Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
by Marina Margaret Heiss
Profile: INTJ
Revision: 3.0
Date of Revision: 27 Feb 2005
To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness", of self-confidence. This selfconfidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very
specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that
most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their own areas of expertise -- and
INTJs can have several -- they will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they
can help you, and if so, how. INTJs know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly,
they know what they don't know.
INTJs are perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that
takes their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in this pursuit
of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the type: INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the
criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social
norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the
constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake.
INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the
unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be
working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and
disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs can be unsparing of both themselves and
the others on the project. Anyone considered to be "slacking," including superiors, will lose their
respect -- and will generally be made aware of this; INTJs have also been known to take it upon
themselves to implement critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers.
On the other hand, they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the
individual contributions that have gone into a project, and have a gift for seizing opportunities
which others might not even notice.
In the broadest terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know". Typical INTJ career
choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a combination of
intellect and incisiveness are required (e.g., law, some areas of academia). INTJs can rise to
management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing their abilities as well as
enhancing them, and (whether for the sake of ambition or the desire for privacy) many also find
it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent
unconventionality.
Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel. While they
are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to spend a great
deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so
successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations.
This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance,
they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation
(which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). To complicate matters, INTJs are
usually extremely private people, and can often be naturally impassive as well, which makes
them easy to misread and misunderstand. Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is
that INTJs really want people to make sense. :-) This sometimes results in a peculiar naivete',
paralleling that of many Fs -- only instead of expecting inexhaustible affection and empathy from
a romantic relationship, the INTJ will expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.
Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their
willingness to "work at" a relationship. Although as Ts they do not always have the kind of
natural empathy that many Fs do, the Intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by
synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and
facial expression. This ability can then be honed and directed by consistent, repeated efforts to
understand and support those they care about, and those relationships which ultimately do
become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized by their robustness, stability, and good
communications.
Functional Analysis
by Joe Butt
Introverted iNtuition
INTJs are idea people. Anything is possible; everything is negotiable. Whatever the outer
circumstances, INTJs are ever perceiving inner pattern-forms and using real-world materials to
operationalize them. Others may see what is and wonder why; INTJs see what might be and say
"Why not?!" Paradoxes, antinomies, and other contradictory phenomena aptly express these
intuitors' amusement at those whom they feel may be taking a particular view of reality too
seriously. INTJs enjoy developing unique solutions to complex problems.
Extraverted Thinking
Thinking in this auxiliary role is a workhorse. Closure is the payoff for efforts expended.
Evaluation begs diagnosis; product drives process. As they come to light, Thinking tends,
protects, affirms and directs iNtuition's offspring, fully equipping them for fulfilling and useful
lives. A faithful pedagogue, Thinking argues not so much on its own behalf, but in defense of its
charges. And through this process these impressionable ideas take on the likeness of their master.
Introverted Feeling
Feeling has a modest inner room, two doors down from the Most Imminent iNtuition. It doesn't
get out much, but lends its influence on behalf of causes which are Good and Worthy and
Humane. We may catch a glimpse of it in the unspoken attitude of good will, or the gracious
smile or nod. Some question the existence of Feeling in this type, yet its unseen balance to
Thinking is a cardinal dimension in the full measure of the INTJ's soul.
Extraverted Sensing
Sensing serves with a good will, or not at all. As other inferior functions, it has only a
rudimentary awareness of context, amount or degree. Thus INTJs sweat the details or, at times,
omit them. "I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with the facts" could well have been said
by an INTJ on a mission. Sensing's extraverted attitude is evident in this type's bent to savor
sensations rather than to merely categorize them. Indiscretions of indulgence are likely an
expression of the unconscious vengeance of the inferior.
Famous INTJs:
Dan Aykroyd (The Blues Brothers)
Susan B. Anthony
Arthur Ashe, tennis champion
Augustus Caesar (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus)
Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)
William J. Bennett, "drug czar"
William F. Buckley, Jr.
Raymond Burr (Perry Mason, Ironsides)
Chevy Chase (Cornelius Crane) (Fletch)
Phil Donahue
Michael Dukakis, governor of Mass., 1988 U.S. Dem. pres. candidate
Greg Gumbel, television sportscaster
Hannibal, Carthaginian military leader
Veronica Hamel (Hill Street Blues)
Angela Lansbury (Murder, She Wrote)
Orel Leonard Hershiser, IV
Peter Jennings
Charles Everett Koop
Ivan Lendl
C. S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia)
Joan Lunden
Edwin Moses, U.S. olympian (hurdles)
Martina Navratilova
Charles Rangel, U. S. Representative, D-N.Y.
