ENTJ PERSONALITY (THE COMMANDER)

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma
which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions
drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and
intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is
secondary.
Steve Jobs

ENTJs are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the
gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws
crowds together behind a common goal. But unlike their Feeling (F)
counterpart, ENTJs are characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality,
using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end
they've set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three
percent of the population, lest they overwhelm the more timid and sensitive
personality types that make up much of the rest of the world - but we have
ENTJs to thank for many of the businesses and institutions we take for
granted every day.

HAPPINESS LIES IN THE JOY OF ACHIEVEMENT

If there's anything ENTJs love, it's a good challenge, big or small, and they
firmly believe that given enough time and resources, they can achieve any
goal. This quality makes people with the ENTJ personality type brilliant
entrepreneurs, and their ability to think strategically and hold a long-term
focus while executing each step of their plans with determination and
precision makes them powerful business leaders. This determination is often a
self-fulfilling prophecy, as ENTJs push their goals through with sheer willpower
where others might give up and move on, and their Extroverted (E) nature

means they are likely to push everyone else right along with them, achieving
spectacular results in the process.
At the negotiating table, be it in a corporate environment or buying a car,
ENTJs are dominant, relentless, and unforgiving. This isn't because they are
coldhearted or vicious per se - it's more that ENTJ personalities genuinely
enjoy the challenge, the battle of wits, the repartee that comes from this
environment, and if the other side can't keep up, that's no reason for ENTJs to
fold on their own core tenet of ultimate victory.
The underlying thought running through the ENTJ mind might be something
like "I don't care if you call me an insensitive b*****d, as long as I remain an
efficient b*****d".
If there's anyone ENTJs respect, it's someone who is able to stand up to them
intellectually, who is able to act with a precision and quality equal to their own.
ENTJ personalities have a particular skill in recognizing the talents of others,
and this helps in both their team-building efforts (since no one, no matter how
brilliant, can do everything alone), and to keep ENTJs from displaying too
much arrogance and condescension. However, they also have a particular
skill in calling out others' failures with a chilling degree of insensitivity, and this
is where ENTJs really start to run into trouble.

CULTIVATING THE SCIENCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

Emotional expression isn't the strong suit of any Analyst (NT) type, but
because of their Extroverted (E) nature, ENTJs' distance from their emotions
is especially public, and felt directly by a much broader swath of people.
Especially in a professional environment, ENTJs will simply crush the
sensitivities of those they view as inefficient, incompetent or lazy. To people
with the ENTJ personality type, emotional displays are displays of weakness,
and it's easy to make enemies with this approach - ENTJs will do well to
remember that they absolutely depend on having a functioning team, not just
to achieve their goals, but for their validation and feedback as well, something
ENTJs are, curiously, very sensitive to.
ENTJs are true powerhouses, and they cultivate an image of being larger than
life - and often enough they are. They need to remember though, that their
stature comes not just from their own actions, but from the actions of the team
that props them up, and that it's important to recognize the contributions,
talents and needs, especially from an emotional
perspective, of their support network. Even if they

have to adopt a "fake it til you make it" mentality, if ENTJs are able to
combine an emotionally healthy focus alongside their many strengths, they
will be rewarded with deep, satisfying relationships and all the challenging
victories they can handle

ENTJ STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

ENTJ STRENGTHS
Efficient - ENTJs see inefficiency not just as a problem in its own right,
but as something that pulls time and energy away from all their future
goals, an elaborate sabotage consisting of irrationality and laziness.
People with the ENTJ personality type will root out such behavior
wherever they go.
Energetic - Rather than finding this process taxing ENTJs are
energized by it, genuinely enjoying leading their teams forward as they
implement their plans and goals.
Self-Confident - ENTJs couldn't do this if they were plagued by selfdoubt - they trust their abilities, make known their opinions, and believe
in their capacities as leaders.
Strong-Willed - Nor do they give up when the going gets tough - ENTJ
personalities strive to achieve their goals, but really nothing is quite as
satisfying to them as rising to the challenge of each obstacle in their run
to the finish line.
Strategic Thinkers - ENTJs exemplify the difference between momentto-moment crisis management and navigating the challenges and steps
of a bigger plan, and are known for examining every angle of a problem
and not just resolving momentary issues, but moving the whole project
forward with their solutions.
Charismatic and Inspiring - These qualities combine to create
individuals who are able to inspire and invigorate others, who people
actually want to be their leaders, and this in turn helps ENTJs to
accomplish their often ambitious goals that could never be finished
alone.

