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I have been dabbling in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Enneagram for over a decade. As I met more people and learned about their personalities, trends emerged. ENFJ Enneagram 8s at any age have a fast wit that I struggle to keep up with. I have met so many INFP 9 wing 1s that I started to think they were a common type (while somewhat common, the most common type of INFP is likely a 4). ISFPs tend to appear as 7s, but this is rarely the case. While there are some predictable aspects, what impresses me is the vast diversity of people in the world. Even common personality types (such as an ISTJ Enneagram 1) are only around 4.7% of the population. And then there are the unusual combinations, such as mine, an ENTJ Enneagram 7, which is about 0.09% of the population. Or a good friend of mine, an ISFJ Enneagram 4, whose type is about 1.1% of the population. These uncommon types are why I encourage people to dig deeper than the personality archetypes of Myers-Briggs-esque systems and understand the underlying theory of cognitive stacks.
Stereotypes in Personality Typing
Both the MBTI and the Enneagram (or any system of personality evaluation) show us broad stereotypes. Our results are given to us as generalizations of other people with similar types. While an accurate Enneagram result resonates with almost everyone I meet, the MBTI is a little more tricky. In the most popular systems, from Please Understand Me to 16Personalities to the actual MBTI, these results are reported back as what appears to be the most common Enneagram type(s) for each MBTI archetype. For example, ENTJs are most commonly Enneagram 8s followed by 3s. This description lines up with most descriptions of ENTJs. As another example, if we look at the ISFJ, they are most commonly Enneagram 2, 6, or 9. These three types align very closely with the standard ISFJ stereotypes. But what if we are a rare type combination? Sometimes, when this happens, what we read about our type does not align with our experience.
In these circumstances, when we seem to be something uncommon in the world, I often see a great deal of confusion. This disconnect is the basis of my entire business of helping people. How do we find our place in the world when we appear to break the mold? This disconnect is why everyone needs to work with someone who understands typing to help guide career decisions. For example, when I dive into someone’s personality, I may use the archetypes as a springboard, but we quickly move into how your personality works, not how a stereotype says you work. To explore this further, I will break down two personality types - mine and a close friend.
Let us dive in!
The ENTJ Enneagram 7
I am the ENTJ Enneagram 7. As discussed above, this combination is around 0.09% of the population. I often get feedback that I am one of a kind, and the number reflects that. If we round up, I have a 1 in 1000 personality type combination - not the rarest, but still uncommon. I show common presentations of an Enneagram 7. I am optimistic. I avoid negative emotions and experiences. I am spontaneous and adaptable. I am impulsive, procrastinate, long for novelty, and resist being limited (do not tell me what I can not do). And I am creative, resourceful, and charismatic. Cool - that sounds like me!
The ENTJ is where it gets interesting. It is worth remembering that the Enneagram details our behavior, which is what other people see, while the MBTI is how we think, which is often unseen. There are aspects that some people notice. I am a natural leader and confident in my communication (I am a strong public speaker). I am a problem solver, I challenge authority, and it becomes apparent in most situations that I am intolerant towards inefficiency. But then there are parts others rarely see unless they get to know me. For example, I am very strategic, often with plans going years into the future. I look for results and allow them to guide my decisions. I am efficient and productive (though it often appears chaotic). I am competitive and fiercely independent in every situation.
What interests me is that most of how I present is as an ENTP. If you have read the cognitive stacks post, you will know that something as simple as changing the last letter in your MBTI type changes everything about your personality. If someone close to me were to read about the ENTP, they might begin to believe this is my type. Here are just a few notable aspects of ENTP that would apply to me:
Innovative
Quick-Witted
Versatile
Natural Debater
Curious and Inquisitive
Non-Conformist
Unconventional
Energetic
Skeptical of Authority
Independent Thinker
Sense of Humor
Some of this list overlaps with the ENTJ, but not all of it. So why am I not an ENTP? Because that is not how my brain works. While it does not appear so, I am well-organized, though I do not present that way because I am an Enneagram 7 (I have spreadsheets upon spreadsheets). I look to the world for data. I seek external order and structure. These attributes are the opposite of an ENTP, which is focused more on internal and abstract reasoning and internal coherence and understanding. My brother is an ENTP. I like to say the difference between our two minds is I will learn something for a specific reason and then file it far away when I am done with it, while my brother takes in information from everywhere on everything and keeps it no matter what. And this is the challenge of working with the MBTI. The archetypes are generalized and may not perfectly explain who we are.