Pernell Roberts (Bonanza)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
Josephine Tey (Elizabeth Mackintosh), mystery writer (Brat Farrar)
Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor
Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense
General Colin Powell, US Secretary of State
Lance Armstrong
Richard Gere (Pretty Woman)
Katie Couric
U.S. Presidents:
Chester A. Arthur
Calvin Coolidge
Thomas Jefferson
John F. Kennedy
James K. Polk
Woodrow Wilson
Fictional:
Cassius (Julius Caesar)
Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
Gandalf the Grey (J. R. R. Tolkein's Middle Earth books)
Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)
Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' nemesis
Ensign Ro (Star Trek--the Next Generation)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (Hamlet)
George Smiley, John le Carre's master spy
Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs)
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ISTJ - The Duty Fulfillers
ESTJ - The Guardians
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ISFJ - The Nurturers
ESFJ - The Caregivers
ISTP - The Mechanics
ESTP - The Doers
ESFP - The Performers
ISFP - The Artists
ENTJ - The Executives
INTJ - The Scientists
ENTP - The Visionaries
INTP - The Thinkers
ENFJ - The Givers
INFJ - The Protectors
ENFP - The Inspirers
INFP - The Idealists
INTJs generally have the following traits:
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Able to absorb extremely complex theoretical and complex material
Driven to create order and structure from theoretical abstractions
Supreme strategists
Future-oriented
See the global, "big picture"
Strong insights and intuitions, which they trust implicitly
Value their own opinions over others
Love difficult theoretical challenges
Bored when dealing with mundane routine
Value knowledge and efficiency
Have no patience with inefficiency and confusion
Have very high standards for performance, which they apply to themselves
most strongly
Reserved and detached from others
Calm, collected and analytical
Extremely logical and rational
Original and independent
Natural leaders, but will follow those they can fully support
Creative, ingenious, innovative, and resourceful
Work best alone, and prefer to work alone
More so than any other personality type, INTJs are brilliant when it comes to grasping
complex theories and applying them to problems to come up with long-term
strategies. Since this type of "strategizing" is the central focus and drive of the INTJ,
there is a happy match between desire and ability in this type. Accordingly, the INTJ
is happiest and most effective in careers which allow this type of processing, and
which promote an environment in which the INTJ is given a lot of autonomy over
their daily lives.
The following list of professions is built on our impressions of careers which would
be especially suitable for an INTJ. It is meant to be a starting place, rather than an
exhaustive list. There are no guarantees that any or all of the careers listed here would
be appropriate for you, or that your best career match is among those listed.
Possible Career Paths for the INTJ:
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Scientists
Engineers
Professors and Teachers
Medical Doctors / Dentists
Corporate Strategists and Organization Builders
Business Administrators / Managers
Military Leaders
Lawyers / Attorneys
Judges
Computer Programmers, Systems Analysts and Computer Specialists
The Portait of the Mastermind (INTJ)
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is the contingency planning or
entailment organizing role that reaches the highest development in Masterminds.
Entailing or contingency planning is not an informative activity, rather it is a directive
one in which the planner tells others what to do and in what order to do it. As the
organizing capabilities the Masterminds increase so does their inclination to take charge
of whatever is going on.
It is in their abilities that Masterminds differ from the other Rationals, while in most of
their attitudes they are just like the others. However there is one attitude that sets them
apart from other Rationals: they tend to be much more self-confident than the rest,
having, for obscure reasons, developed a very strong will. They are rather rare,
comprising no more than, say, one percent of the population. Being very judicious,
decisions come naturally to them; indeed, they can hardly rest until they have things
settled, decided, and set. They are the people who are able to formulate coherent and
comprehensive contingency plans, hence contingency organizers or "entailers."
