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[ENFP] ENFPs looking like NTJs

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I have heard about ENFP's with strong usage of tertiary Te being a bit like an NTJ.

How often does this happen, and under what circumstances?

Is Enneagram related at all?

And if you are an ENFP, or know one, do you/they ever switch into this kind of mode at any time?
 

ScottJames

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I can't say I've ever seen an ENFP I'd mistake for an NTJ. The Ne is such a dominant part of their personality and that contrasts strong with NTJ types.

Usually when an ENFP is leaning into their Te tertiary function it looks different than it does coming from an NTJ. For example, I have two friends who used to be in business together, ENTJ and ENFP. My ENTJ friend generally filters everything through his Te in a very evolved way. He'll go through great lengths to do what produces the best outcome and will rarely stray from that m.o.. When my ENFP friend, on the other hand, goes into Te, she becomes bossy and forceful. She tries to impose her will. This is often how it shows up for types who have it as a weakness.
 

pinkgraffiti

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When my ENFP friend, on the other hand, goes into Te, she becomes bossy and forceful. She tries to impose her will. This is often how it shows up for types who have it as a weakness.

oh my, this is the most embarrassing thing i've heard all day. yup, i can testify to this, and i think it's the most embarrassing part of my personality, i hate it about myself.
 
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Stansmith

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I can't say I've ever seen an ENFP I'd mistake for an NTJ. The Ne is such a dominant part of their personality and that contrasts strong with NTJ types.

Usually when an ENFP is leaning into their Te tertiary function it looks different than it does coming from an NTJ. For example, I have two friends who used to be in business together, ENTJ and ENFP. My ENTJ friend generally filters everything through his Te in a very evolved way. He'll go through great lengths to do what produces the best outcome and will rarely stray from that m.o.. When my ENFP friend, on the other hand, goes into Te, she becomes bossy and forceful. She tries to impose her will. This is often how it shows up for types who have it as a weakness.

I'm not really "bossy" with Te, just relatively pragmatic and "impartial" and less easily influenced by cheap emotional swaying. I can come off as domineering and critical around friends but its mainly playful and in good fun.
 

Chiharu

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When I'm stressed I turn into a drill-sergeant. I could maybe seem like an ENTJ. And I've been mistyped as an INTJ when I'm depressed, because the Te comes out but is somewhat repressed.
 

sculpting

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This isnt uncommon-especially with older ENFPs who will actually test as ESTJ/ENTJs or ENTPs. It is going to be more common for sp ENFPs than other types.

As we age we both embrace our logical side via ambitious Te, and we feel really proud of all the things that we get done with it, so it becomes highly "valued" from an Fi perpsctive. Same thing for enfps in science or tech-we "value" logic and objective results.

I administered the MBTI Step II to a group of folks-the older ESFP man and women both tested as ESTJs. The older ENFPs tested as ENTPs and ENTJs. It's just personality dynamics in motion.
 

Dancing_Queen

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I've been mistaken for an INTJ more times than I can count. It's weird because I'm very unlike them in most ways, but I come across as one for most people before they get to know me. I'd like to know why :unsure:
 

To_the_Rockies

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I'm early in a relationship with a textbook ENFP, and this thread speaks exactly to something I've observed.

One clear pattern is for her to retreat to Te after she feels criticized. When this happens, she gets defensive, it becomes impossible to talk about what happened, and for the next half day or so she turns into what appears a lot like an ENTJ. After a period of silence after the "criticism", conversation drifts to other topics, and she becomes a different person than normal -- one who extroverts judgments in a vaguely harsh tone. She can also become domineering, even being bossy, with no recognition that her behavior had changed. Eventually she softens a bit, I express love for her, we laugh together, and she turns back into a dreamy ENFP that makes me go ga-ga.

Between these two states, her tone of voice (something I'm very sensitive to; I experience Te as "harshness") becomes dramatically different between these two states, almost like two completely different people. It's so pronounced that I briefly considered whether she may have multiple personality disorder, lol. (True story.)

