ENTJ & Type I

What are My Types?

I am a Type 1 - Reformer and ENTJ - Commander.

If these labels mean nothing to do, I am referring to my classifications in the Myer-Briggs and Enneagrams of Personality tests.

Now, I wouldn't say I'm superstitious or into pseudo-sciences but over the years, I've done a few quizzes for curiosity and fun.

Many years back, I did the Myer-Briggs personality test and more recently, I completed the Enneagrams of Personality quiz.

I'll preface it by saying I completed some free internet versions floating around on the internet versus the official paid tests, so take my test results with a grain of salt but nevertheless, I think it's an interesting thing akin to horoscopes, astrology and the like, especially at it pertains to my weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

For my strengths, I know my strengths and am comfortable using my strengths to push me forward. I've done it my whole life. However, I am less insightful regarding my weaknesses, my red flags and what to do about my weaknesses. I believe this is the true strength of these personality tests and labels.

ENTJ – “The Commander”

Commanders are natural-born leaders. People with this personality type embody the gifts of charisma and confidence, and project authority in a way that draws crowds together behind a common goal. However, Commanders are also characterized by an often ruthless level of rationality, using their drive, determination and sharp minds to achieve whatever end they’ve set for themselves. Perhaps it is best that they make up only three percent of the population, lest they overwhelm the more timid and sensitive personality types that make up much of the rest of the world – but we have Commanders to thank for many of the businesses and institutions we take for granted every day. — 16 Personalities

I know I am confident, organized, ambitious and knowledgeable. I wouldn't say I particularly embody a charisma or projected authority on others but I oftentimes catch myself thinking I can do better than others in the role — so why not do it for the sake of the project or organizing doing better.

I feel comfortable speaking my mind and I pride myself on my efficiency. I'm also strict when it comes to being productive and rigid with my expectations for myself.

Personally, I self-identify as the objective type when someone is speaking to me about a problem. I consider both sides of a situation and hold a rigid sense of right and wrong. I'm constantly looking to grow and progress forward, hone skills, gain more knowledge, and achieve more things.

As an ENTJ, my weaknesses include my impatience, arrogance and intolerance of other options. Now, I don't particularly think I exude those feelings openly but I am aware of how they manifest.

I tend to rely on myself and avoid asking for assistance from others primarily because I feel most in control and at times that my output will be better that what others can do.

So, if I do rely on you to support me, it is because I trust your work and your efficiency.

I also recognize my ineptitude in dealing with emotions. I often distance myself from my own emotional expression and definitely distance myself from others' feelings, especially in emotionally charged situations because I often simply don't know how to handle them. This can be perceived as cold or ruthless rationalism which can dismiss others' sensitivities as irrational, irrelevant or distracting.

Pretty brutal, huh? I often wonder if this perspective also shaped my preference for stoicism and even my tastes in brutalism, minimalism and high contrast street photography.

Type I - The Reformer

Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. Can be morally heroic. — The Enneagram Institute

So I'm a Type I. Again, this rigid sense of right and wrong is apparent. Over the years and as I have matured, I acknowledge that grey has seeped into my understanding and hearing other people's life stories and perspectives has mellowed my rigidity out a little.

Although I still seek out clear distinctions by default.

One point that truly resonates with me is my hate for mistakes. I hate mistakes, often recalling mistakes from years past in an attempt to glean as many jewels of knowledge to avoid them in the future. I play the scenarios over and over in my head years later when no one else even remembers the incident anymore - never the good memories but all the memories of when I screwed up or when I was weak or did not live up to my expectations of myself. I have high standards that I impose on myself and my closest loved ones.

Most people however, would describe me as chill or relaxed because I have long understood that my standards have no bearing on others and I cannot impose my standards on them.

But...the only people I can impose my standards on are the people closest to me who value and want to live up to my expectations. So...I 100% have to be careful how I communicate these expectations or standards on my most precious people, especially my partner 😅.

The moral heroism and perfectionist commentary also resonates with me. I've tried so hard to be good, to be better than others, to improve myself, to reach an abstract sense of higher potential. I always have to take the higher road even if I recognize it may not make me happier because it's the "proper" thing to do.

So Why These Labels Are Helpful?

I believe these personality labels are helpful for recognizing my flaws and having plans in place to improve myself. Whether my life sounds pitiful to you or braggadocios of me to talk so highly of myself, it is my authentic self.

The key focus for me is that I have a resource or blueprint for areas for improvement. Why wouldn't I want to look into these resources to take what I deem helpful or beneficial? If it does resonate with me that I am constantly aiming to be a perfectionist, the recommendation for learning to relax is an easy reminder for me to be aware of my to-do lists, build in regular relaxing activities and monitor for my impatience or intolerance, because perhaps I am feeling high strung in that moment.

I also need to not expect others to change immediately. What may be obvious to me may not be obvious to them, especially if they are not used to being as self-disciplined or objective about themselves as I am about myself. Knowing that each person's timelines may not mimic my own and that they are in control of their own lives can also detach myself from their actions so I don't get so worked up about their wrongdoings.

Finally, it is important for me to get in touch with my own feelings and unconscious impulses. I can often get frustrated with others who refuse to do the "right" thing as I have defined "right" and recognizing that my black and white distinctions of right and wrong do not necessarily resonate with others. In response to this identified area for improvement, I created an emotional journal to build regular journaling time into my day to reflect on how I felt, proper vocabulary to describe my feelings and even strategies to process my emotions because of my difficulties examining my emotional wellbeing.

Understanding the potential vulnerabilities along the way in my relationships helps me better foster strong open communication and relationship with others and by recognizing the potential truth in these statements, I can better prepare myself and self-monitor.

The better you know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world. —Toni Collette

So do you know who you are?

What are your flaws and vulnerabilities?

And what will you do about it?

I'm not arguing for the need to do these personality quizzes or that they have all the answers about your life, but I think that they are a good starting point if you have no clue how to proceed and may provide some insights or help you identify areas for improvement or even consideration.

It can definitely be hard to read about potential flaws in your character and for some, be a hard pill to swallow to hear that you do have flaws but definitely for my perfectionist self, who is constantly self-critical, it was a little refreshing to have weaknesses listed out with ways to improve so that I could target those faults systematically.

Let me know what Enneagram Type you are or what Myer-Briggs Personality you are.

Did it resonate with you and what are you doing right now to address your own weaknesses?