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I am Kingshuk.
My personality is ENTP (extroversion, intuition, thinking, perception).
To know details about me you can read out this essay written below.
ENTP PERSONALITY (“THE DEBATER”)
Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker.
Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less
the label of 'crack-pot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem
important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost.
Thomas J.
Watson
The ENTP personality type is the
ultimate devil's advocate, thriving on the process of shredding arguments and
beliefs and letting the ribbons drift in the wind for all to see. Unlike their
more determined Judging (J) counterparts, ENTPs don't do this because they are
trying to achieve some deeper purpose or strategic goal, but for the simple
reason that it's fun. No one loves the process of mental sparring more than
ENTPs, as it gives them a chance to exercise their effortlessly quick wit,
broad accumulated knowledge base, and capacity for connecting disparate ideas
to prove their points.
An odd juxtaposition arises with ENTPs,
as they are uncompromisingly honest, but will argue tirelessly for something
they don't actually believe in, stepping into another's shoes to argue a truth
from another perspective.
Playing the devil's advocate helps
people with the ENTP personality type to not only develop a better sense of
others' reasoning, but a better understanding of opposing ideas – since ENTPs
are the ones arguing them.
This tactic shouldn't be confused with
the sort of mutual understanding Diplomats (NF) seek – ENTPs, like all Analyst
(NT) personality types, are on a constant quest for knowledge, and what better
way to gain it than to attack and defend an idea, from every angle, from every
side?
There Are no Rules Here – We're Trying
to Accomplish Something!
Taking a certain pleasure in being the
underdog, ENTPs enjoy the mental exercise found in questioning the prevailing
mode of thought, making them irreplaceable in reworking existing systems or
shaking things up and pushing them in clever new directions. However, they'll
be miserable managing the day-to-day mechanics of actually implementing their
suggestions. ENTP personalities love to brainstorm and think big, but they will
avoid getting caught doing the "grunt work" at all costs. ENTPs only
make up about three percent of the population, which is just right, as it lets
them create original ideas, then step back to let more numerous and fastidious
personalities handle the logistics of implementation and maintenance.
ENTPs' capacity for debate can be a
vexing one – while often appreciated when it's called for, it can fall
painfully flat when they step on others' toes by say, openly questioning their
boss in a meeting, or picking apart everything their significant other says.
This is further complicated by ENTPs' unyielding honesty, as this type doesn't
mince words and cares little about being seen as sensitive or compassionate.
Likeminded types get along well enough with people with the ENTP personality
type, but more sensitive types, and society in general, are often
conflict-averse, preferring feelings, comfort, and even white lies over
unpleasant truths and hard rationality.
This frustrates ENTPs, and they find
that their quarrelsome fun burns many bridges, oftentimes inadvertently, as
they plow through others' thresholds for having their beliefs questioned and
their feelings brushed aside. Treating others as they'd be treated, ENTPs have
little tolerance for being coddled, and dislike when people beat around the
bush, especially when asking a favor. ENTP personalities find themselves
respected for their vision, confidence, knowledge, and keen sense of humor, but
often struggle to utilize these qualities as the basis for deeper friendships
and romantic relationships.
Opportunity Is Missed Because It Looks
Like Hard Work
ENTPs have a longer road than most in
harnessing their natural abilities – their intellectual independence and
free-form vision are tremendously valuable when they're in charge, or at least
have the ear of someone who is, but getting there can take a level of
follow-through that ENTPs struggle with.
Once they've secured such a position,
ENTPs need to remember that for their ideas to come to fruition, they will
always depend on others to assemble the pieces – if they've spent more time
"winning" arguments than they have building consensus, many ENTPs
will find they simply don't have the support necessary to be successful.
Playing devil's advocate so well, people with this personality type may find
that the most complex and rewarding intellectual challenge is to understand a
more sentimental perspective, and to argue consideration and compromise
alongside logic and progress.
ENTP
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
ENTP
Strengths
- Knowledgeable – ENTPs rarely pass up a good
opportunity to learn something new, especially abstract concepts. This
information isn't usually absorbed for any planned purpose as with
dedicated studying, people with the ENTP personality type just find it
fascinating.
- Quick Thinkers – ENTPs have tremendously flexible
minds, and are able to shift from idea to idea without effort, drawing on
their accumulated knowledge to prove their points, or their opponents', as
they see fit.
- Original – Having little attachment to tradition,
ENTP personalities are able to discard existing systems and methods and
pull together disparate ideas from their extensive knowledge base, with a
little raw creativity to hold them together, to formulate bold new ideas.
If presented with chronic, systemic problems and given rein to solve them,
ENTPs respond with unabashed glee.
