Are INFP and ESTP personality types compatible? You can find out with our ultimate guide to INFP and ESTP compatibility.
Our guide will help you understand how these personality types communicate, connect, resolve conflict, and interact on a daily basis. We will also explain the type of compatibility that is seen between people of these personality types.
If you’d like to discover your own personality type, you can take our free personality test.
Introduction to INFP and ESTP compatibility
There are differences between people of the INFP and ESTP personality types, which can be a great source of personal growth.
But these differences require a mutual understanding of one another in order for an INFP and ESTP relationship to work.
These personality types are drawn to each other for different reasons. INFPs admire the resourcefulness, confidence, and fun-loving attitude of ESTPs, while ESTPs are attracted to the creativity, kindness, and depth of INFPs.
For a variety of reasons that we’ll touch on in this guide, INFPs and ESTPs have a unique connection.
INFP and ESTP relationships
INFPs and ESTPs approach relationships in different ways, and it’s important to be aware of this from the very beginning.
INFPs primarily look for authentic, emotional connections. As a result, they have a need to get to know people on a deep level. They enjoy figuring out ESTPs and their approach to life.
One of the topics that fascinate INFPs most is human psychology, and they are good at reading people. ESTPs find this emotional intelligence attractive.
ESTPs look for someone who sticks to their word. They are rational and pragmatic personality types who approach life from a logical perspective.
ESTPs appreciate partners who can help them get in touch with their feelings because this isn’t something that comes naturally to people of the ESTP personality type.
INFPs can benefit from the ESTP’s more pragmatic attitude, particularly when it comes to everyday life and big decisions. ESTPs are often attracted to the INFP’s creativity and ability to think outside the box.
Due to the different lenses through which these two types view relationships, it will usually require conscious effort from both sides in order for both people to understand each other compared to some other personality type pairings.
Feeling understood by your partner is essential for a healthy, fulfilling relationship. If either or both personality types aren’t willing to put in the work, it’s likely that there will be misunderstandings and miscommunications.
INFPs and ESTPs are very different personality types and this kind of relationship is often one that requires effort. However, the benefits can be incredible if both people are willing to put the work in. This kind of relationship will encourage significant personal growth when it’s approached in the right way.
INFPs and ESTPs have very different energies. INFPs have a calm aura, while ESTPs come across as more dynamic. These energies balance each other out and contribute to the attraction between these two personality types, particularly in the early days of the relationship.
Key positives
- INFPs encourage ESTPs to take time to introspect while ESTPs inspire INFPs to step outside their comfort zone.
- INFPs inspire ESTPs to dream big, while ESTPs help INFPs with everyday practicalities.
- INFPs help ESTPs embrace their feelings while ESTPs encourage INFPs to think about things more rationally.
- INFPs and ESTPs tend to be laidback. They don’t plan too far into the future and their spontaneity means they can have a lot of fun together.
Potential challenges
- INFPs need a lot of alone time, while ESTPs prefer to spend more time socializing.
- INFPs and ESTPs aren’t always on the same wavelength and this can make it challenging to communicate in certain situations.
- INFPs place an emphasis on how decisions impact people, while ESTPs take a more analytical approach, which can cause tension.
- INFPs and ESTPs can benefit from having more structure in their lives, but it doesn’t come naturally to either personality type.
INFP and ESTP compatibility style
INFPs and ESTPs have a growth compatibility style which is an interesting kind of connection. They have a huge amount to learn from one another and their strengths and weaknesses are complementary in a lot of ways.
INFPs and ESTPs won’t always be on the same wavelength, and this can bring challenges on a day-to-day basis. To make this relationship work, they will need to make a conscious effort to understand the way each other thinks.
The personality differences are not only a source of friction, though. They can create attraction, and it’s likely that they will deeply admire certain aspects of each other’s personalities.
This kind of connection requires both parties to be self-aware in order to have a fulfilling relationship. Honest communication is important in bonds of this kind, and it can be an incredible source of personal growth.
If either one isn’t prepared to make an effort to overcome the hurdles, this relationship could be challenging.
Ultimately, your fate is in your hands. When you find this type of connection, it has the potential to be amazing if you approach it in the right way.
INFP and ESTP communication
Communication is important in any relationship because it allows people to share their emotions, opinions, and expectations.
At the end of the day, effective communication can help both people feel valued, respected, and heard. It also reduces the risk of misunderstandings, which are often the cause of arguments in relationships.
