ENFP And ISTJ: Romance, Compatibility, Love, And Marriage
When ISTJ and ENFP first meet one another, each will be impressed by the person standing in front of them. ISTJ will like the inventiveness and creativity ENFP brings to the table, while ENFP will appreciate the self-sufficiency and hard work of ISTJ. Over time, they can not only build a solid friendship but also venture into romance, love, and maybe marriage.
I. Compatibility
Though on the surface it may not appear as if these two will want to spend much time with each other, nothing could be further from the truth. ISTJ can combine their usual hard work and practicality with ENFP’s adaptability to create a team that is almost impossible to beat. Each strongly values any relationship they are in and will work hard to make a friendship or romance long-term. The more they find out about each other, the more they want to find out about each other, which means this duo will rarely, if ever, tire of one another.
Summary Chart: ENFP and ISTJ Compatibility and Possible Conflicts
| Compatibility: | Possible Conflicts: |
| Each appreciates a deep connection | ENFP’s emotional nature |
| Both communicate well with others | ISTJ’s need to control |
| Both are hard workers | ENFP’s spontaneity |
| Both are good listeners | ISTJ’s preference for being alone |
3 Reasons Why ENFP and ISTJ are Good for Each Other
Despite many personality differences, ENFP and ISTJ ultimately form a well-rounded team due to a variety of reasons.
- Excellent communication within the relationship
- Great at problem-solving
- Care about people and their problems
Even when ISTJ’s logical approach to a problem seems odd to ENFP, they will respond by combining that logic with their own creativity to arrive at a solution both can agree on. Since neither will shy away from hard work, they are two individuals anyone would want helping out with an important cause. In fact, an ENFP and ISTJ may have their first encounter at a volunteer event or perhaps a religious service. Both enjoy learning, which gives them the motivation to keep the channels of communication open within their relationship.
3 Reasons Why ENFP and ISTJ are Not Good for Each Other
Though not uncommon for these two to form a friendship or romance, it is also not uncommon for them to meet, say hello, and then go their separate ways, concluding that they are not compatible for certain reasons.
- ENFP loves groups, while ISTJ likes going solo.
- ISTJ likes to plan out their day, while ENFP takes life as it comes.
- ISTJ may not express their emotions enough to satisfy ENFP.
Having an abundance of energy, ENFP loves meeting new people and experiencing new things. However, ISTJ is somewhat the opposite, often loving to spend long periods of time alone to think about life. While not completely against spontaneity, ISTJ does not enjoy it, while ENFP often feels variety is the spice of life. In a romantic relationship, ISTJ may come off as cold, critical, and unwilling to reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings to ENFP, which can end the relationship quickly.
Communication
When these two successfully communicate with each other, it is due to a limiting of criticism and providing each other the time and space needed to make a decision. ISTJ is very detail-oriented, while ENFP loves to live in a world of hypotheticals. When each can persuade the other to give a little and see their side of things, creativity and calculating can combine to make communicating much easier than either expected. Surprisingly, despite their differences, ISTJ and ENFP rarely have heated arguments.
Where are they strong and why?
ENFP and ISTJ are strong in their communication when they take each other’s needs into consideration first and are willing to go outside their comfort zone in order to view the issue from a different perspective. Overall, both are very comfortable letting the other person know what is on their mind.
Where do they have problems and why?
Problems arise between ISTJ and ENFP when ISTJ feels they cannot get ENFP to focus enough on the real-world issue at hand. As ENFP continues to focus on hypotheticals and let their emotions guide their thinking, ISTJ may become frustrated and shut down, which will end the conversation and set the stage for any conflict to go unresolved.
How can they improve communication?
To improve communication, ISTJ will need to curb their tendency to come off as being too critical, especially when ENFP has very strong emotions about something. While ISTJ is doing this and trying to be more patient and willing to listen, ENFP will need to allow ISTJ some time on their own to think through what was said, consider various options, and arrive at a conclusion they feel is best. Along the way, each needs to remember that neither one is completely right or wrong. By choosing to view many different sides of the issue they are discussing, they can usually arrive at a viable solution.
Where do they connect? Why?
ISTJ and ENFP will connect on many levels. First, they both want what is best for others, which is one thing that keeps their friendship or romance going strong. They are also people who will stand out at a social gathering, though in different ways. ENFP will be the outgoing person that attracts people to them like a magnet, while ISTJ will be much quieter. However, as ISTJ begins to talk to people, others are captivated by not only their knowledge but also their surprising and dry sense of humor that they rarely put on display in public.
ENFP and ISTJ: Values
ISTJ and ENFP both have very strong values they hold dear, which is one thing that brings these two together into various types of relationships.
