The ENTJ personality embodies enduring leadership predispositions. As you learn ENTJ functions, you’ll discover what characterizes you across varying types of situations.

ENTJs are strategic leaders, motivated by change. They see inefficiency and develop innovative solutions. Their key strength is they enjoy developing long-term initiatives to accomplish goals. They have a keen sense of reason and are usually articulate and quick-witted.

Because ENTJs are analytical and objective, they like to bring order to the world surrounding them. ENTJs see flaws in systems and enjoy discovering and implementing better plans. They are assertive and enjoy taking charge; they see themselves as leaders and managers, organizing people and processes to accomplish goals.

ENTJ Personality Cognitive Functions

Personality functions are the foundation of how each personality type consistently operates in the world. The functions illustrate how they make decisions, respond to input, and react in social settings. Functions help you understand the way a personality type deals with situations, decision-making, and other people.

Carl Jung, who conceptualized typing personalities, originated the eight personality functions that underpin personality types. They are:

1. Extroverted Sensing (Se) – using taste, touch, smell, sound, movement, and sight to easily absorb information in the physical world.

2. Introverted Sensing (Si) – understanding the world through past precedent and experience.

3. Extroverted Thinking (Te) – outwardly conveying thoughts using logic, reason, and analysis.

4. Introverted Thinking (Ti) – seeks to understand personal ideas using a deeply specified framework.

5. Extroverted Intuition (Ne) – noticing patterns, symbols, and connections in the world that others may not see.

6. Introverted Intuition (Ni) – knowing without knowing how you know.

7. Extroverted Feeling (Fe) – concerned with harmony, bringing people together, and caring.

8. Introverted Feeling (Fi) – concerned with authenticity, individualism, and values.

Each personality type incorporates all eight functions. But the types differ, as some functions are dominant in a personality type, and other functions are subordinate. The rankings are categorized:

Dominant function

The first function is called the dominant function, the strongest one. You use it so often, you may not even realize you are doing it.

Auxiliary function

The helper function assists the dominant function in conveying ideas and is also relatively strong in your personality.

Tertiary function

The tertiary function may be slightly under-developed but does start to manifest in your type more prominently as you mature.

Inferior function

The inferior function is challenging to access and often only comes out under stress.

Each personality type has four cognitive functions. The range on two scales—Sensing-Intuition (used to process information) and Thinking-Feeling (used to make decisions).

Consider the way dominant functions affect how a personality type plans or doesn’t plan, uses logical process or not, and how they interact in social situations and relationships.
Despite sharing some common traits with the ESTJ personality, the ENTJ is more focused on impressions and meanings rather than memories or details.

Understanding your personality type functions will help you choose your future work environment and your career role.

ENTJ Cognitive Functions

ENTJ functions combine to create a personality that encourages take-charge actions. When you look closely at the cognitive functions of their brains, you will see right away why they enjoy accomplishing tasks and thinking about the future. Their dominant trait is extroverted thinking.

• Dominant: Te (extroverted Thinking) – the primary way that ENTJs interact with the world around them. This thinking fosters them to be efficient, get things done, and make logical decisions in the moment.
• Auxiliary: Ni (iNtroverted intuition) – able to see 10 steps ahead and predict what might happen in the future. Also, it is the ENTJ’s way to access many parts of their brain to find solutions.
• Tertiary: Se (extroverted iNtuition) – craves new experiences and ideas. With the knowledge and details of previous experiences, they create plans for new and exciting projects.
• Inferior: Fi (introverted Feeling) – assess situations and see how they correlate with their belief.

These cognitive functions lead to visionary leadership and the ability to bring others into their vision.

Each function affects people’s perceptions of the world and their decisions. The dominant function appears as the most prominent aspect of personality, while the auxiliary function plays a supporting role. Under stress, the tertiary function has a stronger influence, but is usually not apparent. The inferior function is chiefly unconscious and often a weakness. When an ENTJ develops the inferior function, they can form a more balanced personality.

Dominant: Extraverted Thinking

• ENTJs tend to speak first without listening, making snap judgments before taking in the facts.
• The function of ENTJ is expressed in their decisions and judgments
• Though they tend to make snap judgments, they are also extremely rational and objective. The aim of their actions is to impose order and standards on the world around them. Goal setting is important.

Auxiliary: Introverted Intuition

• Those with this personality type are futuristic and always consider possibilities when approaching a decision.
• ENTJs are forward-looking, and do not fear change. Trusting their instincts, they tend to regret jumping to conclusions so quickly.

Tertiary: Extraverted Sensing

• A type of cognitive function that encourages ENTJs to take risks. They enjoy new experiences and engage in thrill-seeking activities occasionally.
• They also appreciate beautiful things in life because of their outward sensory focus. They frequently find things attractive or interesting and enjoy spending time with them.

Inferior: Introverted Feeling

• Introverted feeling is centered on internal emotions and values. Emotions are a difficult area for ENTJs, and they often lack an understanding of how these parts of their personality help them make decisions.
• When introverted feeling is weak, situations that call for an emotional response can make them feel uncomfortable or awkward.

