ENTP in Relationships

Most ENTPs share a similar interpersonal style, and this style impacts most of their relationships, including those with friends, families, work colleagues, and romantic partners.

For comparisons between ENTPs and other types, jump straight to these personality type comparisons.

Your interpersonal style describes your social tendencies in terms of dominance, submissiveness, warmth, and coldness. This style impacts how you interact with others, and in turn, it can affect how they act around you.

The circular graph below shows the average interpersonal style of ENTPs. The vertical, up-down axis shows their style in terms of dominance, with a highly assertive style at the top (Assured-Dominant) and a highly passive style at the bottom (Unassured-Submissive).

The horizontal, left-right axis shows their style in terms of warmth, with a cold and impersonal style on the left (Cold-Aggressive) and a friendly, empathetic manner on the right (Warm-Agreeable).

Typical interpersonal style of the ENTP — How the ENTP typically falls on common interpersonal dimensions

The shaded blue area shows the average interpersonal style of ENTPs across eight dimensions. Notice the areas where the blue area extends closer to the outer edges of the circle. These are the aspects that most heavily influence ENTPs’ interactions.

Despite their combative tendencies, ENTPs’ stability and self-confidence often support a secure and optimistic approach to relationships.

ENTPs’ assertive and assured style in social situations is often a strength, but in some cases, it can lead to a few characteristic interpersonal problems. What ENTPs see as a friendly and lively debate might feel more heated to others, and ENTPs can be seen as arguing, criticizing, or even fighting with others too much.

ENTPs often stand out by boldly challenging others and finding flaws in existing approaches. This natural tendency is often a powerful asset, but it has the potential to be disruptive to some team or organizational dynamics. ENTPs may have a harder time sitting back and simply taking direction from others or with dealing with authority in general.

Lastly, ENTPs are highly gregarious and very comfortable talking and sharing with others. Sometimes, ENTPs may get carried away and find themselves oversharing, or disclosing a bit too much about themselves.

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To summarize the graph above, four aspects most heavily influence ENTPs’ interpersonal style:

Assured-Dominant

ENTPs often manage, direct, and try to lead others.
At their best, ENTPs provide guidance and leadership, and naturally command respect.
ENTPs may be domineering, forceful, or overly direct.
At their worst, ENTPs can be overbearing and micromanaging.

Talkative-Extraverted

ENTPs often support, openly sympathize, and actively offer help to others
At their best, ENTPs are gentle sympathizers, who are easily trusted and accepted
ENTPs may be overly revealing and have difficulty being alone
At their worst, ENTPs can require too much attention and admiration from others and be excessively involved in the affairs of

Cold-Aggressive

ENTPs are forthright, firm, and speak their mind directly.
At their best, ENTPs are fiercely independent and unaffected by the thoughts and opinions of others.
ENTPs may be harsh, frank, or insensitive in their criticism of others.
At their worst, ENTPs can be overly aggressive and too eager to fight and argue with others.

Competitive-Calculating

ENTPs are assertive, competitive, and like a good challenge.
At their best, ENTPs are bold and confident leaders who are willing to take unpopular action.
ENTPs may be overly proud, boisterous, and willing to manipulate others to achieve their goals.
At their worst, ENTPs can be narcissistic, overly focused on their own needs, and lack empathy for others.