MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) identifies 16 different personality types, including INFJ. When you score an INFJ, you have a personality type characterized as Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging. This personality type is sometimes referred to as the “Advocate” or the “Idealist.”
MBTI types account for 1% to 3% of the American population. Despite their perfectionist tendencies, they’re easygoing and can think logically and emotionally, creatively, as well as analytically and creatively. When they conflict with others, INFJs tend to feel particularly drained.
They will likely try to avoid tension wherever possible, causing them to withhold information not to upset anyone.
Aspects of INFJ Personality Type
- Compassionate: INFJs are intuitive and can be empathetic and soft-spoken. Although they may appear to be pushovers, this is not the case. To get what they want, they are capable of acting decisively and holding to deeply held beliefs.
- Supporter:The introverts in this group can have solid and meaningful relationships with other people despite their introversion. They feel pleasure to help others. However, they also require space and time to recover.
- Optimist:INFJs are defined by their ability to put their ideas into action. Dreaming of changing the world is not enough, but INFJs act on it.
- Organized:INFJs are so organized in their plans. They plan and organize ahead of time to exert control over the situation. Decide as early as possible.
- Emotional as well as logical: Rather than objective facts, INFJs place a greater focus on their emotions when making decisions. However, this does not mean they see the world through rose-colored glasses. People with INFP personality types understand the world as it is, both the good and the bad, and strive to improve it as much as possible.
Signs of INFJ Personality
There are many personality types out there, but the INFJ personality type is one of the most intriguing. INFJs comprise the rarest of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. But how do you know if you are one? If you relate to the majority of these INFJ signs, the answer probably is yes.
- Socially involved
There can be times when you are extremely shy, quiet, withdrawn and charming, fun, and humorous. INFJs are highly dependent on the situation, mood, energy levels, and, most importantly, their companions.
- Problem-solving techniques
People usually don’t ask you for advice or opinion unless they have a problem and come to you with it. It’s much better to ask them questions to understand their feelings and the situation better. Telling a story of what happened to you when something similar happened may inspire them to draw their lessons.
The path they should take is usually visible to you, but you don’t want to tell them what they should do – you want them to make their own decisions. The INFJ personality type often excels at giving advice and counseling (this is why they are often seen as naturals).
- Your introversion has a limit
You are an introvert who likes to spend time alone, but you can’t spend too much time alone. Your people must eventually be reunited with you. Your “people” are a selected group of friends who truly understand you. You can boost your energy levels by hanging out with these people. They are priceless.
- You are capable of pleasing others
Sometimes you focus so much on making other people happy that you forget to make yourself comfortable. There’s a chance that you’ll have trouble with this (and likely one of the biggest problems).
- Sympathy
Often, you believe you know what someone else needs deep down because you can see exactly what another person is feeling. Sometimes you’re wrong, but you are more discerning than most.
- You have a destiny
Despite the 9-5 job you have to do to pay the bills, you’re destined for so much more. Not just getting a paycheck but also changing the world is what you aim for. Your problem is either you have no idea what your “glorious purpose” is, or you know what it is but are not sure how to realize it.
- Always striving
The feeling that “you should be doing more” is almost always there. As a result, you do efforts to improve yourself, such as learning to cook healthy meals, setting better boundaries, and enhancing your communication abilities. When you strive for the perfect life, sometimes you overdo it. The feeling of not knowing what you are doing feels more comfortable than flying by the seat of your pants.
Strengths and Weaknesses of INFJ
INFJ Strengths
- A practical perspective. Unlike other people, INFJs successfully straddle the line between being visionary and solving problems on the ground, and they usually excel at both. INFJs have an in-depth understanding of personalities and situations, and they enjoy creating actionable strategies.
- Kindness. INFJs are a Feeling type, so it’s natural for them to display compassion. However, they are very intuitive, and their empathy is just as sharp. It is easy for them to notice worries and unhappiness in loved ones, even when others cannot see it. As INFJs, we can easily detect the suffering of others when it is unspoken or unacknowledged and can take action based on our instinct to see beyond the surface of things.
- A decisive nature. INFJs have the strength and resilience to overcome problems, and no challenge can outmatch their inner strength and stability. The INFJ has the drive and determination necessary to see projects through to the end with conviction. An INFP enjoys solving problems and making a positive contribution to society.
INFJs Weaknesses
- They were taking things for granted. Although INFJs aspire to be practical, they tend to get distracted by the big picture and fail to account for some details that define whether they are successful or not. It’s always the little things that count, and although INFJs recognize this in principle, they are not always as attentive to them as they ought to be.
- Extremely private. However, despite their compassionate and loving nature, most INFJs eschew communication with the world and avoid letting others get to know them or see the beautiful qualities they possess. They can be enigmatic even with family members and close friends. People who are frustrated and introspective may retreat from social situations without explaining why, which can confuse other people.
- Too sensitive. A person who is an INFJ may find it challenging to tolerate dissent when they have made up their mind. Once they conclude something, they are usually quite sure of it. They are particularly vulnerable to criticism when their conclusion is questioned, and they will react strongly when it is.