ENTJ Personality Traits

ENTJs thrive by setting long-term goals and making analysis-driven decisions, and they can often lead under pressure.

ENTJs are leaders for a reason. They create a vision of what should be and how those around them should be. Their traits often come across as natural leadership.

Driven, determined, and charismatic, ENTJs are one of a kind. ENTJs work tirelessly to achieve their goals. They live by the saying, Where there is a will there is a way.

Efficiency is their work mode and they expect it in others.

ENTJs are also ruthlessly rational. They can overwhelm more timid types and even seem insensitive and uncaring in their drive to get things done.

Being natural-born leaders, they excel at taking charge and paving the way for others in order to accomplish goals. They have high standards, know what they want, and push others to achieve.

ENTJs are highly work-oriented and tend to strong ambition as they climb the corporate ladder. In addition, they can take the long view, analyzing any given situation and deciding ahead of time how best to achieve their goals.

A typical ENTJ personality type abhors mistakes and inefficiency more than others. They go about their day-to-day tasks with considerable precision and expect others to follow suit. However, they are also excellent communicators and engage others, which means they can organize others into a concerted effort.

Because of their work ethic, they may focus on work and miss life’s little joys like spending time with others or engaging in personal hobbies.

Besides internal precision and efficiency, ENTJ personality types can use significant amounts of personal discipline in their own lives. This is one reason ENTJs make such outstanding leaders and why they often get the best results from those around them.

ENTJs are rare, making up only 2 percent of the population. And there’s a gender difference as well. While 3% of the male population are ENTJs, only 1 percent of women fall into this unique personality type. 

A person with the ENTJ personality type is competitive, highly motivated, and focused, and sees most everything in the big picture.

ENTJ Strengths and Weaknesses

ENTJs enjoy remarkable strengths which they need to temper with an awareness of their weaknesses.

ENTJ Strengths

Strong willed: It is admirable that ENTJs remain impervious to criticism. When they form a position or make a decision, they don’t buckle under pressure. They are so certain of their beliefs and their deft logic that they stand firm in their conclusions. To change their mind, you must either be smarter or outright prove them wrong. An ENTJ is not afraid to speak out, is open to criticism, and does not take everything personally.

Efficient: ENTJs are known for their sheer productivity, efficiency, and focus, often able to accomplish many tasks without abandoning or defaulting on any of them. Their work requires little effort, and they yield more than favorable results. ENTJs are rarely discouraged, even when their plans or positions do not seem to work or take longer than expected. Their core belief is that they cannot fail.

Strategic thinking: ENTJs are superior problem solvers and sharp thinkers. They are always on the lookout for great ideas and can analyze the situation from every angle and plan accordingly. Problems spur them on rather than being overwhelmed by them. Their strong conceptual ability allows them to ensure that every project moves forward with smart, long-term solutions.

Charismatic leaders: ENTJs live in a world full of possibilities and face challenges that they readily accept. With their energy and charisma, they inspire others and motivate others as natural leaders. Many people choose ENTJs as their leaders, and this allows ENT Js to make ambitious plans they could never achieve on their own.

ENTJ Weaknesses

Blunt and dominant: ENTJs are experts at finding flaws and holes, given their logical thinking. Combined with their characteristic bluntness and lack of respect for others’ feelings, it can make them appear critical, and unrelenting. Everyone doesn’t appreciate having their flaws highlighted and showcased so often.

Intolerant: ENTJs hold others to their high standards, thinking everyone should work as much as they do. They lose patience with people who are naturally less direct or slower. Their stringent perceptions can intimidate those who fall under the ENTJ’s criticism.

Arrogant: ENTJs admire and expect decisive action and quick wit. They can look down on those who don’t meet their criteria. Although taking pride in yourself can be a good thing, it often results in arrogance, particularly when it hits those who have not contributed as much effort and do not have the same courage in their convictions.

Poor handling of emotions: ENTJs aren’t strong on empathy. When someone holds a different viewpoint, they can be impatient. The ENTJ needs to recognise the value of others’ opinions and consider the other’s feelings. ENTJs are prone to behave imperiously and trample on others’ feelings, which makes them difficult friends.

How To Communicate with an ENTJ

ENTJs think in an organized and strategic manner. They are direct and expect you to be direct. When organizing people and projects, they want a clear idea of how to do it.

They approach goals with a plan to implement in a systematic, task-oriented way. Not only do ENTJs spot flaws in logic, ideas, and plans, they critique freely. ENTJs are action-oriented, aiming their analyses toward action plans.

Effective communication with an ENTJ requires meeting them on their ground. They want efficient communication that has a defined purpose. The best approach is to get to the point, respect their time, and be open to answering questions and clarifying your reasoning.

Before you delineate details, give the ENTJ an overview. They want perspective on the details.The best way to communicate with an ENTJ is to mirror their style.

