ENTJ vs ENFP: (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs ENFP personalities from the MBTI types. We will do that by initially describing both personalities in-depth including their four cognitive functions.  This will follow up by comparing and seeing how these personalities are similar and different from each other.

ENTJ vs ENFP

 If we consider ENTJ vs ENFP  and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted and intuitive i.e. they like socializing and thinking about conceptual ideas. They are different as well since ENTJs are logical and like to follow a plan. Compared to them, ENFPs are emotional and spontaneous. 

MBTI: Four Cognitive Functions

 Myer Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types, approaches personality to be composed of four cognitive functions that govern how people think, process, and make decisions. The top two cognitive functions play a dominant role in guiding a person’s personality. Whereas, the latter two play less of a role. However, they still have some impact or influence on how a person behaves in certain situations. ENTJ and ENFP are two personality types out of the 16 types. Their cognitive functions are discussed in detail as follows.

ENTJ: The Commander (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging)

The ENTJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are straightforward, confident, have strong opinions, and assertive. Only 2 percent of people are estimated to have an ENTJ personality type.

Four Cognitive Functions of ENTJ

Four cognitive functions that guide how ENTJ personality type processes information includes:

Extraverted Thinking

ENTJs are quite rational, objective, and logical. They tend to think things but speak without listening. They are quick to make judgments and decisions before gathering all information. They have a tendency to focus on organized plans and have certain standards that they expect others to abide by. Setting and reaching goals is quite important to them.

Introverted Intuition

ENTJs tend to think about the future and consider multiple possibilities. They are open to change. Although they trust their thinking and judgment, sometimes they regret being impulsive when jumping to a decision too soon. 

Extraverted Sensing

ENTJs are open to new sensory experiences particularly adventure and thrill. They enjoy the beauty in life and like to keep themselves surrounded by interesting things that stimulate their senses.

Introverted Feeling

ENTJs particularly find emotions and feelings difficult to understand. They tend to keep this part separate when making any decision. Situations that call for emotional expression are pretty uncomfortable for them and they find it difficult to give the right emotional response. 

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

 ENFP: The Champion (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

The ENFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a unique personality. It generally describes people who are enthusiastic, imaginative, flexible, innovative, creative, empathic, and value their independence. Up to 5 to 7 percent of people are estimated to have the ENFP personality type.

Four Cognitive Functions of ENFP

Four cognitive functions that guide how ENFP personality type processes information includes:

Extraverted Intuition

ENFPs are open to new challenges and possibilities. Their focus is more on abstract ideas rather than concrete ones. So, they mostly try to imagine what the future may hold. Their tendency to understand things in terms of possible ideas rather than how they actually might exist enables them to detect patterns or relationships among people, ideas, and the world.

Introverted Feeling

ENFPs put a high value on their emotions and feelings whenever they make decisions. In other words, rationality/objectivity or logic is not their first go-to option when deciding any course of action. Consequently, they try to understand how they and other people feel. This makes them naturally empathic. Furthermore, they prioritize their values and try to make decisions that are in line with it.

Extraverted Thinking 

Apart from feelings, ENFPs do try to give due value to logic and thinking as part of their ‘self’. Their focus is on trying to organize, link, and spot connections among ideas. Thus, they may have a tendency to lay out information, so that each of their thoughts is clearly linked to each other. 

Introverted Sensing

Whenever they are interacting with people or new things, ENFPs may try to relate, connect, and compare present experiences with past experiences. Their focus is to find any commonalities or patterns between the two. This is because doing so can help them predict or expect what the future may bring. Thus, memories, feelings and thoughts related to the past play an important role in their life.

A Comparison of ENTJ and ENFP

Personality: ENTJ vs ENFP

ENTJ personalities like change in life. They perceive things in a conceptual manner and tend to look at the big picture. It is easy for them to devise long term plans that are systematic. You can count on an ENTJ to drive towards the final goal and make sure that things reach completion. They are confident, authoritative, and straight-forward which makes them good leaders who don’t get fazed by obstacles in their way.

ENFP is considered a very imaginative, innovative, energetic, and spontaneous personality. They are always in search of new ideas and are pretty accepting of multiple perspectives. They are considered risk-takers who make use of every opportunity life throws at them. Their approach is people-centered, caring, and empathetic. However, they dislike getting into detail and following through with commitments as they easily get distracted by the next exciting challenge.

