A peek at my personality

Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of 'crack-pot' than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost.

Thomas J. Watson

Growing up children are told to be themselves and the world will learn to love them. Mothers comfort them as they cry about the mean kid down the street. Fathers teach them how to be tough and stand up for what they believe. What children should really be learning is how to control or harness the strengths and weaknesses of their personality type.

I'm an ENTP or a debater.

The ENTP personality type is the ultimate devil's advocate, thriving on the process of shredding arguments and beliefs and letting the ribbons drift in the wind for all to see. Unlike their more determined Judging (J) counterparts, ENTPs don't do this because they are trying to achieve some deeper purpose or strategic goal, but for the simple reason that it's fun.

I have actually stopped in the middle of a debate and thought about why I was taking a stand on a certain topic. One such debate was with a very religious man at my job. He was debating how Christianity was the right way and blah blah blah, I won't get into it right now. The fun part, for me, was taking is argument and turning it around until he didn't remember what he was trying to say. I went home that night with a smile on my face.

An odd juxtaposition arises with ENTPs, as they are uncompromisingly honest, but will argue tirelessly for something they don't actually believe in, stepping into another's shoes to argue a truth from another perspective.

Yes! This. I know people think I am crazy but I will argue about subjects I'm actually neutral on just because it seems fun. Case in point, I will argue for devil possession but will also argue against evil. Why? I can prove both points and the person I am talking to will go positively crazy. Yes I'm that evil.

ENTPs' capacity for debate can be a vexing one – while often appreciated when it's called for, it can fall painfully flat when they step on others' toes by say, openly questioning their boss in a meeting, or picking apart everything their significant other says. This is further complicated by ENTPs' unyielding honesty, as this type doesn't mince words and cares little about being seen as sensitive or compassionate.

Ouch! This is me at work to a tee. I have managers who refuse to talk to me because I will always ask, why. If they want me to do something they need to explain and they hate this because if their explanation is wrong, I will talk them in circles until it makes sense or they leave confused. I'm good with either reaction.

But if you want to be my friend there's some pros and cons before you jump in.

Pros:

Knowledgeable

Quick thinkers

Original

Excellent Brainstormers

Charismatic

Energetic

Cons:

Very argumentative

Insensitive (at times)

Intolerant (at times)

Can find it difficult to focus

Dislike practical matters

Now that you know a little about me, still want to be friends?

*Quiz taken on www.16personalities.com