MBTI: ENTJ

An ENTJ has a wonderful ability to cut to the chase of almost any situation. Additionally, they are decisive, occasionally making their decisions too quickly. They generally have a high regard for “positive social and economic institutions, structure, and government.”[1] This, along with the decisiveness, makes them into very natural leaders who can be quite assertive. However, they lack patience with people who are inefficient, incompetent, or repeat mistakes, at which point an ENTJ can become challenging, confrontational, and argumentative due to their high standards. Yet their charisma and energy tend to make up for that among their peers, as they inspire them to greater things. They have a perpetual vision for the long-run, making big plans far into the future. They are career-focused, and love to problem-solve.

                ENTJs are self-confident and rather strong-willed, like their introverted counterparts. This makes them so that they are not always the best listeners. They are also oriented to the future, coming up with possibilities and ideas without conscious effort. They are strategic thinkers, “known for examining every angle of a problem.”[2] Their thirst for knowledge is strong, and they use that knowledge in how they deal with the world around them. They learn best in an environment where debate and problem solving are important, and the learning is structured with a clear end goal – and no experimentation.

                An ENTJ is not always in tune with the feelings and sensitivities of others, due to their own emotional toughness. They struggle to express love and affection, making it sometimes rather awkward for themselves and others. It is difficult for them to put themselves into the shoes of another. This lack of sensitivity is one of their biggest faults. That being said, they love to interact with others.

The friendships of an ENTJ are not built on emotions, but on ideas. They love going back and forth with their friends, proposing ideas and then arguing every angle of them. They love debate and they are one of the personalities best suited for it, perhaps even the best. Their respect can be earned by those who can comprehensibly and persuasively argue their points. Their conversations are lively, substantial, and challenging. Being able to brainstorm and theorize is a huge part of being friends with an ENTJ, Therefore, time spent relaxing must also be something they see as valuable, which may mean researching something so as to become an expert on it. ENTJs are excellent at communication, thus gaining support, yet everything is rooted in a strategy. They have no problem verbalizing their thoughts, decisions, and plans to the world.

ENTJ Specs –

                ENTJs – Conquer the world. Born with combat boots. The Commander. The Fieldmarshall.

                Real life ENTJs – Paul (the Bible – ambitious entrepreneur); Joseph Stalin (dictator of the Soviet Union); Rush Limbaugh (talk show host); Dick Cheney (US Vice President); Napoleon (general of France); Margaret Thatcher (UK Prime Minister); Aristotle (philosopher); Julius Caesar (general of Rome); Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft); Al Gore (US Vice President); Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House); David Letterman (talk show host); George Clooney (actor); Charlize Theron (actress); Katharine Hepburn (actress); Adele (singer).

                Fictional ENTJs – Regina (Once Upon a Time); Thranduil and Thorin and Azog (Hobbit); the power-hungry relative (any fairy tale – perhaps a jealous stepmother or bitter uncle, this character is all about gaining power and manipulation); Shang and Buzz Lightyear (Disney – strategic, organized, natural born leader, focused); Mary (Downton Abbey); Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice); Odin (Thor); James Potter (Harry Potter); Nick Fury (Avengers); Jim Moriarty (Sherlock); Theoden (Lord of the Rings); Emma Woodhouse (Emma); President Snow (Hunger Games); Peter Pevensie (Chronicles of Narnia).

                Presidential ENTJs – Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon

                Prayer of the ENTJ – “God, help me to slow downandnot rushthrough whatIdoAmen!”

                First impression of the ENTJ – Successful robot.

                General impression of the ENTJ – Leader, tireless, strict, infallible, little patience, quick, decisive; strategic; will be president someday.

                Honest stereotype of the ENTJ – Like INTJ, just better at hiding the fact that they’re awful.

                You say potato, ENTJ says… “Come up with a strategy to make mashed potatoes fluffier for better yield and increased profit.”

                Dessert personality for the ENTJ – Cheesecake – classic, frank, and decisive. You know how to be the star of the show. Around for the long haul. Maple walnut ice cream.

                Quote for the ENTJ – “Live your vision and demand your success.” – Steve Maraboli

                Percentage of ENTJ in Men vs. Women – 2.7% of men versus 0.9% of women - 1.8% total.

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[1] “The Sixteen Types,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.thesixteentypes.tumblr.com.