- Excellent
Brainstormers – Nothing is
quite as enjoyable to ENTPs as analyzing problems from every angle to find
the best solutions. Combining their knowledge and originality to splay out
every aspect of the subject at hand, rejecting without remorse options
that don't work and presenting ever more possibilities, ENTPs are
irreplaceable in brainstorming sessions.
- Charismatic – People with the ENTP personality type
have a way with words and wit that others find intriguing. Their
confidence, quick thought and ability to connect disparate ideas in novel
ways create a style of communication that is charming, even entertaining,
and informative at the same time.
- Energetic – When given a chance to combine these
traits to examine an interesting problem, ENTPs can be truly impressive in
their enthusiasm and energy, having no qualms with putting in long days
and nights to find a solution.
ENTP
Weaknesses
- Very
Argumentative – If there's
anything ENTPs enjoy, it's the mental exercise of debating an idea, and
nothing is sacred. More consensus-oriented personality types rarely
appreciate the vigor with which ENTP personalities tear down their beliefs
and methods, leading to a great deal of tension.
- Insensitive – Being so rational, ENTPs often
misjudge others feelings and push their debates well past others'
tolerance levels. People with this personality type don't really consider
emotional points to be valid in such debates either, which magnifies the
issue tremendously.
- Intolerant – Unless people are able to back up
their ideas in a round of mental sparring, ENTPs are likely to dismiss not
just the ideas but the people themselves. Either a suggestion can stand up
to rational scrutiny or it's not worth bothering with.
- Can Find It
Difficult to Focus – The same
flexibility that allows ENTPs to come up with such original plans and
ideas makes them readapt perfectly good ones far too often, or to even
drop them entirely as the initial excitement wanes and newer thoughts come
along. Boredom comes too easily for ENTPs, and fresh thoughts are the
solution, though not always a helpful one.
- Dislike
Practical Matters – ENTPs are
interested in what could be – malleable concepts like ideas and plans that
can be adapted and debated. When it comes to hard details and day-to-day
execution where creative flair isn't just unnecessary but actually
counter-productive, ENTP personalities lose interest, often with the
consequence of their plans never seeing the light of day.
ENTP
RELATIONSHIPS
If
there's one thing ENTPs are good at, it's coming up with a never-ending stream
of innovations and ideas to keep things moving forward, and this is evident in
their romantic relationships as well. For people with the ENTP personality type
growth is key, and even before they've found a dating partner, they imagine all
the ways that they can experience new things together, to grow in tandem. This
can be an overwhelming process if their partner doesn't match up, but when
ENTPs find someone who shares their love of intellectual exploration, watch
out.
Show
Me a Satisfied Man, and I'll Show You a Failure
From
the earliest dates, ENTPs test their partners' limits for this kind of
potential, pushing boundaries and traditions, looking for open-mindedness and
spontaneity. Dating ENTP personalities is hardly a boring experience, and they
make use of their enthusiasm and creativity by delighting and surprising their
partners with new ideas and experiences.
ENTPs'
idea of fun is often rooted in self-improvement, and people with this
personality type bring their partners along the way, as much in a spirit of
sharing as in a spirit of expectation. ENTPs see either growth or stagnation
and don't buy into the idea of a happy status quo, making them demanding as much
as they are exciting.
Some
may tire in the face of this constant improvement – while ENTPs' vigor can be
attractive, it can also wear down even the most patient partners. A little time
to breathe and a chance to rest on one's laurels for a moment is necessary for
many people, but not something ENTPs are likely to appreciate. However, if
their unwavering enthusiasm is met in kind, it can lead to a magnificent
relationship characterized by its strength, depth, and spark.
Genius
Is One Percent Inspiration and Ninety-Nine Percent Perspiration
This is
perhaps most evident as ENTPs' relationships progress into more intimate
situations. All that exploratory curiosity and enthusiasm has a chance to be
expressed in new ways when ENTPs and their partners come together, and they
readily encourage their partners to try new things, to enjoy their intimacy
without preconceived limitations.
For
people with the ENTP personality type, this phase of their relationships is a
chance to improve and develop in areas that are outside the realm of academia,
though they approach it in much the same way – as a physical and intellectual
process of striving towards excellence, rather than a spiritual or emotional
expression of affection.
ENTPs'
desire to improve in this department makes them fantastic partners when the relationship
reaches that point, but their attitude towards this process is also evidence of
their most glaring shortcoming – their emotional obliviousness. While ENTPs are
more open-minded than other Analysts (NT) about others' perspectives, they are
also more likely to express their disdain for such things as emotional
sensitivity in cuttingly well-phrased and clear terms, easily hurting their
partners' feelings without realizing it. ENTP personalities may even ignore
their partners' feelings altogether, instead immersing themselves entirely in
some distant idea or opportunity, inaccessible.
