Shyness is a typical response to feelings of apprehension or awkwardness. The answer to this sense of self shows up in interpersonal relations where the presentation of oneself matters most, especially to ESTPs. Expectations mixed with vulnerability and fear of criticism weigh in on the extrovert-type. This realist doesn’t show emotions. So, why do we think ESTPs are shy?
ESTPs can be shy. The personality typecast as extrovert, rational thinking and as performer hides shyness. ESTPs choose the centre stage and use charisma and charm to avoid showing and being shy. ESTPs don’t withdraw into shyness but use interpersonal relationships to overcome these experiences.
Shyness is not a trait you pick up in adulthood. The human side of shyness afflicts everyone, even the hardnosed and trouble-shooting ESTPs. The bolshie go-getter attitude is often as far away from shyness as you can imagine. But intrapersonal and interpersonal vulnerability shows through in ESTPs’ makeup.
ESTPs Can Be Shy
Shyness is associated with human tendencies to be fearful. Often, overt shyness is synonymous with cautiousness in the face of newness. ESTPs, by nature, are good at disguising their shyness. From a psychological perspective, these concerns are the fear of being misunderstood. And from a common-sense one, the driven ESPT hardly seems shy.
ESTPs present themselves as rational, devoid of social frills, goal-driven and achieving, and realists. These extrovert qualities stand out in this Myers-Briggs Type Index (MBTI) personality type.
A short break-down of the acronym follows:
- Extrovert. A negotiator with charm and charisma.
- Sensor. Rooted in senses, observable facts, analytical and ignoring intuitive feelings.
- Thinker. The realist – is not even on the cusp of either optimism or pessimism.
- Perceiver. Open-minded performer and entertainer. Ready to read the audience.
On the surface, ESTPs present themselves as no-nonsense go-getters – not a tinge of feeling uncomfortable, nervous, or shy shows through. ESTPs are at best at ease around others, and there’s seldom a sense that they’re feeling unsure of themselves. And, definitely, the feeling that they are not ready to be noticed!
We’ve all been there, feeling shy and unsure how to act. We think about how others will react and don’t know what to expect. ESTPs appear not to dare show this, though. ESTPs are arch devil’s advocates, contentious in opinions and provocative in giving opposing views. The extrovert charm can be misguiding though, and so too the ESTPs’ realist responses.
But, what makes the ESTP shy? It’s known that a fifth of people is genetically prone to being shy. Various life situations provoke shyness, especially if we are not fully confident and comfortable or the fear of being teased or bullied! Some of the strongest psychological interpretations are fear of vulnerability. And combined with this, a sense of weakness and, above all, a fear of criticism.
Extrovert Unpacked
There is no equivalent technology to trace shyness to that of an MRI or PET scan for physiological images. But a quick search for opposite meanings that typecast the ESTP extrovert. Think of the connotations of the words: confident, self-assertive, unafraid, adventuresome, brave, bold, spunky, unfearful, adventurous, and courageous. ESTPs tick the boxes!
But how does this dauntless, even reckless, and arrogant MBTI personality type disguise shyness? Where does ESTPs shyness hide? How does the ESTP filter out what is so humanly embedded in our psyches?
Intra- And Interpersonal Shyness
You might wonder if we are wired to be shy. The innate awkwardness and sometimes feelings of apprehension we experience about others. Behavioral scientists have tackled this with research indicating that there might be something like neurobiological shyness. The study shows that shyness could be fixed in our brains’ neurons!
Few don’t know those moments of self-consciousness we experience. Moments of what ESPSs most dread – fear of rejection! Imagine the ESTP, a go-getter personality type, as not noticed. The interplay of self-congratulatory attitudes combined with self-consciousness is an explosive mix. Add to this the fear of negative evaluation, and self-styled ESTP faces a battlefield.
Much as our sense of self comes from intra- and interpersonal relations. The intrapersonal ones are our attitudes, feelings, and apprehensions. On a level of shyness or being shy, how we respond to people also reflects how we think about ourselves. The ESTP personality type associated with being outgoing, action-orientated, and even dramatic also has shyness.
The levels of shyness involve intra- and interpersonal relationships, like:
- Intrapersonal shyness. Inside the ESTP or any person based on thoughts, assessments, contemplations, and feelings.
- Interpersonal shyness. The presentation of oneself, the ESTP as performer, persuader, hooked into the here-and-now. This is the critical dimension for fear of failure.
ESTPs’ own values are enshrined in their self-concept, which, on an intrapersonal level of shyness, includes managing how they are seen by the outside world. ESTPS perceptions and expectations stem from this sense of self and how they use their disposition to influence people around them. The inner working or the intrapersonal shyness is not overt, though.
Interpersonal shyness happens on levels where ESTPs come in direct contact with others, mostly face-to-face scenarios. Some do happen online, are written, and mainly on the phone! Keeping up with ESTPs’ action-orientated demands in the face of innate shyness is challenging.
Unpacking Shyness In ESTPs
ESTPs playing field demands a positive presentation of the self – the charm, charisma, and ostensibly an engaging attitude to others. At root, though, how ESTPs think they are perceived matters. An intricate mix when shyness is added to this thinking and sensing extrovert! ESTPs gain their energy from social interactions. Best described as outgoing and novelty-seeking, ESTPs’ gaze is outwards.
Typical tendencies that reveal the ESTPs personality include focusing on the present, the convictions of a realist, and not that of a daydreamer. The ESTPs hide their shyness by being sensation-seeking – experiences are locked into touch, feel, hear, taste, and see what draws their interest. ESTPs heightened energy, and demands for interactions, prove frustrating when nothing happens.
ESTPs are a grouping of doers that take risks (even at the expense of others). ESTPs pride themselves on getting things done (often at the cost of others). ESTPs’ shyness is often buried under their action-oriented mindset.
ESTPs’ emotions are not considered strong points, and their need for social acceptance is high. ESTPs often make themselves the center of attention and lack feeling (the intuitive aspects of social relationships).
The positions ESTPs carve out for themselves don’t allow for a specter of shyness. Take a look at ESTP types in leadership or as performers (fictional and real-life). Think of businessman and former US President Donald Trump, Singer Madonna, novelist Ernest Hemingway, and Star Trek fictional character Captain James T. Kirk! Yes, it’s true, and can you think of them as?
Shyness In ESTPs
The outward manifestations of shyness in ESTPs are often noticeable as non-verbal clues that include moods or attitudes, often seen in their body language. These tendencies are as inescapable as those irreversible ones ESTPs don’t want to be known for. ESTPs want to be forever in the minds of others – in a good sense!
Shyness has no space. Especially not for ESTPs!
Conclusion
Typecasting an ESTP as shy involves many layers. This is especially tricky as the dominant extrovert characteristics combine with rational, no-frill attitudes and a seeming lack of intuitive reasoning. The ESTP personality as a performer and negotiator might not be locked into others’ feelings and sensitivities but is not free of these.
Shyness takes on many guises. For the ESTP being the center of actions demands strategy – no wonder one’s first response is not to think of ESTPs as shy.
