In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs ISTP 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 ISTP
If we consider ENTJ vs ISTP and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are thinking personalities i.e. they are logical thinkers. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted, like socializing, focus on the big picture and follow schedules . Compared to them, ISTPs are introverted, like to spend time alone, focus on details and pursue opportunities at 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 ISTP 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.
ISTP: The Crafter (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving)
The ISTP personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are independent, action-oriented, prefer freedom and flexibility in their life. They are open to new experiences and like engaging in practical activities. Logic, rationality, concrete information, and practical application of things appeal to them more than abstract ideas. They dislike routine and prefer newness in their life. 5.4% of people have an ISTP personality type in the world.
Four Cognitive Functions of ISTP
Four cognitive functions that guide how ISTP personality type processes information includes:
Introverted Thinking
ISTPs spend most of their time thinking and processing information which they rarely express to others. Consequently, they prefer being quiet most of the time. Their actions are based on their strong observational and thinking skills. You could say they are rational and logical people who like to engage in practical activities. Furthermore, while analysing situations, they can put their emotions aside and see things objectively. Such personalities are hard to get to know for other people due to their action-oriented and reserved nature.
Extroverted Sensing
ISTPs are present-oriented who do not think about the past or the future excessively. They are logical and enjoy learning about how things function and operate. They love the practical application of concepts. So they learn more by doing than from reading theories or abstract ideas.
Introverted Intuition
ISTPs often have gut feelings about different situations especially before making a decision. They can turn abstract concepts into actions or practical ideas. Due to their intuitive function, they are also able to have moments of insight about themselves and others.
Extroverted Feeling
This is the weakest part of ISTP’s personality. They are usually calm and logical. However, in stressful situations, they can have emotional outbursts and lash out at others. This is because they usually ignore their feelings till they reach a breaking point.
A Comparison of ENTJ and ISTP
Personality: ENTJ vs ISTP
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.
ISTPs are quiet people who like to solve problems while remaining in the background. They get excited by solving challenging problems using their knowledge and practical skills. This helps them in fixing things. However, they easily get bored once a task is over and move on to new challenges.
Workstyle: ENTJ vs ISTP
Both ENTJ and ISTP 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, ISTPs use their experience and knowledge to contribute to their team. They are determined problem-solvers who move to new challenges once they are done solving an issue. They can manage crisis well but are not good at leading people. They like independence and freedom to solve practical situations. Consequently, routine and schedules do not appeal to them. They are quite detail-oriented and prefer concrete information over abstract or creative ideas.
Conflict: ENTJ vs ISTP
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.
ISTPs love conflict as it allows them a chance to fix things. However, they do not actively seek it. Their conflict management style is practical, solution-oriented, logical, and quick with respect to time. They keep their communication short and to the point to resolve things quickly. If conflicts get dragged, they start getting drained as they need action as soon as possible.
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Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs ISTP
The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and ISTP 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, ISTPs are friendly but practical in their interpersonal interactions. They engage in matters only if it interests them. Whereas, emotions do not appeal to them since they are emotionally closed off and don’t really understand the concept of feelings of self and others. Generally, they are thrillseekers who go where the action is but go back to being passive once they have experienced the buzz.
If you’ve enjoyed the ”ENTJ vs ISTP” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”ENTJ vs ISTJ” and ”ENTJ vs INTJ” too.
FAQs: ENTJ vs ISTP
Are ENTJ and ISTP compatible?
Yes, ENTJs and ISTPs can be compatible. They are each other’s ideal partners and can enjoy a healthy relationship. They have similarities i.e. judging function and differences i.e. extroversion & introversion, intuition vs sensing, judging vs perceiving function. Both partners can draw from each other’s opposing traits and learn.
Who should an ISTP marry?
ISTP should marry ESTJ or ENTJ. This is because their dominant introverted thinking can be matched well by the dominant extroverted thinking 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.
Are ISTPs loyal?
ISTPs are extremely loyal in their relationships.
Conclusion
In this article, we compared ENTJ vs ISTP personality types. We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are thinking personalities i.e. they are logical thinkers. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted, like socializing, focus on the big picture and follow schedules . Compared to them, ISTPs are introverted, like to spend time alone, focus on details and pursue opportunities at the last moment
If you’ve enjoyed the ”ENTJ vs ISTP” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”ENTJ vs INTP” too.
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/istp-introverted-sensing-thinking-perceiving-2795993
https://personalityatwork.co/types/entj/vs/istp
https://www.crystalknows.com/personality-type/relationship/istp-entj