3 Things ENFP Values
- Time with others
- Creativity and sharing
- Variety in life
As a person who is very people-oriented, ENFP always values spending time with others in almost any setting. Whether it is with family and friends, on the job, or while attending a charity event or local festival, ENFP always loves talking to people and learning more about them. ENFP also loves new experiences, be it a trip to somewhere exotic or helping out at a local fundraiser for a family in need. When they can share their thoughts, ideas, and emotions with others, ENFP believes they are making the world a better place for themselves and others.
3 Things ISTJ Values
- Self-sufficiency
- Order in daily life
- Keeping their word
Since ISTJ never minds being alone, it stands to reason that they are very self-sufficient, rarely asking others for help. However, since they do approach life from a logical and practical standpoint, they will ask for help if they deem it to be the most practical way to solve a problem. Unlike the spontaneous ENFP, ISTJ craves order and routine day after day, which helps them accomplish the many goals they set for themselves each day. But perhaps more than anything else, ISTJ places an incredibly high premium on keeping their word and having others do the same towards them. When a promise is broken by someone they trusted, ISTJ often looks elsewhere for new friends or romantic partners.
How do their values match up?
Generally, the values of ENFP and ISTJ match up well enough for them to be friends or lovers. Each cares about others, wants to communicate well with their partner, and prefers to be around people who can be trusted to keep their word. Though they differ in the amount of time they want to spend around others, ENFP and ISTJ realize there is a little bit of them in the other person. Thus, ISTJ may once in a while like becoming the center of attention at a social gathering, while ENFP may display a rare moment where they want to be by themselves to process their emotions.
Love Language/Love Style
The love styles of ENFP and ISTJ differ greatly. ENFP will never be shy about displaying their emotions and revealing their true feelings, while ISTJ will do the very opposite. Yet for both, the ultimate way of showing the other just how much they care about them is arranging for quality time with their significant other.
Ways ENFP Show Their Love
ENFP will show their love in the following ways:
- Reveal their true emotions
- Share their talents with others
- Will work hard to keep a relationship fresh and exciting
ENFP will show ISTJ their love by never hiding their feelings in good times and bad, which will let ISTJ know they can trust ENFP. Along with this, ENFP will show others they love them by having a willingness to share their talents, often volunteering first to help out a friend who is moving or serving meals at a soup kitchen. When in a relationship with ISTJ, ENFP will not leave when the first problem arises. Instead, they will want to talk so that they can get to the core of the problem, solve it, and keep the relationship on track.
Ways ISTJ Show Their Love
ISTJ will reveal their love in such ways as:
- Being a patient listener
- Clearing their calendar for quality time
- Emotional surprises
While being very reserved and quiet most of the time, ISTJ can spring quite a few surprises on their ENFP significant other when it comes to love. When they care about their ENFP partner, ISTJ will find a new level of patience to listen to their love’s problems. Even if they are very busy, they will clear their calendar in order to have a quiet evening at home or dinner and a movie. Last but not least, the quiet ISTJ will use their time to arrange for a few surprises that will tug at the heartstrings of their ENFP partner, such as sending flowers to their job, placing a handwritten love note in their briefcase, or booking a trip for two to a day spa.
ENFP and ISTJ in Bed
Once these two make their way to the bedroom, emotions and passion often take over and dictate how things will go underneath the sheets. ENFP will always wear their emotions on their sleeve and will like to be a passionate lover for their ISTJ partner. Although reserved in most aspects of their daily life, ISTJ will come alive once their ENFP partner entices them to relax and enjoy new experiences. Before they know it, these two will become a couple that may look like polar opposites to others but will actually be far more similar than anyone would suspect when behind bedroom doors.
II. ENFP and ISTJ Couples/Marriage
How does ENFP match up in a long-term romantic relationship?
ENFP Male and ISTJ Female
On the surface, it will appear as if the ENFP male will have an ISTJ female with whom they may not be compatible in terms of marriage. However, this is not the case. ENFP males will be the emotional barometers of this relationship and will sometimes let their emotions get the best of them. When this occurs, the ISTJ female will be there to say and do the things needed to keep the relationship going strong. In fact, the ENFP male will rely on their ISTJ female to help them stay on track and grounded in the real world.
ENFP Female and ISTJ Male
In this relationship, it may appear as if the ISTJ male is sitting back and letting the ENFP female carry the load of the marriage. However, these two combine their emotions and practicality to form a married couple others come to envy. Whether it is dividing up household duties, managing their finances, or raising kids, the ENFP female and ISTJ male ultimately form what looks like a super couple to their friends and family.
III. ENFP and ISTJ Conflicts
Displaying so many obvious personality differences, it is no surprise that ENFP and ISTJ may have some conflicts with one another now and then, even when their relationship is extremely stable and strong.
