How to get in with my ENTJ boss

**Hunny Bunny** · 06-28-2012 07:53 AM

ENTJs - I'm very good at reading people (and personality types) and I can get along with most anyone. However, with ENTJs it seems difficult for me to crack their shell. After all, I am Fe dominant and they are Te dominant! They don't seem to appreciate my light-hearted jokes.

Any suggestions on how to get on the good side of my ENTJ boss? Well, he's really more of my boss's boss, but nothing seems to phase him. I am a very efficient worker, which I'm sure he appreciates but he's kinda tough as nails. He enjoys banter with people and actually seems to like it when someone jabs at him verbally or argues/challenges him. But I'm scared to do that because I don't want to get fired!! I pride myself on making people laugh and smile but this one won't budge!

**Fourplay** · 06-28-2012 09:19 AM

Appeal to his need.

ENTJ, or any of the NT for the matter care very little about the emotional comfort compared to other types. Like, we don't need a friend to comfort us when disaster strikes or a project bombs and someone has to be held accountable. We just want someone who will be strategic in the sense that the failure of X or Y doesn't cripple the ultimate plans or objectives, or elevate our powers even more. Everybody has a boss, and ENTJs want to be liked by their bosses more than anyone else. If you can make this happen, you're in the good book.

We NTs are very cerebral, so becoming buddy buddy won't work. However, if you can assure that you can handle the troops below and give out more efforts so efficiency and productivity is produced then we're going to get along with you.

**MarcusWarren** · 06-28-2012 03:31 PM

Don't be cowardly or too submissive. Talk about something interesting that might pertain to his insights so he can share his thoughts. Which is primarily what ENTJ's enjoy.

**Monkey King** · 06-28-2012 09:17 PM

Do exceptional work and you'll probably get on his good side. I had a clown on my team once and he made a big mistake on his work. I didn't hesitate to move him out of my team. Also, if it feels awkward to joke around him like everyone else seem to do casually, you probably haven't reached that level with him yet. Which is fine, give it time. Also, I personally don't mind light-hearted jokes but there's a place and time for that.

P.S. You might want to use the advice thread stickied on top of this subforum next time you have a question that can be answered in a few sentences.

**Hunny Bunny** · 07-02-2012 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey King

P.S. You might want to use the advice thread stickied on top of this subforum next time you have a question that can be answered in a few sentences.

Can you explain how to do that?

**Monkey King** · 07-02-2012 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Hunny Bunny

Can you explain how to do that?

General:
http://personalitycafe.com/entj-foru...-ask-here.html

Relationships/Interactions:
The entj relationship thread. Post your relationship questions here

There was a point where the subforum had like 7-10 threads asking for advice and 3 of those were basically asking the same thing.

**DJArendee** · 07-03-2012 05:53 PM

If I were a boss, I'd say to an ESFJ, be a leader among your peers. Get everyone to love you for being your warm genuine self. Eventually people will turn to you for whatever it is you have to offer. I can sniff power like a dog can sniff its own ass, and if I get the impression that everyone is usually looking YOUR direction, I'll deem you as the powerful person and it'll work in your favor.

However, if you try to kiss my ass, I might actually overcompensate on my "fairness and justice for everyone" values, and actually give you a suspicious eye.

There was this one guy, not sure which personality, an ExTx for sure, that sucked up to me. I eyed him with suspicion constantly because I knew what he was trying to do. But his sense of humor eventually won me over because he's freaking hilarious.

If you're not hilarious, take my previous advice.

**Hunny Bunny** · 07-03-2012 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by DJArendee

If I were a boss, I'd say to an ESFJ, be a leader among your peers. Get everyone to love you for being your warm genuine self. Eventually people will turn to you for whatever it is you have to offer.

Yes and YES. :-) I have noticed that he does rely on me when he needs things that are critical and time sensitive. Also, a lot of people in the office do come to me (even those who have been there longer than me) because I know the ins and outs of my job like no one else. The thing that I find the most frustrating though, is that he kinda ignores me a lot. Like just walking past without saying hi or anything most of the time. I really don't think I suck up. I'm just a genuinely friendly person and I'm like that with everyone. I guess I'd just like to be acknowledged a little. *sigh*

**DJArendee** · 07-03-2012 07:24 PM

Ah. Sometimes people are just like that. It could also be his way of maintaining boundaries with his employees. Being buddy buddy can be trouble and can cause favoritism etc, which will split the team apart.

Cold shouldering employees and talking to them when YOU choose to is the easiest and fairest way of being in control of who is close to you and who isn't, as harsh as that sounds. If you have an open door policy where everyone constantly comes to you to joke around, this invites ass kissers and favoritism.