So You’re Dating a Commander (ENTJ)

Laura's avatar

What’s it like to go out with a Commander (ENTJ)? Commanders don’t hold back on expressing their opinions – their frankness is legendary, as is their sharp, unsparing sense of humor. This personality type’s energy, confidence, and determination can be hard to resist.

Although they’re social and outgoing, people with this personality type often project an air of self-sufficiency – as if they don’t need anyone else to be happy. In many ways this is true: Commanders are remarkably independent and coolheaded. They tend to make decisions based on what’s rational rather than what’s popular, and they rarely fret about other people’s approval or expectations.

But don’t let that fool you into thinking that this personality type is emotionless, unfeeling, or detached from other people. Commanders are perfectly capable of deep feelings and relationships – they’re just highly selective about who they choose to share their feelings with.

No two people with a given personality type are exactly alike – as any self-respecting Commander would make sure to tell you. That said, this personality type does have certain tendencies when it comes to dating, romance, and love. So here are some things to keep in mind if you find yourself going out with a Commander.

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They’re Not Made of Stone

Commanders are driven and ambitious. They generally have a clear idea of what they want to achieve and where they want to go in life – and heaven help anything or anyone who tries to keep them from meeting these goals.

Given their intense focus on success, you might guess that most Commanders don’t leave room in their lives for romance – but you’d be mistaken. Based on our research, Commanders are far from complacent when it comes to relationships. In fact, 73% of people with this personality type say their ideal social life includes a romantic partner.

Rather than leaving their dating lives to chance, Commanders are the types most likely to take the initiative – both when it comes to asking someone out and when it comes to making a relationship “official.” A majority of Commanders say they think that romantic partners should spend as much time together as possible, and an even greater majority say they seek commitment in their relationships.

People with this personality type aren’t made of stone, and they don’t care only about their grand plans and ambitions. In fact, Commanders can be incredibly generous with their attention and care. That said, this personality type doesn’t exactly specialize in mushy declarations of love. At times, you may need to tell your Commander exactly what they can do to make you feel appreciated and cared for. The good news is that Commanders do care about their relationships – and clear, direct feedback tends to go over better than subtle suggestions or passive-aggressive hints.

They Have Their Vulnerabilities

The impression that most Commanders give off can be summed up in a single word: confidence. People with this personality type know their own minds – and they’re usually pretty certain that whatever they think is exactly right.

From the outside, it may seem as though Commanders have no hang-ups or vulnerabilities. In the early days of a relationship, this confidence tends to be a bit intoxicating. It can be quite a rush to spend time with someone who doesn’t seem to second-guess anything – including their interest in you.

As the relationship progresses, though, you might find yourself wondering what lies beneath this personality type’s armor of self-assurance. Are Commanders’ feelings ever hurt? Would they even care if you broke up with them?

To learn more about what makes Commander (ENTJ) personality types tick, including their romantic preferences, check out our Premium Profile!

This dynamic can become even more difficult if you have a more sensitive personality. Commanders are known for their sharp tongues, and they tend to poke fun even at people they care about. If you push back, they might say, “Come on, I was just kidding. Why do you take this stuff so personally?”

Beneath it all, Commanders do have their vulnerabilities, and they can feel deeply. It may just take time for them to decide that they’re ready to share these aspects of themselves with you. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to share your own vulnerabilities and feelings in the meantime. If a Commander’s jokes or wisecracks make you feel insecure, don’t be afraid to push back and make certain topics off-limits. This personality type may get a kick out of pushing people’s buttons, but that doesn’t mean that they want to hurt someone they care about.

What Do You Think?

So, have you ever gone out with a Commander? What advice would you have for other readers who are dating someone with this personality type? Tell us in the comments!

