15 Most Common ESTJ Weaknesses

ESTJ Weaknesses blog cover

So you’re an ESTJ personality type, and you’re looking to learn more about ESTJ weaknesses? You’ve come to the right place.

If you’ve read descriptions about the ESTJ personality type, you’ll likely have heard many times that you’re organized, ambitious, and dedicated. While all of that is true, every personality type has its weaknesses. No one is organized, ambitious, and dedicated all of the time!

Instead of trying to hide or gloss over these weaknesses, it’s better to acknowledge them and learn how to work with them. So, let’s do just that and take a look at the 15 most common weaknesses of the ESTJ personality type.

If you’re taking the time to read this blog post, you’re likely very self-aware, which is a great starting point.

15 most common ESTJ weaknesses

Right, let’s get stuck in. And just to warn you, we’re not going to hold back on this one…

1. Insensitive.

ESTJs can sometimes come across as insensitive. This is because they’re not always aware of the feelings of others. They’re more focused on the here and now and what needs to be done rather than on emotional nuances. This means that ESTJs can sometimes unintentionally hurt people’s feelings or say things that are offensive. It’s not a weakness that is present in all ESTJs, but it’s something to be aware of.

2. Impatient.

Impatient man

ESTJs are known for their need to constantly be doing things. This can sometimes make them seem impatient. They can find it difficult to wait for things to happen or to slow down and enjoy the moment. Plus, they can struggle to wait their turn. This can be frustrating for people who prefer a more relaxed pace of life. ESTJs need to remember that not everyone is as efficient, fast-paced, or action-oriented as they are.

3. Blunt.

ESTJs can sometimes be too blunt. They’re often very direct, and they don’t have much patience for beating around the bush. This can make them seem insensitive or even rude. It’s important for ESTJs to remember that not everyone appreciates directness in the same way that they do. They need to be careful that they don’t say something that might hurt someone’s feelings. Sometimes, it’s better to sugarcoat things a little bit.

4. Short-sighted.

Another ESTJ weakness is that they can sometimes be so focused on the here and now that they fail to see the big picture. They’re more interested in what’s happening right in front of them than in long-term planning or strategy. This can make them seem short-sighted or uninterested in the future. It’s important for ESTJs to remember that there’s more to life than just the present moment. While it’s important to achieve things on a day-to-day basis, you need to sometimes take a step back and think about the big picture to make sure your hard work is taking you in the direction you want to be going in the long run.

5.  Bossy.

ESTJs can have a tendency to be bossy. They’re often very confident, and they like to take charge. This can mean that they can end up telling people what to do so that things are done their way. This can be frustrating for people who prefer a more relaxed or democratic approach. But not everyone wants to be led all the time. In fact, a lot of people don’t! Sometimes, people just want to be allowed to do things their own way. ESTJs need to be careful that they don’t take over or try to control every situation.

6.  Inflexible.

ESTJs can also be quite inflexible. They like things to be done a certain way, and they’re not always willing to budge on their opinions. This can make them seem inflexible or even stubborn. It’s important for ESTJs to remember that it’s okay to just work things out as you go along sometimes.  Being inflexible can sometimes mean that you’re not open to new ideas or different ways of doing things. This can limit your ability to be creative and come up with new solutions to problems. It can also be beneficial for stress levels to be easygoing at times.

7. Perfectionist tendencies.

ESTJs can have perfectionist tendencies. They often want everything to be just right, and they can get frustrated when every single detail isn’t exactly how they think it should be. This need for perfection can be exhausting and unnecessary. It’s important to remember that no one is perfect and that mistakes are part of life. It’s okay to make mistakes. This is how we learn and grow. Pursuing perfectionism can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress, and it can make you miss out on enjoying the good things in life.

Perfectionist cleaning

8. Judgmental.

ESTJs can sometimes be judgmental. They often have a very clear idea in their heads of how people should behave. This can make them quick to judge others who don’t meet their standards or take the same approach that they would. It’s important for ESTJs to remember that not everyone is the same. People have different values, and they tackle projects in different ways. That’s one of the things that make the world such a beautiful and fascinating place. Different people have different values and priorities in life, so there’s no one ‘right’ path that suits everyone.

