Let’s talk ENTP and INFP Personality traits

Welcome back once again to our series on personality, attitude, life, and career. Personality systems are useful to help you achieve more in your life as well as your career.

Today, I’m sharing the details with you about personality basics in addition to more specific information about the personality types. More specifically, we’re talking about people with the Myers-Briggs personality types: ENTP and INFP. The ENTP personality type is often referred to as the “Debater” and the INFP personality type is often referred to as the “Mediator.”

ENTP personality types are often seen as the most creative of all personality types. They love to explore and think about new possibilities and ideas. They are very much in touch with their emotions, but they also have a tendency to overthink things and can be too analytical. About 3.2% of the population fits this personality type.

INFP personality types are introverted, caring, and creative. They enjoy spending time alone in their thoughts and they generally show little interest in socializing with others. They care deeply about people and causes but can be shy when it comes to communicating their opinions or feelings to others. Approximately 4.4% of the population fits this personality type.

The Main Differences in ENTP vs. INFP Personality Traits

To understand more about the way personality works, it helps if you can remember that these personality systems are merely tools to help you recognize the type of person you are. Think about them like feedback tools where there is some overlap between how people interact with others and the world around them.

The most significant difference is that ENTPs are extroverted, while INFPs are introverted. This means that ENTPs are outgoing and they enjoy being around people, while INFPs are reserved and prefer to be alone. 

Simply put, the ENTP is an extrovert, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving type of person. They are usually the ones who take charge of the situation. The INFP is an introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving type of person. They are usually the ones who are more reserved in social settings.

Another difference is that ENTPs are thinking types, while INFPs are feeling types. This means that the former relies on logic to make decisions, while the latter depends on their personal values to make decisions.

ENTPs also have a natural curiosity about everything, so they want to explore new things all the time, while INFPs see themselves as more private people who don’t like to share too much about themselves. ENTPs like to be spontaneous, while INFPs want to plan ahead before making any decisions or commitments.

In a professional setting, ENTPs are more likely to be in a leadership role where they can debate ideas with their team members. They enjoy being able to voice their opinions in a team setting and appreciate when others do the same. INFPs are more likely to be in a support role to offer emotional support for their team members. They enjoy listening and providing comfort when others need it most.

Personality Traits of the ENTP and INFP Personality Type

Looking at the ENTP and INFP characteristics allows us to compare them. While both have individual characteristics, there is some marked overlap between the two.

Characteristics of the ENTP Personality Type

The ENTP personality type is one of the sixteen types of personalities in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). They are known for being open-minded, innovative, and enthusiastic. They are also very good at coming up with new ideas.

ENTPs are usually intelligent and analytical. They enjoy debating and challenging others’ points of view. They are often seen as witty and fun because they like to joke around with people. They often have a knack for understanding complex systems or patterns of data quickly, which makes them good at coming up with solutions to problems that arise in the workplace.

ENTPs are extroverts who use their intuition to understand how others think and perceive the world around them, allowing them to be more persuasive in social situations.

Famous ENTP People Include

Characteristics of the INFP Personality Type

The INFP personality type is one of the 16 personality types in the MBTI system. The INFP personality type is typically creative, imaginative, and sensitive. They are introspective and enjoy exploring their own thoughts and feelings. They are often good listeners and people with high emotional intelligence.

The INFP personality type can be found in approximately 4% of the population, making it one of the more rare types. INFPs are introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving. They are often described as creative and highly sensitive.

They are imaginative and kind-hearted. INFPs want to make a difference in the world, and they enjoy spending time alone to contemplate their thoughts. They have a deep need for meaning in their lives and want to help others find it, too.

Their creativity is evident in how they see things from a different perspective that others don’t notice or understand.

INFPs favor working with people one on one or in small groups rather than large crowds of people that can be overwhelming for them because of their sensitivity to external stimuli like noise, lights, etc. They might sometimes be described as “Highly Sensitive People” (HSP).