Masterminds will adopt ideas only if they are useful, which is to say if they work
efficiently toward accomplishing the Mastermind's well-defined goals. Natural leaders,
Masterminds are not at all eager to take command of projects or groups, preferring to stay
in the background until others demonstrate their inability to lead. Once in charge,
however, Masterminds are the supreme pragmatists, seeing reality as a crucible for
refining their strategies for goal-directed action. In a sense, Masterminds approach reality
as they would a giant chess board, always seeking strategies that have a high payoff, and
always devising contingency plans in case of error or adversity. To the Mastermind,
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organizational structure and operational procedures are never arbitrary, never set in
concrete, but are quite malleable and can be changed, improved, streamlined. In their
drive for efficient action, Masterminds are the most open-minded of all the types. No idea
is too far-fetched to be entertained-if it is useful. Masterminds are natural brainstormers,
always open to new concepts and, in fact, aggressively seeking them. They are also alert
to the consequences of applying new ideas or positions. Theories which cannot be made
to work are quickly discarded by the Masterminds. On the other hand, Masterminds can
be quite ruthless in implementing effective ideas, seldom counting personal cost in terms
of time and energy.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Ulysses S. Grant, Frideriche Nietsche, Niels Bohr, Peter
the Great, Stephen Hawking, John Maynard Keynes, Lise Meitner", Ayn Rand and Sir
Isaac Newton are examples of Rational Masterminds.
Temperament Sorter Results
Probable Type: INTJ
Now that you have answered the questionnaire you may proceed to the next part of this
adventure by reviewing the letters you have selected above to find your probable temperament
and that of your spouse. The General Description of this temperament is shown below.
Index
General Description of this temperament
This temperament as negotiators
Strengths of this temperament
Weaknesses of this temperament
How this temperament see themselves as negotiators
How others see this temperament as negotiators
How this temperament can work positively with other types
Link to other types
Link to negotiations matrix
General Description
General Description of the INTJ
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- Manipulates the world of theory as if on a gigantic chess board, always seeking
strategies and tactics that have high payoff.
- Eye for the consequence.
- Can be ruthless.
- Seldom counting personal cost .
- Dealing with reality.
- Using deductive logic, they use their intuition to grasp coherence.
- Useful.
- Creativity.
- Very single minded at times - this can be a weakness or a strength.
- They can ignore the points of view and wishes of others.
- Coherence is the master.
- Cost effective.
- Relationships which have psychological distance.
- Often seem demanding and difficult to satisfy.
- Independent.
- Hypersensitive to signals of rejection.
- Others receive a sense of haste.
- Vulnerable in the emotional area and may make serious mistakes here.
- When asked to put something together for the first time - a prototype - he is all the more
happy, since he is doing that which is most worthwhile.
- Abhors unsnarling messes.
- Things have to make sense.- Avoids redundancy.
- May have difficulty communicating the details of goals.
- Prefers not to say anything twice and assumes understanding.
- Serious.
- NTs tend to be relatively uninterested in acquiring wealth.
- Nts usually take family responsibilities seriously.
- NTs tend not to "own" the behaviors or bodies of their mates.
- NTs' own errors are those which are inexcusable and unforgivable.
Negotiator
INTJs as negotiators
Strengths
Strengths of INTJs
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See themselves as tough-minded and eminently reasonable.
Can get negotiations done once agreeing to an agenda and a timetable.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses of INTJs
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Under stress INTJs may show terrible surges of hurt feelings, devastating loss, become
all bottled up with pain.
It may be painful to meet the spouse. They may lose emotional control.
May have trouble sending and receiving signals.
May be inflexible toward another's agenda and options.
Too quick to make decisions without considering all facts.
How this temperament see themselves as Negotiators
How INTJs see themselves
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Task and goal-oriented.
Will get job done.
Firm-minded.
Good planners.
Rational, not confused by emotions during the negotiations.
How others see this temperament as negotiators
How others see an INTJ in negotiations
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Too aloof, unfeeling.
Afraid to open up in negotiations.
Spends too much time on fault finding and not solutions.
Won't consider other person's values.
Bossy and controlling.
Has steam roller style.
How to work positively with other types
How INTJs may work positively with other types
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Don't over control agenda for negotiations.
Acknowledge that spouse may not be as emotionally ready to negotiate as you are.
Be sure you have investigated facts before making the decision
Avoid critical tone.
If needing to vent criticisms, do it in safe place (i.e. with friends) not in negotiations.
Recognize that negotiations won't fall apart even if don't follow agenda - your need to
control may arise from insecurity.
If need privacy time during negotiations don't be afraid to ask for it.
Try to smile more.
Portrait of an INTJ - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
(Introverted Intuition with Extraverted Thinking)
The Scientist
As an INTJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things
in primarily via your intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with
things rationally and logically.
INTJs live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. They value intelligence,
knowledge, and competence, and typically have high standards in these regards,
which they continuously strive to fulfill. To a somewhat lesser extent, they have
similar expectations of others.
