ENTJ Cognitive Functions

Extroverted Thinking bestows us with the gift of efficiency. It employs our analytical reasoning and objectivity. Te is forged in the supremacy of external systems, knowledge, and order. Extroverted thinking adheres to facts rather than fleeting emotions. It gives no time for silly chit-chats and focuses on purely significant matters. It boosts our passion and enthusiasm for informative discourse to expand our horizons of wisdom and knowledge.

The dominant cognitive function is the core of our ego and consciousness. Also called the ‘Hero or Heroine', the dominant function is our most natural and favorite mental process and primary mode of interacting with the world.

Extroverted Thinking (Te) in the dominant position grants ENTJs the gift of efficiency. Te strives to organize their lives with efficient structure, timelines, and systems. They move at a fast pace while maximizing their energy and resources at hand. They decide based on logic, facts, and possible causality. ENTJs are driven to achieve their goals without being sidetracked by their emotions and other external factors around them. These personalities also know how to simplify ideas for others to easily grasp and understand. Their ability to get things done draws others to them as leaders in their personal and work lives.

Introverted Intuition bestows us with the gift of intuition. The world of the unconscious is its working site. It is a forward-thinking function that intuitively knows without trying hard. It allows us to experience the unpredictable excitement of “eureka” moments through our unconscious processing. Ni also enables us to see beyond what meets the eye. It follows through an abstract pattern of how the world works and lingers on the whys of life.

The auxiliary cognitive function, known as the 'Mother' or 'Father', helps guide the dominant function in perceiving the world and is what we use when comforting others.

Introverted Intuition (Ni) in the auxiliary position balances dominant Te with the gift of intuition. It guides ENTJs in unraveling the hidden patterns and long-term implications behind the rules, systems and processes they see around them. They take time to pause and tune in to their hunches. Efficient and energetic as they are, their auxiliary function enables them to move away from being short-sighted. As they tap their auxiliary function, they may start to ask questions like "What else is going on aside from what meets the eye?", "What does my instinct tell me about this situation?", or "Is there a deeper meaning that I might be missing?". They begin to appreciate the bigger picture when making decisions. Ni calms their nerves from making any hasty conclusions or judgments. ENTJs also become more reflective and holistic in comforting others as they take time to listen and look inwardly.

Extroverted Sensing bestows us with the gift of senses. Tangible reality is its default battleground. Se conquers life through sensory experiences, enhancing their sight, sound, smell, and bodily movements. It lets us adhere to the stimuli of the physical world. Extroverted sensing ignites courage to seize moments while they last. It urges us to act right instantly instead of staying idle in the what-ifs.

The tertiary cognitive function is what we enjoy using to relax, calm, and take the pressure off our overused dominant and auxiliary functions. Known as the ‘The Child or Relief,' it feels like taking a break from ourselves and is playful and child-like. It is what we use when feeling silly, natural, and accepted.

Extroverted Sensing (Se) in the tertiary position relieves dominant Te and auxiliary Ni with the gift of senses. It interests ENTJs in physical sports and activities that connect them to the outside world. They easily notice small details and real-time opportunities to help them grow and become better. Se may lead them to enjoy trying new food, searching for new experiences, or traveling to places they have never been. ENTJs feel comfortable with their tertiary Se as it lets them be the child that they truly are inside. Se allows them to step out of the depths of a world of interconnected patterns, systems and processes to one that is just enjoying the present and having a good time.

Introverted Feeling bestows us with the gift of feeling. It navigates through the deepest corners of our thoughts and emotions. Fi flows through our values and seeks an in-depth meaning of life. It allows us to stay in the lane of our boundaries and identity amidst external pressure. This intensive cognitive function feels the pain of others and likes to be the knight for those in need.

The inferior cognitive function is our weakest and most suppressed cognitive function in the depths of our ego and consciousness. We hide this part of ourselves, embarrassed of our inability to wield it effectively. As we age and mature, we embrace and develop our inferior function, providing deep fulfillment from coming to the pinnacle of our personal growth and the end of our own hero's journey.

Introverted Feeling (Fi) in the inferior position occupies the least space in the minds of ENTJs. Being proactive doers and decision-makers, they may have trouble connecting to their gift of feeling. Fi distracts their focused and goal-driven nature as it tends to slow down their pace. Utilizing their inferior function may feel like a waste of time as they do not accomplish concrete results through introspection. ENTJs may hide this part of them as they feel disconnected from their inner feelings. They may perceive people who use Fi as unproductive and overly sensitive.

