Typically good-natured, upbeat and laid-back, ENTPs can be delightful
people to be around. They get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from
interacting with others, and especially enjoy discussing and debating theories
and concepts which interest them. They may be prone to initiate arguments
because they so enjoy the debate. They are generally fun-loving and gregarious,
and can be quite charming. They have a problem with sometimes neglecting
their close relationships when they become involved in the pursuit of
a new idea or plan.
"To love means to open ourselves to the negative as well as
the positive - to grief, sorrow, and disappointment as well as to
joy, fulfillment, and an intensity of consciousness we did not know
was possible before." -- Rollo May
ENTP's goals for their intimate relationships are similar to their other
personal goals: improvement and growth. They constantly ask themselves
questions such as: How can the relationship be improved? Where is the
relationship headed? Am I growing in the relationship? They are likely
to enthusiastically embrace new ideas and projects for themselves and their
mates which they feel will propel them along their goal for growth and
knowledge discovery. The ENTP's general enthusiasiam and good intentions
are usually quite positive and healthful in a relationship.
A problem area for ENTP's is their tendency to not follow through on their
schemes. This can be frustrating to their mates. It may also create a
"boy who called wolf" syndrome in their relationships, with their partner
never believing that the ENTP will actually do what they say they'll do.
Another potential problem area is the ENTP's general tendency towards "wildness"
and willingness to take risks. They may lead the family into uncomfortable
financial situations, which can be quite stressful on intimate
relationships.
Sexually, the ENTP is enthusiastic and interested in positive, constant growth
for both partners. They're likely to be very attentive, involved, and
questioning. They enjoy spontaneity rather than fixed schedules, and fully
embrace new ideas and adventures. They're likely to approach intimacy as
more of a physical act which conveys affection, rather than as an opportunity
to explicitly express affection.
In general, ENTP's childlike enthusiasm and genuine interest in the health
and direction of the relationship makes them willing and able to promote
healthy, growing relationships with their significant others. They need to
watch out for their tendency to be unaware of what others are feeling,
and to inadvertantly neglect their relationships when faced with exciting
possibilities that are external to their personal life.
Although two well-developed individuals of any type can enjoy a healthy
relationship, ENTP's natural partner is the
INFJ, or the
INTJ.
The ENTP's dominant function of Extraverted Intuition is best matched with
a personality that is dominated by Introverted Intuition.
How did we arrive at
this?
"You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth...
With their fun and upbeat natures, there's a little bit of kid inside all ENTPs.
They approach parenthood with a fun-loving attitude which has a serious
underlying goal: to make everything a learning exercise (for themselves as
well as for their children) which promotes the
child's growth into an independent, logical thinker.
The ENTP is likely to be somewhat inconsistent about spending quality time
with their children. One minute they will exhibit a lot of interest and
enthusiasm towards being around their kids, and will display a great deal of
affection for them. However, as soon as they get caught-up in one of their
grand schemes for improving a system somewhere, they're likely to inadvertantly
neglect their kids.
ENTPs can get along with almost all other types of people. They are intuitive
about what makes others tick, although they generally lack the ability to
sympathize or relate to others who do not see things the same way as the ENTP.
They are flexible and easy-going, and genuinely enjoy interacting with others.
Although the ENTP is able to get along with a wide variety of people, they
are likely to choose to surround themselves with people who are intelligent,
capable, and idea-oriented. They love nothing better than engaging in
a good debate with someone who can hold their end of the conversation.
This will stimulate and energize the ENTP, who is highly competitive and
loves to discuss theories.
Sometimes the ENTP falls into the habit of practicing "one-upmanship".
If this goes unchecked, it may cause a problem with friendships and close
interpersonal relationships.
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ENTP Strengths
ENTP Weaknesses
ENTPs as Lovers
ENTPs as Parents
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable." -- Kahlil Gibran
ENTPs as Friends