ENTJ Personality Type (Te-Ni)

What is an ENTJ Personality Type?

ENTJ stands for Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging. Originally, it was a term from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (or MBTI), which was developed by Isabel Myers and Katharine Briggs. The Myers-Briggs theory (which many incorrectly refer to as just “MBTI”) originally labelled 16 personality types. Myers and Briggs drew their inspiration from Carl Jung’s theory of the cognitive functions. The 4-letter acronyms have now become commonplace within various offshoots or interpretations of Carl Jung’s original work.

ENTJ Meaning

The ENTJ personality type is Extraverted, which does not necessarily mean that they are socially extraverted, although many may be. They will, however, be cognitive extraverts. In Carl Jung’s description of the cognitive functions, Extraversion simply means a focus on the objective or external world.

The ENTJ personality type values Intuition, which means they prioritize abstract information over concrete information. Being an Intuitive does not mean the ENTJ is incapable of interacting with the concrete world in an effective way, but rather they will prioritize abstract information when making decisions.

The ENTJ personality type values Thinking, which does not mean they have no emotions or are unaffected by their emotions. Rather, they will have a natural focus on impersonal data, in an attempt to approach things in a way that they believe to be the most logical.

The ENTJ personality type prioritizes Judging, which means they prefer a lifestyle that is more structured or planned out. Judgers are typically long term planners, who prefer to mitigate chaos or uncertainties.

ENTJ at a Glance

ENTJs naturally focus on external structures in the world around them. They often excel at recognizing where they fit within a system, and what they can contribute to the overall structure. They have a high awareness of authority, whether that means they yield to it or assert themselves as the authority. ENTJs are structured and goal-oriented, defining themselves by their achievements. Without a goal, they will feel lost or aimless. They are often fairly adaptable or flexible in how they go about achieving that goal. Given present data, they may quickly alter their current trajectory or take a new approach, believing to be more efficient or perhaps just less boring. These types trust their intuition and their instincts.

Common Strengths (when healthy)

Structured
Decisive
Task-oriented
Efficient
Driven
Conceptual
Single-minded

Common Weaknesses (when imbalanced)

Blunt/Insensitive
Overbearing
Impulsive
Restless
Disconnected from personal identity/feelings
Dismissive of individuality

Cognitive Functions of an ENTJ

The cognitive functions for the ENTJ personality type, in order, are Te-Ni-Se-Fi. Below, we attempted to break down each cognitive function and practically explain how it will surface in an ENTJ. Please realize however that everyone is unique, and the entire world cannot fit into 16 personality type boxes. Ergo, it’s unlikely that an ENTJ will relate to or demonstrate every single quirk or trait mentioned below. However, an ENTJ should relate to the underlying principle of each function, and most of what is described below. Exceptions may occur when the ENTJ is stuck in a Te-Se loop or in the grip of Fi. These scenarios may be briefly mentioned in the description below, but this page is not specifically written with those scenarios in mind. With all that said, we hope you find this description useful for self-analysis or understanding the minds of others.

Dominant Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)

The ENTJ personality type leads with Extraverted Thinking (Te). ENTJs are known for being harsh, critical, intense and driven individuals. However, this stereotype is often highly trumped up. Unhealthy or extreme ENTJs may come across in this manner, and as a result, seem very intimidating to others. But on the other hand, a more balanced ENTJ can easily come across as a normal, amiable human being in day-to-day interactions. Usually their insensitivity to emotions is used to describe a weakness, but it can easily be positive. For instance, those with the ENTJ personality type will probably be even-tempered, not prone to mood swings. They will be pragmatic, straightforward, and matter-of-fact, sometimes erring on the side of brutally honest. They will also not be susceptible to emotional manipulation. However, their lack of emotional sensitivity does not mean that they will never appear in a caretaker role. In such a role, they will likely be proponents of tough love, and may at times emotionally trample people in their effort to do what is necessary. They may struggle to understand what someone truly wants, and will instead just “fix” the problem in a sincere desire to help the person, only to realize later that the person did not want it fixed in that way. ENTJs may have little patience for people, especially those who aren’t living up to their standard, and will usually appear very determined when striving to get something done. An unbalanced Te dominant, like the ENTJ, when compared to a Ti dominant may appear more “emotional”, in the sense that they may frequently appear angry or perhaps adamantly anti-emotional, because the Thinking trait is being extraverted rather than introverted.