Famous INFP People Include

Diving a Little Deeper Into ENTP Strengths and Weaknesses

ENTPs are bold and fearless. They’re not afraid of trying and failing and doing it all again. For them, it’s just a step forward. This personality type loves to innovate, too. As far as they’re concerned, there’s always another better way to get things done. 

Thankfully, ENTPs tend to be pretty fluid and can adapt pretty easily. They’re great at improvising and respond well in a fast-paced environment. Their confidence emanates from their inner selves and they can seldom be talked out of their ideas.

Unfortunately, ENTPs also tend to be flighty because they have so many ideas and struggle to follow through. They’d rather keep exploring and tend to appear chaotic. ENTPs get stuck on ideas and forget about the daily tasks at hand. Despite their brilliance, they also tend to be disorganized.

While their inclination to be different can seem like a good thing, sometimes, it puts them at odds, especially when it comes to authority figures. ENTPs can also appear to procrastinate and be unable to manage time. Prioritizing can also be difficult because it means that the time isn’t there for new ideas.

Professional World of the ENTP

ENTPs are likely to take the bull by the horns, so to speak. They’re going to be innovative and work best when they don’t have to deal with work-imposed limitations. They also love to be the expert, and so constantly work towards learning new skills to keep up with their self-imposed demands.

ENTP personalities hate routine and tend to get bored easily. Instead, they work better when they have the freedom to solve problems without interference. The best workplace for an ENTP is one where they can be creative, intellectually challenged, and delegate boring tasks to other people.

In a team environment, ENTPs thrive when allowed to explore ideas as they love to innovate. However, if they have to adhere to specific guidelines, they may scoff at such an idea and resist working within more traditional means. That doesn’t mean they’re not willing to work with the group, though.

Instead, ENTPs are incredibly open-minded and good at blending the best ideas to find the best solution for a problem at hand. As leaders, ENTPs love to use their imagination and want to lead a team who can be independent but still offer ideas and information that can be used in making decisions.

Diving Deeper Into INFP Strengths and Weaknesses

INFP personality types have significant strengths in certain areas. INFPs care for other people and as a result, they are often willing to sacrifice themselves for others as they can always be counted on for encouragement or support.

These types of personalities are also deeply dedicated to upholding the virtues they believe in. Often, these virtues include being compassionate, creative, and open-minded. They’re committed to their causes and work towards self-improvement for themselves and everyone else around them, too.

Unfortunately, with that compassion comes a more vulnerable sensitivity. INFPs often suffer from depression or isolation when they realize that not everyone shares their ideals. They can become discouraged and disillusioned, choosing to give up instead of persevering forward.

The intensity of the feelings of an INFP personality can also sometimes get in the way of making a compromise if it also goes against moral standards or ideals. Sticking points have a way of keeping an INFP unwilling to make do when faced with the choice of a less-than-ideal solution. 

Those same strong moral standards are also a major part of what can contribute to neglecting their own needs to make other people happy. The result is an emotional breakdown or possibly an emotional explosion. Instead, an INFP will suffer in silence, instead of showing their vulnerability to someone else.

Professional World for the INFP

INFPs have their own set of values that drive them in professional settings. You would find an INFP in a position where they can be a part of something that feels important to them. 

They also like innovative thinking and creativity when it comes to problem-solving, especially when improving the lives of the people around them. The best job for an INFP is one where they can be individuals and apply their own creative solutions to issues at hand.

INFPs like to work independently, but also enjoy working in teams occasionally. The ideal career for an INFP is one where they can help people or work to express themselves creatively. In teams, INFPs work well in bringing people together to come up with solid solutions. They work especially well if the team has an authentic sense of self and purpose.

As a leader, an INFP can be highly motivational, more so when it’s because of a cause. They’re also incredible at recognizing the potential in others. They work best with people of a similar mindset, and so don’t always do well in the face of conflict.

Compatibility for the ENTP Personality Type

Because of the ENTP’s core values and characteristic approach, there are certain other personality types that will work well in friendships with an ENTP. For example, INTPs, ENTPs, ENTJs, and ENFPs all easily engage in small talk as they have plenty of things in common.