So, while in a cognitive stacks language, I am an ENTJ, from an MBTI or 16Personalities viewpoint, there is a disconnect. I am not addicted to money. I am not a fan of confrontation. I like to be respected, but the more power I receive, the less I enjoy having it. When it comes to careers, I do not desire any form of executive or military leadership. I avoid finance, banking, and the law, even though I understand all of them. Supply chain and or marketing management does not excite me. These are all aspects of an ENTJ. Why do they not work? Because not all stereotypes fit. If I were working with someone who is also an ENTJ Enneagram 7, I would encourage them to find a place where they could be a visionary thinker, make decisions, and be allowed a great deal of independence, and that allows for the freedom to set their hours and goals. The challenge is most advice will not work for a person of this personality type because, while an ENTJ and an Enneagram 7 are not uncommon on their own, together they are, and little advice takes this all into consideration.
The ISFJ Enneagram 4
The ISFJ is one of the most common MBTI archetypes in the world, at around 8.4% of the population. Often, ISFJs seem to have life figured out. They know what they want to go into with their lives (often helping people and communities in some way). It is not surprising, then, that ISFJs are typically Enneagram 2, 6, or 9. These Enneagram types are often concerned with other people or maintaining loyalty, security, or peace - aspects often correlated with the ISFJ. Even the 16Personalities avatar of the ISFJ is a helpful nurse caring for others.
So let me bring in my good friend, an ISFJ Enneagram 4. Again, this person knows I am writing about them, and I have their permission to do so. Before talking about their MBTI, we will start with their Enneagram. As a 4, they are all about their identity, authenticity, and uniqueness. They have a strong sense of individuality and an astounding amount of creative expression, especially in the visual and performing arts. They have strong ideals and values. They are well aware when others infringe on them and take that infringement seriously. And they have strong connections with only a handful of people. 4s are just cool people. I love being around 4s for their insight, creativity, and camaraderie.
Things break down at the intersection of their MBTI and their Enneagram. Because of the ISFJ stereotype, it does not leave a lot of room for uniqueness, creativity, or individuality. So when this friend reads about ISFJs and their focus on others, it does not resonate with them. There is a lot in my friend common to their archetype, but not through the stereotypical lens of helping other people all the time. But through the lens of cognitive functions, I see more. They notice the subjectivity of the world and bring in information through their senses. They use their memories and past experiences to process the world. They are detail-oriented and know their routines (like their 6 a.m. wake-up to enjoy some alone time). They are aware of those around them. They have a strong sense of justice. Finally, they can see through others who are fake or insincere.
If I were to work with someone with this unique combination, I would encourage them to tap into their creativity and individuality. From there, I would encourage them to find a career where they can get lost in the details of what they are working on (knowing their main hobby, this sounds about right). Above all things, the workplace will matter a great deal. Their job needs to respect their individuality and not place the same expectations on every one. Interestingly, finding a position with traditions tied to it, while it may not make sense with their sense of creativity and individuality, can allow them a unique form of expression through past experiences.
Parting Thoughts
Ultimately, the archetypes common in MBTI-esque systems are fun. They are a quick shorthand for understanding others and how they see the world. But sometimes, they break down. For those with an uncommon personality type, this can feel isolating and disorienting in a world that does not understand them. What is inspiring is this is an opportunity to break the mold and create something unique in the world. You may not find people who understand, but look for the ones who respect who you are and love you for it. And when it comes to finding out what to do with your life when nothing seems to fit, embrace the strengths you know you have and find a life that fits you. Don't make your life fit something that does not align with you.
Ready to learn how you can use insight into your personality and values to improve your life? Reach out today, and we will get started moving you from overwhelm and uncertainty to clarity and direction.
With Love,
Tom Chapman, TruePath Discovery Coaching
personality type stereotypes
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