What is the ENTJ Personality Type?

The ENTJ personality type is also known as the Commander—a fitting name considering this type’s ability to think strategically and effectively direct others. ENTJs are driven, ambitious, and focused, always looking for ways to improve both themselves and the world around them.

If improvement comes at the expense of traditions or feelings, so be it; for Commanders, their goal has the highest priority. As a result, they may come across as insensitive, cold, or downright ruthless, willing to sacrifice anything for success.

However, ENTJs are more than harsh and intimidating leaders—they are also charismatic, inspiring, and impressive. People around them often get motivated by their determination, work ethic, and confidence that many other types can only dream of having.

What is the Meaning of ENTJ?

The meaning of the ENTJ personality type is:

• Extroverted. ENTJs gain energy from spending time with others and frequently attend social events where they can meet new people. They often have large social circles that they navigate with relative ease.
• iNtuitive. Rather than relying on their five senses to observe the world, ENTJs focus on patterns, connections, and possibilities. As a result, they are big-picture thinkers and visionaries who rarely have trouble seeing the forest for the trees.
• Thinking. Commanders tend to be highly rational, guided by their heads rather than their hearts. They generally struggle with understanding their own feelings and often consider other people’s emotions a nuisance.
• Judging. ENTJs thrive on structures and plans, preferring to carefully organize their lives and stick to a specific path. As a result, they can be highly productive but also inflexible and reluctant to accept sudden and unexpected changes.

How Rare is the ENTJ Personality Type?

The ENTJ personality type is the second-rarest type, with only 1.8% of the U.S. population identifying with it. The only personality rarer than ENTJ is INFJ, at 1.5%.

Though they are still not common, men make up the majority of Commanders—approximately 2.7%. On the other hand, women with the ENTJ personality type are exceedingly difficult to find, as they account for only 0.9% of the female population in the U.S.

5 Essential ENTJ Personality Characteristics

The key ENTJ personality characteristics include the following:

Confidence

ENTJs believe in themselves and their own abilities, so much so that they make excellent leaders who rarely hesitate before a challenge. They may not have all the answers, but they trust in their own intellect, and this gives the impression that they know what the right thing to do is, even when no one else does.

However, this confidence can sometimes turn into arrogance, especially among unhealthy ENTJs. Certain of their own convictions, they may struggle to accept other viewpoints and may even consider those who disagree with them ignorant or dense.

Strategic Thinking

There’s a reason many generals and well-known entrepreneurs are considered ENTJs—these individuals are visionaries with far-reaching goals and long-term plans. That’s because they can examine every problem from multiple angles and devise effective solutions no matter what challenge they are presented with.

Ambitiousness

Commanders always strive for something bigger and better, both in their careers and in their personal lives. They will put in extra effort to get a promotion, improve efficiency at their workplace, and simultaneously work hard to better themselves so they can achieve even greater heights.

Stubbornness

Unfortunately, when ENTJs decide their opinion or course of action is correct, convincing them otherwise can be very difficult. They are not above tweaking their own methods, but they are unlikely to do it unless they figure out that something needs improving by themselves. Otherwise, no amount of discussing and arguing can change their minds.

Impatience

ENTJs are quick thinkers who come up with solutions and strategies basically on the fly. Hardly anything can throw them off balance, and they welcome any challenge as an opportunity for growth and learning.

However, others aren’t always like that and may need more time to think, process, and adjust. This can drive Commanders insane—they have no patience for people slower than them, especially when they compromise their efficiency and productivity. This can result in angry outbursts, which is where ENTJ’s intimidating reputation comes from.

ENTJ Personality Cognitive Functions

The ENTJ personality type’s cognitive functions determine how Commanders make decisions and process information. Each type on the 16 personalities test has a stack of four, arranged from the most to the least developed function.

In the case of ENTJ, the cognitive function stack is made up of the following functions:

Extraverted Thinking (Te)

As the dominant function, extraverted thinking (Te) has the greatest influence on the ENTJ personality type, making it particularly organized, driven, and rational. Due to this function’s outward orientation, these individuals seek logic and consistency in the world around them or mold it to fit their standards.

So, a high Te user typically prefers objective laws and criteria over their own beliefs or logic when making evaluations and decisions. In ENTJ’s case, that might mean consulting statistics, reviewing facts, or considering established norms before opting for a specific course of action.

As a result, ENTJs make excellent managers who are rarely swayed by personal feelings, bias, or unsubstantiated reasoning. Moreover, they genuinely enjoy such positions as the responsibility that comes with them takes full advantage of their Te and nurtures it.

