14 ENTJ Personality Strengths, Weaknesses and Traits

The ENTJ personality type is that of a natural leader. People with this personality are gifted with charisma. Their structured, organized plans allow them to have authority and confidence at levels which are rare to see in other personality types.

ENTJs tend to be ruthless with their logic and rationality, discarding emotions and feelings for drive and determination. They love a challenge, no matter how small it might be, and firmly believe that they can accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves.

The goal of the ENTJ is to find some level of personal inspiration and growth every day. Most ENTJs will create a plan for themselves, like a to-do list, which allows them to reach these goals. That means their personal friendships are based on the types of interaction that happen. Someone with an ENTJ personality will seek out meaningful debates and deep discussions over small talk and silence.

Most importantly, the ENTJ personality does not want to find themselves in a stagnant position. They want to be always moving, always leading, and always in control. These traits help to develop the many strengths and weaknesses of the ENTJ personality.

List of the ENTJ Personality Strengths

1. ENTJs are very efficient people.
If you’re an ENTJ, then you see inefficiency as a big problem. It is something that draws energy away from the goals you’re attempting to achieve. It has a time cost that you cannot afford. Inefficiency is seen as being an irrational state of mind. Strong ENTJs may even look at inefficiency as a conscious desire to be lazy. This personality type works hard to root out this behavior everywhere it is noticed.

2. They have high energy levels.
ENTJs are energized by their ability to organize. They love to lead teams that can accomplish great things. Goals and plans are implemented with strategic detail, making it possible for everyone involved to find a way that leads toward success. The only issue that really stresses out the ENTJ personality type is the perceived refusal to follow a carefully detailed plan. Just as they gain energy by helping others stay organized, they lose energy when disorganization occurs.

3. ENTJs have high confidence levels.
ENJTs are very confident about their personal abilities. They slip into an organized routine that makes efficient use of their time, then never deviate from it. This personality type knows who they are as a leader, understands what they can do, and isn’t afraid to let others know what their opinions happen to be. ENTJs know their abilities and trust their talents.

4. They tend to think strategically.
This personality type prefers to examine a situation from every angle before coming up with a solution. They don’t react in the moment with an emotional, possibly irrational decision that is made in a rush. ENTJ seek out as much data as they can, review it all, and then decide how to proceed. They are always keeping the bigger picture in mind, even if there is a crisis situation developing around them. Their goal is to be proactive against future emergencies by staying engaged with a whole-project solution.

5. ENTJs are strong-willed people.
You will not find the ENTJ personality deciding to give up when times are tough. They rely on their plans to see them through to the next step forward. There is an ardent striding toward every goal that they create. When this personality type is able to rise to a challenge and overcome an obstacle, it creates a satisfying result which can stick with the individual for the rest of their life.

6. They are inspirational and charismatic.
ENTJs are able to do more than inspire themselves toward greater levels of success. They are able to create similar results in other people too. Their energy is contagious, creating an invigorating effect that makes everyone around them want to be part of their team. ENTJs do an excellent job of developing other people into leaders, helping them be able to create teams that are able to accomplish lofty goals that would be impossible to do if they were working by themselves.

7. ENTJs create a unique parenting structure.
From a parenting standpoint, the ENTJ personality is unique. They invite discussion from their children. Rules at home are not meant to be sacred. Their authority as a parent, however, is something that they do not want to have question. Homes with ENTJs parents can be strict, but it can also be rewarding when their children can challenge them outside of the emotions of the moment to create a debate that is highly rewarding.

List of the ENTJ Personality Weaknesses

1. ENTJs can be intolerant of differing opinions.
The ENTJ personality can be domineering at times, demanding absolute compliance when goals are set, or system steps need to be followed. They do not like to support any idea that could be seen as a distraction from what the primary mission happens to be. This personality type is highly critical of ideas or decisions that seem to be based on emotional responses instead of an evaluation of the facts. There is no hesitation from the ENTJ to share their perspective in this matter either.

2. They can be stubborn as well.
Confidence in one’s ability to be efficient is something that should be applauded. That desire to be efficient can also create a set of blinders that does not recognize a better idea when it comes along. Many ENTJs feel like they are on an island, not supported by others, because they’re trying to win every single argument that comes along. They are always pushing their vision and its potential rewards, even if there is another idea that is better which comes along.

3. ENTJs tend to be impatient.
Because the ENTJ personality is able to be highly organized, they are able to see the bigger picture very easily. Decisions are a simple process to them, so there isn’t much time spent in thought. They feel like their thought process is something that everyone else should be able to do because they can do it. There is little patience with this personality type, which means there can be a misinterpretation of contemplation as disinterest, or worse – stupidity. From a leadership standpoint, this might be the greatest weakness of the ENTJ personality type.

4. They can come across as being arrogant.
What the ENTJ respects the most is a fast, firm conviction that is based on available facts and relevant experiences. They have high expectations for themselves in these areas and see this process as a lot of work. When the ENTJ doesn’t see other people putting in the same kind of work, the first response tends to be one of personal superiority. That can make it a challenge for the ENTJ to form relationships, as they’ll see others with different personalities appearing as timid. This also causes many personalities to see the ENTJ as being overbearing.

5. ENTJs prefer to focus on logic over emotion.
If there is one thing that an ENTJ personality is good at doing, it is the trampling of the emotions of others. This personality type is rather insensitive to the emotions of others when locked on the pursuit of a specific goal. They feel like nothing should get in the way of being able to find success. That means they will often hurt the feelings of others, including their friends, loved ones, and spouses, because they are appalled by the idea that emotions are a higher priority than facts or experience. If a situation is emotionally charged, the ENTJ is going to flatten everyone in their quest to move forward.

6. They can be ruthless.
ENTJs have an unwavering belief in who they are and what they can do. From a professional prospective, this can make people with this personality type come across as being ruthless, even cold, because they are quick to dismiss the personal circumstances of others. They are seen as insensitive because they care more about moving forward than what challenges a team member might be facing at home. Even personal preferences, if they are not helpful, are seen as being irrational.

7. ENTJs refuse emotional support.
Although the ENTJ personality discards emotion, that doesn’t mean people with this personality type are emotionless. Far from it. When an ENTJ is hurt by someone else, they tend to challenge their network of family and friends. They begin to question every conclusion or statement. Many attempt to afflict the hurt they are feeling onto the people they blame for the situation they are in. In many ways, this creates an outcome where the ENTJ ends up being a prisoner in their own mind, locked in by the refusal to accept any emotional support from someone else.

The ENTJ personality is one that can be very challenging to be around. People with this personality make careful choices, which often leads to dynamic situations that they enjoy. Although some ENTJs do focus on innovation, structure and predictability is what fuels the fire for this personality type. They seek out growth opportunities, but it tends to happen when no other option allows for the outcome they wish to achieve.