I think it also contributed to our last conflict. A tough conversation had been looming about how we'd handle something if we one day lived together, where we clearly had different preferences; and finding a compromise might require someone to give up something big. I step very delicately into such situations, in order to honor the others' feelings and we can work carefully together toward compromise. But I opened by asking her her thoughts; and I received a soapbox of why she couldn't handle it if she were to yield to my preference. It was so extreme that it left no room for compromise, and I felt domineered. When I gently expressed this, she started suggesting compromises, but by then I felt very controlled and dismissed. But perhaps what happened is that she was nervous about the conversation and immediately retreated to Te to handle the tough conversation?

She has also expressed pride in her ability to get things done, in a sort of "J" way. At first, I didn't understand where all this J-ness was coming from... But the idea expressed above, that stress can bring about a reliance on Te, fits exactly with what I've seen in her.
 

uumlau

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I'm early in a relationship with a textbook ENFP, and this thread speaks exactly to something I've observed.

One clear pattern is for her to retreat to Te after she feels criticized. When this happens, she gets defensive, it becomes impossible to talk about what happened, and for the next half day or so she turns into what appears a lot like an ENTJ. After a period of silence after the "criticism", conversation drifts to other topics, and she becomes a different person than normal -- one who extroverts judgments in a vaguely harsh tone. She can also become domineering, even being bossy, with no recognition that her behavior had changed. Eventually she softens a bit, I express love for her, we laugh together, and she turns back into a dreamy ENFP that makes me go ga-ga.

Between these two states, her tone of voice (something I'm very sensitive to; I experience Te as "harshness") becomes dramatically different between these two states, almost like two completely different people. It's so pronounced that I briefly considered whether she may have multiple personality disorder, lol. (True story.)

I think it also contributed to our last conflict. A tough conversation had been looming about how we'd handle something if we one day lived together, where we clearly had different preferences; and finding a compromise might require someone to give up something big. I step very delicately into such situations, in order to honor the others' feelings and we can work carefully together toward compromise. But I opened by asking her her thoughts; and I received a soapbox of why she couldn't handle it if she were to yield to my preference. It was so extreme that it left no room for compromise, and I felt domineered. When I gently expressed this, she started suggesting compromises, but by then I felt very controlled and dismissed. But perhaps what happened is that she was nervous about the conversation and immediately retreated to Te to handle the tough conversation?

She has also expressed pride in her ability to get things done, in a sort of "J" way. At first, I didn't understand where all this J-ness was coming from... But the idea expressed above, that stress can bring about a reliance on Te, fits exactly with what I've seen in her.

Yes, but think ESTJ, not ENTJ. There is a great degree of rigidity in the inferior Si. This can be the most difficult to deal with in an ENFP. When they aren't experiencing stress, they get along with everyone very well, easily adapting to everyone's needs and values. The "inner ESTJ" is the shadow of this personality: being flexible and supportive didn't work, therefore the ENFP switches over to an ESTJ mode which is bossy (Te) and rigid (Si), that admits no compromise, and insists on getting things done. In some cases, this can actually be OK, because if a matter can be resolved by facing it head on and doing the hard work needed to overcome it, then it is resolved and the ENFP has successfully handled things, if perhaps in a reactive and not entirely emotionally stable manner.

The inner ESTJ becomes an issue in relationships, because the stress that a relationship causes MUST be addressed by cooperation. While a real ESTJ is quite capable of resolving conflicts in a cooperative and constructive way, the inner ESTJ of the ENFP demands complete compliance. It's kind of an emotional blackmail: "Do what I want or I'll REALLY get upset." The primary reason for the emotionality is that the ENFP part never really goes away. The ESTJ side is in the service of an ideal (Ne) value (Fi), an almost holy quest, and the Te-Si directives are intended to satisfy that value. If you don't cooperate completely with an ENFP in this very stressed state, they will tend to start regarding you as an enemy, with someone who is against her ideals, and thus cooperation or compromise is unmerited.

I've seen even the most mature of ENFPs (multiple, not just one!) do this on various occasions. If a matter touches on one of their core values, one of the causes they FIGHT for, there is no "reason" to be had. You are either with them, or against them, and they will not respond to any sort of "meet in the middle" kind of language.

