Enterprising (E): The Persuaders

Enterprising types like to make things happen. They're often the first to volunteer to lead, the one who turns an idea into a plan, and the person who can convince a group to get behind it. In Holland's model, Enterprising types are drawn to influence, ambition and results.

What Enterprising types enjoy

• Leading groups and taking responsibility
• Persuading, negotiating and presenting ideas
• Starting projects, clubs or small businesses
• Making decisions, sometimes with something at stake
• Competing and setting ambitious goals
• Selling an idea, a product or a plan

Strengths you might notice

• They tend to be confident and energetic, and comfortable speaking up.
• They often see opportunities others miss and act on them quickly.
• Many are good at motivating people and organising them around a goal.
• They often enjoy challenges and bounce back from setbacks.

Work settings that suit them

Enterprising types tend to do well where initiative is rewarded: businesses and startups, sales and marketing teams, management roles, law and politics, events, and any setting where they can lead, persuade and see the impact of their decisions. They usually prefer fast-moving environments to slow, fixed routines.

How Enterprising combines with other types

On Holland's hexagon, Enterprising sits between Social and Conventional. An Enterprising-Social person often enjoys leading people and building teams. An Enterprising-Conventional person often enjoys running organisations, where ambition meets structure, planning and numbers.

Enterprising sits opposite Investigative. Someone whose code mixes the two might enjoy turning research and analysis into decisions, such as strategy, consulting or building a technology business.

If this sounds like you

If you enjoy leading, convincing people and making ideas happen, Enterprising may be one of your top types. The careers below all start with E; take the assessment to see your full three-letter code and how it compares.