INFPs tend to place more of an emphasis on feelings when communicating while ESTPs focus more on logic. ESTPs can be direct in the way they communicate which can upset INFPs and cause friction in the relationship. In order to avoid this, ESTPs should make it clear that they respect the INFP’s feelings.
INFPs are private individuals, but when they do express themselves, they sometimes do so in an emotional manner, which can be confusing for ESTPs. It helps if INFPs avoid overly emotional language and outbursts when they are in relationships with ESTPs, particularly during serious conversations.
INFPs tend to keep their thoughts to themselves, while ESTPs usually think out loud. ESTPs will naturally do more of the talking in the relationship, particularly when socializing with groups of friends.
INFPs should appreciate that talking through issues can help ESTPs clarify their thoughts. Equally, it’s key for ESTPs to understand that INFPs prefer quiet environments to think. INFPs might need to take time to process their thoughts rather than respond in the moment.
INFP and ESTP connection
A shared connection is essential for any healthy relationship, and one of the best ways to build a bond is to talk about interests and passions. Seeing someone talk about something they are passionate about is deeply attractive.
A shared connection is essential for any healthy relationship, and one of the best ways to build a bond is to talk about interests and passions.
INFPs are more abstract in the way that they approach life, while ESTPs are more pragmatic. This can cause challenges in the way they connect.
INFPs tend to prefer to connect over conversations about theories and ideas. ESTPs build connections by talking about more practical matters. This disconnect can make It harder for this personality pairing to instantly build a deep connection. It’s definitely possible, but it can take a little longer.
Part of building a strong connection involves respecting each other’s personalities and choices. Even if these types don’t see eye-to-eye on everything, if they work together and communicate, they will be able to see where each other is coming from.
Connection is one of the most important pieces of the compatibility jigsaw puzzle, and it takes a little more effort for INFP and ESTP couples because they aren’t always on the same wavelength.
INFP and ESTP conflict resolution
Conflict resolution can make or break a relationship, and it takes a conscious effort to get it right. In the heat of an argument, it can be easy to forget your partner’s needs and preferences, but this is the time when it’s most important to put yourself in their shoes.
When it comes to conflict, INFPs often prefer to take time to process the situation, while ESTPs are more likely to want to discuss the issues there and then. You will need to compromise at times like this and find a pace that works for both of you.
INFPs value harmony in their relationships, and it can take them longer to bring up issues than ESTPs, who are more direct. ESTPs should make an effort to listen and empathize as well as troubleshoot the problem, while INFPs should consider practical solutions rather than just focusing on emotions.
ESTPs are naturals at resolving conflict in the workplace, but navigating conflict in relationships can be more challenging for this type, especially if there are strong emotions involved.
As empathetic people, INFPs will try to ensure that they approach difficult situations tactfully, but ESTPs prefer to be more candid. INFPs should be mindful that ESTPs often don’t mean to upset them; it’s just that they prefer to say it as it is.
Being able to forgive your partner if they inadvertently hurt your feelings is key. That isn’t to say that you should be a pushover, though. If your partner does upset you, you should let them know so you can work it out for the future.
INFP and ESTP daily life
Bigger topics like communication, connection, and resolving conflict are all important for a healthy relationship. But everyday life is equally important.
Little things add up to become big things, and it’s important to appreciate how your partner approaches life on a daily basis.
Both INFPs and ESTPs like to have flexibility in their everyday life. This can make for a harmonious day-to-day lifestyle in some ways, but it can present challenges in other ways.
Both personality types embrace spontaneity, and they tend to be comfortable with changing plans last minute. INFPs and ESTPs can have a lot of fun together, and their day-to-day lifestyle tends to be more dynamic than a lot of other personality-type pairings.
Seeing as both types prefer to keep their options open, they can end up putting off decisions until they have to, and finalizing plans can be a challenge for this personality type pairing. They can also delay doing household chores, and their surroundings can end up being chaotic.
When it comes to everyday behaviors, both people need to be self-aware and make sure that they find that balance between staying true to themselves and appreciating their partner’s needs.
Summary of INFP and ESTP compatibility
In short, an INFP and ESTP relationship has incredible potential. When couples of this type are in a relationship, they will go above and beyond to understand and accept each other completely.
It’s worth noting that these personality types have more in common than you’d expect at first glance.
No relationship is smooth all of the time, but if you communicate clearly, trust each other, and show mutual respect, you’ll have the perfect recipe for building a beautiful connection.
Growth compatibility offers the opportunity to learn a lot from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Looking to learn more about personality type compatibility? You can read our individual guides about INFP compatibility and ESTP compatibility.
