Who's born to lead? While leadership can be developed, certain personality types have natural advantages when it comes to guiding teams, making tough decisions, and inspiring others to follow. Based on research into Fortune 500 CEOs, military commanders, and organizational psychology, here's the definitive ranking of MBTI types for leadership.
Spoiler: It's not always who you'd expect.
The Leadership Ranking
S-Tier: Natural-Born Leaders
#1 ENTJ - The Commander
No surprise here—ENTJs are statistically overrepresented among Fortune 500 CEOs and top executives. They see leadership as their natural state. ENTJs combine strategic vision with the drive to execute, making decisions quickly and holding themselves and others to high standards.
Leadership Style: Visionary strategist who sets ambitious goals and drives results
Famous ENTJs: Steve Jobs, Margaret Thatcher, Napoleon Bonaparte
Best For: Corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, military command
Growth Edge: Learning to value emotional intelligence alongside efficiency
#2 ESTJ - The Executive
ESTJs are the backbone of traditional leadership structures. They excel at organizing resources, establishing clear hierarchies, and ensuring everyone knows their role. When you need things done right and on time, an ESTJ delivers.
Leadership Style: Traditional manager who creates order and accountability
Famous ESTJs: John D. Rockefeller, Judge Judy, Lyndon B. Johnson
Best For: Operations, military, traditional corporate structures
Growth Edge: Flexibility and adapting to change
#3 ENFJ - The Protagonist
ENFJs lead through inspiration rather than authority. They have an uncanny ability to see potential in people and draw it out. In modern workplaces that value collaboration, ENFJ leaders are increasingly effective.
Leadership Style: Inspirational mentor who develops people and builds culture
Famous ENFJs: Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Martin Luther King Jr.
Best For: Non-profits, education, people-centric organizations
Growth Edge: Making tough decisions that disappoint people
#4 ENTP - The Debater
ENTPs lead through innovation. They question everything, see possibilities others miss, and thrive in environments that need disruption. In the startup world and creative industries, ENTP leadership is gold.
Leadership Style: Innovative disruptor who challenges assumptions
Famous ENTPs: Elon Musk (also typed as INTJ), Mark Cuban, Thomas Edison
Best For: Startups, R&D, creative agencies
Growth Edge: Follow-through and detail management
A-Tier: Strong Leaders
#5 INTJ - The Architect
INTJs lead from behind the scenes, creating systems and strategies that others execute. They may not seek the spotlight, but their strategic minds make them effective leaders in complex environments.
Leadership Style: Strategic mastermind who designs systems and long-term plans
Famous INTJs: Elon Musk (also typed as ENTP), Mark Zuckerberg, Friedrich Nietzsche
Best For: Tech companies, research organizations, strategic planning
Growth Edge: People skills and emotional connection
#6 ESTP - The Entrepreneur
ESTPs are action-oriented leaders who thrive in crisis. When quick decisions and bold moves are needed, ESTPs step up. They're natural at sales leadership and any role requiring charisma and quick thinking.
Leadership Style: Action-oriented leader who makes bold moves in real-time
Famous ESTPs: Donald Trump, Ernest Hemingway, Madonna
Best For: Sales, sports teams, crisis management
Growth Edge: Long-term planning and patience
#7 ISTJ - The Logistician
ISTJs lead through competence and consistency. They may not inspire with speeches, but they earn respect through reliability. In roles requiring trust and precision, ISTJ leadership is unmatched.
Leadership Style: Reliable administrator who leads by example
Famous ISTJs: George Washington, Angela Merkel, Warren Buffett
Best For: Finance, government, quality control
Growth Edge: Embracing innovation and change
#8 ESFJ - The Consul
ESFJs lead through relationships and team harmony. They excel at creating positive work environments where people feel valued. In team-based settings, their leadership creates loyalty.