Introverted Thinking bestows us with the gift of logic. Interrelated knowledge and patterns gear it up. Ti conquers life through an internal framework built by experiences and educated trial and error. It drives us to logically interlink everything we come across. Introverted thinking thrives in the act of rational troubleshooting. Ambiguity holds no place in it as it constantly pursues learning and growth. It empowers us to grasp how things work from the nitty-gritty to the most profound complexities.

The opposing shadow function, also known as the Nemesis, calls out our doubts and paranoia and acts in opposition to our dominant function, questioning the way it sees the world.

Introverted Thinking (Ti) in the opposing shadow position frustrates ENTJs with the gift of logic as it contradicts their dominant Te. Ti follows an intensive way of inward analytical thinking that digs into the nitty-gritty logical consistencies, opposing their value for practical efficiency. Their fast-paced routine may be disturbed and slowed down as they tap into this function. Consequently, they become destabilized and stuck in analysis paralysis as they thoroughly scrutinize their plans or ideas. They may feel sabotaged or disrespected by those who use Ti and start to question their real intentions. ENTJs tend to develop paranoia and doubt asking questions like "Why are they intentionally slowing us down?", "Is my patience being put to a test?", or "Why are they outright rejecting my efficient plans and strategies?".

Extroverted Intuition bestows us with the gift of imagination. It empowers our life visions and sets us free from our limiting beliefs and built-up boundaries. It utilizes patterns and trends to connect with the tangible reality. Extroverted intuition is sensitive to impression and ambiance rather than specific details. This function thrives on venturing into the world's awestruck mysteries. It leads us to intuitively flow through the stream of anticipation on what is yet to be unleashed.

The critical shadow function criticizes and belittles ourselves or others and thinks nothing of humiliating and ridiculing in its search for control.

Extroverted Intuition (Ne) in the critical shadow position attacks the ego by striking disappointment and humiliation. ENTJs experience their gift of imagination in a destabilizing way as it condemns their preferred Introverted Intuition. Long-term implications, truth, and patterns matter more to them than entertaining uncertain possibilities. Ne criticizes them for losing track of other alternatives that could have led to better outcomes. It wears down their self-esteem and berates them for being stubborn, and narrow-minded. They may start to lash out at themselves or others with questions like "Why am I blinded by other possibilities?", "Why do I feel so entitled with my opinions and ideas?", or "How can they miss out on the obvious connection between things?". ENTJs may also project and retaliate using their critical Ne to invalidate their opponent's confidence and claims to defend their own agenda.

Introverted Sensing bestows us with the gift of details. It consults the detailed past to gain wisdom while living in the present. We recall and revisit memories and acquired information through this function. It constantly stores sensory data to balance our current views and opinions. Introverted Sensing teaches us to credit proven facts and life experiences instead of mere instincts. It counsels us to avoid committing the same mistakes twice.

The trickster shadow function is sly, malicious, and deceptive, manipulating and snaring people into our traps.

Introverted Sensing (Si) in the trickster shadow position irks the minds of ENTJs with the gift of detail. They may consider the act of adhering so much in the past as somewhat comical and a waste of time. ENTJs prefer to look forward to the future compared to looking back at the unalterable yesterday. Giving attention to specific details and previous experiences makes them roll their eyes in subtle disgust as they do not matter anyway. They tend to miss out on their inner body sensations and needs such as headaches or body pains to which Si dominant people are attuned. They consider resting as slacking off away from their dreams. Consequently, they may use their trickster Si to manipulate others to share their restless and workaholic visions to get things done. These personalities may downplay taking care of one's health as something unimportant to their road to success.

Extroverted Feeling bestows us with the gift of empathy. It advocates for the greater good than focusing on individual desires. It entrusts a strong sense of integrity and ethics. We instinctively tune in to moral and cultural values to maintain peace and harmony through this function. Fe enables us to feel for others even without fully experiencing their situations. It motivates us to keep and nurture our social connections and relationships.

The demon shadow function is our least developed function, deeply unconscious and far removed from our ego. Our relationship with this function is so strained that we struggle with relating to, and often demonize, people who use this as their dominant function.

Extroverted Feeling (Fe) in the demon shadow position is the least developed function of ENTJs. Their gift of feeling for others lies at the farthest corner of their unconscious mind. They experience it in a destabilizing way as it counters their tendency to focus on logic and efficiency upon making decisions. These personalities pride themselves on cutting to the chase and making things happen without getting sidetracked by consideration for other people's feelings. As they tap into their demon Fe, they may malign dominant Fe users who overly focus on the intricacies of human relationships, social standing, and gossip.