INTJ vs ENTJ: The Differences

INTJ vs ENTJ is an extremely common dilemma, whether people realize it or not. In my experience, ENTJs frequently mistype as another personality type, INTJ being one of the most common. Of course, many types mistype as the INTJ, so overall that isn’t surprising. (See 8 Types That Mistype as The INTJ.) However, there are some very distinct reasons why ENTJs mistype as INTJs, which I’ll touch on before going into the true differences between ENTJs and the INTJs. If you’re caught up in the INTJ vs ENTJ dilemma, hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have a much clearer idea on how to differentiate these two personality types.

INTJ vs ENTJ: Why the Mistype?

The most common reason why ENTJs mistype as INTJs is due to common misconceptions about extraversion. Extraversion in typology is not the same as social extraversion. I actually wrote an article specifically on why EXTJs mistype as introverts, so I won’t delve in depth on the subject here. The short answer is that many ENTJs struggle to connect with people (inferior feeling), or see people as obstacles to their Te goals. As a result, many will relate to introversion more than extraversion.

In addition, I’ve specifically noticed a tendency for other people to mistype ENTJs as INTJs. It can be due to the reason above, but also because INTJs are believed to be more intellectual or analytical than ENTJs. In other words, smart ENTJs may get mistaken for INTJs, especially if they have a disdain for people.

Cognitive Functions

Before we get into this, I’m going to list the cognitive function stacks for the two types below, for your reference.

INTJ = Ni-Te-Fi-Se

ENTJ = Te-Ni-Se-Fi

As you can see, INTJs and ENTJs have the exact same cognitive functions, just in slightly different orders. This makes the two types similar, and thus difficult to distinguish. However, exact function placement within one’s cognitive function stack makes a difference in how that function will manifest. (See Attributes of the Top 4 Functions.) The key to distinguishing these two personality types lies in recognizing which cognitive functions are taking priority.

INTJ vs ENTJ: The Differences

Of course, everyone is different, so people rarely relate 100% to the tendencies of their type. However, I’m going to try to draw some clear lines between the two types below. A more developed individual may find themselves balanced between both options, since they’ve exercised their weaker cognitive functions to a reasonable degree.  If that’s the case for you, try to remember back when you were younger, and less mature. In addition, I’ll be describing the types at average health. There can be exceptions and extreme circumstances that can cause atypical manifestations.

1. INTJs plan carefully before acting, while ENTJs are more adaptable

INTJs are first and foremost an introverted perceiving type, with Introverted Intuition as their dominant function. Introverted perceiving types are primarily concerned with understanding the implications of whatever information they perceive. These types want to recognize what’s going to happen before it happens, so they can plan for it in advance. In fact, INTJs have inferior Se as their greatest weakness, which means they typically struggle with spontaneity. As a result, INTJs can be slow to act, so that they can ensure their insight is accurate (i.e. overthink) and develop a comprehensive plan based on what they anticipate will happen. Since Ni is not a detail-oriented function, these plans are not always hyper-specific, but the INTJ prefers them to be in place since they struggle with adapting at the last minute. (INTJs often dislike surprises, generally speaking.) Although, for the record, I’m not saying INTJs won’t be willing to take a risk or gamble. From the perspective of outside observers, INTJs may frequently bank on things that appear to be risky. However, it’ll be a well-thought-out risk, based on the assurances of their intuition. They may not even view it as a risk by the time they’re moving into action, because they’re certain that their insight is accurate and that their plan will succeed.

ENTJs lead with extraverted thinking. Since that is an extraverted function, ENTJs are inherently more action-oriented. While the INTJs might be thinking and planning out years in advance, the ENTJ doesn’t feel the need to. They’re dominant extraverted judging types, which means that they prioritize decision-making, or establishing control. The ENTJ will latch onto a general idea of what they want to accomplish, based on what they see around them, and develop enough of a plan to get moving. This also means that they’ll jump to conclusions faster than an INTJ, due to their desire to act. They don’t need it all perfectly worked out, since their Se is tertiary. Tertiary Se can give ENTJs more of a thrill when events don’t go quite as anticipated. It gives them the opportunity to shift on the fly. Confident ENTJs may come across as more impulsive or brash than INTJs, due to this, making them more prone to error. However, they’ll also be better at recovering from that error, since adapting to the moment isn’t a weakness for them.