What is the real thing that is driving them to act this way? There is some key value that you need to honor and respect. This is Fi, though, and what they SAY the value is probably isn't the value. Rather there is some past experience (Fi-Si) in which they or someone they loved very much got hurt very badly, and the value is a reaction to that.

If this underlying cause is singular, and an ideal worth achieving and spending time on, then it isn't necessarily bad to just let them have their way and help them move things forward. As long as they believe you're on their side, you'll be able to contribute and show them better ways of accomplishing their goals. If instead there are multiple "causes", or the cause is really vague, or the cause is something that directly interferes with your relationship with each other, then the overall behavior will tend to be more neurotic, and there isn't much you can do, as there is nothing concrete to point at and say, "Hey, um, this doesn't make any sense." Relationship therapy MIGHT help, depending. The cause will always take precedence over your relationship. If the cause IS your relationship, that doesn't necessarily help either, as the ideal of the relationship will eventually collide with reality, at which point the cause becomes finding a better relationship.

FYI, what I'm describing necessarily sounds extreme because of the nature of the topic, describing how ENFPs break down. Most ENFPs are quite reasonable, and if your ENFP is young, then this is a side of her that she can grow into. ENFPs love constructive (Te) hobbies (Si) in which they can invest their time, and these kinds of activities help them grow into their inner ESTJ a bit more smoothly. If they're stuck instead neurotically cleaning the house, that is a stressor that will eventually blow up in some other form. ENFPs need to endeavor to figure out how to solve logistical problems without going into stress mode, because if they always go into stress mode to solve problems, they will be overall very unhappy.
 

To_the_Rockies

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Thanks uumlau. Agreed, maybe more like ESTJ.

I do think, in her case, the primary ideal is in fact the relationship. Yes, this is a potential stressor on us, because it makes it harder to discuss problems without her feeling she's failed, leading to defensiveness. I don't make things any easier, because I carry my own baggage that exacerbates the problem.

What I know for sure is that she's worth every effort, and I will work hard to love her well. This thread helped me understand her a little better, to that end.
 

To_the_Rockies

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Thanks uumlau. Agreed, maybe more like ESTJ.

I do think, in her case, the primary ideal is in fact the relationship. Yes, this is a potential stressor on us, because it makes it harder to discuss problems without her feeling she's failed, leading to defensiveness. I don't make things any easier, because I carry my own baggage that exacerbates the problem.

What I know for sure is that she's worth every effort, and I will work hard to love her well. This thread helped me understand her a little better, to that end.
 

HongDou

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I agree with [MENTION=9310]uumlau[/MENTION]'s post all the way. I know someone (I think ISFJ) once said in a thread I made that intuition feels like a distant voice that is present within his mind everyday. It's the same for myself and Si. There's a side of me (that's denied and repressed as much as possible hehe) that's very rigid and critical. It can even show itself in the smallest ways, like when I show a game to my friend. They'll play it and I might be like "well why don't you try playing it this way?" And then if they keep on doing it how they're doing it, NeFi usually comes back to the surface and I just go on not caring. Or if they say sure, then Te will start hammering away and I'll be like "okay, if you're gonna do it this way then it'd be most practical to organize things this way, do these tasks within this certain time frame, etc." Of course, they're just little things like that.

In relationships it shows up even more. I have a certain ideal of what my relationships will be like and if guys start going against that ideal I'll start to run away and look for a new one somewhere else who might fit the picture better. I'm trying to work around this and be more open-minded about the personalities of people I find attractive but yeah, there's some of idealism there.

I haven't really done much bossing around with people, but when I do feel stressed/attacked I operate from an "I'm always right" mentality. It's immature, but I think [MENTION=4945]EJCC[/MENTION] once said in a video about ESTJs that it's much easier for me (and probably a lot of other people) to feel like you're always right and wait to feel proven wrong.