ENTJ WEAKNESSES
Stubborn and Dominant - Sometimes all this confidence and willpower
can go too far, and ENTJs are all too capable of digging in their heels,
trying to win every single debate and pushing their vision, and theirs
alone.
Intolerant - "It's my way or the highway" - People with the ENTJ
personality type are notoriously unsupportive of any idea that distracts
from their primary goals, and even more so of ideas based on emotional
considerations. ENTJs won't hesitate a second to make that fact clear to
those around them.
Impatient - Some people need more time to think than others, an
intolerable delay to quick-thinking ENTJs. They may misinterpret
contemplation as stupidity or disinterest in their haste, a terrible mistake
for a leader to make.
Arrogant - ENTJ personalities respect quick thoughts and firm
convictions, their own qualities, and look down on those who don't
match up. This relationship is a challenge for most other personality
types who are perhaps not timid in their own right, but will seem so
beside overbearing ENTJs.
Poor Handling of Emotions - All this bluster, alongside the assumed
supremacy of rationalism, makes ENTJs distant from their own
emotional expression and sometimes downright scornful of others'.
People with this personality type often trample others' feelings,
inadvertently hurting their partners and friends, especially in emotionally
charged situations.
Cold and Ruthless - Their obsession with efficiency and unwavering
belief in the merits of rationalism, especially professionally, makes
ENTJs incredibly insensitive in pursuing their goals, dismissing personal
circumstances, sensitivities, and preferences as irrational and irrelevant

ENTJ RELATIONSHIPS
As in other areas of their lives, ENTJs approach dating and relationships with
a set of goals and a plan to achieve them, and proceed to do so with

impressive energy and enthusiasm.

People with the ENTJ personality type
are in it to win, and will gladly take
leading roles in relationships from the
start, assuming personal responsibility
for how smoothly things go and
working actively to ensure a mutually
rewarding experience. Romantic
relationships are a serious business,
and ENTJs are in it for the long haul.

WE CANNOT SUCCEED
UNLESS, WHEN WE CHOOSE,
WE CHOOSE WISELY
This sense of personal responsibility means that ENTJs put a lot of energy
into their relationships, and they show their creativity by always having
something new on the agenda to keep things interesting, especially in the
dating phase. At the same time though, ENTJ personalities keep their eyes on
the long term, and if they determine that a relationship is heading towards a
dead end, they will cut their losses and move on in what will seem to their
partner an abrupt end to the attention they had been receiving.
This occasional ruthlessness with personal relationships is ENTJs' primary
weakness, and if they aren't careful they can develop quite the reputation.
Sensing others' feelings and emotions will never be a comfortable skill for
ENTJs, but it is critical that they work consciously to develop it, both for their
partners' sake and for their own healthy emotional expression. If they don't,
they risk dominating and overruling their partners, and this insensitivity can
easily break a relationship, especially early on.

CONFIDENCE THRIVES ON UNSELFISH PERFORMANCE

But as all goes well in the dating phase and a future is deemed viable, people
with the ENTJ personality type continue to impress with their creativity and
energy. Their authentic confidence makes ENTJs' sex life dynamic to say the
least, and they often push to explore new ways to express their affection with
imaginative enthusiasm. Yet ENTJs tend to have these innovations planned in