2. INTJs are subjective first, while ENTJs are objective first

Introverted intuition is a subjective function, as all introverted functions are. Extraverted thinking is an objective function, as all extraverted functions are. Subjective functions connect you to your internal world, while objective functions connect you to the external world. (See Objectivity vs. Subjectivity.) INTJs prioritize their internal perception over the objective world. The reverse is true for ENTJs. Practically speaking, this means for an INTJ, their internal vision is prioritized over the real world. Healthy INTJs will use their Ni to develop a long term ideal or vision, and their Te will provide support in forming a concrete plan to accomplish this vision. Their vision, while oftentimes difficult to relay to others, will be specific within their own minds, which is why it’s so important to have a comprehensive plan. They must ensure their specific vision is realized.

On the other hand, ENTJs are looking to the real world first. They’re tuned into the hierarchies, the structure, the organization, etc. Their goal or vision will form around what the real world dictates is possible. Their vision will be more vague, meaning there’ll be fewer parameters that need to be fulfilled in order for their vision to be realized. This is why they’re more willing to delegate responsibilities than an INTJ will be. Their plan or goal will also be more adaptable, based on current, real-time data. In other words, the real world will override their vision, making them more likely to recognize when it is impractical or no longer possible. They’ll place a higher value on accomplishing what they can.

3. INTJs will struggle to explain their thoughts, while ENTJs will find communication easier

Ni is abstract information that is internalized, which means all Ni users tend to struggle with placing words to their thoughts. Now, TJs, due to Te, can clearly verbalize their rationale for decisions. However, they can’t always find words to describe or support their perceptions. For an INTJ, this is especially the case due to inferior Se. Since they’re more detached from the moment, they don’t always consciously recognize the details that went into forming a prediction or projection. So, when forced to support it with concrete information, they’ll struggle to do so, and might come up blank. ENTJs are extraverted, and their Se is higher. It won’t be as much of a struggle for them to produce concrete information. You actually might hear the ENTJ share far more of their Ni than the INTJ, who may come across as much more contained and private.

4. INTJs will have a rigid sense of self, ENTJs will have a more adaptable image

I’ve mentioned the INTJs inferior function and subsequent weakness several times at this point, so it’s high time I start focusing on the ENTJ’s weakness. ENTJs have inferior Fi, which results in a detachment from themselves: their feelings and values. With dominant Te, they’ll perceive the real world means to accomplish their goal, and then naturally want to adapt themselves in the most effective way possible in order to achieve that goal. Sometimes, they’ll adapt too much, and lose touch with who they are and what they value. They may cross lines they never intended too, or they may act hypocritical or contradictory (e.g. polite and friendly around higher ups, but ruthless and overbearing around underlings). They may spend all their time trying to gain external accomplishments, without realizing till much farther down the road that none of it is actually personally fulfilling in the long run. In addition, inferior Fi users can be secretly insecure about how they’re perceived, not wanting to display weakness or flaws of any kind. Te users use accomplishments to define who they are. For the dominant Te user, this can be to such a degree that they don’t know who they are without their accomplishments. An ENTJ, especially one without externally recognized abilities or accomplishments, may be extremely sensitive to any perceived jabs or attacks on their value or capabilities.

If an INTJ has any of the above struggles, it’ll be to a much lesser degree. As tertiary Fi users, INTJs have a rigid sense of self. Once they decide who they are and what they want, they won’t want to waste time re-evaluating or thinking about it any further. They essentially put a minimum amount of thought into who they are, and then “set it and forget it.” They’re typically secure in their own perception of who they are, and will be much quicker to disregard the opinions of others when those opinions pertain to them. As a result of their tertiary Fi, INTJs have clear lines that they’ll be unwilling to cross, or values that they’ll refuse to yield on, possibly even to the extent that it thwarts their goal.

Conclusion

When considering INTJ vs ENTJ, it’s important to look at the big picture. Does the character struggle with inaction and a refusal to adapt to circumstances? Does the character struggle with acting too quickly, resulting in mistakes or collateral damage? (Unpopular opinion, but Wednesday Addams) Too often, I see social capability and intelligence being used as the deciding factors between these two types. You have to look deeper to determine their weaknesses and priorities.

If you have any thoughts, feel free to share in the comments!