Be Clear and Objective When Defining the Situation

• Minimize bias and assumption
• Be logical and present rationally
• Be clear
• Provide sound rationale

Get to the Point

• Be direct
• Explain the rationale for addressing the subject
• Be brief and clear
• Get to the point first, then address specifics

Focus on the Big Picture

• Present the overview
• Focus on the long-term, big picture, not details
• Provide interesting, thought-out ideas
• Expect ideas and possibilities as feedback

Allow The ENTJ to Analyze and Evaluate

• Expect many questions
• Be ready for critical feedback
• Allow time for research and evaluation after you present

Be Time Sensitive

• Be on time
• Stay within the allotted meeting time
• Allow time for feedback from the ENTJ’s perspective

Address Both Sides

• Highlight positive and negative aspects
• Be light-hearted, but serious when needed

ENTJ preferences seek efficient communications that have a defined purpose. Share the big picture before sharing details. To achieve success, be honest, respect their time, and be open to answering questions and clarifying your reasoning.

ENTJ Hobbies

With their focus on work, ENTJs still find time for interests and hobbies. These often reflect their strengths. They often take leadership positions in community groups. They attend social gatherings and sporting events. Many enjoy playing competitive sports.

Because ENTJs focus on their careers, their outside interests may be limited, or the ones they choose help further their careers.

ENTJ Careers

ENTJs are attracted to leadership positions so that they can develop strategies to improve efficiency and productivity. They prefer managerial or supervisory roles and want to initiate and lead organizational changes.

ENTJs enjoy solving intractable problems and understanding complex systems so that they can determine where improvement is possible. ENTJs see opportunities to improve systems naturally and are determined to lead teams to carry out their vision. They appreciate an environment where innovation is encouraged and traditions are not held sacred.

ENTJs prefer structure in their work. In their opinion, their work and that of their colleagues should be evaluated on clear guidelines. The environment should be businesslike and fair, where performance is evaluated objectively and rewarded generously. Motivated and hardworking ENTJs would like to be recognized for their efforts with funds, power, and prestige.

An ideal organization for an ENTJ values competence, logical thinking, and intelligent and ambitious colleagues. An ENTJ’s ideal job is one that challenges them to address complex problems with strategic planning and clear goal-setting.

ENTJ Celebrities

An ENTJ’s determination and analytical ability often lead to their outstanding success. Some of history’s most famous people and celebrities fall into the ENTJ category.

Politics

• Alexander Hamilton, U.S. Founder. 
• Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister. 
• Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister. 
• Elizabeth I, Queen of England. 
• Julius Caesar, Roman general and Emperor. 
• Napoleon Bonaparte, Italian-French general, emperor, and king.       
• Angela Merkel, German chancellor.       
• Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, Turkish President.        
• Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese democracy activist.          
• Hannibal Barca, Carthaginian general.       
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. President. 

Business

• Bill Gates, U.S. entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Warren Buffett, U.S. investor. 
• Steve Jobs, U.S. entrepreneur. 
• Jack Welch, U.S. CEO.

Performers

• George Clooney, U.S. actor.       
• Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austrian actor and politician.       
• Harrison Ford, U.S. actor.       
• Jim Carrey, U.S. comedian and actor.       
• Charlize Theron, South African actress.       
• Robert Downey Jr., U.S. actor.       
• Dwayne Johnson, U.S. wrestler and actor.       
• Matt Damon, U.S. actor.       
• Patrick Stewart, English actor.       

Scientists

• Carl Sagan, U.S. astronomer.       
• Werner von Braun, German engineer.       
• Edward Teller, Hungarian physicist.       
• Murray Rothbard, U.S. economist. 

Atheletes

• Vince Lombardi, U.S. football coach.       
• Steve Young, U.S. quarterback.       
• Greg Maddux, U.S. pitcher.       
• Boomer Esiason, U.S. quarterback and broadcaster.       
• Ryne Sandberg, U.S. second baseman.       
• Pau Gasol, Spanish power forward/center.       
• Garry Kasparov, Russian chess grandmaster.       

Writers

• Sheryl Sandberg, U.S. COO and author.       
• Robert James Waller, U.S. author.      

Musicians

• Adele, English singer.       
• Gene Simmons, U.S. rock musician.       
• Ice-T, U.S. rapper and actor.       
• David Geffen, U.S. music and film producer.
• Steve Vai, U.S. guitarist. 

Why Your Personality Type Matters for Career Change

Your personality type is more than a conversation starter. Use them to identify blind spots and begin self-awareness. Knowing your personality type provides a baseline for making career changes. Using your personality type as a filter, you can sort through job descriptions.

When you know how you operate, it is easier to discern what your best traits are and your worst. This knowledge is useful both personally and professionally.

At Elevanation we understand the challenges you face making a career change. We help you objectively evaluate current drawbacks and blocks. Then we guide you to a vision of what an ideal new career path will be.  Our aim is clarity. That’s because clarity gives you guidelines to make an intelligent, informed career choice. Create your change, schedule your FREE Action Call.