ENTJ vs INFP: (A Comparative Analysis)

In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs INFP 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 INFP

If we consider ENTJ vs INFP  and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are intuitive personalities i.e. they like finding deeper meaning in things. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted, logical thinkers and like things to be decided and according to a plan. Compared to them, INFPs are introverted, feelers, and like their options open till the last moment. 

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 INFP 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.

INFP: The Mediator (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving)

The INFP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are idealistic, dreamers, or mediators. They are introverts with creative tendencies and hold strong values. They strive to make a difference by helping others. Furthermore, they spend a lot of time trying to reflect and understand their role in the world and how they can use their skills to serve other people. Only 4.4% of INFP personality type exists in the world.  

Four Cognitive Functions of INFP

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

Introverted Feeling

INFPs feel emotions deeply and keep the process internal due to which others perceive them as cold and unemotional. However, they possess high empathy for other people and are very compassionate.

Extroverted Intuition

INFPs are very imaginative and preoccupied with ‘What if’ scenarios. They spend most of their time in their internal world. Whereas while interacting with the outside world, they rely on their intuition, focus on the bigger picture, and try to make things happen that will shape up the future in a positive way. This makes them good leaders who can bring about revolutionary change. 

Introverted Sensing

INFPs visualize things while processing information. This helps them in revisiting their memories and reevaluating them from an analytical perspective in  less stressful situations. They relive experiences along with the associated emotions when doing so. 

Extroverted Thinking

INFPs focus on details, logic, and organization but only in a stressful situation. Usually, they rely on their emotions and intuitions instead of logic. However, developing the thinking part of their personality can balance them out.  

A Comparison of ENTJ and INFP

Personality: ENTJ vs INFP

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.

INFPs on the other hand are focused on finding meaning and harmony in their life. They keep their values close to their heart and try to keep their actions in line with them. They are caring, deep, reserved, and empathic people who dislike being controlled or told what to think or do by others.

Workstyle: ENTJ vs INFP

Both ENTJ and INFP 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.

In the workplace, INFPs are focused on doing the right thing. They are gentle, quiet, and supportive in their approach, especially towards their team members. You will find an INFP working in the background rather than at the front as a leader. They dislike rules, routines, and being controlled by a harsh manager. Rather they prefer freedom, flexibility, and spontaneity while working and want to be driven by some higher meaning. Creativity, imagination, and ideas come easily to them due to their rich inner world.

Conflict: ENTJ vs INFP

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.

INFPs prefer harmony, positivity, and seek good things in others instead of focusing on conflicts. However, if their values are challenged, they become outspoken and defend themselves. They are mostly the conflict diffusers who bring harmony by being empathic and seeing both perspectives of the parties in disagreement. After a heavy conflict like situation, INFPs need their space to recharge and reflect.

 Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs INFP

The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and INFP 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.

On the other hand, INFPs are curious about what’s happening around them but shy to actively seek information. They dislike the limelight but feel excluded if they are kept uninformed. They are emotional but not expressive which can lead to an overspill of emotions in unexpected situations. They are in tune with the feelings of others and are empathic. 

 FAQs: ENTJ vs INFP

Conclusion

In this article, we compared ENTJ vs INFP  personality types.  We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are intuitive personalities i.e. they like finding deeper meaning in things. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted, logical thinkers and like things to be decided and according to a plan. Compared to them, INFPs are introverted, feelers, and like their options open till the last moment. 

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/infp-a-profile-of-the-idealist-personality-type-2795987

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

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