Which do you think is more difficult?

[Solaris]

Which is more difficult? Being an ENT or an INT?

NTs are not known for their wonderful caring natures, though we are mostly capable of such for certain people. INTs are more ok with being alone, so the stupidity of humanity may be less harrassing? ENTs need to be around people to gain energy (I really am more energetic on days I'm around people than when I'm not). However, our love of interaction is sometimes mistaken for caring; or, worse, our not caring is doubly hated because people don't understand why we seem so eager to interact.

I think this propensity for being extroverted, but more objective, is what causes ENTJs to tabulate who has what skills and how they can be best put to use, and ENTPs to have wildly varying social relationships.

Discuss. Rant. Refute. Agree. Go.

[karen]

My goodness.. the idea of having to be around people and still dislikeing them sounds like torture.. I'd say that ENTJ's have it rougher.

[jjelovich]

My goodness.. the idea of having to be around people and still dislikeing them sounds like torture.. I'd say that ENTJ's have it rougher.

Agreed. That sounds like a living nightmare. I think us INTJs have an easier cop-out, if you will, for our objective socializing.

[Jgib5328]

I don't know if this is the exact topic for which you are concerned, but I am going to answer how I see fit anyways.

I think the INTJ has it more difficult than any other type, this is because of our nature, we are deeply complex. We constantly have a vision flowing through our mind, something of great height that we want to attain and we constantly strive for it. So basically since we are controlled by this vision, we are forced to work strenuously to achieve it and our perfectionism makes it doubly worse because we don't allow any room for error. Of course it is great to have big dreams and be driven, but it is also a double-edged sword. If we don't obtain our goals or our ideals, it destroys us. Sometimes when our confidence wavers, we have this in the back of our heads, "oh shit what if I can't achieve my aspirations?" This then makes us work even harder because we fear this outcome.

There is also the lack of interpersonal relations that are difficult. I am a cold-hearted person, but for some reason on occasion I get these nagging feelings for a 'special' relationship. But it is not so easy for the INTJ. In order to get one of these 'special' relationships the INTJ has to in a way alter their very nature. Most special relationships involve affection, caring, and openness. Do you know how hard it is for an INTJ to show these? My god, being affectionate or open seems absolutely horrid at times and don't even mention the caring part, I almost lack the ability to feel sympathy. The INTJ's interpersonal abilities or lack there of are another reason why we have it tough.

Oh yeah and don't forget about the fact that we make up about 1% of the population. It kinda gets annoying not being understood by pretty much everyone. What is even worse is when people think they understand you and then make bullshit conclusions such as, "the reason you don't talk is because you are shy" or "Why are you so unhappy? I never see you smile". I know ENTJs are rare too, but you have the interpersonal skills to be able to get along with people better, and you aren't misunderstood as much.

INTJs have it tougher than the ENTJs. INTJs put so much stress on themselves to achieve and it doesn't help that they shoot for the moon. We also lack the natural ability to communicate effectively with others and express ourselves, which makes it difficult to find many connections. Don't forget about the fact that nobody understands us either, so we are forced to live in a society where we are constantly subject to ignorance.

I may just be speaking for myself, but this is what I have experienced.

[polyintj]

I'd say ENTJs are basically manipulative in their interactions and that sort of takes care of them. They are aware of their superior mind power and use it shamlessly. It doesnt help that they can mix well with. Nobody is really safe around them. So am sure they can hold well under any circumstance.

Feelings is the one and only Achilles' heel INTJs have and I must say dealing with it has been pretty rough for me, no matter how many tutorials I've read.

[Antares]

I'd say ENTJs are basically manipulative in their interactions and that sort of takes care of them. They are aware of their superior mind power and use it shamlessly. It doesnt help that they can mix well with. Nobody is really safe around them. So am sure they can hold well under any circumstance.


Haha. Then the average ENTJ would have met their match. I pride myself on my ability to manipulate, and my only hindrance is my conscience...

Which is more difficult? Being an ENT or an INT?

I'd say ENT, because fewer people know an INT personally, which decreases the 'vulnerability' or whatever that might be. Besides, like said earlier, ENT's have to put up with people they don't like or appreciate. My trick? Retreat.

[AgentofGaming]

I think being at either extreme of the scale would make life difficult.
Of course I have no idea what it would be like to be extreme E for ENT, because I am extreme I for INT.
The problems with an extreme Introversion are as Jgib5328 describes.
Poor social skills and a wanting of isolation, and yet there can be a need to socially belong, which is extremely irritating. This is the source of my frustrations.

