At Their Best
People with ENTJ preferences are natural leaders and organization builders. They conceptualize and theorize readily and translate possibilities into plans to achieve short-term and long-term objectives. They readily see illogical and inefficient procedures and feel a strong urge to correct them – to organize people and situations to get them moving in the right direction.

ENTJs are strategic visionaries, adept at planning for the future needs of the people and organizations for which they are responsible. 

ENTJs can be considered the Insightful Expeditors. They use Extraverted Thinking (Te) as their core approach to work and living. This outward, decisive, results-oriented approach tends to effectively accomplish results. 

Insightful Expeditors thrive in situations where they can take control and efficiently solve complex problems. They often take on and enjoy leadership roles. If you are an Insightful Expeditor, you are likely at your best when you are taking charge, delegating, and accomplishing goals. To avoid moving down the wrong path or making inaccurate decisions, Insightful Expeditors are internally thinking about and incorporating ideas and models into their strategic plan. They consider multiple options and look at long-term possibilities, implications, and consequences of actions to create changes that will make things run effectively in the future.

Characteristics of ENTJs 
ENTJs use their Thinking primarily externally and are thus natural critics. They set their own standards and are forceful in applying them to others, to organizations, and to themselves. They value intelligence and competence and abhor inefficiency or ignorance. They can be tough when the situation call for toughness. ENTJs are likely to be:
  • Analytical, logical, and objectively critical 
  • Decisive, clear, and assertive

ENTJs are intellectually curious, seek new ideas, and like complex problems. They use their Intuition primarily internally to conceive possibilities and create the insights they use in making decisions and plans. ENTJs are likely to be:
  • Conceptual and global thinkers
  • Innovative theorizers and planners 

ENTJs are usually excellent solvers of organizational problems. They are keenly aware of the intricate connections within organizations and are action oriented and strategic – they think ahead, anticipate problems, devise broad plans and systems, and marshal human and material resources to achieve goals. They are generally disinterested in routine maintenance activities, preferring new challenges.

ENTJs are typically intuitive, innovative ORGANIZERS; analytical, systematic, confident; push to get action on new ideas and challenges. Having Extraverted Thinking as their strongest mental process, ENTJs are at their best when they can take charge and set things in logical order.

They typically value:
  • Analyzing abstract problems, complex situations
  • Foresight; pursuing a vision
  • Changing, organizing things to fit their vision
  • Putting theory into practice, ideas into action
  • Working to a plan and schedule
  • Initiating, then delegating
  • Efficiency; removing obstacles and confusion
  • Probing new possibilities
  • Holding self and others to high standards
  • Having things settled and closed
  • Tough-mindedness, directness, task-focused behavior
  • Objective principles; fairness, justice
  • Assertive, direct action
  • Intellectual resourcefulness
  • Driving toward broad goals along a logical path
  • Designing structures and strategies
  • Seeking out logical flaws

How Others May See Them 
ENTJs love, and are energized by, stimulating interactions with people. They often challenge people’s statements and behaviors, expecting that others will defend them and that, as a result, mutual learning will take place. ENTJs admire and seek out people who are knowledgeable and who stand up to them, say what they think, and argue persuasively. 

ENTJs prefer that things be settled and clear, but their love of ideas can pull them into wide-ranging Intuitive exploration and discussions. Their verbal fluency, decisiveness, self-confidence, and urge to organize others can overpower people at times.

Others usually see ENTJ as:
  • Direct, challenging, and decisive
  • Objective, fair, and stimulating 

Potential Areas for Growth 
Sometimes life circumstances have not supported ENTJs in the development and expression of their Intuitive and Thinking preferences.

  • If they have not developed their Intuition, ENTJs may make decisions too quickly without considering alternatives or exploring possibilities. In this case, their decisiveness can become dictatorial.
  • If they have not developed their Thinking, they may not have a reliable way to evaluate their insights and make plans. Then their decision making will be inconsistent and changeable. 

If ENTJs do not find a place where they can use their gifts and be appreciated for their contributions, they usually feel frustrated and may:
  • Become overly impersonal and critical
  • Be intrusive and directive – giving orders without listening 
  • Become abrasive and verbally aggressive 

It is natural for ENTJs to give less attention to their non-preferred Feeling and Sensing parts. If they neglect these too much, however, they may:
  • Fail to notice or value another’s needs for personal connection, appreciation, and praise
  • Fail to factor into their plans the needs of others for support and processing time 
  • Overlook specifics and realistic factors that are necessary to carry their plans to completion 

Under Great Stress
Under great stress, ENTJs can be overwhelmed by self-doubt, feel alone and unappreciated, and be unable to express their distress to others.

Sources
Introduction to Type, Sixth Edition developed by Isabel Briggs Myers

MMTIC®Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for Children developed by Charles Martin, Elizabeth Murphy, and Betsy Styron

Donna Dunning’s terrific blog