ENTJs are very results-driven due to their Te. (Click here for a more in-depth description of Te.) This personality tends to focus on achieving an end goal, rather than enjoying the journey toward that goal. Those with dominant Te, like the ENTJ, want to get things done, and the more efficient something is, the faster it gets done. They do not like chaos, and will strive to maintain order. ENTJs will be the types to naturally take charge of situations and start giving out orders or suggestions. They will be driven by a desire to make whatever situation they are in run as smoothly as possible. They will struggle to stand by and watch the chaos or subpar leadership, and will naturally step in to help guide the situation. An ENTJ could easily gripe and complain about this “forced” responsibility the entire time, even if they technically volunteered to do it. Of course, the ENTJ may have just stepped in because they like bossing people around, rather than their intervention actually being needed. Even if they assume a more support role, the ENTJ personality may rebel against anyone’s attempt to control them, especially if the “goal” being forced upon them is deemed wrong or inefficient. They will likely fight anyone’s efforts to prevent a change that they’ve deemed necessary.

ENTJs will be primarily concerned about how much is getting done versus how well it’s getting done. Meaning, they may cut corners in the process of completing their goal, since crossing off tasks on their to-do list is first and foremost on their mind. ENTJs might not be looking for the most ideal way to do something, but rather the best way to do something with the process that is already in place. While stereotypically, Te is known for being organized, as in neat and orderly, this doesn’t guarantee that the ENTJ’s personal environment will be pristine and spotless. They will have things organized a certain way, and will strive to maintain that system. An ENTJ may find themselves extremely bothered by anyone who repeatedly tries to rearrange or move their stuff.

Auxiliary Function: Introverted Intuition (Ni)

The next function for ENTJ personality type is Introverted Intuition (Ni). Ni is concerned with abstract principles and a singular possibility. ENTJs will use their intuition to pave the way forward for their Te. Ni focuses heavily on gaining perspectives so that ENTJs can understand the bigger picture or overall concept. Ni will strive to see where something is ultimately leading, what the long term implications are. They won’t struggle latching on to some new idea or trend if their Ni sees an opportunity or positive outcome in it. High Ni users will be good at conceptualizing things, as opposed to an Se user’s preference or need to touch, taste, smell, and etcetera in order to grasp a concept. Ni will translate events into patterns, symbols, life lessons, and meaning and then use those to navigate the future. Ni is known for being symbolic, but chances are the average everyday ENTJ will not be expressing themselves in overtly symbolic ways, as many fictional Ni users do. Rather, most of this will be internalized. They may attach symbolic meaning to certain objects or people (subconsciously based on their past experiences) resulting in that thing being a permanent representation of that period or instance in their life.

ENTJs will probably be good at getting a sense of people as a result of their intuition, which will drive their interactions with others. They’ll jump to a conclusion about something or ]someone quickly based on their observations. Well developed Ni is sometimes stereotyped as psychic because of this. As ENTJs mature, they’ll get better and better and utilizing their Ni accurately to predict a potential outcome, which may lead to them surprising others with their spot on conclusions. This personality type will place value on trusting one’s instincts and following hunches.

ENTJs won’t focus heavily on the individual details, but rather the goal as a whole. This will be reflected in all areas of their life, including conversations and social interactions. For instance, in conversation, ENTJs will probably get straight to the point, as a result of both Te and Ni. They may become impatient with those who take too long to get to the point. In a discussion or debate, Ni will process completely internally, and then present the conclusion first and foremost. Then, ENTJs will share the argument or reasoning if they feel so inclined. (This differs greatly from the Ne users who are prone to sharing their intuitive leaps out loud.) Additionally, they will not get caught on semantics or the “letter of the law”, but instead focus on the principle or essence of what was said or meant.

ENTJs probably won’t have an incredibly detailed memory. They also won’t dwell much on the past, but focus more on bettering their future. Ni is also what makes them prone to delegating, since they lack Si to cause them to focus in or obsess over the little details. ENTJs will be focused more on whether or not the end goal is ultimately accomplished, and won’t be concerned with every little detail, so leaving a task in the hands of others won’t be as bothersome. If someone is doing an inadequate job, they will simply replace the person and carry on. Additionally, this lack of detail focus, may cause them to be bad at estimating the extensiveness of a task, or how long it’ll take.

