ENTJs and INTJs have a lot in common. Because introversion and extraversion is more of a spectrum with some people falling closer towards one end or the other, some ENTJs may wonder as to whether they are, in fact, INTJs.
Another important point is that according to Carl Jung’s personality typology, extraversion and introversion cannot be demonstrated in isolation, and it has to be associated with one of the four cognitive functions — thinking, sensation, intuition, and feeling.
In ENTJs’ case, for example, their dominant function is extraverted thinking while their secondary (or auxiliary) function is introverted intuition. However, in INTJs’ case they are reversed: Introverted intuition is the INTJ’s dominant function, and extraverted thinking is their secondary function. This naturally leads to a lot of similarities.
If you are an ENTJ, you probably want concrete examples of how the two are similar or different. Here you are!
ENTJ vs. INTJ: What’s common
- Both types are very independent with INTJs being even more independent than ENTJs.
- They are both competitive and career-driven.
- Both the ENTJ and the INTJ have very high personal standards for everything. Not only they live up to their own standards, they have high expectations of others as well.
- Their homes are very neat and organized.
- Both are extremely competent people and may seem intimidating to some other types. Although it may not be their intention to intimidate others, the sad truth is that a lot of people are unable to relate to someone as savvy as they are. Because people can’t relate to them, they don’t find them likable.
- Both appreciate knowledge and education; they never stop learning.
- Both need lots of intellectual stimulation.
- Both like to be in control of things.
- Both are very logical people who don’t let emotions get in the way of decision making.
- They are both imaginative people who see the world of possibilities and are ready to take risks to make these possibilities a reality.
- Both types have superb problem solving skills and are able to perform under pressure.
- They are both goal-oriented and know how to set priorities to be able to focus on what really needs their attention.
- Both types are motivated by challenges — hard things that are out of their reach are particularly attractive to them.
- They are both creative people who apply their knowledge and creativity to difficult challenges and come up with unique solutions.
ENTJ vs. INTJ: What’s different
- ENTJs and INTJs have different energy levels. INTJs focus on their internal world, which makes them naturally calmer than ENTJs who are naturally outgoing.
- ENTJs possess more social confidence and verbal skills than private and reserved INTJs.
- INTJs are better at writing.
- ENTJs are more open to new experiences.
- INTJs are more theoretical while ENTJs are more decisive. INTJs spend a lot of time collecting and analyzing information in order to make the best decision, while ENTJs prefer to act quickly even if that means the possibility of failure. Unlike many other types, ENTJs aren’t particularly afraid to fail because they see failure as yet another way of collecting important information that will eventually help them succeed.
- ENTJs have a wider range of interests while INTJs explore topics more in depth.
- ENTJs want more conversation while INTJs want more calm.
- ENTJs enjoy socializing while INTJs prefer solitary activities, such as reading and writing.
- ENTJs take on leadership roles much more readily than INTJs who see leadership as a threat to their independence. INTJs prefer to devise plans and strategies and let others lead.
- Many ENTJs tend to be bossy and controlling, which isn’t the case of INTJs at all. Being even more independent than ENTJs, INTJs don’t care about telling others what to do or trying to control them. Having said that, sometimes INTJs may criticize others if they don’t fit a specific model they have in mind. For example, they may not allow their children to make their own choices regarding their education and career and become very critical if they don’t obey.
- ENTJs are better at multitasking than INTJs.
- INTJs take more time to make decisions.
- ENTJs are more interested in other people than INTJs; they enjoy helping and encouraging others to achieve their goals.
- INTJs seek novel ways of looking at things while ENTJs are more interested in doing things — ENTJs are more action-oriented than INTJs.
- ENTJs are more practical than INTJs who sometimes may have difficulty letting go of their impractical ideas.
If you are still unsure if you are an INTJ or an ENTJ, try this scientifically validated test.
Read a full ENTJ profile here.
For a full INTJ profile click here.
16 Personalities main page here.