ENTP Personality profile: The Originator

ENTPs are witty, entertaining and confident, loving telling stories and loving the interactions with people. But they are restless and have a low boredom threshold and is likely to move on to something new after something new, if it becomes tedious, as they need constant stimulation. Being around and ENTP can be really fun, an exhilarating roller-coaster ride, full of possibilities and making people feel really special, but when it’s over, it’s over and they’ll be on the lookout for the next thrill. To groups and in one-to-ones, the ENTP will be like a breath of fresh air, bringing energy, enthusiasm and bags of ideas and they will be great at getting new initiatives up and running and trying out anything new or different. An ENTP gets their immense energy from the new, people, situations, activities which is why, if it stops being fun, they’ll become de-energised and need ‘that thing over there!’

ENTPs are charming and witty, which makes them really plausible, but they are of the moment, So they can convey what then think, and what everyone should think, in a way that really persuades people to their way of thinking. However, that may be their view just for that day, or that hour, and they can change their minds when something more interesting looms on their broad and wide horizon. This can make them difficult to keep up with as they have such a wide range of interests, but these constantly change as their real interest actually is change. Once that is understood, the ENTP becomes much easier to read, they will wax lyrical about a subject that is the most important topic, and they can be obsessed by it, but just until they aren’t, then it’s time for the next obsession.

ENTPs are often confused with ENFPs as they both have that easy way with people and bring real energy and enthusiasm to bear on people. But ENTPs are, at heart, analysts and so they’ll make their decisions based on logic and evidence, on rational argument, and never emotion. They are ‘people-people,’ but they don’t have that deep, empathetic streak that ENFPs have. They are super friendly, and they really do care about this close to them, but their decisions are taken more coldly and scientifically than emotionally which may surprise people who have only seen the witty, free-rolling ENTP who is up for anything.

ENTPs are happy with conflict and ‘robust conversations’ as they both help bring about change and allow them the opportunity to indulge in some banter, some verbal sparring. In terms of relationships this means they may not ‘get’ emotions as they are more logical and analytical than empathetic. This does not make an ENTP uncaring, it’s more that they won’t get swayed by emotional arguments and they won’t understand those who see conflict as a negative, and so those more tender souls may feel battered by their or directness or a logical argument when all the ENTP was doing was voicing their views. They love a good debate, a chance to show off their verbal agility, but when it’s over it’s over, no harm done, no grudges born, except they may, at times, though unknowingly, leave the other person feeling very bruised and flattened. The ENTP will be far more future focused on the next exciting thing which will, of course, be better than the previous one.

ENTPs bring a radical perspective, looking at newer, better and more interesting ways. Not for them the routine of the past, but a healthy challenge to the status quo, and irritation with a pace that’s too slow. ENTPs can find ways around obstacles and problems. Headstrong and assertive they can spark life into a team, break through inertia but they may not follow through, as they like to move on to the new as soon as it becomes routine. [Insert Space] They can however become irritable and impatient if things do not progress at pace and benefit from someone who will dare to impose some structure to get the best out of the ENTP. ENTPs are so highly motivated until it becomes workaday and then they will withdraw and look for some other big challenge where they can impose ideas and a big-picture perspective. ENTPs thrive under pressure and have a strong desire to succeed and to win and this is super as a call to action for the rest of the group.

The ENTP personality type will energise, enthuse and impose some shape or pattern on group discussion and on the outcome of group activities. Confident and dynamic the ENTP will readily take the lead, cut through complacency and seek to bring new, radical ideas to the group, which the ENTP sells emphatically to the others. Very little will get or slow them down and they will be the catalysts for change and have no problem making unpopular decisions or tearing up the rulebook. The ENTP is a great front end driver for the team but may not stay around once it becomes about implementing as the ENTP will feel they have done their bit; and they probably will have.

ENTPs will need space and flexibility as they like to do things their way, working in incredible bursts of energy, getting things moving very quickly but then looking for the next big thing to interest them. The ENTP does not like to be controlled or micro-managed and they dislike rules or regulations preferring to create as they go, working at pace and focusing on what interests and excites them. ENTPs are true radicals, coming up with ever-better ways of doing things, breaking through conventions and even taking unpopular decisions. However they are less useful when it gets to the detail.