These other personalities may also find that the ENTP is competitive, so these may not work well beyond friendships.

Now, looking at romantic relationships, an ENTP may do well with INTJ, INFP, ESTP, and ENFJ personality types. These all have enough characteristics in common with the ENTP personality type to make them interesting with the differences that also exist to keep the spark going.

Incompatible People for the ENTP Personality Type

The short of it is that ENTP personalities typically clash with people who have an ISFJ, ESJF, or ISTJ personality type. These particular personality types all have different internal motivations and values, making it challenging to relate to an ENTP.

Depending on the person, you may also consider one of these types as an opportunity for growth. An ENTP can grow a lot, as can these other types of gaps can be overcome and bridges can be built.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a good business or personal relationship with some extra work. You just need to take the time to interact differently with those who may appear challenging.

As an ENTP, you will likely have a good tolerance for stress because you tend to thrive when faced with challenging experiences. You do have to watch yourself to prevent becoming self-critical or impatient. Otherwise, you may experience more mistakes.

Love and Relationships

ENTPs bring a unique perspective to relationships. They are excited to have as partners and work to get to know the inner workings of their partners’ minds. ENTPs are second to none when it comes to encouraging and supporting partner ambitions.

That doesn’t mean everything’s always sunshine and roses. Instead, an ENTP’s partner needs to be resilient because there will be debates. These challenges are part of who the ENTP is, and their partner needs to be ready to take on the challenges.

An ENTP’s partner needs to be understanding in that an ENTP isn’t always going to be the most reliable person. They follow their inspirations and typically don’t pay much attention to regular chores. A partner needs to be able to support them as they make these constantly changing paths in life.

Compatibility for the INFP Personality Type

The best friends for INFPs are the INTP, INFP, INFJ, and ENFP personality types. They share most of the same core values, and while they don’t agree on everything, they’ll have lots in common compared to other personality types.

When it comes to romantic attraction, INFPs will find themselves going toward ISFPs, INTJs, ENTPs, and ENFJs. There are enough similarities for these personality types to find common ground and still enough differences to be interesting to one another.

Incompatible People for the INFP Personality Type

The personality types that are the most challenging for the INFP personality include the ISTJ, ESTP, ESTJ, and ESFJ. These personality types don’t mesh well because they have different internal motivations and core values.

Much like the ENTP above, if you choose to form a friendship or other relationship with these personality types, it can be an opportunity for personal growth. It requires extra work on both sides, but you’ll learn to interact differently to create positive experiences.

As an INFP, you likely thrive amongst compromise and believe it is your privilege to have a positive impact on people around you. INFPs also have an inclination to self-sacrifice because they hold themselves to high ethical standards. Integrity is a major influencer both intellectually and morally. As cooperation enthusiasts, they believe people can work together towards common causes.

Love and Relationships

INFPs are wonderfully empathic and loyal. They seek out partners that feel the same about the causes and views they care about. They’re also incredibly open-minded and accepting as long as their partners don’t violate the INFP’s core values.

When it comes to compromising, INFPs are excellent and work to be creative and accommodating to their partners. At the same time, INFPs also need independent reflection to be their best selves.

Compatibility For the ENTP and INFP

As with all personality types, there is not a clear-cut answer. INFPs and ENTPs do share some common thoughts and approaches to life, but special attention needs to be paid to learning about how each gets along with the other. 

INFPs want deep and meaningful connections with their partners, and ENTPs want someone who can be creative and innovative. As a result, these two personality types can be compatible. It’s important to remember, though, that an INFP is value-driven ENTPs are logic-driven, and discussions can often end in frustration.

It’s critical to remember that there is no such thing as a perfect pairing, and individually, each person must know about their own needs and sensitivities. Self-awareness is where it all starts to create the best relationship regardless of which personality traits you have.

Other factors also come into play that are not measured in the MBTI. These include emotional maturity, communication proficiency, and Big 5 personality factors. To get a more definitive answer, it’s important to talk with an experienced coach or mentor. Sign up for an Action Call and we’re happy to help you, right from the first free call.