Other than that, chances are if you think an ENFP looks like an NTJ they're probably not ENFP. It's coming from a little personal side of me, but I don't look rigid or organized in the slightest haha and I would hardly want to look like that. I prefer to be loosey goosey free-flowing self. :blush: I guess there might be some dark/flirty snark that might come from both types.
 

EJCC

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I agree with [MENTION=9310]uumlau[/MENTION] as well.

[MENTION=17131]Chanaynay[/MENTION] Was the video you were thinking of the one where I tried to narrow "core" ESTJ-ness down to four traits? One of those traits was "being right until proven wrong". Anyway, the way you phrased it ties in with uumlau's post and also contradicts mine, because inherent in ENFP "always right" Te is a very emotionally loaded version of Si that rejects outside input and skews all interpretation of outside data. Now that I think about it, I'm guessing that people confuse ExTJ Te with the Te I'm describing and assume it's personal, when it might not be if you're talking to an ExTJ.

Because I'm bored and don't want to link my vid outside of the private section where vids go, I transcribed that part of the vid:

EJCC said:
...Being right until proven wrong. By that I mean, having working assumptions at all times, regardless of how true they are, regardless of how much evidence is behind them. ESTJs just find it easier ... always working under the assumption that you're right, hoping that at some point someone will correct you, or you can backpedal based on new evidence that you find -- but generally not thinking about that, generally thinking about what you've got NOW and relying upon that. The nature of that way of operating is that it's pretty easy to convince them, if you do have evidence like I mentioned before, but there are several downsides to, you know, acting like you're right, always. And one of those downsides is that people are generally... People don't seem like they really want to try to convince me of things, that they give up early or they just don't want to bother, because they assume from how certain i sound that I'm going to be very emotionally tied to what I'm saying. Which is not necessarily true at all. So that's a downside.
 

HongDou

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[MENTION=17131]Chanaynay[/MENTION] Was the video you were thinking of the one where I tried to narrow "core" ESTJ-ness down to four traits? One of those traits was "being right until proven wrong". Anyway, the way you phrased it ties in with uumlau's post and also contradicts mine, because inherent in ENFP "always right" Te is a very emotionally loaded version of Si that rejects outside input and skews all interpretation of outside data. Now that I think about it, I'm guessing that people confuse ExTJ Te with the Te I'm describing and assume it's personal, when it might not be if you're talking to an ExTJ.

Ah yes, precisely. :yes: The difference is that the Te/Si usage in the ENFP in that case would be a defense mechanism against stress, while for the ESTJ it comes naturally. But that's probably why people think ENFPs appear ExTJ-like. Actually given the number of self-typed NFPs studying MBTI I wouldn't be surprised if this misconception comes from having a less healthy relationship with Te/Si.
 

uumlau

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Ah yes, precisely. :yes: The difference is that the Te/Si usage in the ENFP in that case would be a defense mechanism against stress, while for the ESTJ it comes naturally. But that's probably why people think ENFPs appear ExTJ-like. Actually given the number of self-typed NFPs studying MBTI I wouldn't be surprised if this misconception comes from having a less healthy relationship with Te/Si.

And because it's an ENFP under stress, the "until proven wrong" part never happens. There is too much emotional investment in being right to let go of it.
 

Colemun50

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Its extremely frustrating when adults of any type do not know themselves. Because they don't know themselves, any attempt at sharing information to help them grow is perceived as criticism and therefore taken as an offense, which then makes them go on the defensive and offend the person that is simply trying to engage in solution based dialogue. I have an ENFP boss who unfortunately does this. With no structure, no manuals, no direct guidance or consistent communication, Im expected to intuit what needs to be done while being beraded at the drop of a hat from one minute to the next. Because my ENFP boss "rejects labels" they have not done any reading on themselves to find clarity and perhaps to learn ways to better maximize their potential. Great ideas but no follow thru, controlling/egotistical (I pay the cost to be boss- one of my bosses favorite sayings) but with no clear instructions or communication guidelines, haughty at times with no self awareness, finger pointing without taking personal responsibility for the role they play in outcomes, almost childlike temper tantrum behavior in response to constructive criticism. This is my ENFP boss and clearly, I need another job lol
 

Indigo Rodent

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I have heard about ENFP's with strong usage of tertiary Te being a bit like an NTJ.

