Explorer personality types – Virtuosos (ISTP), Adventurers (ISFP), Entrepreneurs (ESTP), and Entertainers (ESFP) – are relatively good at handling change. So they may be a bit excited to start a new job or return to work after an absence (like working from home). The most successful Explorers see it as a fresh start – a chance to show what they can do and strengthen their working relationships.
Applying personality-based strengths is an effective way to prosper at work. It’s a lot easier to be happy and successful when you work in harmony with your natural qualities, even as you expand your limits. Today we’ll look at how Explorers express their personality traits and create success in the workplace.
Willingness Wins the Day
The practicality of the Observant trait and the openness of the Prospecting trait are what make you an Explorer personality type. A mix of curiosity and an ability to stay in the moment are major assets in any workplace, helping you dive into tasks and handle unexpected events. There’s very little that stops a motivated Explorer from seizing an opportunity for success.
Have you ever thought about how you engage opportunity? Our one-minute “Opportunity” survey will give you surprising insight into yourself – and how you compare to others.
Not every opportunity is worth engaging, but examining them with an open mind is a great way to succeed in the workplace. As an Explorer, your way of testing things has roots in reality – you want to see how it actually works. Theory is a nice place to start, but demonstration is how you know what’s right for you.
And by the same token, what you demonstrate in the workplace will shape your professional future. Hands-on capability is often the Explorer path to prosperity. The most successful Explorers have certain approaches that work well, so let’s consider a few of them. Maybe they’ll inspire a fresh start for you.
4 Deft Explorer Approaches to Success
1. Volunteering
Explorers who really stand out in the workplace often do so by jumping in whenever there’s a need. Their natural curiosity helps them be bold, and a change of pace suits their love of novelty. Even Introverted Explorers love to shake things up, when they have the choice. In basic but powerful ways, volunteering is very well regarded in most workplaces.
2. Staying Flexible
Even when the unexpected (or unknown) occurs, the most successful Explorers see it as an opportunity to test their skills. They don’t let fear of failure or a need for routine slow them down when meeting a challenge. Being able to react flexibly makes them an asset to any team, but perhaps more importantly, it saves these personalities a lot of stress. The proverb about supple reeds not breaking in the wind describes this Explorer strength well.
3. Being Nonchalant
Partly because they’re flexible, successful Explorers not only keep their own stress in control but also lend that composure to their teammates. Being among the first to shrug off a problem and say, “No worries, let’s fix this” can boost morale and keep people calm by way of example. That’s great for an Explorer’s reputation, and it’s a solid way to support a team and build positive working relationships.
4. Making Things Work
A calm response isn’t the only virtue that top-performing Explorers offer when something needs to be fixed, improved, or figured out. These personality types succeed by taking action to meet their goals and by keeping one foot in the “good enough” camp. They know that success demands performance but not always perfection. They aim for functionality, always ready to put their energy into the next success.
Reflections
Explorers express the qualities mentioned above in different ways, owing to their other personality traits. Some are quieter, turning thoughts into personal, real-world accomplishments, while others thrive on interaction and cooperation with coworkers. Some have more or less social tact or emotional sensitivity, but they all have a common quality of being ready and willing to apply their skill.
As someone who often puts way too much thought into things (like any proper Intuitive Introvert), working with Explorers has taught me the incredible value of real-world engagement. In the workplace, results get you promoted, appreciated, and compensated. Explorers often do while the rest of us are still thinking about what to do.
Can this approach have a downside? Sure. Being incautious is also an Explorer tendency, to some degree. But the happiest and most successful Explorers find ways to master the pitfalls of their traits while fully using the abilities granted by them. A good lesson we can learn from Explorer personalities – and one that can inspire a fresh start – is the importance of frequently engaging opportunities.
Because, as a successful Explorer might tell you, it’s better to regret something you have done than something you haven’t done.
Further Reading
- Some jobs are more likely to suit certain personality types. Check out “Venturesome Vocations: Explorer Personality Types and Career Compatibility.”
- Are you a perfectionist? Learn more about “Two Kinds of Perfectionism and How They Might Affect You.”
- If you’re an Explorer personality type who wants to explore a deeper level of knowledge about your traits, you’re ready to read your Premium Profile.