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{<b><p16>ENTP:  Progress Is the Product<n><p12> }
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{When there's an ENTP on the job, one truly does not know what to expect next. It seems like every moment can be up for grabs when this generally high-energy, dynamic, creative, resilient, argumentative type is around. They are the embodiment of, "If at first you don't succeed, drop it or try something else." Upbeat, maybe even tiring to different types, ENTPs are the perfect punsters. They would much rather engage in intellectual banter than complete some meaningless task or be quiet by themselves. 

For the ENTP the public world is an exciting one (Extraversion). If things aren't exciting, the ENTP will likely want to go out there and make it so, because the external world is full of endless possibilities, random abstractions, and theoretical connections (iNtuition). These perceptions are filtered through objective, impersonal decisions (Thinking), none of which are terribly binding because each day brings new options, open-endedness, and spontaneity (Perception). Hence, while ENTPs can be exciting, they may not be terribly committed to a schedule or project if a better deal or a more exciting challenge comes along en route. It's the nature of the ENTP to be living on the edge of the future, and sometimes the present -- always expecting, frequently achieving, and certainly changing each situation. Change for the sake of change will teach everyone involved something, even if it is only the reality that the change was a bad one. The experience of learning even that will have made it all worthwhile. Following a star that ultimately goes nowhere is often better than being bound by a routine or caught up in some form of dullness or doing something that involves no learning at all. 

The ENTP female's lot can be a difficult one because she is frequently greatly removed from any stereotypical expectations. She is driven by all the argumentativeness and chutzpah that go with this type. Qualities that will not endear her to her colleagues in the workplace include intellectual arrogance, impatience when things aren't readily understood, arguing for the sake of provoking thought, and talking out of both sides of her mouth in the effort to stimulate conversation. The ENTP commits this "dual-speak" to make others think, but it can be frequently misperceived as flighty at best and downright obnoxious at worst. Whatever, it's certainly not feminine. Actually it's very ENTP and generally great fun. It's just that traditional organizations do not expect females to behave in this way, so ENTP females must compromise their natural skills and abilities for some form of social acceptance -- or let the chips fall where they may, alienating the traditionalists. Occasionally such direct behavior can be seen as heroic by those who befriend the ENTP female. When her attributes are appreciated, the ENTP female can provide a significant contribution to the work force as well as an inspirational challenge to most projects to be done. 

ENTP males generally have a great deal going for themselves and are generally appreciated for their enthusiasm and intellectual insights. Their argumentativeness is frequently accepted as part of a male role, and their visionary nature is considered an asset. Perhaps the most negative issue centers around their Perceiving lifestyle -- particularly, their spontaneity and disdain for routine. For a heavily structured organization, such behaviors can be disjointing, to say the least, and counterproductive when deadlines loom. However, though occasionally frowned upon for such behaviors, the ENTP male still receives much more acceptance in the workplace than his female counterpart. 

Interestingly, when either male or female ENTPs come to terms with the organization, they are frequently promoted to the highest levels. Their inspirational vision outweighs any of the problems mentioned above. 

The ENTP tends to see the workplace -- indeed the entire world -- as one large board upon which the daily game of life is played. The game is never over. There are some wins and losses, but mostly it is one exciting challenge after another. The important thing is the challenge, not the outcome. "Did you learn something in the process?" "Is life (the workplace) better off because of the process?" "Has there been some kind of movement, some genuine reevaluation in the process?" "How ready are you to take on tomorrow because of what you've learned today?" These are all semi-rhetorical questions that underlie most of the ENTP's energy for daily work. 

As a rule ENTPs can be quite competitive and very freewheeling. As such they are more architects -- who draw rough plans so that people and things can be shaped and reshaped daily -- than hands-on builders concerned about the details that turn such plans into action. They have a naturally inquisitive personality which, if not recognized, can drive others crazy. They will "Why?" or "Why not?" a situation, even a completed one, to death. As Extraverts they are prone to overkill; combined with their iNtuitive-Thinking-Perception, they sometimes lack good social timing and as a result end up beating dead horses, arguing subjects long ago resolved, or revisiting sore or sensitive subjects at inappropriate times.  

While ENTPs would rather be the one to come out on top in any sort of argument or engagement (Who wouldn't? The Introverted-Sensing-Feeler, that's who), the exchange itself may be compensation enough. While losing may be frustrating, the ENTP's respect for the individual who engaged them will likely be enhanced. 

ENTPs are idea people. Their single greatest contribution to life and work is the creation of ideas. These flow from the ENTP continuously. ENTPs are entrepreneurs who are always sharing or selling their next great idea and attempting to generate some enthusiastic support for it. The more the ENTP extraverts, the more life becomes visions and possibilities. ENTPs can have an uncanny knack for predicting trends in the marketplace or products of the future or other designs for work, play, or home. No sooner does the idea flash through an ENTP's mind that it is instantly added to or enhanced. It may then be dropped should a new idea forge its way forward. To start the day with one or two ideas, engage or be engaged by others, and end the day with five or six ideas, is exhilarating to the ENTP. Though frequently the ideas may be within the expertise of the ENTP, they are not necessarily limited to it. As a result, ENTPs really do broad-brush life, probably giving a whole lot more than they take, creating more than implementing, starting more than finishing. But that is their excitement as well as their contribution. 