Workstyle: ENTJ vs ENFP

Both ENTJ and ENFP personalities have different working styles in their workplace. 

ENTJs are usually team leaders at their workplace whether or not he/she is formally elected. An ENTJ is motivated, driven, and strategic. They lead their team members in reaching the final goal at a good pace along with tackling any hurdles in the way with ease. They are passionate about structure, goals, rules, and clarity at their workplace and expect others to follow a similar standard in their professional behavior.

At their workplace, due to their good interpersonal skills, warm attitude towards others, and good people reading skills, they contribute a new perspective and creative problem-solving to the office team. If they are elected as leaders, they are caring and thoughtful but not good at devising work systems or dealing with bad news. They also don’t like rules and regulations or strict structures in work proceedings which explains why they dislike being controlled by management.  They prefer flexibility, innovation, and stimulation and avoid tasks that are repetitive or monotonous.

Conflict: ENTJ vs ENFP

Attitude towards conflict and its management by both personalities can vary.

ENTJs perceive conflict as an opportunity for discussion and getting work done. They like a good argument and usually stick by their views. However, they don’t hold on to the conflict for long and forget it soon after. Their general attitude is of dislike for any factors preventing them from reaching their final goal. Hence, their focus is to make their opinions clear and direct so that change can happen immediately. Their language during conflicts is usually direct and factual which makes them seem insensitive and inconsiderate to other people.

ENFPs usually avoid conflict and try to resolve the matter peacefully and warmly. They dislike injustice/ unfairness and strive for harmony. Their language during conflicts is emotionally loaded. Furthermore, they can easily open up about themselves in such situations.

Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs ENFP

The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and ENFP are similar in some respects and different in others. Particularly, the manner of relating to others, perceiving other people, and how others perceive them is distinct for both personalities. 

ENTJs are usually energetic, assertive, confident, and straightforward. Their conversation with other people is centered on good arguments, debates and discussion backed up by logic. Due to this, they can be insensitive or fail to take into account the feelings of other people. So, people get upset and perceive them to be critical. Their emotional side is pretty weak and they perceive problems in the form of concepts. Although they can share their thoughts easily and are clear in their communication but it lacks the emotional component. They are mostly concerned with getting the work done and find it hard to wait for others to reach their understanding. Nor do they accurately perceive the actual meaning of silence in a situation.

ENFPs are usually outgoing, happy, positive, and hopeful in the presence of others. At times, they can be sensitive and take criticism seriously. They may have a need to be liked and approved by others. People perceive them as likable, genuine, and fun to be around. They are usually emotionally expressive and can be found at the center of dramatic situations. However, they try to keep the environment light for other people to feel comfortable. They can be future-oriented, open to possibilities, and driven to care about other people in many situations. 

 FAQs: ENTJ vs ENFP

Are ENTJ and ENFP compatible?

Yes, ENTJs and ENFPs can be compatible. Although they are not each other’s ideal partners, they can still enjoy a healthy relationship. They have similarities as well as differences and both partners can draw from each other’s opposing traits and learn. 

Who should an ENFP marry?

ENFP should marry INTJ or INFJ. This is because their dominant extroverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant introverted intuition of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.

Who should an ENTJ marry?

ENTJ should marry an INTP or the ISTP. This is because their dominant function of extraverted thinking can be matched well by the dominant introverted thinking of such partners. However, they can enjoy good relationships with other personality types as well.

Are ENFPs flirty?

Yes. ENFPs are known to be flirty who can use their natural charm to connect with others in a playful manner. 

Conclusion

In this article, we compared ENTJ vs ENFP  personality types.  We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted and intuitive i.e. they like socializing and conceptual ideas. They are different as well since ENTJs are logical and like to follow a plan. Compared to them, ENFPs are emotional and spontaneous. 

I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊

Citations

https://www.verywellmind.com/entj-personality-type-2795981

https://www.verywellmind.com/enfp-an-overview-of-the-champion-personality-type-2795980

https://personalityatwork.co/types/enfp/vs/entj

https://www.crystalknows.com/personality-type/relationship/entj-enfp

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