ENTJ vs ISFJ (A Comparative Analysis)
By
PsychReel
In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs ISFJ 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 ISFJ
If we consider ENTJ vs ISFJ and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are judging personalities i.e. they like organization and following goals. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted, logical thinkers, and are creative. Compared to them, ISFJs are introverted, feelers, empathic, and practical in nature.
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 ISFJ 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.
ISFJ: The Protector (Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)
The ISFJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are warm, private, responsible, attentive to detail, practical, and sensitive. They have difficulty understanding abstract concepts, dislike change, avoid their own needs, and avoid confrontation. 9-14% of people have an ISFJ personality type in the world.
Four Cognitive Functions of ISFJ
Four cognitive functions that guide how ISFJ personality type processes information includes:
Introverted Sensing
ISFJs are detail-oriented, attuned to their environment, prefer facts over abstract ideas, and are grounded in reality. They are traditional and try to protect what they know. Their decisions are heavily drawn from their past experiences which helps them in predicting how the future will play out.
Extroverted Feeling
ISFJs are proponents of social harmony and connection. They try to be kind, considerate, and helpful to others in order to do so. They also put the needs of others before their own to make them happy and satisfied.
Introverted Thinking
ISFJs like order, planning, and organization in their life. They use logic to understand the world and compare new information with prior experiences to detect any patterns or connections. They try to comprehend things as a whole and see how individual parts contribute to it.
Extroverted Intuition
This is the weakest part of ISFJ’s personality. They try to be focused on the present and concrete facts. However, if they develop this part of their personality, they can be more balanced as it can help them explore ‘what if’ scenarios, consider new possibilities, and understand things from different perspectives.
A Comparison of ENTJ and ISFJ
Personality: ENTJ vs ISFJ
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.
ISFJs are conscientious, quiet, and hardworking people who work in the background to make things happen. They are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities and loyal to the people and organizations they are associated with. They are knowledgeable, have a good memory, and are quiet supporters of people in their life. They try to solve the problems of others and put their needs above their own..
Workstyle: ENTJ vs ISFJ
Both ENTJ and ISFJ 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, ISFJs are planners who bring order, clarity, and a good pace to reach the goal to their team. They do things in a quiet, caring, and practical way and are rarely leaders. Since they are loyal, attentive to detail, perfectionistic, and reliable, they produce high-quality work. They also work fine under management. The only thing they require is clarity and trust in doing their job. Although they are not creative or bring original ideas, they have good memory for facts and detail and can make sure things work out practically
Conflict: ENTJ vs ISFJ
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.
ISFJs dislike conflict and work hard to create harmony. They can diffuse conflicts but don’t enjoy doing so. They take a stand for what is right even if they feel uncomfortable doing so. Since they are quiet and try to see good in others, they look for a solution that makes everyone happy. However, they do tire out after a heavy argument-like situation and need alone time to recharge.
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Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs ISFJ
The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and ISFJ 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, ISFJs are quiet, caring, and have strong values. They are reserved, do not like spontaneity or big crowds. They try to be helpful and supportive of people close to them & give them their time generously. Although they are emotional but try to not burden others. So, they keep their feelings hidden. They do however open up to a few selective people in their lives.
If you’ve enjoyed the ”ENTJ vs ISFJ” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”ENTJ vs ESTP” too.
FAQs: ENTJ vs ISFJ
Are ENTJ and ISFJ compatible?
Yes, ENTJs and ISFJs can be compatible. Although they are not each other’s ideal partners, they can still enjoy a healthy relationship. They have similarities i.e. judging function and differences i.e. extroversion & introversion, Intuition vs sensing, and Thinking vs feeling. Both partners can draw from each other’s opposing traits and learn.
Who should an ISFJ marry?
ISFJ should marry ESTP or ESFP. This is because their dominant introverted sensing can be matched well by the dominant extroverted 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.
Do ISFJs like hugs?
ISFJs are affectionate people. So, they enjoy giving and receiving hugs.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared ENTJ vs ISFJ personality types. We found that both personalities are similar as they are judging personalities i.e. they like organization and following goals. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted, logical thinkers, and are creative. Compared to them, ISFJs are introverted, feelers, empathic, and practical in nature.
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/isfj-introverted-sensing-feeling-judging-2795990
https://personalityatwork.co/types/entj/vs/isfj
