ENTJ vs ESFJ: (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs ESFJ 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 ESFJ

 If we consider ENTJ vs ESFJ  and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted and judging types i.e. they like socializing and following routines & schedules. They are different as well since ENTJs focus on logic and the big picture. Compared to them, ESFJs are feelers who focus on details. 

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 ESFJ 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:

Extroverted 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. 

Extroverted 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. 

ESFJ: The Caregiver (Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)

The ESFJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are social, trustworthy, organized/structured, caring, and compassionate. They tend to see the good in other people and always try to support, encourage, and help others.  9% to 13% percent of people are estimated to have an ESFJ personality type. 

Four Cognitive Functions of ESFJ

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

Extroverted feeling

ESFJs prioritize their feelings and emotions when making any decision and are quick to do so. Although they take into account how their decision may impact others but their strong reliance on their ‘gut feeling’ to make judgments about situations or people may not be reflective of actual reality. This can lead to snap and harsh decisions which may turn out to be faulty later. ESFJs are also emotionally open and expressive about what they think and feel. 

Introverted sensing 

ESFJs like to live in the present rather than obsessing about the past or planning about the future. Their priority is to focus on ideas that are concrete, immediate, and practical. In contrast, abstract or theoretical information is not their cup of tea. 

Extroverted intuition 

ESFJs are able to make connections and links among things. They are open to exploring multiple possibilities and perspectives. Being able to detect and predict patterns in their environment helps them to understand other people and their lives in a better way.

Introverted sensing 

ESFJs like organization, planning, and structure in life. Having a detailed step-wise plan that is concrete makes them feel more in control. However, this serves as a difficulty when they have to analyze information that is more theoretical, abstract, or philosophical.

A Comparison of ENTJ and ESFJ

Personality: ENTJ vs ESFJ

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.

ESFJs are personalities that are driven by duty. They are people-centered and action-oriented. This means that they like things that can be done practically. Anything that is idealistic or abstract, they don’t pay much attention to it. They keep themselves organized and make systematic plans. Sometimes, they can be over-controlling especially when trying to execute things in the best manner possible.

Workstyle: ENTJ vs ESFJ

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

ENTJs are usually team leaders at their work 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, ESFJs try to take care of their team members, their issues, and make efforts to prevent mistakes from happening. They do work in an orderly manner and make sure things are done right. As leaders, they try to balance both the people and the work. They also play a lot of attention to detail and may forget the big picture. ESFJs prefer clear instructions, closure, and completion and dislike vagueness, loose ends, and work done in a half-hearted manner. Although they are not the most creative people when required to come up with original ideas but you can count on an ESFJ to get the work done timely and properly

Conflict: ENTJ vs ESFJ

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.

ESFJs on the other hand adopt a problem and solution-focused approach when faced with a conflict. They try to create harmony in a practical way and may adopt the ‘parent’ role in doing so. Since they are duty-driven, ESFJs think their obligations are more important than relaxing or having fun.  Consequently, they can be emotional and feel under-appreciated in such situations.

Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs ESFJ

The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and ESFJ 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.

ESFJs are cooperative and sympathetic when dealing with people. They can be emotional and share their feelings easily with others. However, their manner of dealing with others and their feelings is again practical. They state and expect others to follow a structured plan. For ESFJ, their sense of duty and fulfillment of responsibilities is the most important.  

 FAQs: ENTJ vs ESFJ

Conclusion

In this article, we compared ENTJ vs ESFJ  personality types.  We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted and judging types i.e. they like socializing and following routines & schedules. They are different as well since ENTJs focus on logic and the big picture. Compared to them, ESFJs are feelers who focus on details.  

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/esfj-extraverted-sensing-feeling-judging-2795983

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

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