Where ENTPs'
unwavering desire for self-improvement comes in most handy is in their
emotional development, as they may actually be willing to work on areas such as
sensitivity and emotional communication with their partners.
As with
other Intuitive (N) types, ENTPs' best compatibility rests with other
Intuitives, with one or two opposing traits which help to create both balance
and opportunities for growth. If they are with a more sensitive partner, this
can be an excellent way for them to find another quality that they can work on
together, making this weakness yet another opportunity to be creative,
challenge themselves, and to deepen the attractiveness that this sense of
progression brings to their relationships.
ENTP
FRIENDS
Loyalty,
support, emotional feedback – these are not what ENTPs look for in their
friendships. The last thing people with the ENTP personality type want to hear
is "you're right", not unless they have absolutely earned the
distinction in a heated round of intellectual debate. If they're wrong, ENTPs
want to be told so, and they want every detail of the faults in their logic to
be laid bare, partly in their quest for oftentimes arbitrary truth, and partly
just so they have to work to defend that logic with counterpoint and parry.
It's
often easy for ENTPs to test compatibility with a potential friend – they just
need to test combatability. ENTP personalities are quick-witted, and their
primary means of expressing this is in the form of arguments and discussions,
where they will easily spend an entire evening debating an idea they may not
even believe in.
The epitome of
ENTPs' friendships is when someone can hold their ground in these arbitrary
debates with valid, rational arguments.
These
debates are never taken personally, no matter how heated they become or how
striking the disagreement. Much as an athlete competes for the physical
exertion and the spirit of competition itself, ENTPs debate for the sake
intellectual stimulation and for the debate itself, and even in overwhelming
victory or crushing defeat, it's never about dominance, only inspiration to try
harder next time.
When
You Play, Play Hard
They
know how to relax and have fun too, it's just that "fun" to ENTPs – a
bottle of wine and a discussion about the causes of and solutions to the
European Debt Crisis – could be described as "an evening from hell"
by many Observant (S) and Feeling (F) types. But ENTPs are a genial and
enthusiastic personality type for the most part, and pretty much any situation
that allows for conversation and a little wordplay is an enjoyable outing.
ENTPs
are actually remarkably good at communicating with friends and acquaintances of
other personality types. Their natural tendency to argue as effectively as
possible means that ENTPs are accustomed to communicating in other people's
language and frame of reference, and this translates well into normal
conversation. Where people with the ENTP personality type do have difficulty
relating to others is in emotional expression, the Achilles' heel of all
Analyst (NT) types.
The
Worst Thinking Has Been Done in Turmoil
Being
inclined to suppress their emotions and feelings, when ENTPs are faced with a
friend who, figuratively or literally, needs a shoulder to cry on, they have no
clue how to handle the situation. They are perfectly willing and happy to offer
a series of rational, reasonable solutions to the problem at hand, as ENTPs do
for any situation where a problem needs to be fixed, but they are certainly not
known for their sensitivity or outward affection, no matter how intuitively
they may understand another's position.
Worse
is when ENTP personalities try to turn these emotional situations into
something they find more comfortable: a debate. Given how remarkably good ENTPs
are at debating both sides of a point, they are remarkably bad at putting
themselves in someone else's shoes from an emotional standpoint. ENTPs should
avoid at all costs the temptation to turn a discussion about the causes of a
friend's recent breakup into competitive intellectual fodder.
So long
as everyone understands not to take their words too personally, anyone who
isn't afraid to discuss new ideas – and have them converted into so much
confetti – is likely to find stimulating and thought-provoking friends in
ENTPs. It's not a compatibility that clicks with everyone, but ENTPs don't
really care about being liked by everyone anyways. As long as they get to
alternate between being the sounding board and the megaphone, ENTPs and their
friends are bound to enjoy each other's company for a long, long time.
ENTP
PARENTS
One
might think that the blustery and flighty nature of ENTPs would make parenting
a particular challenge for them, and in many ways, they'd be right. However,
one thing people with the ENTP personality type love more than just about
anything is a good challenge, a problem to fix, even if it comes to addressing
their own weaknesses. ENTPs take their roles as parents seriously, and they are
bound to be affected profoundly by this development in their lives – if anyone
is able to take an outside influence, like their children, and use that
influence to address their own faults, it is ENTPs.
Be
Brave, Have Faith, Go Forward!
From
the beginning ENTPs' distaste for rules and regulations is evident, and they
are likely to give their young children the freedom necessary to explore on
their own. Independence is one of ENTPs' greatest needs, and they feel that no
person is complete without an independent mind.