Introverted Intuition (Ni)

Introverted intuition (Ni) is the Commander’s auxiliary function, meaning that it teams up with Te and supplies it with information on which it bases its evaluations. Generally speaking, Ni is a function of recognizing patterns and finding connections, with an uncanny ability to make accurate conclusions about the future.

However, due to its auxiliary position in ENTJs, Ni doesn’t have fully prophetic qualities as it does when it’s dominant. Therefore, Commanders aren’t usually stereotyped as psychic or mystic like INTJs and INFJs, although they are impressive visionaries in their own right.

Instead, Ni tempers their Te and shifts ENTJ’s focus from the objective and impersonal to more meaningful and humane. As a result, Commanders are able to overcome Te’s naturally judgmental nature and exhibit more open-mindedness and depth.

Extraverted Sensing (Se)

Tertiary functions typically shine through in times of relaxation, as they alleviate stress by giving the first two functions some rest. However, they are not nearly as developed as the dominant and auxiliary functions, so they must be used with some caution.

In Commanders’ case, tertiary extraverted sensing (Se) helps them engage with the physical world, allowing them to rest from constant planning, organizing, and envisioning. Se takes in external stimuli and grounds ENTJs in the present moment, making them highly responsive to their environments.

So, when ENTJs want to relax, they usually turn to physical rather than cerebral activities—for instance, exercising, sports, or DIY projects. Many of these are more commonly associated with sensing extroverts than Commanders, but they do help them unwind.

However, overreliance on Se has its dangers—it can make ENTJs uncharacteristically impulsive, reckless, and unproductive. Rather than following through with their goals and plans, ENTJs may find themselves chasing fleeting pleasures and getting distracted by trivial activities.

Introverted Feeling (Fi)

Finally, inferior introverted feeling (Fi) is the least developed and often actively suppressed function of the stack, frequently manifesting in unexpected and unpredictable ways. That’s because ENTJs perceive it as the opposite of their dominant Te and, therefore, consider it undesirable.

In some ways, Fi may indeed appear as the opposite of Te—it’s concerned with personal values, morality, and individuality rather than objectivity and rationality. Thus, ENTJs may feel that it threatens the identity of the competent, logical persona they’ve built for themselves.

So, instead of using Fi in a healthy way, ENTJs either fully suppress it or misuse it to morally justify their questionable actions and mistakes. That way, they can avoid taking any responsibility, no matter how obviously wrong they may be.

However, when ENTJs learn to accept their Fi and properly incorporate it into their lives, they can become more personable, sympathetic, and authentic.

5 Tips for ENTJ Growth & Development

Here is what ENTJ personality types can do to encourage their own growth and development:

#1. Give People Space to Speak Their Minds

Because of their dominant personalities, ENTJs often suppress other people’s thoughts and opinions, even if inadvertently. This can be frustrating for their loved ones, who sometimes wish to express themselves without having to fight to be heard.

So, ENTJs should occasionally take a step back and let others speak without interfering in any way. That way, they show others that their opinions also matter, and they may also benefit from hearing opinions that differ from their own.

#2. Allow Yourself to Feel

Emotions may feel somewhat foreign to rational, no-nonsense Commanders, but they still have them, even if they are buried deep. Though it may be more comfortable to ignore them and fully lean on their dominant extraverted thinking, ENTJs miss out on many enriching experiences by shutting away a part of themselves.

So, they should make it a habit to ask themselves how they feel and to accept even the more delicate emotions, such as sadness, melancholy, or fear. There’s no shame in feeling emotions that aren’t anger or annoyance; Commanders would do well to remember that.

#3. Open Your Mind to Opposing Ideas

ENTJs have a hard time admitting that those who disagree with them may be correct—in fact, they tend to dismiss this possibility entirely. However, such an attitude is quite limiting, as it closes them off to potentially great ideas and solutions. So, Commanders should remember to listen to others, even when they are convinced they are right.

#4. Give Yourself and Others Some Grace

Though ENTJ’s perfectionism is what makes them as efficient and competent as they are, it comes with a significant downside. Namely, they are exceptionally hard on themselves and others, not tolerating any mistakes or anything less than an excellent job.

This can take a toll on their mental health and put a strain on their relationships with others. As a result, they should learn how to relax every once in a while and give themselves room to be imperfect and human.

#5. Don’t Try to Control Everything

Aware of their own competence, ENTJs tend to take everything into their own hands, believing that no one else can perform as well as they can. As a result, they struggle to let go and trust other people’s ability to complete their tasks adequately.

However, letting go is sometimes necessary—there’s no reason for them to hold everything so tightly. In fact, ENTJs may discover that letting others decide is quite refreshing and gives them time to focus on the things they enjoy or often neglect.