advance, with some structure and predictability to their sex lives, leaving the
true spontaneity to those less organized personality types.
ENTJs are extremely growth-oriented, and will seize any opportunity to
improve themselves, listening to and acting on criticisms, so long as they are
logical ones, and always striving to improve their knowledge. At the same
time, ENTJs expect this of their partners, and it is surprising to them that
others, especially Feeling (F) types, don't always share this attitude. Still more
surprising to ENTJ personalities is others' active efforts to avoid these tense
situations.
ENTJs in particular would do well to remember that their approach is just one
angle of a multi-faceted spectrum of alternatives. While ENTJs may view
criticism as the most efficient route (and they're often right), they should bear
in mind that their partners may be more interested in emotional support and
growth, an area of self-improvement that ENTJs themselves too often avoid.
As with most things, balance is key, and ENTJs should strive to meet their
partners half-way, whatever their needs, be it through honest criticisms or
steady emotional support and praise.
As with other Analyst (NT) types, ENTJs' best matches are with other Intuitive
(N) types, with one or two opposing traits to create more balance in the
relationship. Mature ENTJs are able to recognize and adapt to the needs of
their partners, and know that even the most rational individuals have
emotional needs that must be met. Fortunately the same logic that dismisses
emotions is also able to recognize that a conciliatory attitude can be the best
tool to get the job done. With their strong senses of responsibility and
dedication, people with the ENTJ personality type are sure to make this effort,
resulting in long-lasting, satisfying relationships.

ENTJ FRIENDS
As in most aspects of their lives, in friendship ENTJs seek personal growth
and inspiration, and they often have a plan for how to accomplish it.
Friendships of circumstance, built on things like shared routines, are not
ENTJs' preferred method - rather, they pursue their friends, seek out
individuals who share their passion for deep, meaningful discussions, and
who enjoy learning and development as much as they do. It is not always

easy to be ENTJs' friends - they demand a lot from these relationships - but
they pay a great deal of attention to their friendships, and it is unlikely that it
will ever feel stagnant.
ENTJ friendships are built on ideas, and a lot of what they find enjoyable is
the repartee of putting thoughts forward and defending them from assault from
every angle. People with the ENTJ personality type are very smart and highly
critical, and they won't back down if they are put on the defensive - in fact,
there's no better way to earn their respect.
It's not easy to stand up to a personality as big and blustery as ENTJs', and
they too often find that others crumple under the force they apply when they
really start to enjoy themselves.
Only the most hardened rationalists are able to hold their ground against
strongly expressed ENTJ personalities, who neither need emotional support,
nor understand others' need for it. This lack of sensitivity is ENTJs' chiefest
weakness. Their tendency to challenge their friends, question their
conclusions, and dismiss emotional arguments as irrelevant is especially
difficult for Feeling-oriented friends to cope with. Either a point is supported by
logic and reason, or it is erroneous.

PRISONERS OF OUR OWN MINDS

More enlightened ENTJs recognize that if ever there was an area where they
could learn from others and improve themselves, it is in the realm of emotional
sensitivity - to dismiss any aspect of personal growth borders on hypocrisy.
Friendships with people from the Diplomat (NF) type group can be especially
rewarding for ENTJs, as the shared Intuitive (N) trait fosters an instantaneous
connection that can bridge the chasm between their uninhibited logic and the
recognition that cooperation and conciliation can often accomplish more than
that logic ever could alone.
Still, the bulk of ENTJs' friends will likely fall
into the Analyst (NT) category, as all of these
types share the same passion for logical, farreaching ideas and critical debate. Anyone who
can match ENTJs' ability to brainstorm and
theorize will find an honest and dedicated

friend. Anyone who can't, as with many Observant (S) types who often
question the point of such discussions, will find themselves ignored - perhaps
a situation that is best for everyone.

ENTJ PARENTS
Often, given their strong will and critical nature, it is challenging enough to
spend a great deal of time with ENTJs by choice, as in friendships and
romance - to be with them by default, as in the parent-child relationship, can
border on the impossible. This by no means suggests that people with the
ENTJ personality type are bad parents - far from it - simply that their
relationships with children, who are typically more sensitive and less able to
conduct truly rational analysis, require a great deal more emotional tact and
personal liberty than they are accustomed to giving.
But ENTJs are always up for a challenge, and will take their roles as parents
seriously and with the utmost sense of personal responsibility. Holding
themselves to a higher standard than most, ENTJ personalities see the
success of their children as a reflection of those personal standards, and want
nothing more than to see them grow into smart, independent people who
strive to achieve their goals. Establishing specific moral values is less
important to ENTJs than the cultivation of the intellect and independent,
rational thought.

