Extraverted
Thinking with
Introverted Intuiting
STRENGTHS
Analytical, objective and critical,
ENTJs are quick to challenge views and opinions that are not based on sound
reason or logic. Appreciating the value of abstract, logical thought, they expect
efficiency, competence and intellectual rigour from themselves and those around
them. Using their Intuition to look beyond the obvious known facts in a given
situation, they are motivated to get to the heart of complex, theoretical issues.
Assertive, clear thinking and decisive, they naturally create detailed plans
and systems to achieve results with efficiency and minimum effort. Having a
strong sense of duty and responsibility, they attend closely to the detailed
aspects of a task - which they will be committed to complete on schedule and
to the required standard. While they believe it is important to adhere closely
to well established methods and procedures, their emphasis on Thinking may nonetheless
cause them to question systems and procedures that are not based on a sound,
logical analysis.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Orientated towards the Extraverted world
of people and events, ENTJs communicate in a direct, open and to-the-point way.
Intellectually curious, they enjoy discussing abstract, theoretical ideas. Approaching
life from a logical, theoretically driven perspective, relating to others' feelings
may not come naturally to them. Nevertheless, ENTJs will often take the initiative
when forming new relationships, as they are outgoing, sociable and talkative
by nature. Task orientated and goal directed, they will be motivated to create
logical, efficient systems and procedures. Coming to the fore in social situations,
they naturally take the lead, organising people and events to achieve shared
goals. Straight-forward and candid in their dealings with others, they will
be quick to express their own views and opinions. Dependable and reliable, they
will be clear about their interpersonal roles and responsibilities and will
be prepared to take tough decisions when these are called for.
THINKING STYLE
ENTJs are known for their abstract, theory-driven
approach to solving problems, which is based on a logical, rational analysis
of fundamental principles. More interested in understanding why things work,
rather than simply perceiving how the work, they will use their Intuition to
look beyond the superficial facts in a given situation, in search of deeper,
unifying, principles and concepts. However, being outer-directed and action
orientated, they are not inclined to theorise for the sake of theorising. Rather,
they will be concerned to translate theoretical possibilities into well defined,
achievable, plans and goals. Approaching problems in a clear, orderly and methodical
way, they will keenly attend to the important details that can cause the best
laid plans to go wrong. They will generally prefer to learn about a subject
by engaging in lively informed debate or discussion, rather than by reading
or through private study or reflection.
HOW OTHERS MAY SEE YOU
Dependable, reliable and conscientious,
they will be trusted to see tasks through to the end. Colleagues will value
their logical, analytical thinking style and their lively contribution to debates
and discussions. They will be seen as fair-minded and objective, even if they
sometimes express their views in a rather direct, or somewhat critical, manner.
Moreover, less assertive colleagues may, on occasion, mistake their straight-forward,
matter-of-fact interpersonal style; with ENTJs wrongly being perceived to be
somewhat overpowering, opinionated or dogmatic. More down-to-earth colleagues,
who are less interested in the subtle theoretical nuances of a problem, may
sometimes worry that their emphasis on Intuition might cause them to lose sight
of practical realities. Decisive, confident and plain-speaking, their friends
and colleagues will seldom wonder where they stand with them. Naturally well
organised, colleagues may on occasion resent their tendency to take charge of
situations.
After publishing his seminal work on psychological types in 1921, Jung did little further work in this area. However the importance of his work was recognised by the mother and daughter team, Elizabeth Myers and Catherine Briggs. Realising that if Jung's ideas were to have any practical application it would be necessary to develop an easy method for assessing a person's psychological type, Myers and Briggs published the first type indicator in 1949. Moreover, they developed the now famous four-letter type code as a short hand way of describing a person's type.In addition to providing a short-cut route for describing a person's psychological type, the four-letter code also reveals a set of complex personality dynamics which provide insights into the order in which the preferred psychological processes are likely to manifest themselves in the person's daily life.
The way to discover the dynamic relationship between these psychological processes is by examining the middle two preferences; SN for perceiving, and TF for judging, types. These are referred to as functions. For any type, one of these functions is dominant and this dominant function is used in the preferred world (external or internal as indicated by the EI preference), with Extraverts using their dominant function in the external world and Introverts using their dominant function in the internal world. Moreover, the function which the type code indicates is not preferred is called the auxiliary function. Thus, if either the S or N function were indicated as being the preferred function, then either the T or F function would be the auxiliary function.
So, introverts are more likely to exhibit their auxiliary function when relating to the outer world, whereas their dominant function will be used mainly when relating to the inner world, and will thus not be readily accessible for others to see. In contrast, because Extraverts use their dominant function in the outer world, it will be available for all to see.