With Introverted Intuition dominating their personality, INTJs focus their energy on
observing the world, and generating ideas and possibilities. Their mind constantly
gathers information and makes associations about it. They are tremendously insightful
and usually are very quick to understand new ideas. However, their primary interest is
not understanding a concept, but rather applying that concept in a useful way. Unlike
the INTP, they do not follow an idea as far as they possibly can, seeking only to
understand it fully. INTJs are driven to come to conclusions about ideas. Their need
for closure and organization usually requires that they take some action.
INTJ's tremendous value and need for systems and organization, combined with their
natural insightfulness, makes them excellent scientists. An INTJ scientist gives a gift
to society by putting their ideas into a useful form for others to follow. It is not easy
for the INTJ to express their internal images, insights, and abstractions. The internal
form of the INTJ's thoughts and concepts is highly individualized, and is not readily
translatable into a form that others will understand. However, the INTJ is driven to
translate their ideas into a plan or system that is usually readily explainable, rather
than to do a direct translation of their thoughts. They usually don't see the value of a
direct transaction, and will also have difficulty expressing their ideas, which are nonlinear. However, their extreme respect of knowledge and intelligence will motivate
them to explain themselves to another person who they feel is deserving of the effort.
INTJs are natural leaders, although they usually choose to remain in the background
until they see a real need to take over the lead. When they are in leadership roles, they
are quite effective, because they are able to objectively see the reality of a situation,
and are adaptable enough to change things which aren't working well. They are the
supreme strategists - always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them
against their current strategy, to plan for every conceivable contingency.
INTJs spend a lot of time inside their own minds, and may have little interest in the
other people's thoughts or feelings. Unless their Feeling side is developed, they may
have problems giving other people the level of intimacy that is needed. Unless their
Sensing side is developed, they may have a tendency to ignore details which are
necessary for implementing their ideas.
The INTJ's interest in dealing with the world is to make decisions, express judgments,
and put everything that they encounter into an understandable and rational system.
Consequently, they are quick to express judgments. Often they have very evolved
intuitions, and are convinced that they are right about things. Unless they complement
their intuitive understanding with a well-developed ability to express their insights,
they may find themselves frequently misunderstood. In these cases, INTJs tend to
blame misunderstandings on the limitations of the other party, rather than on their
own difficulty in expressing themselves. This tendency may cause the INTJ to dismiss
others input too quickly, and to become generally arrogant and elitist.
INTJs are ambitious, self-confident, deliberate, long-range thinkers. Many INTJs end
up in engineering or scientific pursuits, although some find enough challenge within
the business world in areas which involve organizing and strategic planning. They
dislike messiness and inefficiency, and anything that is muddled or unclear. They
value clarity and efficiency, and will put enormous amounts of energy and time into
consolidating their insights into structured patterns.
Other people may have a difficult time understanding an INTJ. They may see them as
aloof and reserved. Indeed, the INTJ is not overly demonstrative of their affections,
and is likely to not give as much praise or positive support as others may need or
desire. That doesn't mean that he or she doesn't truly have affection or regard for
others, they simply do not typically feel the need to express it. Others may falsely
perceive the INTJ as being rigid and set in their ways. Nothing could be further from
the truth, because the INTJ is committed to always finding the objective best strategy
to implement their ideas. The INTJ is usually quite open to hearing an alternative way
of doing something.
When under a great deal of stress, the INTJ may become obsessed with mindless
repetitive, Sensate activities, such as over-drinking. They may also tend to become
absorbed with minutia and details that they would not normally consider important to
their overall goal.
INTJs need to remember to express themselves sufficiently, so as to avoid difficulties
with people misunderstandings. In the absence of properly developing their
communication abilities, they may become abrupt and short with people, and
isolationists.
INTJs have a tremendous amount of ability to accomplish great things. They have
insight into the Big Picture, and are driven to synthesize their concepts into solid plans
of action. Their reasoning skills gives them the means to accomplish that. INTJs are
most always highly competent people, and will not have a problem meeting their
career or education goals. They have the capability to make great strides in these
arenas. On a personal level, the INTJ who practices tolerances and puts effort into
effectively communicating their insights to others has everything in his or her power
to lead a rich and rewarding life.
Jungian functional preference ordering:
Dominant: Introverted Intuition
Auxilliary: Extraverted Thinking
Tertiary: Introverted Feeling
Inferior: Extraverted Sensing
INTJ Personal Growth
What does Success mean to an INTJ?
People with the INTJ personality type are serious, analytical and perfectionistic. They
look at a problem or idea from multiple perspectives and systematically analyze it
with objective logic, discarding things that turn out to be problematic, and evolving
their own understanding of something when new information turns out to be useful.