Best & Worst Career Choices for ENTJs

The ENTJ personality type thrives in most careers, as these individuals are driven, organized, and results-oriented—most companies’ dream employees. However, they aren’t likely to be satisfied in just any position. Ambitious as they come, Commanders always strive for more and can’t stand jobs that leave no room for growth and improvement.

That said, let’s explore which careers the ENTJ personality types should pursue and which they should avoid.

Best Careers Paths

People with the ENTJ personality type gravitate toward dynamic jobs that utilize their innovative, visionary nature to the fullest. Typically, they feel most satisfied and comfortable in leadership positions that allow them to forge their own paths and implement their strategies.

Some of the best career paths for ENTJs include:

• CEO
• Judge
• Lawyer
• Engineer
• Entrepreneur
• Data Scientist
• Project Manager
• Financial Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Investment Banker
• Real Estate Broker
• Political Consultant
• Software Developer
• Sales Representative

Careers to Avoid

ENTJs can’t stand monotonous jobs that restrict their innovative, visionary spirit by imposing strict rules and regulations. They also struggle with highly customer-oriented careers because their straightforward, blunt communication style may come across as harsh or offensive even when they don’t mean it to be.

So, ENTJs should steer clear of the following careers:

• Nurse
• Cashier
• Teacher
• Receptionist
• Psychologist
• Social Worker
• Cosmetologist
• Factory Worker
• Restaurant Host
• Data Entry Clerk
• Child Care Provider

How ENTJ Personality Types Behave at Work

ENTJ personality types are excellent employees, as they are naturally focused, driven, and perfectionistic in everything they do. When they bring this same energy to their workplace, it’s impossible not to notice how competent they are.

However, their ambition can be both an asset and a liability, depending on where in the workplace hierarchy they find themselves.

For instance, they don’t do well as subordinates who have to listen to their managers’ instructions, as they often believe they have better solutions than their higher-ups. Consequently, they may be perceived as difficult to work with, though still highly skilled and competent.

On the other hand, when they have more freedom to make their own decisions, ENTJs approach their tasks with unique energy, always looking for ways to achieve better results. They hold themselves to high standards and rarely need anyone to supervise them or advise them on how to improve.

ENTJs as Leaders

As leaders, ENTJs are confident and charismatic, feeling perfectly comfortable with this role and eager to tackle its challenges. In fact, no other positions are quite as suited to this personality type as managerial ones.

As true visionaries, ENTJs can picture precisely what path should be taken to achieve their goal and aren’t afraid to occasionally take risks that may bring about better results. Others may not always understand their methods, but their impressive power of foresight shouldn’t be doubted, as everyone in their vicinity quickly learns.

However, while Commanders enjoy managing, organizing, and instructing others, their communication style can be too intense for some of their employees.

ENTJs may consider criticism necessary for improvement, but their comments can inadvertently be too harsh. They rarely take into account their employees’ feelings, which can cause misunderstandings and resentment between them and their subordinates.

Yet, those who understand that Commanders don’t mean any harm can benefit from their leadership. After all, ENTJs truly strive to help their subordinates reach their utmost potential.

ENTJs in Teams

In teams, ENTJs tend to take on most of the responsibility and gladly fill the role of a leader when necessary. They take any organizational tasks upon themselves and strategically delegate assignments to other team members according to their capabilities.

In other words, Commanders are invaluable team members who ensure that progress is made and specific results are achieved. Thanks to their efforts, others can take a more relaxed approach—that is, as long as they still meet ENTJ’s expectations.

Advantages & Weaknesses of ENTJ Personality in Relationships

Though extroverted, ENTJs seem to prioritize their ambitions and goals over their relationships with others. Even so, they often have large circles of friends and acquaintances drawn to their natural charisma—a byproduct of their immense confidence.

Now, let’s examine how ENTJs behave in different kinds of relationships.

ENTJs as Romantic Partners

As romantic partners, ENTJs are confident, engaging, and decisive, knowing precisely what they want and not hesitating to ask for it. They are typically interested in serious, long-term relationships and often approach dating with the same purpose and drive they apply to their professional lives.

In other words, they have a clear plan: get to know their potential partner, build a connection through various shared activities, and then, if there is chemistry, move to a more serious stage.

ENTJs have no time to waste on games and uncertainty—those who hesitate or don’t meet their expectations quickly get crossed off the list. Though this approach tends to be effective, it may also appear quite cold and calculated.

However, ENTJs aren’t too concerned with this—they aren’t particularly romantic or emotional, but they do love in their own way. And they firmly believe their perfect match will understand that they care even if they don’t resort to grand gestures or outbursts of affection.

ENTJs as Friends

As friends, ENTJs are demanding, inspiring, and bold, choosing their friends among people who can match their energy and help them grow. They aren’t interested in friendships of convenience or circumstance; instead, they expect their friends to offer them depth and challenge.