ENTP
personalities create relaxed, unorthodox environments for their children,
founded on enthusiasm and the joy of discovery through the development of
reason, not heavily structured settings designed merely to be safe.
As
their children grow and develop, ENTPs encourage them to think independently
and voice objections, opinions and alternatives. But unlike Diplomat (NF)
parents, who encourage their children to express their thoughts in terms of
feelings and needs, ENTPs teach their children to approach these options from a
position of impartiality and logic, to state what is more effective rather than
what would make them feel good. As in other relationships, this quality of
emotional inaccessibility is where ENTPs struggle.
As
their children grow into adolescence and learn to find a balance in healthy
emotional expression, people with the ENTP personality type may find themselves
exasperated. While always up for a good debate on just about any subject, ENTPs
often need their partners' help in managing more emotional outbursts and
arguments. ENTPs are more able than most, but even they have their limits and
rules when it comes to vocal conflict.
There's
a Way to Do It Better – Find It.
Luckily,
ENTP personalities recognize what's at stake: they want their children to grow
into smart, independent, honest adults. To convey those values, ENTPs know that
they need, like with any other debate, to communicate in terms that are
accessible to all sides. If that means learning how to use the tools of
emotional expression and appeals, and in so doing becoming more emotionally
expressive in real, personal terms as well, so be it.
ENTP
CAREERS
In the
world of careers, ENTPs have the benefit of being naturally engaged and
interested in being productive and helpful. But rather than the sort of
people-oriented helpfulness that Diplomats (NF) bring to the table, ENTP
personalities are focused on developing solutions to interesting and diverse
technical and intellectual problems. ENTPs are a versatile personality type,
and while it may take time for them to get to a point where they can fully
utilize their skillset and qualities, they are likely to find that those
qualities translate well into pretty much any career that so much as piques their
interest.
If there's
anything ENTPs love, it's flexing their mental muscles, and any environment
that lets them devise new approaches, new ideas and new projects, that allows
them to push the limits of their creativity, will benefit strongly from what
ENTPs bring to the table.
Not
every career allows this level of unbridled brainpower, but there are those
that demand nothing but: entrepreneurship, engineering, even acting and
photography. So long as ENTPs are honest with themselves about their strengths
and weaknesses, they can thrive in most any career that is in need of a new
line of thinking.
The
Value of an Idea Lies in the Using of It
All
this intellectual power can be intimidating, but unlike their Introverted (I)
cousins, people with the ENTP personality type have the added benefit of being
excellent communicators, in the written word but especially in face-to-face
conversation. Though they dislike the constraints of managing others (and of
being managed), this social adaptability allows ENTPs to be natural leaders,
showing the way forward and inspiring others with sound logic and intellectual
prowess. While others may object to these plans with emotional considerations
or general resistance to change, things ENTPs place little value in, these
competing comments are usually outmaneuvered by ENTP personalities' deft
arguments and subtly shifting goals.
The
best careers reward intellectual competency and curiosity, allowing ENTPs to
utilize their never-ending flow of ideas productively by affording a degree of
spontaneity in how they engage their intellectual pursuits. People with the
ENTP personality type value knowledge, rational thought and insight very
highly, and they make brilliant lawyers, psychologists, systems analysts and
scientists. It's even possible for ENTPs to thrive as sales representatives, as
they rationalize purchase decisions that may otherwise seem discretionary – so
long as their managers know to give them the space they need to work their
magic.
Being
Busy Doesn't Always Mean Real Work
Really
it all comes down to a sense of personal freedom, for ENTPs to know that they
are allowed to apply themselves fully to understanding and solving the problems
that interest them, without getting bogged down by social politics and trying
to figure out what makes other people "tick". Routine, structure and
formal rules all feel like unnecessary hindrances to ENTPs, and they may find
that their best careers yet allow them to engage their intellectual pursuits on
their own terms, as freelance consultants or software engineers.
The key
for ENTPs is to have the patience to get to a position that allows for these
freedoms, to be in an environment long enough that not just their colleagues,
but their managers and, in time, their subordinates, recognize what it is that
they bring to the table. ENTPs have exceptional qualities – it's quantifying
their achievements and skills that presents the biggest challenge. But once
they've got their foot in the door, once they've got a willing ear higher in
the hierarchy, the sky's the limit.
ENTP
IN THE WORKPLACE
ENTPs
have straightforward expectations in the workplace, but ones that aren't always
easy to meet. Strong believers in meritocracy, people with the ENTP personality
type expect their ideas to be heard by those above them, expect robust debate
among their peers, and demand that those they manage offer up new solutions and
ideas regardless of their positions. While this isn't always how things play
out in reality, ENTPs know what to look for, and can avoid those strictly
hierarchical institutions that they would otherwise struggle with.