[2] “16 Personalities,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.16personalities.com

MBTI: INTJ

As a friend, an INTJ is loyal – they do not betray and they do not remain friends with those who do. Despite this loyalty, they are rather emotionally restricted, sometimes coming across as cold, distant, and analytical. INTJs are “intensely private and likely to deflect personal questions.”[1] Indeed, they are almost the coldest of the personalities. They will always avoid emotional situations if they possibly can. INTJs have the ability to shut their emotions off, by distancing themselves until they are practically inaccessible. Trying to manipulate the emotions of an INTJ is a terrible idea, as they will realize what is happening and react with distance and contempt. Since female INTJs are the same as males in this, it means they are often accused of being unfeeling and manly. Relationships are approached in a rational way, and they are stable, reliable, and dedicated. An INTJ is generally terrible at flirting, small talk, and generally the little things for building a relationship.

They are steered by logic – if something makes sense, they will follow it; if not, they will not. Authority must be logical, as must things such as slogans if they are to be adopted. INTJs follow rules that are useful. They are independent to the extreme, in action and thought. They also tend to do well in school, often working alone or in groups of similar people. Some of this is no doubt because they do well with organizing and putting in order, though the order may not make sense to anyone else. Indeed, they are one of the highest ranking personality types in terms of GPA.[2]

                INTJs are concerned first and foremost with their own personal performance. They set goals for themselves and do not waste time in reaching their objectives. They tend to stay in the background, but can lead when no one else is stepping up. They are very self-confident, more-so than most types, knowing well their own limits and abilities, and usually “having developed a very strong will.”[3] In addition, they are demanding of themselves and others, expecting full effort and performance. They are constantly looking for ways to make things more efficient. An INTJ often makes decisions naturally and easily, seeming tough-minded and sometime stubborn. They will debate simply for the sake of debating.

                An INTJ speaks in sarcasm, and is amused by bad attempts to be politically correct and similar things. However, their sense of humor is strong. They often have obsessions with skills or hobbies, but these don’t usually last forever, only for a period. They generally seem to be quiet, but if you bring up a topic with which they are obsessed, they can talk your ear off with accurate information.

                They naturally analyze everything and everyone. They tend to be naturally suspicious of everyone. INTJs are always analyzing themselves, finding ways to improve and develop.

INTJ Specs –

                INTJs – reform the world. The Strategist. The Mastermind.

                Real life INTJs – Noah (the Bible – long range planner); Isaac Newton (physicist); Karl Marx (philosopher); Friedrich Nietzsche (philosopher); Nikola Tesla (inventor); Stephen Hawking (physicist); John Adams (US President); Martin Luther (theologian); Vladimir Lenin (dictator of the Soviet Union); Russell Crowe (actor); Julia Stiles (actress); Colin Firth (actor).

                Fictional INTJs – Mr. Gold aka Rumplestilskin (Once Upon a Time); Gandalf and the Necromancer (Hobbit); Mrs. O’Brien (Downton Abbey); Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice); Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter); Belle (Beauty and the Beast); Magneto and Daredevil (Marvel); Pepper Potts (Iron Man); Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes – original, great drive, can focus in depth, skeptical); Elrond (Lord of the Rings); Enjorlas (Les Miserables); Batman (Batman); Jethro Leroy Gibbs (NCIS); Kate Beckett (Castle).

                Presidential INTJs – Thomas Jefferson, James Polk, Chester Arthur, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy.

                Prayer of the INTJ – “Lord, help me be open to others’ ideas, WRONG though they may be!”

                First impression of the INTJ – Machine.

                General impression of the INTJ – System, strategy, insight, ambition, dominating yet quiet; big picture and confidence; generally right; analytical, innovative, problem solver, leader; independent; seeking knowledge and inner perfection.

                Honest stereotype of the INTJ – 50% standoffishness, 50% being right all the time, 100% better than you.

                You say potato, INTJ says… “I have a strategy to make mashed potatoes fluffier, for better yield and increased profit.”

                Dessert personality for the INTJ – Tiramisu – original, driven, complex, and layered. Have high expectations of yourself and others. Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.

                Quote for the INTJ – “There is always room for improvement, you know – it’s the biggest room in the house.” – Louise Heath Leber

                Percentage of INTJ in Men vs. Women – 3.3% of men versus 0.9% of women - 2.1% of the total population.

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[1] “16 Personalities,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.16personalities.com.

[2] “Truity,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.truity.com.