Being bold, intense personalities, Commanders can be overly dominant and impatient in their friendships, giving little space to their friends to express themselves. This can be particularly suffocating for quieter types, who may feel like asserting themselves is only possible through arguing.

However, when ENTJs consider someone their friend, they go to great lengths to defend them from anyone who dares offend them. That doesn’t mean they still don’t criticize or challenge them, but they do so out of a genuine wish to help them improve, not malice.

ENTJs as Parents

As parents, ENTJs are excellent at nurturing their children’s intellect and talents, encouraging them to hold themselves to high standards and never back down from a challenge. In the long run, this benefits their children’s development, but Commanders’ strictness can be hard on them when they are very young.

Unfortunately, ENTJs aren’t equipped to deal with their children’s emotions with tact and sensitivity—they struggle with vulnerability in all aspects of their lives. As a result, their children might feel emotionally neglected and find it difficult to express their feelings later in life.

ENTJ Compatibility: Best & Worst Matches

ENTJs are demanding partners who don’t settle for less than they think they deserve, so getting along with them can be difficult at times. Still, some personalities have a natural chemistry with Commanders, which allows them to get closer to them despite the obstacles.

To find out which types belong to this category, let’s explore the compatibility of the ENTJ personality type in more detail.

ENTJ Best Matches

The best matches for the ENTJ personality type are other intuitives—particularly other NT personality types. That’s because these personalities have similar values, approaches to life, and communication styles as Commanders.

The ENTJ personality type gets along well with the following types:

• INTJ. As ENTJ’s introverted counterparts, INTJs share many similarities with Commanders. They are just as innovative, driven, and ambitious, though their approach is typically quieter and more subtle. As a result, despite their differing energy levels, the two types can easily see eye-to-eye.
• ENFP. At first glance, ENTJs and ENFPs may not seem like a match made in heaven, but surprisingly, the two can enjoy an unusually harmonious relationship. In fact, spending time with each other can inspire mutual growth, teaching ENTJs to be more sensitive and relaxed and ENFPs to become more grounded and organized.
• ENTP. Though their communication styles and energy levels are similar, ENTJs and ENTPs have many differences that may impact their relationship. However, if they can overcome these, they make an unstoppable duo—ENTPs being bottomless wells of ideas and ENTJs being capable of making those ideas a reality.

ENTJ Worst Matches

The worst matches for ENTJs are personality types with opposite values and communication styles from their own—for instance, SF personalities. These are usually too sensitive and unfocused for Commanders’ taste, so the two struggle to find any common ground.

The ENTJ personality type rarely gets along with the following personalities:

• ISFP. Artistic, adventurous, and sensitive, ISFPs usually find ENTJ’s approach to communication too aggressive and intense. On the other hand, ENTJs dislike their indecisiveness and inability to stick to one path consistently.
• ESFP. ESFPs live for adventures and pleasures, never giving long-term goals and plans too much significance. This is a lifestyle that ENTJs can’t understand or appreciate, so they typically consider ESFPs lazy, superficial, and unreliable. On the other hand, ESFPs think of Commanders as strict and downright intimidating.
• ISFJ. Though ENTJs can appreciate ISFJ’s diligence and loyalty, they dislike their adherence to tradition and reluctance to change. These types are too stuck in their ways for ENTJ’s taste, so they quickly lose interest in these personalities.

13 ENTJ Interests & Hobbies

ENTJ's interests and hobbies entail dynamic, competitive pastimes that make use of their driven personalities and strategic minds. Furthermore, they are often drawn to physical activities that engage their Se and allow them to give their brains a much-needed rest.

Some of the most popular hobbies and interests of the ENTJ personality type include:

ENTJ Celebrities & Famous People

Famous ENTJ personality types can be found in various aspects of public life, but they are particularly prominent in business and politics. That’s hardly surprising, considering that these areas are where their entrepreneurial spirits truly get to shine.

Some of the most influential ENTJ celebrities include:

• Napoleon Bonaparte. Military officer and revolutionary Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence during the French Revolution, becoming the First Consul of the French Republic and later the emperor. He fought a series of wars against other European nations, expanding French influence over much of the continent.
• Winston Churchill. British statesman Winston Churchill was the prime minister of the United Kingdom during the Second World War, known for his decisive politics at a time when they were of vital importance. Though his party lost the reelection in 1945, he remained one of the best-known politicians in history.
• Steve Jobs. American businessman and inventor Steve Jobs pioneered the personal computer revolution and was the founder of Apple, a leading technology company. As a true visionary, he managed to build a brand and later revive it after its brief downfall in the 1990s, which helped him become one of the wealthiest men in the world for a while.