RULES NEED NOT BE SACRED

ENTJs welcome differences of opinion, and this is true with their children as
well. But while gladly having rational, well-thought-out discussions about roles
and responsibilities, at the end of the day ENTJs expect their authority to be
respected. A disagreement is no excuse for shirking established
responsibilities, and ENTJ parents can be utterly uncompromising in
maintaining this structure. This strictness can be a tremendous source of
tension in the household - a little flexibility can go a long way.
When these debates devolve into emotional appeals is when ENTJ parents
run into real trouble, as their persistent weakness with emotional tolerance
makes dealing with growing children, especially adolescents, their most
significant challenge. As in their other relationships, ENTJ parents should
strive to strengthen this skill - often enough young children don't have the

words to express their needs rationally, and adolescents don't have the
patience for it, a perfectly natural condition.
By learning to listen to emotional expression as a valid form of communication
and responding in kind, ENTJs can help to minimize emotional conflicts with
their children, building trust that will help to smooth the otherwise rebellious
teenage years.

A RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY

ENTJ parents should remember that a part of developing that necessary
sense of independence is being able to control one's own schedule and
activities, to chart one's own course, at least to a certain extent. People with
the ENTJ personality type will spare no effort for their children, but it's
sometimes the case that taking a deep breath and loosening their structures
as their children grow and mature does more to achieve their goal of raising
capable, intelligent adults than forced extracurriculars ever could.

ENTJ CAREERS
It is in the world of careers that ENTJs' boldness and drive are truly at their
best. No other personality type is better suited than ENTJs to be the
respected leader of an organization or team, and no other personality type
enjoys it quite so much. Combining their vision, intelligence and determination
to push ideas through to completion no matter the obstacles, ENTJs are a
force to be reckoned with.

WE ALL GO UP, OR WE ALL GO DOWN

In the world of business, the sometimes overbearing level of self-confidence
that ENTJs (especially Assertive ones) too often mishandle in their personal
relationships is transformed into an admirable authority, keeping people on
track and getting things done. Naturally the best careers for people with the
ENTJ personality type make the fullest use of these qualities, and many would
describe executive positions and entrepreneurialism to be ideal lines of work any position high enough that they can clearly see the horizon.

For ENTJs, failure is not an option - they conceive a vision of the future,
formulate a strategy to achieve that vision, and execute each step with
ruthless precision.
Structure and order are key, and if someone gets sloppy, or holds things back
with incompetence, laziness or inefficiency, ENTJs will not hesitate to come
down, hard. ENTJ personalities pursue their goals with singular vision, and
have strict standards for themselves and others that are designed above all
else to be effective. This makes ENTJs excellent corporate strategists, and
their objectivity and clarity of thought make them respected lawyers and
judges.
None of this could work if no one could understand what ENTJs were thinking,
and they have the good fortune of being clear and concise communicators,
especially in person, making business administration a comfortable fit - so
long as their tasks don't stray too far into routine maintenance and upkeep.
ENTJs also have a thirst for knowledge, and they aren't afraid to use a
principle once they've grasped its underlying mechanisms. Combining this
with their leadership makes ENTJs trying, but effective, university professors.

WE ARE STILL IN THE MAKING

The only problem is, it takes time for ENTJs' skills to be recognized, and
stagnating as low-level employees will have them bouncing off the walls and
deeply unhappy. People with the ENTJ personality type crave leadership and
responsibility, growth and opportunity, and genuinely enjoy managing others to
get a job done. ENTJs are visionaries and leaders, not grunts or day-to-day
administrators. Getting that to be recognized is not always easy, but ENTJs
are probably up to the task.

ENTJ IN THE WORKPLACE

For people with the ENTJ personality type, the workplace is all but a natural
habitat. ENTJs' efficiency and clear communication are valued, their
leadership is admired, and their ability to simply get things done is unrivaled.
That being said, some situations are more appropriate for ENTJs than others these qualities all point to a managerial or executive role, making any position
of comparative powerlessness highly undesirable.

ENTJ personality types are strident ones though, able to adapt themselves to
just about any hierarchical relationship by doing what they do best: asserting
their opinions, taking the initiative, and accomplishing feats that others thought
impossible.