[3] David Keirsey, Please Understand Me II, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1998), page 200.

MBTI: ENTP

ENTPs are often well-liked, thanks in part to how laid-back and flexible they tend to be. In addition, they have an intuitive ability to understand people and situations. They are lively and outspoken, in addition to being energetic and independent. One might even call them charming. ENTPs are also great at conversation, enjoying the exercise of sparring verbally with their associates and friends. They have “great social ease and ability to fit comfortably into most social situations.”[1] Anything new will excite them. However, they also have a low tolerance for people, possibly due in part to the fact that they are great lie detectors.

                An ENTP will probably be good at almost anything that snags their interest, and that tends to be many things as they are naturally curious and questioning. They are analytical and objective, and also clever. However, they dislike schedules and environments that confine them. Deadlines, isolation, and stubbornness all pain them. So do routine, detail-oriented tasks. They need to know first of all, the big picture; then supporting logic. They have the skill to be balancing multiple projects at one time – yet organization is almost non-existent.

                In general, an ENTP will resist being controlled by others. Yet at times, they are too smart for their own good and tumble into bad situations, thanks to arrogance or boastfulness. They don’t enjoy thinking things through meticulously, and look down on those who do as time-wasters. They are also quite quick at sizing up a situation, and usually can do so accurately and with impressive depth. ENTPs can see the relationships between people, things, and ideas. Sometimes minor setbacks annoy them more than they should. They strongly value knowledge and competence, but school tends to be difficult and they have one of the lowest overall GPAs for the sixteen personalities.[2] That being said, they also maintain one of the lowest stress levels of all the personalities. Additionally, they are natural teachers, “continuously devising new and intriguing ways to get their students involved in learning.”[3]

                One strength of an ENTP is their ability to solve problems creatively – which entirely makes sense, since they can see the connections, make them effectively, and therefore solve the problems. Possibilities are in everything for an ENTP. They can improvise quickly and well, and are good at influencing others to join them. This is because they get enthusiastic about the things they enjoy, and know how to communicate that enthusiasm to others. This means that ENTPs are naturally cut out to be leaders – yet they dislike controlling others almost as much as they dislike being controlled themselves. Another strength of theirs is their ability to see many points of view and the merits of them all. Unfortunately, at times, these skills can result in a dislike of doing things in a traditional way.

ENTP Specs –

                ENTPs – change the world. The Inventor. The Visionary.

                Real life ENTPs – Esther (the Bible - clear visionary); Newt Gingrich (political figure); Leonardo da Vinci (artist); Benjamin Franklin (inventor); Steve Wozniak (co-founder of Apple); Bertrand Russell (philosopher, mathematician); Mao (dictator of communist China); Robert Downey, Jr. (actor); Neil Patrick Harris (actor); Gillian Anderson (actress); Hugh Grant (actor).

                Fictional ENTPs – the Mad Hatter (Once Upon a Time); Bard (Hobbit - visionary); the trickster (fairy tale – good or bad, causing mischief and thinking of schemes and ideas); Robin Hood (at least in Disney); Thomas (Downton Abbey – quick, ingenious, stimulating, alert, outspoken); Colonel Fitzwilliam (Pride and Prejudice); Sirius Black (Harry Potter); Iron Man aka Tony Stark (Iron Man); Merry (Lord of the Rings); Barney (How I Met Your Mother); John Willoughby (Sense and Sensibility); Monsieur Thenardier (Les Miserables); Richard Castle (Castle).

                Presidential ENTPs – John Adams, James Hayes, James Garfield, Theodore Roosevelt.

                Prayer of the ENTP – “God, help me follow established procedures today. On second thought, I’ll settle for a few minutes.”

                First impression of the ENTP – Fun idiot.

                General impression of the ENTP – Full of ideas, quick, intuitive; fast, fluent, and well spoken in debate; inventor, curious, clever; ingenious; like debate coaches who believe life is a misfit orphanage and they are the caretaker.

                Honest stereotype of the ENTP – Would probably blow up the world to calculate shrapnel velocity.

                You say potato, ENTP says… “Wrong pronunciation. I bet you say tomato incorrectly too.”

                Dessert personality for the ENTP – A froyo bar – bored by routine. Smart and interested in finding new ways to do things. Candied ginger ice cream.

                Quote for the ENTP – “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” – Joseph Joubert

                Percentage of ENTP in Men vs. Women – 4.0% male versus 2.4% female - 3.2% total.

