INTP vs. ENFP: What Are the Differences?

Lisa Sparrow

Content writer

24 Dec 2021

Time to read:

7 min

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Key personality differences explained

The difference between INTPs and ENFPs is clear to see in their energy levels. INTPs tend to be reserved types whose energy lies in their inner thoughts, while ENFPs are warm and outgoing people attracted to anything that spikes their curiosity.

An INTP personality type is introverted, intuitive, thinking, and prospecting. Architects are intelligent and creative individuals who tend to come across as rather reserved. But while they might be quiet on the outside, inside, their minds are whirring away. Cerebral and contemplative, INTPs are always thinking of new ideas and questioning the world around them.

Because of their quiet and thoughtful nature, Architects can come across as a bit reserved, like they’re always daydreaming. When they do connect with others though, they are bright, energetic, and engaging people.

Dominated by extraverted, intuitive, feeling, and prospecting personality traits, ENFPs are energetic people with bold ideas and a positive outlook. Unlike the typically reserved Architects, Champions are the life of the party. But don’t confuse these outgoing personalities for being shallow, Champions tend to be warm, openhearted, and deep people who value connection.

One of INTPs main strengths is their analytical thinking style. Architects are easily able to read and analyze the world around them, whether that be people, research, or situations. Truth is very important to this personality and they’re always searching for the right answers. You can trust an INTP to get to the truth of a situation; misinformation will not distract them.

Architects are also incredibly open-minded people. They have a desire to learn from anyone and anything so tend to be very receptive to new people and ideas, provided that those people and ideas are logical and fact-based.

Champions’ strength lies in their curiosity, energy, and communication skills. This outgoing personality type is drawn to new and interesting people and experiences, and they’re often successful in trying things and creating exciting adventures for themselves.

ENFP types also bring incredible energy that is often infectious and endearing. Champions tend to succeed in inspiring and engaging others with their opinions and ideas. These energetic people can win over even their hardest critics.

Aside from their energy and curiosity, ENFPs also bring great communication to the table. These good-natured types are approachable and know how to really listen to others, making them great communicators.

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INTPs can struggle with being quite detached from the world around them. When they’re in a train of thought, or researching a new topic, they can easily lose track of conversations and events happening around them.

Architects are also perfectionists to a fault, craving logic and doing a job well, but they can get a little lost in the weeds as they search for a perfect answer or outcome that might not be possible. This desire for perfectionism also means that INTPs tend to be a little impatient and dissatisfied when things don’t go their way.

The energy that ENFPs bring can also be a weakness at times. High levels of enthusiasm and energy can lead to a restless feeling for Champions. ENFPs may feel like their energy is not being put to good use, or that they could be doing more - even if they’re doing a lot!

Champions feed off energy, so they tend to avoid more boring or menial tasks. It’s hard to get excited about paperwork or life admin and Champions can find themselves falling behind on mundane tasks. Because of this, ENFPs are vulnerable to disorganization.

Unique and free-thinking individuals like INTPs often struggle to fit into the typical career path mold. Because they love tackling big questions and searching for logical solutions, industries like science, mathematics, and research tend to be a good fit for this personality.

Team-based roles that force them to rely on their colleagues aren’t the best idea for INTPs. This self-motivated and independent thinking personality does best when they can carry out their work on their own and are free to use their creative and logical thinking skills.

ENFPs are motivated by jobs that fulfill their imagination. Champions won’t struggle to find roles that interest them, in fact, their main problem tends to be deciding which option to choose.

Unlike INTPs, curiosity can get the better of ENFPs in their career. Champions can be distracted by new and exciting career options and may feel overwhelmed by them all. Nevertheless, they will thrive in positions where they can use their creativity.

While INTPs are usually quite reserved and prone to daydreaming, when they feel comfortable in a relationship and start to let their guard down, Architects are fun, honest, and creative partners.

However, their high standards can hold them back from meeting new people. Introverts at heart, it can take them quite a while to build up the courage to ask someone out and draw attention to themselves.

Architects aren’t known for being gift-givers or for planning elaborate romantic gestures, and so this personality needs to make sure that they put in the time to appreciate their partner in the way that they want.

While Architects can struggle to find their perfect match, ENFPs tend to fall hard and often. Champions love, and so it’s rare that they’re not in a relationship. In fact, they tend to feel alone and longing when single.

Generous and fun, Champions are sociable and upbeat friends that can brighten any room they walk into. They can struggle with self-doubt and suspicion in friendships though, worrying that they aren’t mutual and leaving them feeling isolated.

While INTPs and ENFPs do share some personality traits, the differences are quite stark. While INTPs lead with logic and problem-solving, for ENFPs it’s energy energy energy. Architects can argue their politics all night long, but ENFPs will be the ones bantering and entertaining at the other side of the room.

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