If you’re reading this post, there’s a high chance that you’re trying to work out if you’re an ENFJ vs. ENTJ personality type. These two types are often confused because they share many of the same characteristics. Both types are ambitious, charismatic, and innovative. They are deep thinkers who have a natural ability to think outside the box.
But there are also some core differences between how these types think and experience the world. In this post, we explore these key differences. If you’re unclear about your type, we hope this helps you.
So here are five differences between the ENFJ vs. ENTJ personality types:
1. Dealing with emotions.
ENFJs and ENTJs deal with feelings in very different ways. For starters, ENFJs tend to be more comfortable dealing with the irrational nature of emotions than ENTJs.
In addition, ENFJs tend to focus on other people’s emotions. They innately absorb the feelings of others in real-time. This means that they are highly empathetic, and they truly feel other people’s emotions as if they are their own.
It can happen with anyone or anything. It could be a close family member, someone they are sitting next to on the train, or an animal in a book.
When they are around happy people, they naturally take on similar emotions, and the same goes for other scenarios, such as when those around them are sad.
However, ENFJs can struggle to understand their own emotions to the same degree.
On the other hand, ENTJs can find it harder to understand both other people’s emotions and their own. This is because they are so logical.
While ENTJs do feel things deeply, they often try to rationalize their emotions. This is because they can find it hard to accept anything that doesn’t have a logical explanation.
Seeing as emotions often don’t have an entirely rational origin, ENTJs can find them confusing or even overwhelming. ENTJs are most comfortable when dealing with facts and linear reasoning.
For example, knowing that they will lose 1kg if they have a 7,700-calorie deficit is comforting to an ENTJ. In order to accept something as true, they like to have clear evidence, but this just isn’t possible when it comes to emotions. The same goes for ENTJs dealing with the emotions of other people for similar reasons.
2. Making decisions.
ENFJs and ENTJs focus on different criteria when making decisions. When deciding on the right path, ENFJs prioritize emotions, while ENTJs place more of an emphasis on logic.
ENFJs primarily base their decisions on how they will affect others. They want to create win-win scenarios and avoid hurting anyone’s feelings. Of course, this isn’t always possible, and when they do have to take actions that involve hurting other people, it deeply affects them.
ENFJs are often the peacemakers in their families or social groups. They will try to see both sides of every issue and find a resolution that works for everyone.
When making decisions, ENFJs ask: “How does this impact the group?” Ultimately, they are always looking to create harmony with the outer world. ENTJs use deductive logic to make decisions. This means they start with the facts, then go to the theory, and then return to the facts.
Essentially, ENTJs use logic that is based on what is verifiable in the outside world. They tend to focus on the end result they are looking to achieve and work backward from there in order to decide on the best decision to get to that point.
When making decisions, ENTJs ask: “Does this make sense based on facts?” They are always thinking about what is the most rational and efficient path.
3. Sociability.
As extroverts, ENFJs and ENTJs focus on the outer world. Both types enjoy spending time with people but ENFJs tend to be more sociable.
ENFJs are one of the most people-oriented personality types. They have a strong need for deep connections, and they won’t be able to feel fulfilled without them.
This need for connection motivates ENFJs to be more sociable than ENTJs. However, they enjoy group get-togethers as well as one-on-one interactions. They tend to be comfortable talking to everyone, from strangers to close friends. ENFJs tend to be open and welcoming.
ENTJs, on the other hand, are content with fewer close relationships. They would rather have a handful of intimate relationships than a large circle of friends.
However, they are often very good networkers, which means they often end up with many acquaintances. ENTJs are independent and self-sufficient, and they’re perfectly happy doing activities by themselves at times.
In addition, ENTJs are more skeptical than ENFJs and can be wary of people having ulterior motives. This means that they tend to be more guarded and can struggle to open up to others.
4. Communication style.
ENTJs and ENFJs are outspoken and quick thinkers. However, ENTJs are much more direct in the way they communicate, while ENFJs consciously think about how their words will impact others.
ENFJs are warm in the way they communicate. It’s common for people of this type to ask a lot of questions because they are deeply curious about people, and they are incredible listeners.
ENFJs are more likely to be expressive and emotional in their communication style. They may use anecdotes and personal stories to help explain their points, whereas ENTJs are more likely to use facts.
Both types are extremely private about their feelings, but ENFJs are more likely to be open about their emotions. In addition, ENFJs are very good with words and are often very persuasive. This is because they know exactly what makes people tick.