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[1] “Shout CMS,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.guaranteed-success.com.

[2] “Oddly Developed Types,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.oddlydevelopedtypes.com.

[3] David Keirsey, Please Understand Me II, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1998), page 203.

MBTI: INTP

 An INTP is a grounded person, analytical and thoughtful. They usually prefer to work by themselves, and are more comfortable with that than in social situations. They can easily analyze those around them, but using that skill when it comes to analyzing situations in which they are personally involved is more difficult. An INTP tends to spend a great deal of time in their head, in a contemplative state. Their social struggle is no doubt due in part to the fact that they dislike rules and guidelines, especially those found illogical. They often dislike socializing, no doubt in part because they “prize intelligence.”[1]

                INTPs see the world in how it could be improved and made to run better. They are original and independent, not running by the conventions that surround them. They prefer for their leaders to be the same, proving themselves by actions rather than charisma or followers. An INTP usually acts without consulting others or planning, sometimes coming across as abrupt. They are very self-determined. Sometimes they challenge others, using their insight.

                Yet INTPs tend to worry more than the other sixteen personalities, fearing that they may forget something that should have been thought about or miss a fact that would have made it a better decision. Internal arguments are constant for them, as they often second-guess themselves. Sometimes this means that their “intellectual pursuits” interest them more than their relationships or family. Their interpersonal relationships are not helped by the fact that they have trouble describing their feelings and are naturally private. They savor solitude and value intelligence. In addition, INTPs are honest and straightforward. They “don’t go around intentionally hurting feelings,”[2] but the truth is always the most important thing in their minds and they have no compunctions about expressing that. This can make them seem insensitive.

                An INTP is generally quite open-minded, “receptive to alternate theories, as long as they’re supported by logic and facts.”[3] This helps them in their analyzation, making conclusions about what is happening around them. They are also quite objective. They enjoy having knowledge that few people are interested in or capable of understanding, which can make them almost condescending.

                INTPs can be enthusiastic, but the actual expression of this enthusiasm is rare. They are generally very reserved, and their excitement is mostly reserved for when they discuss a topic that fascinates them with someone else who knows about it well. When they’re very excited, it shows; otherwise, it doesn’t.

INTP Specs –

                INTPs – eschew obfuscation. Understand the world. The Architect.

                Real life INTPs – Solomon (the Bible – wise thinker); Albert Einstein (inventor); Charles Darwin (biologist); Marie Curie (scientist); Rene Descartes (philosopher); Jane Austen (author); Tina Fey (actress/author); Ben Stein (writer, game-show host).

                Fictional INTPs – Saruman or Gandalf (Hobbit and Lord of the Rings); Tom (Downton Abbey); Mr. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice); Jasmine (Jasmine); Hermione Granger (Harry Potter); Jane Foster (Thor); Mycroft Holmes (Sherlock Holmes); George Knightley (Emma); Haymitch (Hunger Games); Felicity Smoak (Arrow).

                Presidential INTPs – James Madison, John Quincy Adams, John Tyler, Abraham Lincoln, Gerald Ford.

                Prayer of the INTP – “Lord, help me be less independent, but let me do it my own way.”

                First impression of the INTP – Machine.

                General impression of the INTP – Mad scientist; questioning, objective; introspective, philosophical, logical, focused; seeking truth and inner understanding; puzzling.

                Honest stereotype of the INTP – That one guy hiding in their room trying to calculate exactly how much bigger the TARDIS is on the inside.

                You say potato, INTP says… “80% water, 20% solids, 100 calories per 8 ounces baked or boiled, good source of starch."

                Dessert personality for the INTP – Pumpkin pie – quiet and contained. Adaptable and flexible, but you still seek logical solutions. Red velvet ice cream.

                Quote for the INTP – “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” – Albert Einstein

                Percentage of INTP in Men vs. Women – 4.8% of men versus 1.7% of women - 3.3% total.

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[1] David Keirsey, Please Understand Me II, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1998), page 205.

[2] “16 Personalities,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.16personalities.com.

[3] “16 Personalities,” accessed July 9, 2015, www.16personalities.com.

MBTI: NF Temperament

                The NF is one of the most difficult categories to define. To put it simply, they are trying to find self. According to Keirsey, the NF “hungers for self-actualization, to be and to become real.”[1] They long to be unique, and recognized for it, no matter what role they fulfill in the world. They wish to be real, honest, transparent. Integrity does not lack in their lives. They search for a life of significance.

