ENTJ vs ESTJ: (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs ESTJ 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 ESTJ

If we consider ENTJ vs ESTJ  and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted, thinking and judging personalities i.e. they like socializing, make decisions based on logic and follow plans. They are different as well since ENTJs focuses on the big picture. Compared to them, ESTJs 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 ESTJ 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. 

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.

ESTJ: The Director/Supervisor (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)

The ESTJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are rational, action-oriented, assertive, traditional, and upholders of rules & laws. They possess sound judgment,  have strong beliefs, and expect society to follow similar standards of behavior to theirs.  8-12% percent of people are estimated to have an ESTJ  personality type. 

Four Cognitive Functions of ESTJ

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

Extroverted Thinking

ESTJs rely on logic,  facts, and evidence which make their decisions objective and impartial.  They are practical personalities who prioritize concrete information over abstract or theoretical ideas. Their quick judgment and choice-making make them good leaders but on the downside, they are viewed as harsh by others due to this. 

Introverted Sensing 

ESTJs are detail-oriented. They have a good memory of past experiences which make their inner world quite vivid. It also enables them to make connections between things. Familiarity, habits, and routines give them a sense of stability but can also make them rigid/stubborn in situations where they attempt to retain old habits. Accordingly, novelty and spontaneity unsettles them. 

Extroverted Intuition

ESTJs are open to exploring new ideas and possibilities but only if they are practical. They try to process new information and give it new meaning or try to find connections or patterns among related ideas. 

Introverted Feeling

ESTJs are more oriented towards logic than feelings. However, they do turn to ‘gut feelings’ at times to guide their decisions but that happens less frequently since this part of their personality is weak. Nonetheless, they still give due attention to thinking about their feelings and emotions but at an unconscious or passive level. 

A Comparison of ENTJ and ESTJ

Personality: ENTJ vs ESTJ

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.

ESTJs are straightforward, orderly, and action-oriented personalities. They prioritize getting things done even if it means ignoring issues or feelings of people in their surroundings. You can count on an ESTJ to plan and deliver whatever they commit. Their behavior and decisions are based on their vast knowledge and prior experience.

Workstyle: ENTJ vs ESTJ

Both ENTJ and ESTJ 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 the workplace, ESTJs are the organizers and planners. Their focus is to plan, coordinate, clarify team roles, and meet deadlines in an orderly fashion. They expect others to stick to the plan and perform the designated duties to reach the established goals. They have a high preference for facts, concrete information, common sense, discipline, and seeing things through to the end. However, they dislike abstract ideas, uncertainty, and disorder. You will find an ESTJ following rules and regulations and being happy with knowing and working towards what is expected of them at their workplace.

Conflict: ENTJ vs ESTJ

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.

ESTJs are open to conflict and face it head-on.  Their approach may not be well received by people who are the sensitive type. Consequently, they may get irritated when their plans are not executed and would make sure to verbalize their displeasure. Their communication style is direct, factual, and honest.  Unlike others, they do not hold onto the conflict and move on as soon as things are resolved. 

Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs ESTJ

The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and ESTJ 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.

ESTJs take charge of their relationships.  They are traditional, caring, open, direct, and practical in their approach.  They don’t understand people who are emotional and see their emotional acts as irrational. So, you could say ESTJs are not the empathic type. However, they do take care of matters when required in their unique way.

 FAQs: ENTJ vs ESTJ

Conclusion

In this article, we compared ENTJ vs ESTJ  personality types.  We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are extroverted, thinking and judging personalities i.e. they like socializing, make decisions based on logic and follow plans. They are different as well since ENTJs focuses on the big picture. Compared to them, ESTJs 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/estj-extraverted-sensing-thinking-judging-2795985

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

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