[Ace1337]

I'd say ENT, because fewer people know an INT personally, which decreases the 'vulnerability' or whatever that might be. Besides, like said earlier, ENT's have to put up with people they don't like or appreciate. My trick? Retreat.
ENTJs dont have to put up with ppl they don't like, or ppl that are stupid, those ppl are usually intimidated by the ENTJs presence, ENTJs like to sorround themselves with smart and competent people, and they value ppl by the knowledge they posess
They will tell you if they think you are stupid, or if they have a problem with you, so I think it's much easier for the ENTJ

[polyintj]

ENTJs dont have to put up with ppl they don't like, or ppl that are stupid, those ppl are usually intimidated by the ENTJs presence, ENTJs like to sorround themselves with smart and competent people, and they value ppl by the knowledge they posess
They will tell you if they think you are stupid, or if they have a problem with you, so I think it's much easier for the ENTJ

Now imagine an ENTJ teamleader with a couple of ISFJ or ISFP in the team. That should make an interesting brew

[Solaris]

Now imagine an ENTJ teamleader with a couple of ISFJ or ISFP in the team. That should make an interesting brew

ENTJ + ISFP = disaster
ENTJ + ISFJ = well, depends on the situation, my best friend (female) is an ISFJ and I couldn't imagine anyone more suited to the role; however, we both agree we could never date men like each other (no ISFJ males for me thank you)





Solaris added to this post, 2 minutes and 16 seconds later...

ENTJs dont have to put up with ppl they don't like, or ppl that are stupid, those ppl are usually intimidated by the ENTJs presence, ENTJs like to sorround themselves with smart and competent people, and they value ppl by the knowledge they posess
They will tell you if they think you are stupid, or if they have a problem with you, so I think it's much easier for the ENTJ


Interesting theory. Sometimes we do have to put up with people we don't like (think workplace or family functions, same as anyone). What's more difficult is that we can't just retreat, because that's so out of character (and we wouldn't really choose that anyway). So we are left with either acting a certain way, or causing a huge conflict (putting jobs and such at risk...not always worth it). In general, though, you are right on. I am quite known for telling people exactly what I think.





Solaris added to this post, 2 minutes and 4 seconds later...

Haha. Then the average ENTJ would have met their match. I pride myself on my ability to manipulate, and my only hindrance is my conscience...



I'd say ENT, because fewer people know an INT personally, which decreases the 'vulnerability' or whatever that might be. Besides, like said earlier, ENT's have to put up with people they don't like or appreciate. My trick? Retreat.

I have known for years that I can manipulate. However, I don't like it, and I take precautions not to do so. Somewhere, it became more important to me that people be allowed to be themselves. But now that I think about it, that really only applies to people close to me (that is, people who have "earned" that right). Everyone else is just a pawn. Interesting...I hadn't really taken time to think about that before.





Solaris added to this post, 6 minutes and 11 seconds later...

I don't know if this is the exact topic for which you are concerned, but I am going to answer how I see fit anyways.

I think the INTJ has it more difficult than any other type, this is because of our nature, we are deeply complex. We constantly have a vision flowing through our mind, something of great height that we want to attain and we constantly strive for it. So basically since we are controlled by this vision, we are forced to work strenuously to achieve it and our perfectionism makes it doubly worse because we don't allow any room for error. Of course it is great to have big dreams and be driven, but it is also a double-edged sword. If we don't obtain our goals or our ideals, it destroys us. Sometimes when our confidence wavers, we have this in the back of our heads, "oh shit what if I can't achieve my aspirations?" This then makes us work even harder because we fear this outcome.

There is also the lack of interpersonal relations that are difficult. I am a cold-hearted person, but for some reason on occasion I get these nagging feelings for a 'special' relationship. But it is not so easy for the INTJ. In order to get one of these 'special' relationships the INTJ has to in a way alter their very nature. Most special relationships involve affection, caring, and openness. Do you know how hard it is for an INTJ to show these? My god, being affectionate or open seems absolutely horrid at times and don't even mention the caring part, I almost lack the ability to feel sympathy. The INTJ's interpersonal abilities or lack there of are another reason why we have it tough.

Oh yeah and don't forget about the fact that we make up about 1% of the population. It kinda gets annoying not being understood by pretty much everyone. What is even worse is when people think they understand you and then make bullshit conclusions such as, "the reason you don't talk is because you are shy" or "Why are you so unhappy? I never see you smile". I know ENTJs are rare too, but you have the interpersonal skills to be able to get along with people better, and you aren't misunderstood as much.

INTJs have it tougher than the ENTJs. INTJs put so much stress on themselves to achieve and it doesn't help that they shoot for the moon. We also lack the natural ability to communicate effectively with others and express ourselves, which makes it difficult to find many connections. Don't forget about the fact that nobody understands us either, so we are forced to live in a society where we are constantly subject to ignorance.

I may just be speaking for myself, but this is what I have experienced.

I do those things. It was like you were describing me to me.

Also, consider this: Sure, we Es can often do the interpersonal thing better because we spend more time around people, and like to. However, there is a great lack of people who can truly handle our "real" communication style. Therefore, we are often having to water things down and add in emotional crap that we really don't care about.

I've been thinking about this lately, and I have a ton of programmed responses. I don't actually feel empathic or sympathetic very much. I know I probably come across differently, but I know what it's like when I feel something, and most things are just auto-responders for me. Again, the exception is mostly for the few truly close people.