ENTJ Careers and Workplace Habits Worth Exploring
Are you an ENTJ personality type looking for some professional direction? Or maybe you work with one and are trying to understand what makes them tick. The best ENTJ careers are those that encourage leadership and innovation.
We’ll discuss where and how they thrive, plus how you can navigate a working relationship with them.
ENTJ Meaning – Who are they?
ENTJs are outgoing, analytical types of people. Their chief function is extroverted thinking. This means that they tend to live in their own heads, constantly planning and strategizing ways to make their mark on the world.
ENTJs are natural leaders and often find themselves in positions of power and influence. They are confident and decisive, always ready to take charge and get things done. They are also highly independent, rarely asking for help or direction from others. This can be a good thing or a bad thing.
Are ENTJs rare?
They are! ENTJs are the second rarest personality type behind INFJs. They represent approximately 1.8% of the population. ENTJs represent 2.3% of men and 1.5% of women.
Are ENTJs smart?
It depends on how you define smart. If you’re asking whether or not ENTJs perform well on academic or intelligence tests, that depends entirely on the individual. What we can say is that ENTJs are highly competitive, motivated, and career-driven individuals who are constantly working to improve themselves.
They value personal growth and development, making learning a priority. So in that respect, ENTJs living their fullest potential are probably highly intelligent.

What are the strengths of an ENTJ?
Where to begin? The strengths of ENTJs are many. They are:
- Natural leaders who are confident and decisive
- Highly independent and self-sufficient
- Competitive, motivated, and always striving to improve
- Excellent at strategic planning and execution
- Quick thinkers who are good at problem-solving
- Usually well-informed and up-to-date on current events
- Good at public speaking and communicating their ideas
- Typically successful in their chosen careers
Interestingly enough, many of these strengths are also causes of social weaknesses. ENTJs are notorious workaholics who often have trouble balancing work and personal/family life. They can be abrasive and opinionated, and may not be very good at listening to others. They can also be quite inflexible in their thinking, which can lead to conflicts with others.
As with all personality types, it’s about self-awareness. Do they understand their strengths and areas of growth? Are they willing to step out of their comfort zone to create more balance?
Why are ENTJs so successful?
The answer to this question is complex. There are many factors that contribute to ENTJs’ success, including their natural strengths and abilities, as well as the things they’ve worked hard to develop. But if we had to boil it down to a few key reasons, it would be these:
– They are highly ambitious and motivated individuals who are always looking for ways to improve and progress in their careers.
– They have excellent strategic thinking skills and are very good at planning and executing complex projects.
– They are confident and decisive, which allows them to take charge and get things done.
– They are naturally extroverted, which allows them to feed off the energy of others (in a good way). This helps them stay energized in a work setting.
– They are good at public speaking and communicating their ideas, which allows them to influence others and get their projects off the ground.
– They are highly independent and self-sufficient, which allows them to work independently and take on large amounts of responsibility.
What are ENTJs like at work?
Here’s the thing – ENTJs are go-getters by nature. To be blunt: they get things done. They will burn the midnight oil to achieve seemingly impossible goals. Companies love that, which is why ENTJs are great at climbing the ladder at work.
However, they aren’t always ideal colleagues. Working with ENTJs can be challenging because they tend to be very direct and outspoken – a trait that is not well-received by everyone. They also have a tendency to be workaholics who are always on the go, and they don’t understand people who aren’t the same way. This can make them seem insensitive or uncaring at times.
ENTJs are the backbone of “Rise and Grind Twitter.” These are the ultra hype, aspiring motivational speakers with 50 different projects going at any given time. Inspiring? Yes. Kind of exhausting? Also, yes.
What are ENTJs like on a team?
ENTJs are usually the ones in charge of a team. They’re the leaders, the strategists, and the visionaries. And while they may not always be the most popular people on the team, they are typically very effective leaders.
ENTJs have a tendency to be very decisive and can sometimes come across as bossy or inflexible. They also have a tendency to be very competitive, which can be a turn-off.
However, ENTJs are also excellent at problem-solving, which makes them valuable team members. So depending on how self-aware your ENTJ teammate is, you might have the best, most effective team you’ve ever worked on, or you might feel like you’re getting bossed around.
What are ENTJs like as leaders?
ENTJs often find themselves in leadership positions because of their natural ability to take charge and get things done. So in that regard, they are a great fit and settle into the role easily.
As leaders, ENTJs are usually very effective. They have a clear vision and are excellent at planning and executing complex projects. However, they can also be very demanding and may not always be the most understanding or compassionate leaders. So if you’re an employee who doesn’t work well under pressure, or if you don’t respond well to tough love, then an ENTJ boss might not be the best fit for you.
What are ENTJs like under stress?
Under stress, ENTJs can become impatient, irritable, and even aggressive. They may have a hard time thinking clearly and making decisions. This is because their preferences for Ni (Introverted Intuition) and Te (Extroverted Thinking) are not being met. When this happens, ENTJs may find themselves feeling “stuck.”
To get back to their normal selves, ENTJs need time to themselves to process information and clear their head. They also need time to be around people who will appreciate them for who they are – people who can provide some balance in their lives. Emotional resets are a must for stressed-out ENTJs.
What are the best careers for ENTJs?
There are a few careers that are a natural fit for ENTJs. These include:
- Business owner
- CEO
- Entrepreneur
- Project manager
- Salesperson
- Event planner
- Lawyer/Attorney
- Public speaker
- Journalist/Publisher
Basically, any career that allows an ENTJ to take charge and be around people will be a good fit.
What are the worst careers for ENTJs?
Any career that is going to make an ENTJ feel submissive, completely in service of others, or restricted will be a poor choice. These roles do not fit an ENTJ’s strengths and will likely lead to frustration.
Examples of careers ENTJs might struggle with include:
- Psychologist
- Social worker
- Teacher or Teacher Aide
- Nurse
- Counselor
- Factory worker or data entry
These are all perfectly fine and admirable careers, but they just don’t work for ENTJs.
ENTJ Mentors: Great or Horrible?
ENTJs make great mentors for people with similar personality types, but maybe not folks with opposite personalities.
An ENTJ mentor is going to give you 110% every day, but also expect that in return. They’re intense. Mentees will learn a lot, but they’ll also be pushed to their limits. If that sounds appealing, then an ENTJ mentor might change your whole life.
If not? It’s best to steer clear.
TL;DR: ENTJ Careers and Work Habits
ENTJs are executive powerhouses. They’re hard-working, intense leaders with a passion for innovation and success. ENTJs thrive in leadership roles where their tireless work ethic is not only appreciated but encouraged.