ENTJ SUBORDINATES
Subordinate positions are challenging for ENTJs, and it takes active
management to ensure their satisfaction and engagement. Ever the high
achievers, ENTJ subordinates set out to learn new skills and to seek out new
challenges and responsibilities, eager to prove that nothing is impossible with
a little hard work. If things get a little slow, ENTJ personalities may slip into
periods of absentmindedness, but when they feel involved in the projects
around them, they prove well organized and well prioritized.
ENTJs hold themselves to very high standards, but a lot of what sets this tone
is feedback from their environment - namely, criticism from their managers.
Objective, rational statements about what is done right and what can be done
better are helpful to ENTJs, and far from resenting such criticisms, they
appreciate them. Opportunities for growth keep people with the ENTJ
personality type engaged and productive, and so long as their managers
recognize this as their primary responsibility, it will be a fruitful and satisfying
relationship.

ENTJ COLLEAGUES
Among colleagues, ENTJs are sociable and greatly enjoy sharing ideas and
critiques in their frequent brainstorming sessions. Natural leaders that they
are, ENTJs tend to assert themselves into positions as representatives and
project leads, considering their objectivity and charisma the perfect qualities
for these roles. ENTJ personalities enjoy working with equals, but people must
demonstrate that they are equals - anyone ENTJs view as being less
competent or driven will see only condescension and arrogance.
ENTJs are strong-willed, even dominant, and though they enjoy inspiring and
tutoring others, the energy they bring to the process can seem overbearing.
When these roles are reversed, ENTJs' mentors should bear in mind that their
students are very rational and respect firm confidence - hand-holding,
emotional appeals or wavering indecision will likely burn the bridge then and

there. In a partnership, what is best is what is most effective, and time wasted
sugarcoating reality is just that - time wasted.

ENTJ MANAGERS
ENTJ managers are confident, charismatic communicators, and they
communicate but one vision: to get the job done as efficiently as possible, and
to the highest standard of quality. All else is subordinate to that objective, but
the means by which ENTJs achieve it cause others to adopt this cause as
their own. ENTJs are natural leaders, and their ability to formulate a strategy
and to identify the strengths of each member of their teams, incorporating
those abilities into their plans so that each individual fills a unique and
important role, makes them able motivators.
But while these efforts boost morale and satisfaction among ENTJs'
likeminded subordinates, they are still crafted to achieve that ultimate goal of
timely and exceptional work. Those seen as inefficient by their ENTJ
managers, or who demonstrate themselves to be lazy or to produce shoddy
work will know in no uncertain terms of their failure to impress. The only way
to recover is to comply, the only alternative is to find a new manager to
impress, somewhere else.

CONCLUSION
ENTJs' intelligence, strong will and logical reasoning skills are a force to be
reckoned with. Be it a minor obstacle or a seemingly impossible task, ENTJs
will find a way - or make one. This fearsome determination and intellect allow
ENTJs to overcome many challenges.
Yet ENTJs can be easily tripped up in areas where careful and rational
thinking is more of a liability than an asset. Whether it is finding (or keeping) a
partner, connecting with other people, reaching dazzling heights on the career
ladder or forcing themselves to relax, ENTJs need to put in a conscious effort
to develop their weaker traits and additional skills.

What you have read so far is just an introduction into the complex concept
that is the ENTJ personality type. You may have muttered to yourself, "wow,
this is so accurate it's a little creepy" or "finally, someone understands me!"
You may have even asked "how do they know more about me than the people
I'm closest to?"
This is not a trick. You felt understood because you were. We've studied how
ENTJs think and what they need to reach their full potential. And no, we did
not spy on you many of the challenges you've faced and will face in the
future have been overcome by other ENTJs. You simply need to learn how
they succeeded.
But in order to do that, you need to have a plan, a personal roadmap. The
best car in the world will not take you to the right place if you do not know
where you want to go. We have told you how ENTJs tend to behave in certain
circumstances and what their key strengths and weaknesses are. Now we
need to go much deeper into your personality type and answer "why?", "how?"
and "what if?"
This knowledge is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. Are you ready to
learn why ENTJs act in the way they do? What motivates and inspires you?
What you are afraid of and what you secretly dream about? How you can
unlock your true, exceptional potential?
Our premium profiles provide a roadmap towards a happier, more successful,
and more versatile YOU! They are not for everyone though - you need to be
willing and able to challenge yourself, to go beyond the obvious, to imagine
and follow your own path instead of just going with the flow. If you want to take
the reins into your own hands, we are here to help you.