How often does this happen, and under what circumstances?

Is Enneagram related at all?

And if you are an ENFP, or know one, do you/they ever switch into this kind of mode at any time?
Real ENFPs generally look like softer NTJs due to having Te and Fi and being intuitive.
 

victorcorcos

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Yes, but think ESTJ, not ENTJ. There is a great degree of rigidity in the inferior Si. This can be the most difficult to deal with in an ENFP. When they aren't experiencing stress, they get along with everyone very well, easily adapting to everyone's needs and values. The "inner ESTJ" is the shadow of this personality: being flexible and supportive didn't work, therefore the ENFP switches over to an ESTJ mode which is bossy (Te) and rigid (Si), that admits no compromise, and insists on getting things done. In some cases, this can actually be OK, because if a matter can be resolved by facing it head on and doing the hard work needed to overcome it, then it is resolved and the ENFP has successfully handled things, if perhaps in a reactive and not entirely emotionally stable manner.

The inner ESTJ becomes an issue in relationships, because the stress that a relationship causes MUST be addressed by cooperation. While a real ESTJ is quite capable of resolving conflicts in a cooperative and constructive way, the inner ESTJ of the ENFP demands complete compliance. It's kind of an emotional blackmail: "Do what I want or I'll REALLY get upset." The primary reason for the emotionality is that the ENFP part never really goes away. The ESTJ side is in the service of an ideal (Ne) value (Fi), an almost holy quest, and the Te-Si directives are intended to satisfy that value. If you don't cooperate completely with an ENFP in this very stressed state, they will tend to start regarding you as an enemy, with someone who is against her ideals, and thus cooperation or compromise is unmerited.

I've seen even the most mature of ENFPs (multiple, not just one!) do this on various occasions. If a matter touches on one of their core values, one of the causes they FIGHT for, there is no "reason" to be had. You are either with them, or against them, and they will not respond to any sort of "meet in the middle" kind of language.

What is the real thing that is driving them to act this way? There is some key value that you need to honor and respect. This is Fi, though, and what they SAY the value is probably isn't the value. Rather there is some past experience (Fi-Si) in which they or someone they loved very much got hurt very badly, and the value is a reaction to that.

If this underlying cause is singular, and an ideal worth achieving and spending time on, then it isn't necessarily bad to just let them have their way and help them move things forward. As long as they believe you're on their side, you'll be able to contribute and show them better ways of accomplishing their goals. If instead there are multiple "causes", or the cause is really vague, or the cause is something that directly interferes with your relationship with each other, then the overall behavior will tend to be more neurotic, and there isn't much you can do, as there is nothing concrete to point at and say, "Hey, um, this doesn't make any sense." Relationship therapy MIGHT help, depending. The cause will always take precedence over your relationship. If the cause IS your relationship, that doesn't necessarily help either, as the ideal of the relationship will eventually collide with reality, at which point the cause becomes finding a better relationship.

FYI, what I'm describing necessarily sounds extreme because of the nature of the topic, describing how ENFPs break down. Most ENFPs are quite reasonable, and if your ENFP is young, then this is a side of her that she can grow into. ENFPs love constructive (Te) hobbies (Si) in which they can invest their time, and these kinds of activities help them grow into their inner ESTJ a bit more smoothly. If they're stuck instead neurotically cleaning the house, that is a stressor that will eventually blow up in some other form. ENFPs need to endeavor to figure out how to solve logistical problems without going into stress mode, because if they always go into stress mode to solve problems, they will be overall very unhappy.
Dude, your text was amazing and just described myself profoundly. I don't know how INTJs do that but they really look at me through the surface. I can't hide to them. And knowing about all of these things is very important for my growth. I, as ENFP (and probably other ENFPs) want to express my logical reasoning with Te and want to accomplish things through my Te, that makes me satisfied inside, it's a bucket of joy to my Fi and that's why I admire INTJs, it's their Te aux usage and Ni dom insight.
 
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