ENFJs are exceptionally thoughtful, and they tend to filter what they say through a lens of how their words will impact others. They are mindful of their audience’s life experiences and perspectives.
ENTJs are straightforward and detached when they communicate. Seeing as they focus heavily on facts, they see the world as relatively black and white. This means they are clear about what they think and, in turn, what they say. ENTJs often look for one answer based on facts.
Additionally, they like to get to the point when they communicate because they are so focused on efficiency. This also means that they can feel like it’s a waste of time going back and forth discussing different points of view.
Ultimately, ENTJs can find it frustrating when people don’t get to the point and they tend to be articulate. They can struggle when it comes to verbalizing their emotions.
5. Showing love.
ENFJs and ENTJs take different approaches with regard to how they show love. In general, ENFJs are more open about showing someone they care.
ENFJs are always looking for ways to help their loved ones, and they feel happiest when they are able to do so. They are naturally aware of the needs of others, and they try to meet those needs in whatever way they can.
As a result, ENFJs make a conscious effort to let people close to them know that they are loved. They often do this in many ways, depending on what they think that person needs at that specific time. You won’t be left wondering whether an ENFJ cares about you or not. They will make it known.
ENTJs, on the other hand, aren’t as naturally inclined to show their love and care in such overt ways. For ENTJs, actions speak louder than words, and they often express their love through thoughtful gestures.
This doesn’t mean that ENTJs don’t care about their loved ones, it’s just that they tend to express it in different ways.
However, they can come across as cold at times, and this tends to be unintentional. ENTJs are naturally so logical and efficient that they sometimes forget to show their softer side, especially if they are feeling tired or stressed.
ENFJ vs. ENTJ frequently asked questions
So now we have explained the key differences between the ENFJ vs. ENTJ personality types. Even for those who have explored personality types in depth, it can still be hard to tell the difference between these two types.
Let’s now look at some frequently asked questions about each personality to help make it clearer for you.
Are ENFJs vs. ENTJs more creative?
ENTJs and ENFJs are both highly imaginative. However, their creativity often manifests in slightly different ways.
For starters, ENFJs are usually more in touch with their feelings and emotions, which can give them a greater understanding of the human condition. They are also often gifted with strong storytelling abilities and tend to have a greater need for self-expression.
ENTJs often pair their creativity with their highly analytical and logical nature. This can help them to see problems from innovative perspectives and come up with novel solutions. They are the kind of people who run companies and come up with new processes to make everything more efficient.
In the end, both ENTJs and ENFJs have the potential to be highly creative individuals. It’s just that they show their creativity in different situations.
Are ENFJs people-pleasers and ENTJs selfish?
There is a misconception that ENFJs are people-pleasers and ENTJs are selfish. Of course, as with any type, there are people out there of these types who display those characteristics. But healthy ENFJs have strong boundaries, and healthy ENTJs care about other people’s needs.
Healthy ENFJs are able to find a balance between making sure people around them are happy and looking after their own needs. It’s true that they’re naturally more aware of other people. However, healthy ENFJs are able to access different aspects of their personality to work out when it’s time to shift the focus to themselves.
Healthy ENTJs are not innately selfish. Yes, they are direct, and they know what they want, but they also have a compassionate side. While they aren’t typically warm, they are often extremely generous. ENTJs are more likely to make decisions based on logic, and this can be viewed as selfish by some people, but they see it as choosing the path that makes the most sense.
Are ENFJs vs. ENTJs more extroverted?
Both ENTJs and ENFJs are extroverts, but they tend to be at different ends of the extroversion spectrum. ENTJs are considered to be one of the most ‘introverted extroverts,’ while ENFJs are one of the most ‘extroverted extroverts.’
However, it’s worth noting that while these two types have a desire to spend a significant amount of time interacting with people and the world more broadly, they also feel best when they are able to spend time reflecting.
ENFJs have more of a tendency to focus their energy on the outer world because they are more people-oriented. For ENFJs, their loved ones play a significant role in their life, and they strive to make them happy. In addition, they are just innately interested in human psychology.
ENTJs are driven by logic and are more likely to spend time alone. While they appreciate deep connections, they don’t have a need for as much socializing as ENFJs. ENTJs are the most independent extroverts.
Even though they are at opposite ends of the extroversion spectrum, ENTJs and ENFJs are actually quite similar in the big scheme of things.
Final thoughts on ENFJ vs. ENTJ differences
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our individual ENFJ and ENTJ posts, which delve deeper into each personality type. Last but not least, you might also like our post about ENFJ vs. INFJ differences.
