INTP and ENTJ: Compatibility, Love, Marriage, and Romance

The intelligent INTP and the assertive ENTJ make an interesting pair. The two types have many differences, but they also have enough in common to make their relationship potentially viable. Logic and rationality, mutual respect for each other’s strengths, and minimal tolerance for mundanity are the traits that define this couple.

Compatibility

Generally, relationships between INTPs and ENTJs have the potential to be strong and long-lasting. INTP and ENTJ are shadow types, which means that their cognitive functions are in the same order and are opposites of each other. In other words, the cognitive functions of INTPs and ENTJs are mirror images of each other.

For both INTPs and ENTJs, relationships with others don’t come easily as they both can be quite abrasive and unsure of themselves when it comes to their emotions and the emotions and social cues of others. INTPs seek partners who are intelligent and easy to talk to, while ENTJs also seek intelligent partners who can hold their own against the ENTJ. It is also important for both INTPs and ENTJs that their partner is independent.

Summary Chart: INTP and ENTJ Compatibility vs. Possible Conflicts

Compatibility Possible Conflicts
They supply  each other’s deficiencies Their differences can cause conflict
They are both thinking types They often value different things
They both use their intuition Their similarities can cause trouble

3 Reasons Why INTP and ENTJ Are Good for Each Other

  1. Great teamwork
  2. Both are analytical
  3. Both are future-oriented intuitives

Because INTPs and ENTJs are shadow types, their traits fit together like puzzle pieces. While INTPs are often lazy and unambitious, ENTJs are usually hard-working and driven. While ENTJs can be too quick to make decisions which can lead them to make errors or run into traps, INTPs are often slow to come to conclusions because they think of all of the possibilities first and how to navigate them.

This means that INTPs are less likely to run into things head-first unprepared, but it also means that they may never run at all out of fear of failure or being wrong. ENTJs can get INTPs moving, while INTPs can help ENTJs travel more efficient roads so as to execute their goals more efficiently.

Given the dynamics described above, INTPs and ENTJs are good for each other because of how well they can work together as a team.

Another reason why INTPs and ENTJs can be good for each other is that they are both thinking types. Because both INTPs and ENTJs are thinking types, they are analytical people who are less likely to be insulted or offended by the other’s communication patterns or styles.

Often, feeling types find the way the thinking types communicate to be harsh and cold, which can cause conflicts between them. While thinking types aren’t unemotional (that’s a common myth), they are often better able to remain emotionally detached or rational when communicating with others, even when they’re upset.

When other people are upset or have problems, both INTPs and ENTJs tend to offer advice and information rather than hugs or comforting words. This behavior of theirs can be confusing or upsetting for feeling types, but INTPs and ENTJs, both thinking types, welcome this practice in their relationship.

The third reason why INTPs and ENTJs can be good for each other is that they are both future-oriented intuitive types and while INTPs are great thinkers and planners, ENTJs are effective leaders and doers.

Neither INTPs nor ENTJs live in the present. Instead, they are both often thinking of or planning for their future, and typically, they are the types of people who also want more and who always want to continue improving in some way.

Because of INTPs’ usual lack of action, they can come off as aimless and careless about their futures. Instead, however, the opposite is what is usually true: INTPs think and care a lot about their futures, and it is because of this fact that they often fail to achieve what they want (and what others expect) them to accomplish given their often incredible intelligence and potential abilities.

Also, because INTPs have Extroverted Intuition (Ne) in their cognitive functions stacks, they are often unable to come to definitive conclusions about anything (including what it is they actually want to achieve or do with their lives) because they’re always aware of and giving thought to all of the different ideas and options available to them.

In this way, INTPs often fall victim to the paradox of choice (the idea that the more options one has, the harder it is for one to choose one of them and be satisfied with their choice).

ENTJs, on the other hand, usually don’t have this issue of being unable to make decisions or actively chase after their goals or dreams. Instead, their problem often is that they can be too resolute in their choices and can fail to think through or flesh out some of their ideas and how they could go wrong.

Because of their haste and strong drives to “get things done” and execute plans to the letter, ENTJs can sometimes have unrealistic ideas or expectations that they fail to realize aren’t genuinely feasible or workable until they’ve already devoted a good portion of their precious time to them.

This behavior is an often ineffective way of doing things, especially when the project they’re working on is costly.

Given their propensity to overthink things and strategize often to the point of inaction, INTPs are regularly able to help ENTJs gain insight into the practicality of their plans or ideas, and when necessary, they’re often able to also help them devise new and more sensible ones.

While some types may be upset by or not understand INTPs’ and ENTJs’ future-oriented natures, these two types welcome this trait in each other and are able to use it to their benefit, thanks to their analytical natures and great teamwork.

Also, because INTPs and ENTJs are both intuitive when working together and devising their futures, they are able to come up with and execute a number of innovative and practical ideas or goals.

