First and foremost the ESI knows who they are and how they feel about certain things or people. They have keen observational skills, allowing them to see subtle nuances in their environment. Nuances which are difficult for them to forego noticing.
They are likely to see subtle interactions of a person and illicit a sense of what it says about this persons character.
In this way, it can appear as though the ESI puts strangers under a microscope. Not only evaluating their character, but also evaluating potential threats. The ESI almost looks at interactions with strangers as though they were traversing a field with land mines in it. Where one person may see these small details and shrug them off or give someone the benefit of the doubt, the ESI is more likely to say “better safe than sorry”. Particularly when it comes to strangers that may still prove to cross or infringe on them.
They are often on guard, and do not particularly enjoy being influenced by others. Especially when it’s someone they don’t know or trust. While they aren’t likely to volunteer information about how they see someone off the bat, if they feel the need to say something or set boundaries with someone, they will. Most likely setting those boundaries a lot earlier than other types might. Should someone attempt to convince them that the ESI is misinterpreting them, they are more likely to hold on to their perceptions and “wait to be proven wrong.”
This is not to say however that the ESI does not want to feel relaxed or at ease, or comfortable letting their guard down. This is something that’s very important to them, but they are a lot less likely to do so until they build trust with someone. Similarly, while they may be resistant to being influenced with an alternative perspective for fear of having one pulled over on them, they are likely to ask friends for their opinions on a situation if they trust their feedback. Either to reinforce the way they feel, or to make sure they aren’t missing something. However, above all else they are likely to trust their own judgements first.
The most important thing to realize about the ESI is their incredible sense of composure. Despite often being on guard, they maintain a cool demeanor both so that someone doesn’t have the power to disrupt them and their peace, but also such that the other person doesn’t get the impression they can be influenced. They often know how to handle a situation in a way that does not take things over the top, or lose stability or control of the situation, but still stays stern and in defense of themselves or someone else.
When they do find someone they can trust, and feel close to, they are fiercely loyal.
They’re the kind to back you up, and do what they can to be there for you when you need it. For those people they are close to they may give them a lot of slack and give them the benefit of the doubt, potentially even overdoing it such that they should distance themselves from the person sooner than they do, because they have grown attached. While not a considerably public or obvious aspect of their personality, it is important to them that they do things for the right emotional reasons, and will reflect on whether they are doing things from a good place.
This is a very grounded type, paying most of their attention to their environment, how they feel, and how they’re going to handle a given issue. They have little interest in endless philosophizing, or speculation. As well as intellectual debate for its own sake. Instead opting for a live and let live outlook, respecting people for their differences. So long as those differences don’t say something bad about that persons character.
While this type will be seen being friendly and expressive in groups, engaging in banter, should something strike a personal chord they have no concerns whatsoever with disrupting the emotional environment when it would otherwise mean betraying how they feel. They won’t back down off their convictions just because it’s unpopular or because other people don’t like it, and won’t let off just because the other person may not agree or because it upsets others in a group. Their attitude is, this is who I am. Take it or leave it. All in all this type can be expressive from time to time, but it will never be prioritized above being true to how they feel.
Should you point out to them that they are doing something out of their own personal sentiments or partiality, or that they had not considered other perspectives, they are likely to switch gears and attempt to give a logical explanation beyond how they feel. From time to time, they will also make an effort to ensure they are fulfilling their role within a system. Ensuring in the workplace for instance that they are being a good team player, and doing things that assist and help their team.
Because this type has a strong disposition or tendency to lean on or rely on their personal feelings regarding things, they desire someone who can keep them focused on the facts, provide new perspectives they hadn’t considered, but most of all narrow those perspectives down to the most probable in a given scenario. This gives them the certainty they need to avoid constantly second guessing themselves, and therefore make them vulnerable to someone who may attempt to manipulate them. This desire for objectivity serves as a hedge against their tendency to see only their own feelings about things such that they don’t see the reality beyond how they feel about it.
They also desire someone who can give them a sense of direction beyond the maintenance of the day to day, so they have a sense of what to invest their time and attention into for their own self development.
While they are likely to do a pretty good job keeping up with their own standard of cleanliness for their own environment, as well as the baseline standard of others. They struggle with knowing the best and most effective long term strategies for self growth, and seek to surround themselves with people who are knowledgeable and can assist in these areas.