ENTJ

The Commander

The ENTJ personality type is Extraverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Judging, which means ENTJs are energized by working with others, focused on understanding complex systems, eager to solve problems by implementing efficient solutions, and driven to be organized and fair. This combination of personality preferences produces individuals who are ambitious, charismatic, and visionary leaders who love to work hard. ENTJs are usually friendly and gregarious, but in the pursuit of success, competitive, strategic ENTJs can sometimes be blunt, critical, or impatient.

The ENTJ at Work

ENTJs are drawn to leadership positions that allow them to develop strategies to achieve greater efficiency and productivity. They prefer to be in management or supervisory roles, and want the ability to initiate and lead organizational change.

ENTJs enjoy the challenge of solving difficult problems, and enjoy understanding complex systems so that they can determine where improvement is possible. ENTJs naturally see opportunities to improve systems, and want to lead teams to carry out their vision. They appreciate an environment where innovation is encouraged, and where traditions are not held sacred.

ENTJs want structure in their work. They prefer that their work and that of their colleagues be evaluated based on a set of clear guidelines. They appreciate an environment that is businesslike and fair, where performance is evaluated objectively and rewarded generously. ENTJs are typically motivated and hardworking, and want to be recognized for their efforts with money, power, and prestige.

An ideal organization for an ENTJ values competence and logical thinking, and includes coworkers who are intelligent and ambitious. An ideal job for an ENTJ is one that challenges them to address complex problems with strategic planning and clear goal-setting.

ENTJ Career Stats

Most likely of all types to earn a high salary
Most likely of all types to manage a large team
Least likely of all types to report being unemployed
Least likely of all types to report being a stay-at-home parent
Earn more than any other type when self-employed

The ENTJ on a Team

ENTJs are commanding team members who typically want to take charge. They are strategic thinkers with an intuitive sense of what needs to get done and how everyone can contribute. ENTJs typically have a clear vision and often see how systems can be improved. They may not want to take much time explaining themselves to others, and although the clarity of their ideas is often convincing, they may have power struggles with teammates who question their ability or authority to lead the team. ENTJs are objective thinkers who are willing to consider many options, and typically listen to their teammates’ ideas openly. They are good at synthesizing information and can often incorporate many ideas into a single plan of action. Although ENTJs are open to ideas, they are also decisive, and may take it upon themselves to deem when a discussion has been concluded. Personal issues rarely command the ENTJ’s attention, and may be neglected in their drive to finalize a concept. ENTJs want to create a definitive plan for change, and move decisively to action.

For more information: What's Your Type of Career?

The ENTJ as a Leader

In leadership positions, the ENTJ excels at organizing and implementing long-term plans for change. They prefer to be in control and will take on as much responsibility and decision-making power as possible. ENTJ leaders are democratic about ideas, and often willing to listen to new perspectives; however, when the time comes to make a decision, they are commanding and unwavering. ENTJ leaders who have already made up their mind are singly focused on action, and leave little room for dissent. ENTJs are focused on long range plans and vision, and lead their teams systematically towards their goal. They enjoy attacking tough problems, and want to organize people and resources strategically to achieve goals on time. They focus on results and can be blunt and critical; they may have difficulty with employees who want a more personal touch. ENTJs do best leading no-nonsense, goal-oriented teams who share their desire to get to work.

Top Careers for the ENTJ

Top careers for the ENTJ include:

Business and Financial

Management

Sales

Architecture and Engineering

Life, Physical, and Social Science

Arts and Media

Healthcare

Education, Training, and Library

Entertainment and Sports

Computer and Information Technology

Building and Operation

Law and Order

ENTJ Careers to Avoid

It is important to note that any personality type can be successful in any occupation. However, some occupations are well suited to the natural talents and preferred work style of the ENTJ, while other occupations demand modes of thinking and behavior that do not come as naturally to the ENTJ. Occupations that require the ENTJ to operate outside their natural preferences may prove stressful or draining, and often sound unappealing to ENTJs who are choosing a career.

The following occupations have been found to be unpopular among ENTJs, based on data gathered from surveys of the general population.

Child Care Provider
Cosmetologist
Craft Artist
Bill Collector
Data Entry Clerk

Molly Owens

Molly Owens is the founder and CEO of Truity. She is a graduate of UC Berkeley and holds a master's degree in counseling psychology. She began working with personality assessments in 2006, and in 2012 founded Truity with the goal of making robust, scientifically validated assessments more accessible and user-friendly. Molly is an ENTP and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she enjoys elaborate cooking projects, murder mysteries, and exploring with her husband and son.