In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs ESFP 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 ESFP
If we consider ENTJ vs ESFP and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted i.e. they like socializing. They are different as well since ENTJs focus on logic, the big picture, and following a plan. Compared to them, ESFPs are feelers who focus on details and like to act spontaneously.
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 ESFP 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.
ESFP: The Performer (Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
The ESFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are social, externally oriented, like going out, spontaneous/impulsive, and resourceful. They are usually the center of attention and are famous for being the class clowns or the entertainers at gatherings. 4-10% percent of people are estimated to have an ESFP personality type.
Four Cognitive Functions of ESFP
Four cognitive functions that guide how ESFP personality type processes information includes:
Extroverted Sensing
ESFPs live in the moment and do not really care about obsessing over the past or the future. Their emphasis is on concrete ideas over abstract ones. They do not like to plan or organize rather their priority is to be flexible and open to possibilities. Their problem-solving approach is based on instinct, is realistic and practical. Accordingly, they are self-sufficient and trust their abilities while making the final call.
Introverted Feeling
ESFPs prioritize their feelings and values over facts & logical reasoning. They are emotionally intelligent and empathic. This helps them in being adept at detecting their own and other people’s emotions, thoughts, feelings e. They can understand the perspectives of others with ease.
Extroverted Thinking
ESFPs are not reliant on organization, plans, order, logic, productivity, or outcome. As a result, this part of their personality is weak and they may not feel secure in sharing their judgment with others particularly if the matter is sensitive and may unsettle group harmony.
Introverted Intuition
ESFPs can make connections and links between observed phenomena. They can even detect patterns based on prior experience but the problem arises if the topic is abstract. This is because they find it difficult to use logic to understand such concepts. Nonetheless, they can still gain insight and experience Aha moments upon getting an understanding of themselves and the world.
A Comparison of ENTJ and ESFP
Personality: ENTJ vs ESFP
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.
ESFPs are externally oriented, social, people-focused, and curious about understanding others & their experiences. Consequently, they stand for harmony, empathy, and support for other people. They dislike rules, schedules, & organization and may disregard them especially if someone needs their help. ESFPs try their best to balance out the warm & caring part of their personality with the practical aspect of life.
Workstyle: ENTJ vs ESFP
Both ENTJ and ESFP 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, ESFPs focus on positively influencing their team members. They help them out and also act as initiators for action. They are the glue that keeps everyone together and in harmony. They struggle with bad news or tough decisions. ESFPs work best when they are not micro-managed and left free to make choices, which ultimately adds value to the organization. However, they may disregard rules if they see that a situation calls for practical help as soon as possible. As a professional, they are not the type to come up with original/innovative ideas. Rather they are the ones you can count on when hands-on help is needed by anyone.
Conflict: ENTJ vs ESFP
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.
On the other hand, ESFPs dislike conflict, are sensitive, take criticism seriously, and strive towards harmony. They have skills to use their charisma in diffusing problematic situations from escalating. Although they are not fans of confrontation but their need to fix things immediately, helps them in solving conflicts within them or between other people.
Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs ESFP
The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and ESFP 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.
ESFPs are social, people-centered, empathic, caring, and fun-loving. Their strong desire to help, please, and offer support to others drives them in life. They are emotionally expressive & can understand the feelings of others but they will not share personal information so readily. Thus, their vulnerable side is reserved for people close to them. They are also sensitive and can easily get hurt.
FAQs: ENTJ vs ESFP
Are ENTJ and ESFP compatible?
Yes, ENTJs and ESFPs can be compatible. Although they are not each other’s ideal partners, they can still enjoy a healthy relationship. They have more differences than similarities. But both partners can draw from each other’s opposing traits and learn.
Who should an ESFP marry?
ESFP should marry ISTJ or ISFJ. This is because their dominant extroverted sensing can be matched well by the dominant introverted sensing 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.
How rare is ESFP?
ESFP is not that rare. It is the third most common personality among women and seventh-most among men.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared ENTJ vs ESFP personality types. We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted i.e. they like socializing. They are different as well since ENTJs focus on logic, the big picture, and following a plan. Compared to them, ESFPs are feelers who focus on details and like to act spontaneously.
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/esfp-extraverted-sensing-feeling-perceiving-2795984
https://personalityatwork.co/types/entj/vs/esfp