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[ENTJ] Are ENTJs manipulative?

theplacesyoullgo

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Your gut feelings, please. Are ENTJs more manipulative than any other type?

I'm ENTJ (moderately weak E, very strong N) and have been accused of being manipulative a handful of times in my life - but I wasn't consciously trying to manipulate anyone.
 

redacted

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What do you mean by manipulative? Convincing? Yes.

Other types are quite manipulative too. I've been called extremely manipulative.

Define manipulative and I'll probably give a more satisfying answer.
 

Jack Flak

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I think being smart is often misconstrued as trying to manipulate. In other words, "I'm so sorry I'm not an idiot and don't let everyone take advantage of me without question!"

But people can be manipulative, so who knows.
 

theplacesyoullgo

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What do you mean by manipulative? Convincing? Yes.

Other types are quite manipulative too. I've been called extremely manipulative.

Define manipulative and I'll probably give a more satisfying answer.

I always thought of "manipulative" as having a negative connotation, kind of the ability to get someone to do something s/he will probably regret later which s/he wouldn't normally do without your urging. Essentially controlling others for ulterior motives.
 

A Schnitzel

WTF is this dude saying?
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I find that all NJs are manipulative to some extent.

The problem is that being manipulative by itself is often given a negative connotation when in fact you can use it for good or evil. For example you might not get a lot of good things done in an organization if you just said you wanted them done. People might get offended and the idea would get squashed before it even got off the ground. On the other hand if you say the right things to the right people and make it seem like they came up with the idea, it might happen before you know it.
 

redacted

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I always thought of "manipulative" as having a negative connotation, kind of the ability to get someone to do something s/he will probably regret later which s/he wouldn't normally do without your urging. Essentially controlling others for ulterior motives.

Extroverted judgers in general do this, since they implement their introverted perception.

Sometimes the introverted perception falls in line with what's good for the group, sometimes not.

Fe is just as manipulative as Te, though, if not more.

Extroverted perceivers are manipulative, too, but it would be explained slightly differently.

Again (I feel like I'm always giving this answer), MBTI isn't a very good tool for talking about stuff like this.
 

theplacesyoullgo

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Again (I feel like I'm always giving this answer), MBTI isn't a very good tool for talking about stuff like this.

I get the answer to these types of questions is always going to be that all/most types are X, they just express it in different ways. Was just looking for some general opinions.
 

redacted

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Overall, the ENTJs I know are considered by most people to be more manipulative on average than other types.

But that's my perception of other people's perceptions on average; I don't actually feel that way. Plus, I don't know enough ENTJs to make a good statistical sample.
 

ArchitectofFate

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Your gut feelings, please. Are ENTJs more manipulative than any other type?

I'm ENTJ (moderately weak E, very strong N) and have been accused of being manipulative a handful of times in my life - but I wasn't consciously trying to manipulate anyone.

if people accuse you of being manipulative, then you didn't manipulate anyone at all
 

Athenian200

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Your gut feelings, please. Are ENTJs more manipulative than any other type?

I'm ENTJ (moderately weak E, very strong N) and have been accused of being manipulative a handful of times in my life - but I wasn't consciously trying to manipulate anyone.

My guess is that ENTJs are, on average, more manipulative than IxTx types and INFPs, about equal with other IxFx types, and less manipulative than ExTP and ExFx types.

All types are manipulative to some degree, of course.
 

Metamorphosis

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I think that ENTJs are some of the least manipulative types, because they'll just tell you exactly what they want and expect you to do it. Steam rolling isn't entirely compatible with manipulation. I think that they just give the impression of manipulation because they give people the feeling that they have no choice in the matter.
 

htb

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No.

Say it with me. "No."

That's a reasonable answer, isn't it? And to have said it yourself -- you understand. I'm pleased that we agree.

Seriously, ESTPs would win the prize in question, from my experience.

Metamorphosis said:
they'll just tell you exactly what they want and expect you to do it
This corroborates Maverick's reply to another thread, with which I agree. Direct expression is not politic.
 

Seraph

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ENTJs are not manipulative.

We can be highly persuasive if the need calls for it, but that is a far cry from 'manipulative' and all of the connotations attached.
 

Eldanen

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ESFj-Si subtype is the most manipulative in my opinion >_>.

ENTJs don't really need to manipulate. They have enough personality to get things done openly.
 

Bougal

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I have been told that I am manipulative, but I have been told that it is an ‘adorable’ method of manipulation. I don’t really think that it is manipulation at all- - I would call it persuasion. I tend to whip out the puppy face or the claws, and things tend to fall into place, but they are just tools in my persuasion.

If what I do is categorized as manipulation, then I don’t do it consciously, I just am good at getting what I want out of people.
 

Maverick

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Manipulation = covert control of people.

This corroborates Maverick's reply to another thread, with which I agree. Direct expression is not politic.

Definitely.

ENTJ's are not manipulative. They are straightforward and that is the opposite of being manipulative really.

ENTJ's don't care about controlling others for its own sake, what they are interested in are systems and improving them.
 

white

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As the males above have stated... manipulation is more a language of subterfuge, of someone unable to use outright strength/authority/power. Usually that isn't a problem with ENTJs.

Where perhaps the difference could be, is that ENTJ females may have trouble being seen as outright aggressive/authoritative, so try to employ some F to soften their approach, especially in cultures which could be more role-centric.

Perhaps that is where it could seem manipulative (others feel "cornered"), because if you don't do it well, people do see where you are coming from and where you want them to go.

Someone who's good at manipulating simply makes you choose the option which is best for them, while leaving you feeling it is best for you as well.
 

Jack Flak

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Someone who's good at manipulating simply makes you choose the option which is best for them, while leaving you feeling it is best for you as well.
Using guilt is very common as well.
 
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