3 Reasons Why INTP and ENTJ Are Not Good for Each Other

While there are many reasons why INTPs and ENTJs are good for each other, there are also a few reasons why they may not be.

  1. Different personalities
  2. Incompatible values
  3. Toxic similarities

INTPs are known for being laid-back and moving at their own pace. They are freedom-loving individuals who value their own independence and have the flexibility to do things when they want to rather than when they have to.

INTPs typically live unstructured lives, and even when they make schedules to try and be more productive, they fail to adhere to them.

While INTPs are capable of focusing for great periods of time on their passions and desires, in general, they can lack drive and discipline and often give into their fears that their plans won’t work or they’ll fail to achieve their goals, so why try.

ENTJs, while humorous at times, are generally very serious individuals. They’re always working towards at least one goal, and they’re lives are practically scheduled since birth.

Because ENTJs are constantly working to execute a plan or achieve some measurable goal, they prefer that their lives are ordered. Cleanliness and the overall appearance of their homes and bodies are often important to them.

While INTPs can be messy (both in home and style), ENTJs prefer to be more put together. Additionally, INTPs usually don’t care as much about status as ENTJs, and they tend to be more minimalistic and less materialistic than them as well.

These differences in their personalities and values can make relationships between INTPs and ENTJs difficult.

It’s also their similarities that can make INTPs and ENTJs not be good for each other as well. Both INTPs and ENTJs have their feeling functions lower in their stacks, and while INTPs have Extroverted Feeling (Fe) as their inferior function, ENTJs lack it altogether.

This means that they can both struggle when it comes to their social interactions, and they can both rub others the wrong way due to lowered social awareness skills. Because both INTPs and ENTJs aren’t always aware of what’s socially appropriate when together, they run the risk of being disliked or increasing each other’s bad social habits.

INTPs and ENTJs both also have a low tolerance for the mundane, and they both dislike doing certain day-to-day routine things. If left unchecked, they can amplify these traits in each other, and it can negatively impact their relationship.

Communication

Both INTPs and ENTJs can be charming conversationalists; ENTJs because of their skill and INTPs because of their charming artlessness. INTPs and ENTJs are both intuitive types: INTPs have Extroverted Intuition (Ne), while ENTJs have Introverted Intuition (Ni). Because of this, they are both abstract thinkers and can enjoy communicating about a wide range of topics.

Where are they strong and why?

Where INTPs and ENTJs are strong is in their ability to have detached conversations and enjoy debates about a varied number of topics. Also, because both of them are thinking rather than feeling types, they don’t have to soften their speech with each other as much, as they don’t have to be as concerned about the other person being offended by their honest and blunt communication styles.

Where do they have problems and why?

INTPs and ENTJs can have problems because INTPs are often more reticent than ENTJs when it comes to having difficult conversations. INTPs can be more passive at times when ENTJs would rather be direct.

Also, because both INTPs and ENTJs tend to just focus on the big picture when coming up with plans, they may neglect the small details at times when they shouldn’t.

How might they improve communication?

INTPs and ENTJs can improve communication by the INTP being more direct and by both of them taking the time to explore more than just the general idea of things.

Where do they connect? Why?

INTPs and ENTJs connect intellectually and with their abstract thinking skills. They also share a propensity to be forward-thinking visionaries, and they each enjoy challenging themselves mentally.

INTP & ENTJ: Values

Both INTPs and ENTJs have strong values that drive their daily decisions and lives.

3 Things an INTP Values

  1. Logic and reason
  2. Freedom and flexibility
  3. Space and boundaries

3 Things an ENTJ Values

  1. Having and striving towards objective standards and defined goals
  2. Structure and order
  3. Working and connecting with others

How do their values match up?

Both INTPs and ENTJs value logic and reason, but while INTPs use theirs to think about and internally flesh out complex thoughts and ideas, ENTJs use theirs to work towards practical goals.

Having freedom and being able to live flexible, unstructured lives is important to INTPs. This contrasts sharply with ENTJs’ need for structure and order, and these differences in their needs and values can be a problem for this couple.

INTPs need a lot of space and alone time, and they tend to keep people at a distance with strong walls that make it clear that they have physical boundaries that they’d like to be respected. ENTJs, though, love connecting and interacting with others, and they can be social butterflies on top of being workaholics.

These differences between INTPs’ need for space and ENTJs’ desire to connect with others can be a problem in their relationship, but it doesn’t have to be if the ENTJ understands the INTP’s introversion and has other friends they can spend time with instead. The INTPs’ introversion may only become a problem in the relationship if the ENTJ were to grow bored of them due to the INTP neglecting to socialize with them at all.

Love Language/Love Style

Both INTPs and ENTJs have Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch as two of their top love languages. INTPs also have Quality Time as a common love language, while Acts of Service is another common love language for ENTJs.

