when there’s a problem, especially if no one else has been able to solve it. They’re able to draw on their vast wells of knowledge and see the big picture to come up with innovative and unique solutions.

Always on the lookout for something new and interesting, these individuals don’t really like to do the same thing twice. They’re likely to stick with a project until they solve the issue or until they get bored with it or something better comes along.

Traditions, rules, and established ways of thinking are boring for these types, and they prefer to do things their own way. Whether they’re questioning the old ways or ignoring the rules completely, you’re more likely to find ENTPs trying out new and creative ideas.

A Closer Look at the Debater

Reworking existing systems comes almost naturally to the Debater, so this person is likely to reinvent the wheel over and over again, trying different strategies each time. However, the ENTP typically avoids the actual work and, instead, prefers to focus on ideas and possibilities.

As someone of this type uses logic over feelings, this individual doesn’t always know when he or she is hurting someone by picking apart and questioning their ideas or values when seeking new knowledge. This can be off-putting to some, and the Debater may lose support or connections in the process.

Just because the ENTP can’t pick up on the emotions of others doesn’t mean that this person doesn’t have feelings of his or her own. This type feels deeply but is often unable to properly express these emotions to others.

Some of the words that people often use to describe the Debater include the following:

• Theoretical
• Perceptive
• Impersonal
• Assertive
• Complex
• Efficient
• Exciting
• Inventive
• Argumentative
• Fearless
• Carefree
• Popular

ENTP Strengths

Debaters are fearless. Those with this personality type aren’t afraid of large challenges and of making mistakes along the way. Failure is not a bad thing as it’s just another lesson learned and a new opportunity in the process of finding a solution.

They are charismatic. A sharp mind and wit give those of this type a way with words that draws people in. Connecting patterns quickly, these individuals can put abstract thoughts and concepts in to words that are both informative and entertaining.

ENTPs are highly adaptable. When situations change, this provides Debaters with great new options that they embrace fully. Seeing change as a challenge, these people can rapidly make new decisions as necessary.

Those of this type are highly confident and thick skinned. ENTPs know what they’re capable of, so they truly believe in themselves. Steadfast under criticism, they take this as a chance to prove detractors wrong rather than taking it personally.

ENTP Weaknesses

Those of this type aren’t practical. Not only is the mundane boring to Debaters, but it is also a waste of time for the most part. These types lack the follow through that’s necessary to bring their visions to life.

ENTPs don’t follow the norms. While this can be beneficial to a point, those with this personality type love pushing boundaries and the limits on whatever might stand in their way. They may have trouble with authority figures , especially if it interferes with doing things their own way.

They may seem chaotic. Those in close living or working environments with Debaters may become quite aggravated with the lack of real action on the part of these individuals as they spend more time playing around with ideas than on keeping tidy and organized.

Debaters can seem argumentative. Because they enjoy intellectual banter and word play, those of this type may keep playing devil’s advocate long after their opponents are ready to call it quits. As their minds come up with new possibilities, they tend to push others to defend their own values or ideas even when others don’t want to.

Cognitive Functions of the ENTP

Four cognitive functions are the way that the ENTP consumes information and then processes it as a way to view life or to make decisions. They’re listed in order of strength:

• Dominant Function: Extraverted Intuition
• Auxiliary Function: Introverted Thinking
• Tertiary Function: Extraverted Feeling
• Inferior Function: Introverted Sensing

Extraverted Intuition

Because extraverted intuition is the dominant function, this is the one that is used most readily by the Debater. This person can see complex interconnections between ideas, concepts, situations, and people and quickly draw conclusions from this information.

Introverted Thinking

Remaining objective is very important to someone with this personality type. The individual would rather take in information and form logical conclusions. In this manner, the ENTP can mentally organize seemingly unrelated information quickly to come up with solutions to complex issues.

Extraverted Feeling

As the tertiary function, extraverted feeling may not be very developed in the debater. This person may seem aloof and even insensitive at times because of this. However, once this function is developed, the debater can be very sociable and charming.

Introverted Sensing

The least developed of all of the functions, introverted sensing may be a weak point for this someone of this type. Because this person is more interested in future possibilities, he or she may have a hard time applying past experiences to current situations.