There is no other personality type who does this as naturally as the INTJ. They are
natural scientists and mathematicians. Once given an idea, they are driven to
understand it as thoroughly as possible. They usually have very high standards for
their own understanding and accomplishments, and generally will only value and
consider other individuals who have shown that they meet or surpass the INTJ's own
understanding on a given issue. INTJs value clarity and conciseness, and have little
esteem for behaviors and attitudes that are purely social. Social "niceties" often seem
unnecessary and perhaps even ungenuine to the INTJ, who is always seeking to
improve their substantive understanding. INTJ's highly value social interaction that is
centered around the meaningful exchange of ideas, but they usually dismiss the
importance of being friendly or likeable in other social contexts, and they are likely to
be uncomfortable with interactions that are primarily emotional, rather than logical.
INTJs value structure, order, knowledge, competence, and logic. Above all, they value
their own ideas and intuitions about the world. An INTJ's feeling of success depends
primarily upon their own level of understanding and accomplishment, but also
depends upon the level of structure in their life, and their ability to respect the
intelligence and competence of those who share their life.
Allowing Your INTJ Strengths to Flourish
As an INTJ, you have gifts that are specific to your personality type that aren't natural
strengths for other types. By recognizing your special gifts and encouraging their
growth and development, you will more readily see your place in the world, and be
more content with your role.
Nearly all INTJs will recognize the following characteristics in themselves. They
should embrace and nourish these strengths:
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The INTJ's mind is naturally geared towards systematically analyzing
information from many contextual perspectives, and rejecting or retaining
information as they become aware of its usefulness or validity. They probably
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do very well in school, and in any pursuit that requires serious analytical
thinking.
They're extremely insightful, and see things that are not obvious to others.
This ability to see patterns and meanings in the world can help the INTJ in
many different ways.
When given a goal or context, an INTJ is able to generate all kinds of
possibilities. They're able to see the problem from many different angles, and
come up with a solution that fits the needs of the current situation.
They don't take criticism personally, and are open to changing their opinions
when they're shown a better idea or better way of doing something.
An INTJ has a "stick to it" attitude. They're not afraid of hard work, and will put
forth a great deal of effort towards something that they are interested in. This
persistence will help the INTJ to achieve any identified goal.
Usually intelligent and able to concentrate and focus, the INTJ can usually
grasp difficult ideas and concepts.
INTJs who have a well-developed Extraverted Thinking function to complement their
dominant Introverted iNtuition will enjoy these very special gifts:
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They can discriminate well amongst their intuitions and build ingenious
systems to meet identified goals, or determine a successful plan of action to
meet an identified need. In such a way, they may be brilliant scientists,
doctors, mathematicians, or corporate strategists.
Their deep understanding, logical abilities, and persistence may enable them
to make discoveries or uncover new ways of looking at something. In such a
way, they may perform a great service to society. For example, an INTJ is the
likely personality type to discover the cure for cancer.
The INTJ with well-developed judgment will be able to grasp and process
concepts that are beyond what their natural intelligence appears to be able to
handle.
If they have achieved a good amount of life wisdom, an INTJ can become a
powerful political force.
Potential Problem Areas
With any gift of strength, there is an associated weakness. Without "bad", there would
be no "good". Without "difficult", there would be no "easy". We value our strengths,
but we often curse and ignore our weaknesses. To grow as a person and get what we
want out of life, we must not only capitalize upon our strengths, but also face our
weaknesses and deal with them. That means taking a hard look at our personality
type's potential problem areas.
INTJs are rare and intelligent people with many special gifts. This should be kept in
mind as you read some of the more negative material about INTJ weaknesses.
Remember that these weaknesses are natural. We offer this information to enact
positive change, rather than as blatant criticism. We want you to grow into your full
potential, and be the happiest and most successful person that you can become.
Most of the weaker characteristics that are found in INTJs are due to their dominant
function (Introverted iNtuition) overtaking their personality to the point that the other
forces in their personality exist merely to serve the purposes of Introverted iNtuition.