ENTP
Subordinates
This
dynamic is clearest with ENTP subordinates, as they are comfortable challenging
their managers' ideas and have a strong (and well-expressed) dislike for
restrictive rules and guidelines. ENTPs back this unorthodox behavior with
their keen minds and curiosity, and are as capable of adopting new methods as
they are of suggesting others do so. If something can be done better, it's as
simple as that, and ENTP personalities gladly take criticism, so long as it's
logical and performance-oriented.
The
biggest challenge for ENTP subordinates is that it is often the fate of the
"lower" positions to implement the details, do the dirty work and
follow through on plans set out by their managers. This couldn't be further
from what ENTPs prefer to spend their time on – they can't stand simple,
routine work, and monotonous tasks are the stuff of nightmares. Things go over
much better if managers are able to properly utilize ENTPs' preference for
tackling complex challenges and diverse projects.
ENTP
Colleagues
It is
as colleagues that ENTPs prove most polarizing, as their passions for
brainstorming, debate and over-analysis drive more practical, task-oriented
colleagues crazy, but serve as stimulating inspiration for those who appreciate
the innovation ENTPs bring. Nothing bothers people with the ENTP personality
type more than getting out of a meeting where everyone agreed with the first
plan presented, only to hear everyone complain about how stupid the plan was
ten minutes later – but they "didn't want to make waves". ENTPs
strive for honest, direct and objective assessments of these ideas, so much so
that they often earn reputations for their insensitivity and condescension.
Luckily
ENTPs know how to relax too, and their witty wordplay, healthy sense of humor
and outgoing nature win new friends quickly and easily. Always willing to draw
on their repository of knowledge, conversations with ENTP personalities are
informative and entertaining, which makes it easy for them to be the go-to
person for tough problems that stump more rote approaches. Peer-to-peer
relationships with ENTPs aren't always easy, but it's tough to argue that they
don't work.
ENTP
Managers
While
not always their goal, management is often where ENTPs are most at home,
allowing them the freedom to fiddle with different approaches and come up with
innovative ways to tackle new challenges without having to handle the tedious
step-by-step implementation of these plans. ENTPs are open-minded and flexible
managers, not just granting but also expecting the same freedom of thought that
they themselves enjoy. This can lead to disorder, conflicting ideas and
approaches being put forward, but ENTPs are also great at accurately and
objectively assessing which plan is likely to be most effective.
This
doesn't always make friends, but being liked is less ENTPs' goal than being
respected and seen as intelligent and capable. And liked or no, people with
this personality type hold firm ground in rational debates, making them
fearsome advocates for their teams. The challenge for ENTPs is focus, as they
may find themselves jumping from project to project in a quest for challenge
and excitement before their teams are able to wrap up the details of their
existing goals and obligations.
ENTP
PERSONALITY – CONCLUSION
ENTPs'
intelligence, curiosity and sound reasoning skills are a force to be reckoned
with. ENTPs will always be able to find just the right argument, the weakest
chink in their opponent's armor, or the way out of a seemingly hopeless
situation. Their fearsome debate skills and impressive knowledge allow ENTPs to
overcome many challenges.
Yet
ENTPs can be easily tripped up in areas where careful and rational thinking is
more of a liability than an asset. Whether it is finding (or keeping) a
partner, connecting with other people, reaching dazzling heights on the career
ladder or forcing themselves to focus, ENTPs need to put in a conscious effort
to develop their weaker traits and additional skills.
What
you have read so far is just an introduction into the complex concept that is
the ENTP personality type. You may have muttered to yourself, "wow, this
is so accurate it's a little creepy" or "finally, someone understands
me!" You may have even asked "how do they know more about me than the
people I'm closest to?"
This is
not a trick. You felt understood because you were. We've studied how ENTPs
think and what they need to reach their full potential. And no, we did not spy
on you – many of the challenges you've faced and will face in the future have
been overcome by other ENTPs. You simply need to learn how they succeeded.
But in
order to do that, you need to have a plan, a personal roadmap. The best car in
the world will not take you to the right place if you do not know where you
want to go. We have told you how ENTPs tend to behave in certain circumstances
and what their key strengths and weaknesses are. Now we need to go much deeper
into your personality type and answer "why?", "how?" and
"what if?"
This
knowledge is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. Are you ready to learn
why ENTPs act in the way they do? What motivates and inspires you? What you are
afraid of and what you secretly dream about? How you can unlock your true,
exceptional potential?
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