Another ENTP strength is their visionary enthusiasm for most of life. At their best they hear a drumbeat from the future. ENTPs live the science fiction, that which the rest of the world calls far-fetched, but eventually catches up to. The twenty-first century happens how, because ENTP visionaries stretch the commonplace and make it happen. Don't tell an ENTP that we can't fly a rocket to Mars, build a 200-story skyscraper, or communicate over two-way wrist radios. That will be an invitation for the ENTP to prove you wrong. And in the process a new invention or some small step for humankind may result. Never content with the ordinary, always restless with the mundane, ENTPs put meat on the skeletons of society's ideas. Such visionary behavior is not only infectious but readily becomes the core of growth for the next generation. We change, grow, develop, and break through to new frontiers because ENTPs are the ones that force such ideas upon the rest of the world. 

Still another strength of the ENTP is their zest for life. Everything is an excuse to engage others. Where ENTPs are concerned, even "reflective listening" can be a competitive sport. Academically alert, ENTPs often have diverse interests. Fed by their idea-generating nature, these ideas spill over into a constant drive for competency and capability in a wide range of interests. It's common for them to carry on many projects at once, not always related to one another. Simultaneously, they can have a hobby that's very removed from their vocation. On top of all this they can be engaged in one or more community or social functions. To each of these they will bring high energy, imagination, and creativity that will reflect a great deal of competence. While others can tire of or be tired by the ENTPs' upbeat nature, they will still be inspired by their presence. 

Perhaps another strength is their relentless drive for competency in themselves and others. To see life as a daily challenge; to compete, stretch, share, and learn; always to strive to improve oneself and others - these qualities can't help but have a positive impact. It's part of the mystique of the ENTP that they push onward and upward for better and better, never satisfied but always trying to make what's good even better. Such a spirit captivates every entrepreneur, and it's just such a drive for more and more competency that gives birth to zany ideas, brings them to fruition, and moves the world a little farther. Of course not everyone wants to be -- or needs to be -- improved upon. And colleagues and subordinates can easily tire of the ENTP's restlessness and insatiable appetite for improvement. That can lead to frustration and low morale on the part of the rank and file -- ironically the antithesis of what the ENTP was trying to do. 

A marked weakness of the ENTP can be their inability to follow through on their exciting ideas. If anyone has ever had an ENTP boss, each day can start with a project, only to be interrupted by another, and still another, leading to frustration and a certain gun-shyness about never knowing what's coming next. At their worst, ENTPs are a rage of ideas with little or no follow-through. It is this sort of ENTP that earns the label <I>"underachiever."<N> They have so much going for them but often deliver so little in terms of measurable results. When ENTPs continue in this pattern, they can even delude themselves into thinking they have implemented or completed a project when they haven't, only to the dismay and disillusionment of those around them. 

Another significant downside is the extreme mood swings that can mark their day-to-day existence. ENTPs tend to be extremists at almost everything, and their moods are no exception. Hence, they have higher highs and lower lows than other types, and these swings can occur at a moment's notice. In one breath the ENTP can go from the entrepreneur par excellence to a fickle, depressed, discouraged, self-blaming ne'er-do-well for whom no good word could be spoken. When they hit bottom, they only "yes, but . . ." any encouraging words with lengthy lists of reasons that "prove" their failure and incompetence. 

Still another serious flaw among ENTPs is their inability to cope effectively with facts and reality. When details and deadlines pile up, the ENTP can either run away to a new idea or deal with only part of the situation. They then use that part to seduce themselves into thinking that the entire project is completed. The result is at best a half-done job, at worst a total failure, either of which undermines the ENTP's sense of competency and leaves them seriously wanting. ENTPs have real trouble tackling a piece of a problem; they'd rather solve the puzzle in one fell swoop. Failing that, they tend to take flight, neglecting the matter altogether. It's hard for them to see that tending to the little pieces will ultimately solve the whole puzzle. 

As with other types the ENTPs' contributions seriously outweigh their liabilities. However, liabilities cannot be denied, or they will become stumbling blocks, tripping them up or leading to ineffectiveness. Through heightened awareness, ENTPs and those with whom they interact will be more readily able to benefit from this type's contributions.

<b>Workplace Contribution:<n>
Regards the workplace as a system to be moved, challenged and configured so that learning is constant and worthwhile tasks are accomplished

<b>Pathway to Professional Growth:<n>
Must learn to focus energy on follow-through and completion--even with those things deemed boring--and remember that wide mood swings can send mixed signals

<b>Leadership Qualities:<n>
Empowers themselves and others by challenging, confronting--even taking opposing points of view--to enhance each individual's contribution to the end result

<b>Team Spirit:<n>
Teams are one more important vehicle for learning--an arena for testing ideas, discussing differences and collaborating for results}