Truity's Personality and Careers Blog

Most know INTJs as efficient, hardworking, and excellent problem-solvers. As Extraverted Thinking Te-users, these personalities rely on facts and logic to make decisions, and usually prioritize reasoning over feeling. Still, though INTJ types share common characteristics among themselves, no two INTJs look exactly the same.

In fact, while some INTJs embody the perfectionist workaholic stereotype, others deviate from it and can spend a lot of time lost in their creative minds. So, how do you know what sort of INTJ you are? That’s where the Enneagram comes in. The Enneagram is a personality system that maps out nine different types, divided into Heart, Head and Body, which can help describe each type’s core fears and motivations.

This means one INTJ may type as an Enneagram Type One, for example, and another as a Four. Wondering what Enneagram INTJ you might be? This article is for you. Here are the most common Enneagram types for INTJ personalities.

Type Five: The INTJ Investigator

Many INTJs fit in the Type Five Enneagram category, and it’s easy to understand why. At their core, Enneagram Fives fear that other people’s needs (and their own) will overwhelm them. Hence, why these types can act emotionally distant and be so private.

In addition, Enneagram Five INTJs are relentless in their pursuit of knowledge. They’re motivated by a desire to be competent, which leads them to seek out information and analyze it in depth.

At their best, type five INTJs openly share their expertise and accumulated knowledge with others, often communicating complicated topics in a clear and precise manner. Still, they can also become so enthralled in their minds that they fail to take action and execute their ideas.

What’s more, unhealthy INTJ Investigators may believe they need to attain enough information before they’re ready to put it to the test. This can prevent them from turning their wisdom into experience and receiving valuable feedback.

Growth tips for the INTJ-5: Instead of relying on complete autonomy, practice sharing your insights with your peers. By creating stable relationships with others, and considering their thoughts, you may find individuals who’ll help you put your brilliant ideas into practice.

Type One: The INTJ Perfectionist

Type One INTJs are absolute perfectionists: which can be both an asset and a disadvantage. Detail-oriented and organized, these types set high standards for themselves, and are often critical when they feel they haven’t done their best.

Additionally, a sense of integrity and responsibility moves these personalities. At their core, Type One INTJs fear people who they perceive to be deeply flawed or corrupt; which might lead them to frustration when someone ignores their advice.

When Type One INTJs loosen up on their perfectionist Thinker-Judger tendencies, they’re able to establish a healthy work-life balance. They’ll be capable of using their sense of justice, and responsibility to a greater good whilst simultaneously finding time to relax.

Unhealthy INTJs who fall under the Type One category, however, can become obsessed with their idea of what is “the right way” to execute a certain task or project. At their worst, they’ll disregard other people’s opinions and become irritable if they believe someone hasn’t put in the effort they find necessary.

Growth tips for the INTJ-1: Learn to be kinder to yourself and patient with others. Before reproaching someone, pause and consider if you’re being overly rigid. Try to apply the same principle to yourself. Indulging in small acts of self-care may also help you unwind.

Type Four: The INTJ Individualist

A desire to be authentic, and freely express their individuality, is what drives the INTJ Type Four. People with this personality combo are creative and work to build a life that lines up with their identity, values, and beliefs.

Moreover, partly due to having Introverted Intuition (Ni) as their dominant function, INTJ Individualists are very quiet and introspective. As many Type Four INTJs grow up feeling like the odd one out, they often crave validation and loyalty from their peers.

Their inner struggle consists in wanting to connect with other people, but fearing they won’t be appreciated for who they truly are.

At their best, an INTJ who falls under the Type Four umbrella will be able to use their creativity for the greater good, and learn to work on self-acceptance.

Yet, these types are also prone to negative self-talk and rumination. An unhealthy Type Four INTJ may enter a spiral of depressive thoughts and self-destructive behaviors. In extreme scenarios, they can completely seclude themselves from the outside world.

Growth tips for the INTJ-4: Instead of fixating on what singles you out, look for what you have in common with others. This can help you gain perspective and form deeper connections with those around you.

Type Eight: The INTJ Challenger

Obstinately independent, Type Eight INTJs wish to chart their own course in life, refusing any type of control imposed by others. They’re likely to seek leadership positions that allow them to take charge and implement their goals. 

Furthermore, these types can use their energy and determination to guide people towards positive change, fighting for justice, and advocating for the oppressed. Yet, confident and direct as they may be, like other INTJ personalities, Eights often fear being vulnerable.

In fact, Type Eight INTJs may refrain from vulnerability because of their boundless independence. To put it simply: they don’t want to be indebted to others, so they keep their feelings to themselves. 

What’s more, when your Type Eight INTJ feels constricted, they can become defiant. At their worst, Eights might project their own insecurities onto others, becoming tyrannical and dwelling on anger.

Growth tips for the INTJ-8: Share the load! Sometimes the best thing you can do is step back and allow other people to take the lead. Embracing vulnerability can also help you create deeper and long-lasting bonds.

The bottom line

Diligent and hardworking, INTJs usually show up as type five or type one in the Enneagram personality system. No two people are the same, so exploring your Enneagram type can help you better understand which INTJ traits you’re most in touch with, and which weaker traits you may want to work on. Your personality type dictates your innate preferences, but your Enneagram type might reveal how you act on those traits.