I personally donʼt hate ESTJs. But there is this pattern where most in the high rank of administration esp in the government are ESTJs and I see this pattern. The matured ones maybe are okay. But the thing about ESTJs that really separates them a lot from ENTJs (whom I prefer to be my boss if I can choose a personality) is their micromanagement. As an INTJ, I have no problems with rules. I love predictability, too and itʼs easy to control. Just that INTJs in general hate being micromanaged. Give us the deadline and the quality you want, weʼll find ways and the most efficient way to do that bec we still have so many other things to do.

Next is that the way ESTJ leads is less about “whyʼs” or purpose. If thatʼs the protocol, thatʼs the protocol and no one should question that, and everybody is expected to follow them every detail. If the protocol performance is included in the performance grading, I would surely do it. But if itʼs not and if it doesnʼt affect the whole process, then why would we even keep such tradition?

Compared to ENTJs, they are more open to suggestions. They are more results-inclined than process-inclined although they do inspect the process of the execution.

Also when it comes to delegation, the very few ENTJs I know are better at it than most ESTJs I know in person. ENTJs can calculate whether the person can deliver the desired results of the planned project or better be given to the more expert of the field. This would not only give the project a good quality but also not pressure the subordinate in doing the things he canʼt pull off well. With ESTJs, they want people to “just do it” no matter who is better than who. “I told you to do it then do it.” I understand them though because when an ESTJ is the subordinate, they would do the same. Most ESTJs donʼt question whether they can do the job given to them or not. All they want is they do it because theyʼre told to do so and their strength to be resourceful where to get help for the job theyʼre assigned to do. And they expect people to do the same. Itʼs a good trait, honestly. But in an extreme point, itʼs too exhausting.

Another instance is that when an ESTJ is pressured, they want people to get all things done ASAP no matter how they do it. “Find way! I told you, then find a way!” This is actually manageable if thereʼs still a lot of time, but although it happened a lot already, thereʼs really that worst time we were tasked to think of any creative art for some project and the ESTJ wanted everyone to suggest right on the spot. She didnʼt even give prior notice to everyone before the meeting so we could think up ideas before we gather and start the meeting with something tangible already. I know this might be the unhealthiest of them but other ESTJs have some of this traits and it has become a pattern, causing us to draw conclusion about the type.

Next, ESTJs when they command, they just command. As I said, the person to whom they give the job to will be the one to get a headache how heʼs gonna do it, unless the process has a protocol in it and thatʼs the time they micromanage. And the problem with that is sometimes, protocols no longer are efficient for the work in the lower offices and ESTJs would take longer time to realize this because they donʼt always come down to perform the protocol themselves and see if it still will work or not anymore.

Compared to ENTJs, ENTJs in my encounter with them loved to lead in the execution of the rules they or the company has designed. They want to know whether thatʼs the best route, or “what we can do to make it work without compromising anything?” They also want to find out if things didnʼt work and want to fix it. They themselves execute the job as well so they will know that if thereʼs a subordinate who will say it doesnʼt work, he can tell whether that employee is lying or not, given the employeesʼ circumstance (calculation).

And lastly, when it comes to planning and execution, almost everyone will attest the smarts in the ENTJsʼ works, whereas the ESTJs, people often see them just the boss and not necessarily the bright boss, but “well, heʼs the boss, for the sake of peace letʼs just follow.”

In truth, I prefer ENTJs as my boss than ESTJs. Whereas with ESTJs I prefer them to be just an equal partner in the job.