Potential Areas of Conflict (and Why)
Despite their ability to have a great relationship, ENFP and ISTJ can have conflicts.
- ENFP can be far too emotional, leading ISTJ to become frustrated or embarrassed.
- ISTJ can demand too much order and routine, stifling ENFP’s spontaneous nature.
- ISTJ criticism can become too frequent and too harsh, hurting ENFP’s feelings.
When these two are under stress, the conflicts that can arise within their relationship can quickly surface. As ENFP puts their emotions on full display, ISTJ can become frustrated at not making progress on solving a problem. If ENFP lets loose with their emotions in public, ISTJ may be mortified. When these two are a couple, ISTJ will need to let ENFP bring some spontaneity into their relationship, or it will stagnate in a hurry. Should these two argue or even just have a discussion about something, ISTJ will need to keep their criticism to a minimum. Otherwise, ENFP will feel as if it is a personal attack.
How do they resolve conflict?
When these two need to resolve conflict, it will come down to a combination of more listening, less criticism, and properly bringing together logic and emotions. ISTJ will need to be a better listener and limit their criticism, while ENFP will need to let some logic creep into their thinking and the words they express during an argument. If ENFP lets ISTJ have some time and space to think about things, and ISTJ lets ENFP get their emotions off their chest, most conflicts can be resolved.
How do they build trust?
ENFP and ISTJ will begin to build trust with one another by keeping commitments, letting the other person express their feelings in their most natural and comfortable way, and connecting emotionally so that both will not be afraid to show their vulnerabilities in tough situations.
IV. ENFP and ISTJ Friendships
It might take some time for ENFP and ISTJ to get comfortable enough with one another to establish a solid friendship. Yet once they do, they will play to each other’s strengths and weaknesses to form a friendship that can endure almost anything.
ENFP vs. ISTJ: Approaches to Friendship
In many cases, a friendship between ISTJ and ENFP will begin on the job. The logical mindset and attention to detail provided by ISTJ will go well with the creative mind of ENFP, resulting in even the most complex problems getting solved much easier than anticipated. This translates well to their friendship outside the job, where they will help each other in many ways. ENFP will help ISTJ become more adaptable to new situations, while ISTJ will help ENFP set and reach long-term goals.
ENFP and ISTJ Friendship Dynamics
Though one is very introverted and the other just as much if more so extroverted, ENFP and ISTJ both bring many interesting dynamics to their friendship. Actually, each is very good at motivating and encouraging one another. ENFP will always admire how ISTJ can set and achieve goals, while ISTJ will like ENFP’s ability to sort out hypotheticals and turn them into creative solutions to difficult problems. This lets each of them realize various perspectives of an issue, helping them achieve more when they combine their talents.
What makes them good for each other as friends?
As their friendship grows, one thing that becomes abundantly clear and helps strengthen an already good friendship is how each is able to help the other deal with changes in their lives. ENFP is far better at adapting to new situations than ISTJ, so they can use their nurturing and caring nature to support their friend as they navigate a new life path. ISTJ can return the favor by helping their ENFP friend set goals and expectations that are not too unrealistic, which will lead to ENFP letting their emotions convince them they are a failure. Once each helps the other through some tough situations, they will realize the friendship can not only endure various challenges, but actually become stronger in doing so.
Could they be close friends?
When they first meet, ENFP and ISTJ probably have no idea they could one day become very close friends. More than likely, their other friends and family members wonder just how these two managed to do much more than say hello to one another upon their first meeting. However, ENFP and ISTJ often surprise those around them and become fast and close friends. This happens when each quickly learns to appreciate the differences each brings to their friendship rather than spending time trying to change the other person into somebody they simply are not. Chances are these two will have plenty of times when they won’t understand the other’s thoughts or actions, which will not mean the end of the friendship. Rather, it will open their eyes to how the differences in their personalities can benefit them, giving each person they know can be counted on to be there no matter what.
What are some areas that may cause them problems as friends?
Because they are so different in so many ways, don’t be surprised if ENFP and ISTJ do have various areas that may cause their friendship to get rocky from time to time. One of these areas will be ENFP trying to get ISTJ to talk about their thoughts and feelings all the time. While ISTJ won’t mind doing this now and then, they rely on having plenty of alone time to process things and arrive at solutions. Another problem area can arise when ISTJ doesn’t want to always go along with ENFP’s spontaneity. Whether it’s getting a last-minute invite to a party or just going out for a quick meal, ISTJ may sometimes seem much too rigid for the carefree ENFP. Should ISTJ’s desire for routine and order become too tiresome for ENFP, their friendship could dwindle until it becomes almost nonexistent.
