Signs of an Unhealthy ENTJ Personality Type
Signs of an Unhealthy ENTJ Personality Type
What is the ENTJ personality type?
ENTJ, also known as the Commander, is one of the 16 personality types. The letters ENTJ stand for:
Extroverted means that ENTJs enjoy the company of others, including large groups. They’re energized by interacting with other people.
Intuitive refers to information processing patterns. ENTJs tend to think more abstractly and make connections rather than seeing things in a straightforward or black-and-white manner.
Thinking means that ENTJs tend to focus more on thoughts than feelings.
Judging means that ENTJs like routines and stability. They plan ahead and aren’t the biggest fans of spontaneity.
ENTJs have many great qualities, including leadership, confidence, and being energetic. However, as with any personality type, ENTJs have some weaknesses that could turn into unhealthy patterns. Here are some signs of an unhealthy ENTJ personality type and some strategies ENTJs can use to overcome unhealthy patterns.
Signs of an unhealthy ENTJ personality type
Inflexibility and intolerance
ENTJs are visionary leaders and have great ideas. However, this can sometimes mean that they can’t accept other people’s thoughts that don’t align with their own. Sticking up for themselves and their ideas is one thing, but this can become unhealthy when ENTJs are entirely unable to compromise.
They may even completely override others’ plans and thoughts in favor of their own. Also, their rejection of others’ values and ideas can appear judgemental. ENTJs can start to alienate their coworkers and friends through this sort of behavior. This is a sure sign of an unhealthy ENTJ personality type.
Emotional unavailability
ENTJs favor “thinking” over “feeling,” so they’re more in touch with processes of logic than their own emotions. The ENTJ propensity for thinking can be perfectly healthy and a normal part of their personality. In fact, this quality can be favorable for making unbiased decisions. However, processing their own and others’ feelings isn’t easy for ENTJs.
This pattern only becomes unhealthy when ENTJs start to block out and ignore their feelings and when friends and family become frustrated with their lack of emotional availability. Another unhealthy pattern can be established when ENTJs aren’t in touch with their loved one’s feelings and aren’t able to read signs. Without some effort to try to understand others' feelings, ENTJs can create emotional barriers.
Arrogance
ENTJs are naturally confident, outgoing people. Their extroverted personality and confidence are key strengths that they often use to their advantage. However, these strengths can be unhealthy if they aren’t moderated by a healthy dose of humility. ENTJs can be perceived as overconfident or even arrogant.
It’s imperative that ENTJs acknowledge those around them and make an effort to be team players in group situations. If left unchecked, overconfidence and arrogance can become unhealthy.
Impatience
Everyone gets a bit impatient at times. It isn’t unhealthy to occasionally get annoyed or irritated when things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d like. However, this behavior enters unhealthy territory if it becomes a pattern.
Unhealthy ENTJ personalities may find themselves routinely expressing anger and disappointment at those around them when they feel impatient. This issue often manifests at work. ENTJs are natural leaders, so when those working with them aren’t taking their direction or fulfilling objectives fast enough, the ENTJ might lash out. This behavior can quickly become unhealthy and alienate those around them.
How to overcome an unhealthy ENTJ personality type
Make an effort to listen
ENTJs are naturally gifted speakers and enjoy sharing their ideas openly. However, to overcome an unhealthy ENTJ personality type, it’s vital to make a concerted effort to listen.
If you’re concerned about any unhealthy ENTJ traits, try keeping a record of how many times you contribute in a meeting or conversation and how many times you stop to listen. It’s a great idea to try out active listening skills by giving subtle cues that you’re listening, like nodding along or taking notes. Eventually, this skill will become natural.
Use pauses
It’s a natural ENTJ instinct to respond quickly and enter into debates to defend your ideas. This can be a handy skill in some situations. However, as this can come off as inflexible or arrogant at times, it’s important to consider your approach.
Monitor your responses to situations, and before you respond, make an effort to pause for a second and really consider what the other person is saying. Think about and weigh up the positives and negatives. This can help break unhealthy patterns.
Open up
Emotional availability can be difficult for many people, including ENTJs. It’s a sign of unhealthy patterns if you’re starting to feel that you’re bottling up your emotions. For a first step in breaking this pattern, you can try journaling. Getting your thoughts and feelings out on paper is an excellent first step before you try to talk to others about them. Once you start to feel more comfortable, you can try talking to a close friend or loved one. Start small, and share more as you begin to feel more at ease.