Relationships for ENTPs

When it comes to romantic relationships, ENTPs are warm and caring. Due to their understanding of people, they’re good at identifying what their significant others need. Since those of this type are always looking for new adventures, the relationship will never be boring.

You’ll never have to guess what Debaters are thinking because they’ll cut right to the chase, even to the point of being painfully blunt. If their partners are equally open and can present their cases logically, ENTPs are great at coming up with solutions and compromises.

Highly protective, those with this personality type will stand up and defend their partners if others are treating them unfairly. They’re always very dependable at staying calm in the face of adversity.

ENTPs may seem detached at times as they follow their new ideas and projects, ultimately leaving housework and other daily tasks to their mates. They may make lots of promises about things they’re going to do, but following through on their word is not their strong point.

Because Debaters must be always growing and progressing, they need partners who share this ideal and who enjoy intellectual stimulation. Never ones to just settle for the status quo, they need partners who are an enthusiastic and motivated for change and improvement as they are.

Friendships with ENTPs are often based on intellectual banter and battles of wit. Those who enjoy defending their positions and pointing out the flaws in the logic of the Debaters will win a place in the hearts of these individuals.

However, emotional connection isn’t a strong suit for those with this personality type. When friends have difficulties that contribute to feelings, ENTPs are more likely to offer advice that is objective and rational rather than provide comfort or a shoulder to cry on.

As parents, Debaters are more likely to provide a relaxed environment where children can be themselves with room to learn and grow into independent free thinkers. Since they dislike norms and rules, they’re likely to bring kids up in a more unorthodox environment without too much constraint.

Every situation is a learning opportunity, and ENTPs find joy in sharing moments and providing logical guidance to their children. However, their spouses will typically have to deal with emotional matters because those with this personality type often get too frustrated to deal with it.

The ENTP at Work

At work, the Debater needs an unstructured environment where he or she can let creativity run its course uninterrupted. Guiding the direction of potential projects and providing alternate solutions comes easily to someone of this type, but others on the team will be left to handle the details of completing the project.

Although this type doesn’t much care for rules and traditions, he or she desires a workplace where everything is consistent and fair with clearly laid out expectations. However, this individual wants to have the freedom to do it his or her own way without strict schedules.

The ENTP truly enjoys working with others, especially if they share the same enthusiasm and innovation as this person. Brainstorming ideas is particularly satisfying to this individual, and the Debater likes to know that his or her intellect is appreciated.

Due to the innovative nature and confidence of the Debater, this person may end up in a managerial position whether or not that was the original goal.

While the ENTP enjoys having his or her viewpoint heard and followed, this person has a difficult time demanding organization and order from others.

Although someone with this personality type can handle criticism and conflict well, often relishing this kind of opportunity, the ENTP is often blunt when providing assessments and feedback to those who work under or beside them.

Hurt feelings can alienate a lot of people, but the Debater cares more about being respected than being liked.

A position that allows this person creative freedom and the ability to come up with out-of-the-box solutions to complex problems and for improving established systems will keep the Debater happy. The ENTP personality type often chooses some of these careers:

• Lawyer
• Engineer
• Scientist
• Management consultant
• Architect
• Film director
• Physicist
• Political scientist
• Sales representative

Hobbies and Interests of ENTPs

As Debaters are constantly curious and get easily bored, they may move from one hobby to another frequently, leaving unfinished projects laying around to gather dust as something new piques their interest. However, many ENTPs enjoy, reading, writing, podcasting, debate team, inventing, acting, and traveling.

Famous ENTPs

Some famous Debaters include names such as Alexander the Great, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Julia Child, Alfred Hitchcock, Celine Dion, Matthew Perry, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Tom Hanks.

Summary

Highly intellectual, ENTPs enjoy mentally and verbally stimulating conversations and don’t have much time for small talk.

Always pursuing knowledge and truth, those with this personality type are consistently looking for new challenges and opportunities.

Because they are spontaneous, those around them rarely get bored, but it can be difficult to keep up with Debaters.

Although they find it difficult to identify and express emotions, they are caring and protective of those they love.