Ways INTPs Show Their Love

  • They’re enthusiastic about their partners and supportive of their goals.
  • They’re low-maintenance and don’t make many demands of their partners.
  • They’re more considerate of their partners and are willing to change their habits for their partners.

Ways ENTJs Show Their Love

  • They’re supportive of their partner’s goals and will help them achieve any objective they are striving for.
  • They’re generous towards their partners and are willing to help them in practical ways.
  • They’re willing to make compromises for their partner and give them their time.

INTP and ENTJ in Bed

Both INTPs and ENTJs are experimental in bed. Their sex may, however lack tenderness.

INTP and ENTJ Couples/Marriage

INTP Male and ENTJ Female

A relationship between an INTP male and an ENTJ female can work well, and whether the relationship will survive will depend largely on the ENTJ female.

The INTP male in the relationship is likely to be less active and ambitious than the ENTJ female in the relationship, and the ENTJ female may find herself also being responsible for doing most of the planning and housekeeping if they share a home.

The ENTJ female may wish that her INTP male partner is more direct and less passive, though she may like that she’ll get to run or control most things with little competition or complaint from her INTP male partner.

Both the INTP male and the ENTJ female may appreciate how well they can communicate and how they can have conversations about anything under the sun, and the ENTJ female may feel happy about the confidence and support her INTP partner may give her.

ENTJ Male and INTP Female

Like with the INTP male and ENTJ female relationship, how well the ENTJ male and INTP female relationship will work may depend largely on the ENTJ in the relationship.

Suppose the ENTJ male in this pairing is very controlling or insecure. In that case, this relationship is likely not going to last because while some types will put up with controlling partners and may even prefer them, freedom-loving INTPs are not one of them and will quickly abandon the ENTJ male without looking back.

INTP females are often very intelligent, and if the ENTJ is insecure, he may be troubled by his partner being able to see and analyze the faults in some of the unrealistic or infeasible ideas or plans that he may come up with.

If the ENTJ male in the relationship is mature, however, and the INTP female is as well, then this combination has the potential to be one of the best pairings for both of them.

Both the ENTJ male and the INTP female are likely to love the fact that they’re both intelligent enough to keep up with the other, and they both may appreciate how well they can work as a team.

INTP and ENTJ Conflicts

Conflicts are a part of any relationship, so some areas may cause problems for INTP and ENTJ couples.

Possible Areas of Conflict (and Why)

  • The INTP’s need for freedom and flexibility
  • The ENTJ’s need for order and structure
  • The INTP’s aversion to social interaction
  • The ENTJ’s social butterfly nature

INTPs and ENTJs are vastly different in many ways, and these differences listed above are some of the biggest potential areas of conflict for INTP and ENTJ relationships.

How do INTP and ENTJ resolve conflict?

INTPs and ENTJs can resolve conflict by being willing to understand and work with their differences and by them both being willing to compromise when necessary.

The INTP needs to work on being more disciplined and reliable, and the ENTJ needs to be more willing to live a freer schedule at times and not always try to control everyone and everything.

Also, the INTP should try to be a little more socially active, while the ENTJ should understand that they may have to socialize alone at times as the INTP will not want to be dragged along to numerous social interactions and events each year..

How do INTP and ENTJ build trust?

INTPs may be willing to build trust with ENTJs who are willing to give them space and the freedom they need and desire, and ENTJs may be able to build trust with INTPs who are more hard-working and disciplined.

INTP and ENTJ Friendships

Given both their shared and different traits, INTP and ENTJ friendships can be very harmonious and are often based on mutual respect and teamwork.

INTP vs. ENTJ: Approach to Friendship

It is likely that the ENTJ will approach the INTP for friendship first, and they may even meet through a third party. Since INTPs and ENTJs often have a natural affinity for each other, their friendship may develop quickly.

INTP & ENTJ Friendship Dynamics

INTP and ENTJ friendship dynamics may play out, with the INTP often helping the ENTJ come up with great ideas and plans to execute. They also may enjoy talking to each other for hours whenever they get together about various topics, and it is likely that they’ll enjoy working on projects together.

INTPs often have a wild and adventurous side that ENTJs are able to bring out, and the two of them may find themselves doing some fun, albeit reckless, things.

What makes INTP and ENTJ good for each other as friends?

What makes INTPs and ENTJs good for each other as friends is the fact that they can work well together and really help each other to accomplish more than they could potentially achieve alone. They’re also likely to have a lot of mutual respect for each other, which can bolster confidence on both parts.

Could they be close friends?

Yes, INTPs and ENTJs can be close friends and develop a deep friendship with each other.

What are some areas that might cause them problems as friends?

Areas that might cause INTPs and ENTJs problems as friends are the following: The INTP may feel like the ENTJ is bossy or controlling, and they may feel like they ENTJ is parenting them. Additionally, the ENTJ may feel like the INTP is wasting their potential, and they may wish that the INTP was more reliable and assertive.