Tertiary Function: Extraverted Sensing (Se)

The ENTJ personality type has Extraverted Sensing (Se) as their third, or tertiary, function. Se goes hand in hand with Ni, especially considering that for ENTJs, they’re stacked right next to each other. Se is partly what will help drive ENTJs to make their vision reality, and to produce tangible results. Se may also give ENTJs a craving for adventure or anything that might excite the senses. This can manifest in a multitude of ways, from sports to nature activities or maybe more in the culinary sense. In the case of low Se, they may find themselves focusing on presentation and visually impressing people in order to achieve their goal.

However, Se is also impulsive. Combined with bull-headed Te, ENTJs might enjoy breaking rules, especially if they feel too controlled, and will feel a need for a certain level of impulsiveness in their life. Obviously, that impulsiveness will have to be on their own terms though. This personality type also might be prone to impulsive spending or splurging on expensive or desirable things. This is especially true when they know they need something, but don’t necessarily have the funds for it. They will probably make the purchase regardless, because the desire to complete their goal combined with the impulsiveness of Se will outweigh the consequences of debt in that moment.

Inferior Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)

Lastly, the ENTJ personality type has Introverted Feeling (Fi) as their fourth, or inferior, function. Inferior Fi users are first and foremost prone to using external achievements and abilities as a means of defining their identity to themselves and those around them. ENTJs are unlikely to spend much time dwelling on what it means to stay true to themselves, which is the mark of a high Fi user. On the contrary, they may avoid thinking about this subject. As a result, they may accidentally step over their own moral boundaries, and look back on the event in regret. Extremely underdeveloped Fi may cause ENTJs to lose all sense of self while Te railroads its way to the end goal. Some ENTJs due to low Fi will be prone to adopting or taking on the Fi values or identity of those that they like or admire. It will be simpler for them to take something that is already fully constructed and apply it to themselves rather than developing something wholly new from scratch.

ENTJs may desire to make deep, emotional connections with others, yet feel unable to do so, and as result, suppress their Fi, since it makes them feel inferior. This is the main reason why unhealthy ENTJs can seem almost anti-emotion. An ENTJ may rationalize that emotion is for the weak, and will choose to ignore their own emotion. Inferior Fi is also very insecure about displaying any kind of weakness, which is why they’ll tend to hide whatever they perceive as weakness, only wanting to show their best self to the world. This is in stark contrast to tertiary Fi users who will usually more easily admit to their general weaknesses or flaws.

If Fi is developed, an ENTJ can learn to soften their harsh Te, gain a stronger sense of identity, and gain a deep capacity for empathy. Healthy low Fi is the reason ENTJs can set aside emotion and ignore any attempts by others to manipulate them while they do what is best for themselves or those close to them. This personality should easily remain resolute in spite of any opposition.

ENTJ Careers and Job Ideas

At Practical Typing, we hesitate to list specific careers, because each person is far more than their personality type. Cognitive functions do not determine skills, only cognitive preferences. However, there will be certain aspects within a given career field that play better to an ENTJ’s strengths. For instance, ENTJs often excel in jobs that require a structured approach. They are good at recognizing how the current system is structured, and finding ways to improve it, or increase efficiency. These types will be motivated by the ability to see the results of their efforts in action. ENTJs tend to work best when they have a specific goal or bottom line that needs to be reached. Depending on their disposition, they can be zealous leaders, effectively motiving others and using all available resources to achieve their desired end result. They tend to thrive in jobs that require a decisive or immediate action, even when empirical data is lacking. They appreciate having the freedom to make decisions based on their intuition, which may include the occasional risky decision that they believe is worth the gamble. ENTJs need a job that will keep them constantly engaged, due to their strong aversion to boredom. They will most likely not mind positions where they can work with others, but will want work that is focused on things rather than people.

ENTJ Relationships and Compatibility

ENTJs bring structure and direction to their relationships. They can be extremely hardworking, single-minded, responsible, and solution-focused. They are often eager to launch into action, once they’ve made a decision, and prefer a partner who is flexible and willing to keep up. ENTJs will naturally want to take care of those they are close to by quickly resolving any problems their loved ones are facing. ENTJs appreciate partners who acknowledge their contributions and praise them for their strengths. They admire those that can lighten the atmosphere and are drawn to a partner who can make them laugh. They typically struggle with being disconnected from feelings (theirs and others), and will prefer to surround themselves with people who are understanding of that and not overly emotional.