                The relationships of the NF are characterized by their willingness to invest effort and enthusiasm and emotion into the other person, often feeling disappointment in what is returned. This characteristic, however, makes them into wonderful counselors, psychiatrists, and teachers. They adopt causes and only abandon them if they are not accomplishing some life-changing, long-lasting goal.

                A wonderful aspect of the NF is his ability to see good in anyone. This can result in an ability and willingness to make great personal sacrifice for the good of others. They are the ones urging the world to “be real.”[2] They long to provide significance in addition to service.

                The NF will concentrate on people over things. Their interest is in relationships, not abstractions. They love interaction. These things set them apart from the SP, SJ, and NT.

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[1] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 59.

[2] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 64.

MBTI: NT Temperament

                The NTs are one of the most unique categories, living in a world where the others are unlike them. This will be become more obvious as we advance in our study of them. They include the INTJ, the most unusual of all the types.

                One of the things that fascinates and is highly desirable to the NT is power – not over people as much as the understanding and predicting of realities and natural things. Perhaps “power” is not so much the word to use as “competency” or some similar word. Keirsey puts it like this: “The extreme NT can even be seen as addicted to acquiring intelligence, hooked on storing up wisdom…”[1] He has a need, a desire, a MUST to be good at everything he does. This means he is strongly critical of himself and his abilities. Indeed, “the NT must be competent in whatever domain of enterprise or inquiry he chooses; he will settle for nothing less.”[2] This occasionally results in perfectionism. But because of the NT’s thirst for and pursuit of knowledge, the semi-common result is that he does indeed become an expert in the field of his choice. He often does have a greater proficiency in more areas than the average person.

                Unfortunately, the NT tends to project attitudes of expecting little of others (since they cannot usually comprehend his mode of communication and the extensiveness of his actions) and yet expecting them to at least attempt to equal him in production and effort. These attitudes result in those around NTs sometimes feeling “intellectually inadequate.”[3] Thanks to this, arrogance and pride can often be an appearance (and regularly a reality) for the NT. Indeed, it is one of their most serious issues.

                NTs tend to speak briefly, without repetitiveness, communicating concisely. Sometimes they leave things out, assuming that others know them already. For an NT, idleness is the worst thing that could possibly happen. Everything is work and knowledge and growing, whatever it may be. Additionally, randomly, NTs like word-play. They enjoy words in general, but especially when they are put together in witty or humorous ways.

                All of this combined tends to make the NT a rather unemotional person, often unaware of the emotions and feelings of others. They are not usually sensitive. Unkind remarks aimed against them do not generally phase them, but the NT is more than capable of returning with a biting sarcasm that can deeply hurt the one who is on the receiving end.

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[1] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 48.

[2] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 49.

[3] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 51.

MBTI: SJ Temperament

                One of the primary concerns of the SJ is to belong – yet not simply for himself (that is, because of who he is), but because he has worked to belong and deserves it. The attitude of an SJ often tends towards being parental, with a longing to be needed. They almost desire to be “bound and obligated.”[1] A deeply rooted belief in hierarchy is a sizable part of what makes an SJ function.

                SJs tend to be a little pessimistic in all they do, or at least, the strongest SJs are. This comes partially from a strong sense of reality. They long and strive to be prepared for anything that may occur. They want to be useful, to belong in the groups they are near.

                One unique characteristic of the SJ is that he feels strongly that it is “his duty to give, serve, and care for.”[2] He does not like to accept care from others, since he is, in his own mind, the one who should be giving it. They have a strong sense of caring, especially for the very young and old. It is the SJs who conserve and save, most especially in any line of work they may be in: pastor, accountant, banker, manager, medical fields, etc. Often they may end up in a position of some power, revealing themselves to be conservative in spending and life in general. They are also very responsible, but often without the thanks and appreciation that such responsibility should receive. This responsibility results in many SJs being teachers, librarians, dentists, or entering other solidly respectable lines of work.

                One of their most distinguishing characteristics is their passion for tradition. To an SJ, history is of the utmost importance. They want to learn the lessons of history and put them to practical use. And, to an SJ, tradition is there and inherently rooted somehow in history.

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[1] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 40.

[2] David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me: Character & Temperament Types, (Del Mar: Prometheus Nemesis Book Company, 1984), page 42.