In such cases, an INTJ may show some or all of the following weaknesses in varying
degrees:
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May be unaware (and sometimes uncaring) of how they come across to others
May quickly dismiss input from others without really considering it
May apply their judgment more often towards others, rather than towards
themselves
With their ability to see an issue from many sides, they may always find others
at fault for problems in their own lives
May look at external ideas and people with the primary purpose of finding
fault
May take pride in their ability to be critical and find fault in people and things
May have unrealistic and/or unreasonable expectations of others
May be intolerant of weaknesses in others
May believe that they're always right
May be cuttingly derisive and sarcastic towards others
May have an intense and quick temper
May hold grudges, and have difficulty forgiving people
May be wishy-washy and unsure how to act in situations that require quick
decision making
May have difficulty communicating their thoughts and feelings to others
May see so many tangents everywhere that they can't stay focused on the
bottom line or the big picture
Explanation of Problems
Most of the problems described above are a result of Introverted iNtuition overtaking
the INTJ's personality to the point that all of the other functions become slaves to
Introverted iNtuition. A healthy personality needs to have a good balance between its
dominant and auxiliary functions. For an INTJ, the dominant Introverted iNtuition
needs to be well-supported by the auxiliary Extraverted Thinking function. If
Extraverted Thinking exists only to support the desires of Introverted iNtuition, then
neither function is being used to its potential.
Introverted iNtuition is a personality function that constantly gathers information, and
sees everything from many different perspectives. As the dominant player in a
personality, it has the effect of constantly bombarding the psyche with new
information to consider. Introverted iNtuition is sort of like a framework for
understanding that exists in the mind. As something is perceived, it is melded into the
existing intuitive framework. If an entirely new piece of information is perceived by
the Introverted iNtuitive, that person must redefine their entire framework of
reference. So, Introverted iNtuitives are constantly taking in information about the
world that needs to be processed in a relatively lengthy manner in order to be
understood. That presents quite a challenge to the INTJ. It's not unusual for an INTJ to
feel overwhelmed with all of the things that he or she needs to consider in order to
fully understand an idea or situation.
When Introverted iNtuition dominates the INTJ such that the other functions cannot
serve their own purposes, we find the INTJ cutting off information that it needs to
consider. If the psyche is presented with information that looks anything like
something that Introverted iNtuition has processed in the past, it uses Extraverted
Thinking to quickly reject that information. The psyche uses Extraverted Thinking to
reject the ideas, rather than analyzing the information within its intuitive framework,
and therefore reduces the likelihood that the framework will have to be reshaped and
redefined.
Using Extraverted Thinking in this manner serves the INTJ's psyche in two ways: 1) it
saves it the energy that would have to be expended to truly consider new information,
and 2) it protects the INTJ's sacred inner world. In either case, it is not ideal. It causes
the INTJ to not consider information that may be useful or criticial in developing a
real understanding of an issue. It also probably causes the INTJ to come off as too
strongly opinionated or snobbish to others.
The better use of Extraverted Thinking for an INTJ would be to use it to assess the
INTJ's rich insights and weigh them against the external world. When the INTJ
personality uses Extraverted Thinking to cut off incoming information, rather than to
judge internal intuitions, it is effectively cheating itself. It's like getting the answers to
a test without having to really understand the questions. It's easier to get the answer
right away, rather than to have to figure everything out. For the INTJ, who has a
tremendous amount of information and "studying" that needs to be done, it's very
tempting to take shortcuts. Most INTJs will do this to some extent. The real problems
occur when an INTJ personality has become so imbalanced that its owner is extremely
self-important and rarely consider anyone else's opinions or ideas.
Solutions
To grow as an individual, the INTJ needs to focus on applying their judgment to
things only after they have gone through their intuition. In other words, the INTJ
needs to consciously try not to use their judgment to dismiss ideas prematurely.
Rather, they should use their judgment against their own ideas. One cannot effectively
judge something that they don't understand. The INTJ needs to take things entirely
into their intuition in order to understand them. It may be neccesary to give your
intuition enough time to work through the new information so that it can rebuild its
global framework of understanding. INTJs need to focus on using their judgment not
to dismiss ideas, but rather to support their intuitive framework.
An INTJ who is concerned with personal growth will pay close attention to the subject
of their judgments, and their motivation for making judgments. Are they judging
something external to themself, or are they judging something that they have sifted
through their intuition? Is the motivation for judging something to be able to
understand its usefulness in the world, or to dismiss it? Too often, an INTJ will judge
something without properly understanding it, and with the intention of dismissing it.
Seek first to understand, then to judge.
Living Happily in our World as an INTJ
Some INTJs have difficulty fitting into our society. Their problems are generally
associated with not knowing (or caring) how they come across to others, with having
unreasonable expectations for others' behaviors, and with not putting forth effort to
meet others' emotional needs. These issues stem primarily from the common INTJ
habit of using Extraverted Thinking to find fault externally, rather than internally, and
therefore diminish the importance of the external world, and increase the importance
of the INTJ's own internal world. INTJs who recognize that their knowledge and
understanding (and therefore general happiness and feeling of success) can be
enriched by the synergy of other people's knowledge and understanding will find that
they can be committed to their rich internal worlds and still have satisfying
relationships with others. In order to accomplish this, the INTJ needs to recognize the
importance of extraversion, and develop their highest extraverted function,
Extraverted Thinking.
