At Their Best 
People with ESTJ preferences like to organize projects, operations, procedures, and people and then act to get things done. They live by a set of clear standards and beliefs, make a systematic effort to follow these, and expect the same of others. They value competence, efficiency, and results and display them in their work and play. 

ESTJs enjoy interacting and working with others, as long as others are responsible about meeting deadlines and completing assigned tasks. They work best in situations where clear, known problems can be solved with proven techniques.

ESTJs can be considered the Practical Expeditors. They use Extraverted Thinking (Te) as their core approach to work and living. This outward, decisive, results-oriented approach tends to accomplish results effectively. 

Practical Expeditors thrive in situations where they can take control and solve practical problems efficiently. They often take on and enjoy supervisory roles. If you are a Practical Expeditor, you are likely at your best when you are taking charge, delegating, and getting tasks accomplished. To avoid moving down the wrong path or making inaccurate decisions, Practical Expeditors are internally thinking about and incorporating data into their plan. They consider what worked in the past and pay attention to the facts, details, and realities of the situation to make sure they are working as efficiently as possible.

Characteristics of ESTJs 
ESTJs take an objective approach to problem solving and are tough when the situation requires toughness. They use their Thinking primarily externally to organize their lives and work, and they have little patience with confusion, inefficiency, or halfway measures. ESTJs are likely to be:
  • Logical, analytical, and objectively critical 
  • Decisive, clear, and assertive 

ESTJs focus on the present – what is real and actual. They apply and adapt relevant past experience to deal with problems, and they prefer jobs where results are immediate, visible, and tangible. ESTJs are likely to be:
  • Practical, realistic, and matter-of-fact
  • Systematic and pragmatic

ESTJs are usually excellent administrators because they understand systems and logistics. They can project the steps needed to accomplish a task, foresee potential problems, assign responsibilities, and marshal resources. They cover all the bases, leave no loose ends, and get things done on time. When they see that things are not working, they will plan and act to correct the situation. Otherwise, they prefer proven procedures and systems. Their orientation is to tasks, action, and the bottom line. 

ESTJs are typically fact-minded practical ORGANIZERS; assertive, analytical, systematic; push to get things done, working smoothly and efficiently. Having Extraverted Thinking as their strongest mental process, they are at their best when they can take charge and set things in logical order.

They typically value:
  • Results; doing, acting
  • Planned, organized work and play
  • Common sense practicality
  • Consistency; standard procedures
  • Concrete, present-day usefulness
  • Deciding quickly and logically
  • Having things settled and closed
  • Rules, objective standards, fairness by the rules
  • Task-focused behavior
  • Directness, tough-mindedness
  • Orderliness; no loose ends
  • Systematic structure; efficiency
  • Categorizing aspects of their life
  • Scheduling and monitoring
  • Protecting what works

How Others May See Them
Because they naturally devise systems, procedures, and schedules, others rely on ESTJs to take charge and get things done. Others may also find them overpowering at times because ESTJs are so certain about how things should be. Because they are clear and straightforward in their communication, people seldom have to wonder where they stand.

ESTJs can be quite gregarious and generally enjoy interacting with people, especially around tasks, games, traditions, and family activities. They take relationship roles seriously and fulfill them responsibly. Others usually see ESTJs as:
  • Conscientious and dependable 
  • Decisive, outspoken, and self-confident 

Potential Areas for Growth 
Sometimes life circumstances have not supported ESTJs in the development and expression of their Sensing and Thinking preferences.

  • If they have not developed their Sensing, ESTJs may decide too quickly before taking in enough information. Then their decisions will reflect their previously formed judgments or biases.
  • If they have not developed their Thinking, they may not have a reliable way of evaluating information and thus end up making inconsistent or overly harsh decisions. 

If ESTJs do not find a place where they can use their gifts and be appreciated for their contributions, they usually feel frustrated and may:
  • Become rigid and dogmatic
  • Be intrusive, “know-it-all” experts, overpowering others and refusing to listen 
  • Get picky about details and be impatient with those who do not follow procedures exactly 

It is natural for ESTJs to give less attention to their non-preferred Feeling and Intuitive parts. If they neglect these too much, however, they may:
  • Apply logic even when emotions and impacts on people need primary consideration 
  • Fail to respond to others’ needs for intimate connection and processing of feelings
  • Not always see the wider ramifications of a seemingly simple, direct action 

Under Great Stress
Under great stress, ESTJs may feel alone and unappreciated and be unable to communicate their feeling of distress and despair. 

Sources
Introduction to Type, Sixth Edition developed by Isabel Briggs Myers

MMTIC®Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children developed by Charles Martin, Elizabeth Murphy, and Betsy Styron

Donna Dunning’s terrific blog