9. Stubborn.

ESTJs can be quite stubborn. Once they have decided something, it can be very hard to convince them otherwise, even if you have good reasons. Once they have decided on a course of action or a point of view, they like to stick with it because it feels safe and secure to them. It comes from their deep-seated need for clarity. This can be frustrating for people who are trying to get them to change their minds. Ultimately, staying open-minded to new ideas can be incredibly powerful and can enrich your life in many ways. So, it’s something for ESTJs to be aware of.

10. Struggle with abstract concepts.

ESTJs can sometimes struggle to deal with abstract concepts. This is because they’re so logical and detail-oriented. They like things to be concrete and straightforward. Abstract concepts can be confusing for them because they can’t always see how they fit into the big picture, and they don’t always see the point in discussing ideas. They’re the kind of people who would rather just get on with things. But theoretical conversions can be useful. They can help you to see the world in different ways and to come up with new solutions to problems.

11. Uptight.

ESTJs can be quite uptight. They feel a sense of security from knowing what’s going to happen next, and they can get stressed out when things don’t go according to plan. Ultimately, they don’t tend to handle unpredictability well. This can make them seem rigid. It’s important for ESTJs to learn to go with the flow sometimes and to be okay with not having everything planned out in advance. Taking a more easygoing approach now and again can make life more enjoyable and less stressful. Micromanaging every aspect of a situation is exhausting and takes a lot of energy. There’s a time and a place for this, but it shouldn’t be the norm.

12. Workaholic tendencies.

Workaholic

ESTJs can be workaholics. They’re often very driven and ambitious people who are always looking for ways to improve their career prospects. This can lead them to neglect other areas of their life, such as their relationships or their health. However, there’s more to life than work and pursuing. Well-rounded people tend to find a healthy balance between work and the other areas of their lives. In addition, there’s the risk of burnout and becoming too one-dimensional. ESTJs can sometimes prioritize work over their loved ones, which can lead to tension and conflict. It can also lead to people getting hurt.

13. Critical.

ESTJs can be quite critical. They can get frustrated when people don’t meet their standards. These high standards, combined with their direct communication style, can make them come across as critical. In general, they aren’t afraid to voice their opinions when they think that someone hasn’t done a good job. ESTJs don’t hold back with feedback. However, criticizing people all the time isn’t helpful, and it can make people feel bad about themselves. It’s necessary in some situations, but too much of it won’t result in a supportive, motivating environment. ESTJs also tend to be critical of themselves.

14. Difficulty dealing with emotions.

ESTJs can find it difficult to deal with emotions. This is because they’re more logical than emotional. They can struggle to process their own feelings, let alone those of others. Sometimes, they try to rationalize their emotions or bottle them up inside. This might make them feel better in the moment, but it’s not a healthy long-term strategy. It’s a good idea for ESTJs to learn how to get in touch with their emotions and process them in a healthy way. This isn’t an easy undertaking, but it’s worth it. It’s beneficial for your mental health, and it helps you to better understand and connect with the people around you.

15. Prone to steamrolling.

ESTJs can be quite forceful. They’re confident people who are used to getting their own way. When they want something, they go for it. This can sometimes result in them steamrolling over other people’s opinions. They might not always be aware of the effect that this has on people. It can make people feel frustrated and unheard. It’s important for ESTJs to learn to listen to other people and to consider their opinions before making decisions. Just because you’re confident in your own opinion doesn’t mean that it’s always the right one. Other people might have valid points, too.

Final thoughts on ESTJ weaknesses

So there you have it: the 15 most common ESTJ weaknesses wrapped up nicely into one little blog post for you. You might also enjoy our post about ISTJ weaknesses.

We hope you found this helpful and that you can use this knowledge to become even more self-aware and work on yourself. ESTJs are amazing people with a lot to offer, but like everyone, they’re not perfect.

Just remember that not all ESTJs will show all of these weaknesses. These are just general tendencies that are common among ESTJs. So don’t worry if you don’t identify with all of them – it doesn’t mean that you’re not an ESTJ.

Finally, don’t forget to share this post with your friends and followers – knowledge is power, and knowing your weaknesses can help you work on them and become even stronger.

“Matching people using personality types is such a simple and powerful concept. So Syncd helped us find love, even in this difficult time. You’ve really changed our lives. In fact, we’re now married! Thank you.”

– Ben (INFJ) about Indy (ENFJ)

Go to store Get your personality compatibility report