My Favorite Debater (ENTP) | 16Personalities

High-powered, quick-witted, honest, logical, and intense.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing more than one Debater (ENTP) in my life, and these are some of the words that I love using to describe them. I know from experience that no two people with this personality type are completely the same. But there are some strong consistencies from one Debater to the next that make them some of my favorite people.

As an Advocate (INFJ), I am quite selective about the people I accept into my inner circle. Most of the time, I’d rather hang out with my cats than with someone who doesn’t deeply engage with my mind. I am drawn to people who are fully and unapologetically themselves. I want to know people who can offer me new perspectives and insights about the world.

This is why I find relationships with Debaters so deeply stimulating and fulfilling. They usually check all the right boxes. My appreciation for this personality type runs deep, going back to the first Debater I came to know and love.

Back before I ever heard the terms “Debater,” “Advocate,” or “personality theory,” I fell in love for the first time. It wasn’t a “stars colliding” kind of love story but rather a slow buildup of mutual admiration born from a friendship that developed over shared interests and lively discussions.

The love that sprung up between us was romantic for quite some time and grew so deep that it was able to survive and thrive even after we officially stopped dating. Bucking all social conventions (as these personalities are known to do), my Debater sweetheart became a lifelong best friend I have been able to count on unfailingly through life’s ups and downs.

Curious about how personality type influences romance and relationships? Check out our premium Relationships Guide for your personality type to learn about intertype relationship compatibility.

Oh, How I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways!

Over the years, I’ve come to know a few other people with this personality type. But first loves are special, and my favorite Debater continues to hold a sacred place in my heart.

When I reflect on that relationship and the other Debater friendships that I have, it’s easy to see why I love them so much.

1. They Are Sharp

All the Debaters I know are constantly honing their intelligence. When I think of self-improvement, I often think of emotional growth. But for Debater personality types, this concept seems to revolve around intellectual expansion. When something catches their interest, they explore every nook and cranny of the topic from every angle that they can find. They are tireless when it comes to getting to the bottom of things, even if that means learning about perspectives that are opposite from their own.

My favorite Debater, for example, is an unrelenting academic. With multiple degrees and interests that border on obsessions, he never ceases to amaze me with the depth of information that he has on call in his brain.

When it comes to conversation, it’s incredible how every person I’ve known with this personality type can weave together abstract concepts and find seemingly unrelated connections. Not only that, but they also challenge me to find connections where none may be obvious, to become better at articulating what I know, and to find solid intellectual ground to defend my beliefs and understanding of the world. In my experience, Debaters are like personal trainers for the brain.

2. They Are Open to New Experiences

Debaters are the most likely of all Analyst personalities to get carried away by their passions. As they dive headfirst into chasing new knowledge, they often end up with story-worthy experiences. My favorite Debater always leaves my jaw agape with tales of his adventures tracking down the histories of the ancient kingdoms of Southeast Asia in Southeast Asia.

But passionate exploration and new experiences are not just limited to adventurous international travel. I suspect that it has something to do with a preference for experiential learning, but every Debater I have known seems driven to seek out new friendships and skills or to otherwise expand their list of hobbies.

I realize now that Debaters’ Extraverted and Prospecting traits nicely balance my Advocate Introverted and Judging tendencies to stick with what I know. Every person with this personality type that’s come into my life has consistently pushed me beyond my comfort zone – much to the benefit of my personal growth.

3. They Have Vision

As a Judging personality type, I frequently find myself baffled by the Prospecting types in my life who often struggle with follow-through and distractibility. I don’t experience this with my Debater friends, however. There is something about the interplay between their Extraverted, Intuitive, and Thinking traits that results in the Debater tendency to have a more clearly defined sense of where they are going in life. While their interests might wander and their paths might zigzag, they generally seem to be driven by that incredible intellect of theirs toward a particular vision of what they want.

Debaters are among the personality types most likely to agree that they are the masters of their own destiny. Like other Analyst types, they enjoy solving problems, and when challenges present themselves, they are not quite so quick to give up on their goals, even if it means changing course. Most Debaters I know work for themselves or have risen as leaders in their workplaces.

My favorite Debater, for example, had an amazing academic career. In his professional life, he has worked as a writer of nearly every shape and form. Eventually, he came to work for a local historical society, and he is currently authoring a book on the indigenous history of the place where he lives. He has contributed to his community, built a respectable professional reputation, and had an amazing life to boot.

4. They Are Emotional Sounding Boards

As a Feeling type, I sometimes struggle with my emotional reactions. Debaters are not emotionally disconnected by any means, but it’s safe to say that they are more in control and more resilient in the face of negative feelings than many other personality types, especially us Diplomats.

My favorite Debater has helped me learn to approach my emotions from an objective and analytical perspective. When it comes to my feelings, he rarely shows me true emotional empathy. Admittedly, this can be hard at times. But much like how I had to learn to efficiently articulate my intellectual reasoning to keep up in conversations with him, I have also had to learn to articulate my emotional processes. While this is not always easy, it’s been invaluable in learning to process and understand my feelings.

And nearly without fail, my favorite Debater helps me find solutions to my problems. In fact, every Debater I have known has been a go-to source for fresh perspectives and practical solutions that my own emotions sometimes prevent me from finding on my own.

Hug Your Favorite Debater Today!

My favorite Debater has played a huge role in my own personal development. In fact, it’s safe to say that every Debater I’ve come to know over the years has influenced me in some way.

The reasons above are an all-too-brief summary of why I deeply value people with this personality type. There are so many more examples that I could get into! But rather than make this a longer-winded love letter, I’m going to turn it over to you.

What do you love about the Debaters in your life? How have they positively impacted your personal growth? Let’s show some love for Debaters in the comments below!