In this article, we will compare ENTJ vs INFJ 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 INFJ
If we consider ENTJ vs INFJ and compare them, we find that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are intuitive and judging personalities i.e. they like being organized and creative. They are different as well since ENTJs extroverted and logical thinkers. Compared to them, INFJs are introverted and feelers.
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 INFJ 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
INFJ: The Advocate (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging)
The INFJ personality type from the Myer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is based on Carl Jung’s 16 personality types. It describes people who are caring, sensitive, idealistic, keeps to themselves, has a strong sense of right and wrong, and are future-oriented. They like contemplating life and the meaning of existence. Although they are idealistic but they do not just fantasize about making a difference. They actually do it by taking action which makes them unique. These personalities are very rare and only 1-3% of them exist in the world.
Four Cognitive Functions of INFJ
Four cognitive functions that guide how INFJ personality type processes information includes:
INFJs are internally oriented which means that they get really fixated on their intuition. This can make them seem very stubborn, rigid, and single-minded to others.
INFJs are emotionally intelligent with more sensitive awareness for other people’s feelings compared to their own. It is difficult for them to refuse others or say no to them due to fear of hurting their feelings. As a result, they end up ignoring their own needs.
INFJs base their decisions on their thoughts and their feelings.Which of the two depends on whether they are alone (rely on thoughts) or among other people (rely on emotions). As a result, sometimes their decisions may be to please others or to seek their approval especially if the situation is stressful.
INFJs can live in the present moment, appreciate physical activities, and pay attention to their surroundings. However, this is not frequent as this part of their personality is weak.
A Comparison of ENTJ and INFJ
Personality: ENTJ vs INFJ
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.
INFJs are patient, good listeners, empathic and caring personalities. It is important for them to maintain integrity. They are helpful and supportive of people in their surroundings and always try to make a difference in a positive way. They are hardworking, strive to maintain social harmony, and possess a vast thought process that is quite distinct from others.
Workstyle: ENTJ vs INFJ
Both ENTJ and INFJ 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.
At the workplace, INFJs are concerned about the cause and strive to support it if it aligns with their values and beliefs. They contribute unique ideas and great solutions to their team and act as catalysts for change. They also hold strong views and don’t hesitate to express them to others. As leaders, they have a clear vision and can inspire others to support the cause which holds a deep meaning. In short, they are humanitarians, dreamers but also doers when it comes to taking care of responsibilities.
Conflict: ENTJ vs INFJ
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.
INFJs prefer harmony but conflicts can take place if their values are threatened. They are reserved yet hold strong beliefs which they are willing to defend in any situation if required. In other words, they would be quiet and peaceful but shift to being rigid & assertive if something important to them is questioned. Once a conflict is over, they reflect and try to connect things in isolation.
Interpersonal Skills: ENTJ vs INFJ
The interpersonal skills of both ENTJ and INFJ 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, INFJs shy away from the limelight. They can provide others emotional support but also need alone time to recharge as a result of emotional overload. They mostly keep their thoughts to themselves but can open up at an emotional level to people close to them. At times, they can be outspoken if the situation calls for it. They also give priority to their relationships just like their causes and strive to maintain harmony.
FAQs: ENTJ vs INFJ
Are ENTJ and INFJ compatible?
Yes, ENTJs and INFJs can be compatible. Although they are not each other’s ideal partners, they can still enjoy a healthy relationship. They have similarities i.e. intuition and judging function and differences i.e. extroversion & introversion and thinking & feeling function. Both partners can draw from each other’s opposing traits and learn.
Who should an INFJ marry?
INFJ should marry ENTP or ENFP. This is because their dominant introverted intuition can be matched well by the dominant extroverted intuition 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 INFJs fall in love easily?
INFJs do fall in love easily but it takes them time. However, when they do love someone, they really care about them, feel their emotions deeply, and are serious about it.
In this article, we compared ENTJ vs INFJ personality types. We found that they have similarities as well as differences. Both personalities are similar as they are intuitive and judging personalities i.e. they like being organized and creative. They are different as well since ENTJs are extroverted and logical thinkers. Compared to them, INFJs are introverted and feelers.
I hope you found this article interesting. If you have any queries or comments, please state them in the comment section 😊