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Comments

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Viewing 1-5 of 10
ENFJ avatar
Imagine a pair of commanders. Both are assertive and commited.
INFP avatar
Engaged to an ENTJ - people often comment on how "opposite" we are. Some of my friends criticise him for being overly confident and are worried he'll drown me out. However, I have no problems setting boundaries when I need to, and he respects these. When we met, I was most attracted to his confidence, but a year into the relationship, he let down his confident persona and let me see his vulnerabilities - now we are closer than ever!
A grayscale avatar for an anonymous user
my boyfriend is a commander and i couldn't agree more with this. i LOOOOOVE this man so very much but sometimes i find it hard to communicate openly with him, his confidence sometimes makes me feel inadequate or intimidated. when he teases he doesn't hold back unless its me (for the most part) which does tell me he loves me, and when i do tell him to stop doing things he really does listen. once i was crying and to lighten the mood he mimicked me when i said something after a few minutes of sobbing, and when i asked him to stop he said "ok" and hasn't done it since. commanders really do listen to straightforward suggestions and boundaries.
ENFJ avatar
I am dating a commander too. And most often felt being neglected... sigh which made me contemplate if I should walk away or make him understand both our difference deeper and work things out together.
INFP avatar
It's true. Although I'm a male infp,but my partner entj is indeed the same.
A grayscale avatar for an anonymous user
I've been in a relationship with an ENTJ since the beginning of 2020 and this article perfectly describes some of his personality traits. As and INTJ, I'm always wondering about whether I make a good match for him, or not. Both ENTJs and INTJs are known for having very strong opinions and having difficulties in saying 'I'm wrong'. Although this particular trait hasn't been a problem for the past 1,5 year, I'm also really worried about the affection part of our relationship. I've heard that ENTJ tend to express their feeling in a very straightforward way and I can clearly see it, being in a relationship with one, but as an INTJ, I'm not as straightforward in expressing my feelings for other people and I'm afraid that I might be hurting his feelings that way. If any ENTJs or INTJs read this comment, please give me some feedback of whether you can relate or not, and give me some suggestions of how to express affection toeards an ENTJ.
ENTJ avatar
As someone from a ENTJ & INTJ 7 year relationship, I can tell you my perspective as the ENTJ part: I simply don't care as much. My partner told me he loves me - that's it. I do not need roses and harps to feel appreciated. Heck, we even have a wish list for presents, because the INTJ part does not know what to give me for my birthday. Other types would be offended by this (given the duration!), but I find it very practical, as I'll get presents I find value in. Imho the best way to please an ENTJ is by being honest with them. Tell them you do not know how to express it. Ask what they would like to do. We love deciding anyway. We do not mind being in control (most of the time), even when it comes to expressing love - as long as we feel it is being appreciated by the other side.
A grayscale avatar for an anonymous user
Thanks. That honestly helped me a lot. The "gift wish list" sounds great, because I suck at giving presents. I think I will give it a try this Christmas or on his birthday. Once again, thanks a lot :)
ENFJ avatar
This really helps...
ENTJ avatar
I am just seeing this article, so I am a bit late to the conversation - but I am an ENTJ-A and I was with an INTJ-T for 6yrs and he was 10yrs older than me and actually kind of taught me something that I still prefer, to this day. He never liked "stuff" but he always wanted something that would make his life easier or more efficient in some way, or teach him something. When we met I was in my 20s and had never given much thought to gifts because they usually make me uncomfortable - I think most people give gifts that make other "feel good", but I am 100% in agreemwnt with him on this one. Go with something that either teaches him something new (and about something that he is genuinely interested in) or something that will make some part of his life easier in some way.
A grayscale avatar for an anonymous user
My brother is an ENTJ an honnestly, that defines his pretty well (though he doesn't like when I explain his behavior with his personalitiy type, since he is unique lol). He will be very confident, sure of himself and of his opinions (don't try to argue with him unless you want a real debate. All his focus will go to proving his opinion, just like an ENTP). He is curious yet focused, organised yet playful, confident yet actually quite sensitive. It's true that Commanders won't easily show their feelings but they do have them as anyone else, sometimes very powerfully. When my brother opens up, I can see that he has a very rich inner world though, contrarely to mine, it is ruled by rigorous logic in stead of emotionnal connections. I was surprised at first, then amazed, by how Thinking types can define their feelings by logics in stead of defining logics through their feelings. Commanders are sometimes viewed as harsh but truly, when you get to really know them, they are absolutely amazing people. :)
ENTJ avatar
Your second last paragraph is great. I value my feelings, but always break them down to understand why I feel how I do. Then decide what's the best actions to go with that As the article said, the conscious choice to stop it leave a relationship in spite of any feelings. The process that ended my last relationship was: 1. Felt something was not quite right 2. Realised I wouldn't want her to be the mother raising any children I would have (too similar behaviour as her dysfunctional mother) 3. I want to have a family 4. Since it seemed unlikely she could overcome this (I did try, that lead to point #1) I broke up with her the next day.