Just What Kind Of Writer Is The ESTJ?
Intro:
I decided to use MBTI as a system of trying to help new writers find their voice and style. If you don’t know what the MBTI is or you need a quick overview click for my intro article here.
I think that personality has a big influence on writing, understanding your personality will be key to understanding how to come across to others. There are many writers who have become popular based on the personality of their writing style, this is often referred to as voice. A writer’s voice can be incredibly magnetic and engaging.
Think about it like this, if you were stuck on a long bus ride with someone you’d rather them be interesting enough to listen to or boring enough to lull you to sleep. You never want to be in the middle. Writers will die by being lost in the pack. How should you stand out? By understanding what makes you unique, what is your flavor or style. Understanding this as a new writer will help you understand what kind of audience to attract, and what kind of things to write.
I am absolutely not saying that you should base your entire writing career in a multiple choice personality test. In fact there could be incredible value in doing exactly the opposite of what you’re comfortable with. For new writers, however, it’s best to learn to walk before you run.
Please use this as a guide to suggest a direction and don’t take this as gospel.
Note: For the MBTI experts.
I am not breaking type down by cognitive functions, or even the letters. I think these things are nuts and bolts details that are for those interested, not everyone. Type descriptions should be fluid and comprehensive to better understand the whole archetype of character.
Type overview:
The ESTJ personality type is the typical workaholic. If you are wondering if a person is an ESTJ you should look for an enormous amount of productive energy.
A stereotypical ESTJ is the type of dad who works long hours all week and then does house chores all weekend, and they love it.
ESTJs love to help others by doing, the best way to get the ESTJs attention is to ask them how to do something however. They do not appreciate people who don’t try to do things themselves and expect others to do it for them.
However the best way to get an ESTJ to do something for you is to do something badly in front of them, eventually they will become so frustrated that they will feel compelled to instruct you on the correct way of doing it and before you know it, it’s been done. Knowing the ESTJ it’s probably been done well.
Examples of famous celebrities:
Mike Rowe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dr. Phil, Robin Wright.
What kind of writer are they?
This is a highly rational and mobile personality who may not seem well suited for the reflective emotional nature of writing. However there are many ESTJs who are good writers.
Of course many of them make great journalists and essayists, thanks to their strong pragmatic nature they are able to pay attention to details and facts with ease. They make great detectives for this reason as well.
However there are many ESTJ novelists and short story writers as well. What sets them apart as writers is that they tend to avoid big metaphysical subjects and like to use realism in their stories more often than not. Their stories are usually known for their great and vivid detail as well as their grounded and realistic plots.
Advice to the writer:
The ESTJ can seem like a powerhouse of energy but they have trouble deciding on what it is they actually want out of life and what activities are truly meaningful and worthy of their time.
They can benefit from knowing someone who can help them figure out who it is they are and what they want out of life. The ESTJ tends to ignore these things and they appreciate those that can help them with this area of their life.
Takeaway:
The ESTJ is a workhorse, they love to do things and organize their environment. They are charitable with their efforts as well and will usually be willing (sometimes to their detriment) to help a friend out in need. However even with all of their energy they will have trouble knowing what they want out of life and need someone to help them evaluate what is it they truly value in life and what they should put their energy toward.