An INTJ who uses Extraverted Thinking to find fault externally rather than internally
may become so strongly opinionated that they form rigid and unreasonable
expectations for others. Their hyper-vigilant judgments about the rationality and
competence of others may be a very effective way of keeping themselves at an
emotional distance from others. This will preserve the sanctity of the INTJ's inner
world of ideas, but will reduce a lot of valuable input, arrest the development of their
social character, and stagnate the development of the INTJ's rich structural framework
of understanding. In extreme cases, the INTJ may find himself or herself quite along
and lonely.
More commonly, an INTJ's interpersonal problems will occur when they express their
displeasure to those close to them in very biting and hurtful terms. Everyone needs
emotional distance at one time or another, and the INTJ wants more than most types.
Perhaps this is why INTJs are famous for their biting sarcasm. An INTJ's internal
world is extremely important to them. They may be protecting their internal world by
using sarcasm to keep others at an emotional distance, or they may be sarcastic with
others because they believe that they have the more evolved and logical understanding
of the issue at hand, and seek to cut off the spurious input that they're receiving. This
is an important distinction to recognize. An INTJ who is seeking an emotional respite
can find ways to be alone that don't require injuring feelings and damaging
relationships. When distance is required, the INTJ should just "leave". If an
explanation is necessary, an INTJ should use their Extraverted Thinking to explain
their need rationally and objectively, rather than using Extraverted Thinking to insult
the other person, and therefore prod them into leaving.
Specific suggestions:
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Take care to listen to someone's idea entirely before you pass judgment on it.
Ask questions if necessary. Do whatever it takes to make sure that you
understand the idea. Try not to begin judging anything about the idea until
you have understood it entirely.
Before you begin talking to another person, pause for a moment and look at
that person. Take in that person's attitude and feelings at that moment. Be
aware of the person with whom you're speaking.
If you become upset, walk away immediately. DO NOT express anger. When
you get angry, you lose. After you have calmed down, apologize for leaving
and continue with what you were doing.
Try to identify the personality type of everyone that you encounter frequently
in your life. Remember that people with the Sensing preference need to be
communicated with in a direct, concise manner. Speak plainly and simply with
Sensors, giving "yes" or "no" answers.

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Try to be on good terms with all people, even those that you consider beneath
you. Try to understand that everybody has something to offer.
When you make judgments or decisions, try to be aware of your motivation
for making the judgment. Are you more interested in finding fault externally,
or in improving your own understanding? Seek first to understand, and then
to judge.
Ten Rules to Live By to Achieve INTJ Success
1. Feed Your Strengths! Do things that allow your brilliant intuition and logical
abilities to flourish. Explore the fascinating worlds of science, mathematics,
law and medicine. Give your mind an outlet for its exceptional analytical
abilities, and watch them grow.
2. Face Your Weaknesses! See your weaknesses for what they are, and seek to
overcome them. Especially, strive to use your judgment against your internal
ideas and intuitions, rather than as a means of disregarding other people's
ideas.
3. Talk Through Your Thoughts. You need to step through your intuitions in
order to put them into perspective. Give yourself time to do this, and take
advantage of discussing ideas with others. You'll find externalizing your
internal intuitions to be a valuable exercise. If you don't have someone to
discuss your ideas with, try expressing your ideas clearly in writing.
4. Take in Everything. Don't dismiss ideas prematurely because you don't
respect the person generating the ideas, or because you think you already
know it all. After all, everybody has something to offer, and nobody knows
everything. Steven Covey says it so well when he says: "Seek first to
understand, and then to be understood."
5. When You Get Angry, You Lose. Your passion and intensity are strong assets,
but can be very harmful if you allow yourself to fall into the "Anger Trap".
Remember that Anger is destructive to your personal relationships. Work
through your anger before you impress it upon others, or you will likely find
yourself alone. Disagreements and disappointments can only be handled
effectively in a non-personal and dispassionate manner.
6. Respect your Need for Intellectual Compatibility Don't expect yourself to be a
"touchy-feely" or "warm-fuzzy" person. Realize that your most ardent bonds
with others will start with the head, rather than the heart. Be aware of other's
emotional needs, and express your genuine love and respect for them in
terms that are real to YOU. Be yourself.
