ENTJ-A

What is a ENTJ?

Decisive, driven and organised, the Director turns ideas into plans and plans into action. They enjoy leading, build systems, and measure success by outcomes. They say what they think and expect the same in return.

In Jung’s language the mind’s four main functions run in this order for a ENTJ: Te · Ni · Se · Fi (dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, inferior). The first leads and the last is the least comfortable and shows up under stress.

The Anchored version: ENTJ-A

The Anchored version of this type takes pressure in its stride. It recovers quickly from mistakes, worries little about what others think and trusts its ability to cope. The gift is calm and confidence; the risk is overlooking warnings that a more anxious colleague would have raised.

Compare with the ENTJ-T version.

At work and in everyday life

Wants a target, authority to act and capable people. Quickly takes charge of a muddled project and often ends up running it.

Negotiating and disagreeing

Goes in with a clear position and presses it. Strong on leverage and deadlines. May win the point and lose the relationship; worth asking what the other side needs.

Under stress

Becomes controlling and sharp-tongued, or withdraws and feels unusually hurt. May overwork and neglect their own needs.

Growing

• Ask for views before announcing the decision
• Praise specific work out loud
• Schedule rest as if it were a client meeting

How to deal with a ENTJ

If they are your boss

Be direct, be prepared and bring solutions with the problem; disagree with evidence and in private first.

If they are your client or customer

Wants a clear plan, a timeline and fast decisions; will respect candour about risk.

If they are your colleague

Energises the team and pushes it forward. Speak up early, or you may be overruled by momentum.

If you disagree with them

Aggressive and organised. Hold your ground calmly, and offer them a way to win something.

Your mirror type, with every letter opposite, is the ISFP: The Artist.

If you work in law: the The Managing Partner

Often drawn to leadership, managing a practice, corporate and transactional work, litigation strategy and business development. Comfortable in front of clients, committees and courts.

At the negotiating table. Goes in with a clear position and presses it. Strong on leverage and deadlines. May win the point and lose the relationship; worth asking what the other side needs.

These are tendencies, not rules: every type works in every area of law, and the best lawyers are often the ones who stretch beyond their type. Nothing here is career advice for any individual or a reason to choose or reject anyone.