Leadership Style: Team-oriented leader who creates belonging
Famous ESFJs: Bill Clinton, Taylor Swift, Terry Bradshaw
Best For: HR, hospitality, community organizations
Growth Edge: Making unpopular but necessary decisions
B-Tier: Situational Leaders
#9 ISFJ - The Defender
ISFJs lead through service. They may not seek leadership, but when trusted with it, they create stable, supportive environments. Their attention to detail catches what others miss.
Leadership Style: Servant leader who supports and protects the team
Famous ISFJs: Mother Teresa, Kate Middleton, Rosa Parks
Best For: Healthcare, education, administrative leadership
Growth Edge: Self-promotion and visibility
#10 ENFP - The Campaigner
ENFPs lead through enthusiasm and vision. They're excellent at launching initiatives and inspiring teams around new ideas. Their challenge is maintaining momentum through execution.
Leadership Style: Passionate visionary who rallies people around causes
Famous ENFPs: Walt Disney, Robin Williams, Robert Downey Jr.
Best For: Marketing, nonprofits, creative projects
Growth Edge: Follow-through and structure
#11 INFJ - The Advocate
INFJs lead through quiet influence. They see the bigger picture and guide others toward meaningful goals. Their leadership is often felt more than seen—they shape culture rather than control people.
Leadership Style: Quiet influencer who leads through values and vision
Famous INFJs: Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa
Best For: Nonprofits, counseling, social movements
Growth Edge: Assertiveness and conflict tolerance
#12 INTP - The Logician
INTPs lead in specialized domains where their expertise is recognized. They may struggle with traditional leadership but excel when leading technical teams or research groups.
Leadership Style: Expert leader who leads through knowledge
Famous INTPs: Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln
Best For: Research, technology, academia
Growth Edge: Emotional intelligence and team motivation
C-Tier: Reluctant Leaders
#13 ISFP - The Adventurer
ISFPs typically avoid leadership but can be effective in creative or artistic environments where their authenticity inspires others. They lead by living their values visibly.
Leadership Style: Authentic leader who inspires through example
Famous ISFPs: Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Princess Diana
Best For: Artistic teams, design, individual contributor paths
Growth Edge: Stepping into formal authority
#14 ESFP - The Entertainer
ESFPs can lead when energy and charisma are what's needed. They're excellent at motivating teams in the moment but may struggle with long-term strategic leadership.
Leadership Style: Energetic motivator who creates excitement
Famous ESFPs: Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Jamie Oliver
Best For: Event planning, entertainment, sales teams
Growth Edge: Long-term planning and difficult conversations
#15 INFP - The Mediator
INFPs rarely seek leadership but can be powerful leaders when their values are on the line. They lead social movements and creative endeavors where purpose matters more than power.
Leadership Style: Values-driven leader who inspires through purpose
Famous INFPs: William Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien, Princess Diana
Best For: Social causes, creative arts, counseling
Growth Edge: Decisiveness and conflict management
#16 ISTP - The Virtuoso
ISTPs typically prefer working independently and struggle with the interpersonal demands of leadership. However, in crisis situations requiring hands-on problem-solving, they can step up effectively.
Leadership Style: Crisis responder who leads through competence
Famous ISTPs: Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Michael Jordan
Best For: Technical specialist roles, emergency response
Growth Edge: Ongoing people management
Leadership Is Learnable
Here's the truth: ranking doesn't determine destiny. The best leaders are those who understand their natural style AND develop complementary skills.
For Thinking types: Develop emotional intelligence
For Feeling types: Learn to make tough analytical decisions
For Introverts: Practice public speaking and visibility
For Extroverts: Develop listening and reflection skills
Manifest Your Leadership Potential
Your MBTI type is your starting point, not your ceiling. Use affirmations and visualization to embody the leader you want to become:
"I lead with confidence and compassion."
"I make decisions that serve the greater good."
"My leadership inspires others to reach their potential."
Take our free MBTI test to discover your natural leadership style, then use Manifestly's tools to develop your full potential.
Great leaders aren't born—they're made through awareness and intentional growth. Where will your leadership journey take you?
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Manifest your leadership potential with Manifestly. Create vision boards for your career goals and use daily affirmations to embody your ideal leadership style.
