What's It Like To Be an "INFJ"
A Self-Portrait Personality Type Description for INFJs**
By Linda V. Berens Ph.D. and Dario Nardi Ph.D.
Personality Type: |
INFJ - Foreseer Developer |
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Temperament: |
Catalyst (NF) |
Interaction Style*: |
Chart-the-Course |
Likely Social Style: |
Analytic |
The quest for more knowledge, the
meaning of life, the philosophical
questions—my mind is always occupied,
and what’s exciting is when I get to
follow through with an insight and
do something. I am an abstract
future thinker, looking at things from
different perspectives. I’m about the relationships and
possibilities and enjoy anything with deeper meaning
that leaves me wondering, with more questions to ask
and things to untangle. Connecting for me means being
able to intuitively ask questions of people to get them to
go deeper into the things they are talking about.
Inspiring others, helping them find their purpose
or meaning, being a different kind of leader from
what’s traditional—that’s really gratifying. I just do
that naturally. The challenge is opening up people’s
minds to have their own original thoughts. I’m a
listener and guide.
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Self-Portrait
Personality Type Descriptions
by Linda V. Berens, Ph.D.
and Dario Nardi, Ph.D.** |
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I think I am a mystery to people. They never really
understand me and part of me enjoys that. More often
though, I long to be understood.
I tend to approach my day with a structured way
of getting things accomplished. People see me as
organized, thorough, and easy to get along with, pulling
my own weight and eager to help out when called upon.
But I’m not as outgoing or as critical as I may sometimes
appear. I need a balance between people contact and
working on creative projects and will break away from
interactions when I get tired out. If I don’t have some
long-term goals, then what’s the point?
I tend to intuitively read people very quickly, but
I have to be cautious not to make assumptions. I’m an
observer. I get a feeling when people are interesting,
and I watch from a distance, make some assessments
about the situation, and then approach them and engage
in conversation. I put a little bit out and a little more and
see how that goes. Do I trust and like them, are they who
they say? I have a few deep friendships. A friendship
comes best when it is worked to develop that investment.
I quickly pick up on sincerity and withdraw if the person
is superficial or obviously doesn’t care. When I see
people who abuse their power or won’t stand behind
what they say, that ticks me off. It’s about integrity. I
feel other people’s feelings, and taking on that burden
can make me too intense and serious, where I can’t be
spontaneous and fun loving.
I like whatever gets us to think beyond the box,
where people can function better because they are not
afraid to say things they really feel. I have a lot of
imagination and by and large can amuse myself. I love
independent projects and reading and writing. I do my
best thinking alone, and I like getting out in nature,
being alone to go inside and center myself. I have
always been drawn to the spiritual. Everywhere, I see
life in symbols. Symbols give me focus. Sometimes
the connections and perceptions in my mind are
so abstract there are no words to explain. A lot of
times I just know something and can’t explain it—a
premonition that’s hard to articulate. If it’s strong I
usually say something or explore where it’s coming
from, but I will keep it to myself if people don’t seem
to understand. Informed decisions require lots of
information and looking at a situation from as many
different points of view as possible. I find it amusing,
the absurdity in everyday situations.
It is painful when there is conflict or when I offer
advice and someone chooses not to take it. For me,
I have to prepare myself for what is going to happen
so I can either support people in a positive way or get
away and wait out the inevitable heavy duty stuff before
returning to fix things. How will it impact me and the
people in my life? Will it put me in another place or
another level where I can grow more? Not knowing the
right thing to say and do is stressful.
Everything revolves around growth. Caring is
about the ability to help others grow. What I bring
is caring about people, not things. If we spent more
time trying to understand each other’s point of view,
to communicate more effectively, we would grow. In
an honest, open, sincere relationship, I can accomplish
anything. My challenge is to create those kinds of
relationships. I respect most the person who is willing
to come forth and be an individual—to make the world
a better place, or make a difference in a person’s life,
where we reach each other’s hearts.
This concludes "What's it like to be an INFJ,"
A Self Portrait Personality Type Description.
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