7. Be Accountable for Yourself. Don't blame the problems in your life on other
people. Look inwardly for solutions. No one has more control over your life
than you have.
8. Be Humble. Judge yourself at least as harshly as you judge others.
9. Assume the Best. Don't distress yourself and others by dwelling on the dark
side of everything. Just as there is a positive charge for every negative charge,
there is a light side to every dark side. Remember that positive situations are
created by positive attitudes. Expect the best, and the best will come forward.
10. Don't Get Isolated! Recognize the value that the external world represents to
you, and interact with it in the style that's natural to you. Join clubs and
internet e-mail lists that house in-depth discussions of topics that you're
interested in. Seek and foster friendships with others of like competence and
capacity for understanding. Extravert in your own style.
11. INTJ - The Free-Thinker
12.
13. Profile by Sandra Krebs Hirsch and Jean Kummerow
14. INTJs are strong individualists who seek new angles or novel ways of looking at things. They
enjoy coming to new understandings. They are insightful and mentally quick; however, this
mental quickness may not always be outwardly apparent to others since they keep a great deal to
themselves. They are very determined people who trust their vision of the possibilities, regardless
of what others think. They may even be considered the most independent of all of the sixteen
personality types. INTJs are at their best in quietly and firmly developing their ideas, theories, and
principles.
15.
16. Living
17. The independent and individualistic INTJ manner appears early in life. As children, INTJs are
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often inwardly focused on their thoughts of the way the world is or ought to be; they enjoy day
dreaming. They can be quite stubborn when information relayed to them by authorities, such as
parents and teachers, contradicts what they believe. They are sure of their own belief system.
INTJs are compelled to establish their own rules, boundaries, standards, and style.
Often at an early age, INTJs make a commitment to furthering their education. The life of the
mind is very important to them. Examples abound of INTJs from economically or intellectually
impoverished circumstances setting goals for themselves to continue in education, often earning
the highest degree possible.
INTJ teenagers may be seen as serious and reserved young people who are labeled as
bookworms by others. They set internal standards of achievement for themselves and often do
well academically. Being sociable is a standard that they rarely think is worth their time and
energy.
As adults, INTJs are focused on attaining their inner goals and standards. They set a particular
course based on their theory of what ought to be. They work extremely diligently to accomplish
what they feel is important. They enjoy what they do and see it as a challenge. They are not
easily dissuaded and may regard others' needs and wants as an impediment to attaining their
objectives.
21.
22. Learning and Working
23. INTJs learn best when they can design their won approach and when they are able to absorb
themselves in an area that interests them. They tend to focus on systems, theories, and
constructs relating to universal truths and principles. They prefer challenging teachers, ones who
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meet their standards. High grade-point averages and test scores tend to characterize INTJs, who
like rigorous academic work. Learning needs to be a creative process. Rote memory can be dull
and boring for the INTJ.
INTJs are diligent in pursuing new ideas and thoughts, and they exert effort to master a given
subject. This makes INTJs particularly adept in most school situations. Because of their
resourcefulness, thirst for knowledge, and inner needs, INTJs tend to find ways of acquiring
knowledge. They gravitate toward libraries, public lectures, courses, and other learners and
teachers - sources that offer them information and direction.
At work, INTJs use their conceptual strengths to analyze situations and then develop models to
understand and anticipate through relentlessly to reach their goals. They will continue on with
their plans, even in the face of adversity and data that might suggest to other more practical types
that their goals are no longer feasible. By nature, INTJs are independent individualists. They see
their visions so clearly that they are often surprised when others do not see things the same way.
INTJs are strong at critiquing and as a result tend to notice the negatives. To them, a job well
done should be reward enough in itself. They may neglect to comment favorably on others'
contributions.
INTJs tend to seek occupations that allow them to change the status quo and to design models to
express their vision creatively. They desire autonomy and room for growth. They prefer to work in
a place in which the future can be planned and where they can work for change in an organized
manner.
Some occupations seem to be especially attractive to INTJs: computer systems analyst, electrical
engineer, judge, lawyer, photographer, psychologist, research department manager, researcher,
scientist, university instructor, and other occupations in which long-range vision is essential.
28.
29. Loving
30. For INTJs, love means including someone in their vision of the world. INTJ men tend to be
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attracted to partners who enjoy living their lives with and outward vitality and zest. Perhaps it is to
compensate for their internal, visionary focus that they often find partners who are more outgoing
and may even run interference to help the INTJ deal with the day-to-day world. INTJ women,
however, may seek someone more like themselves.
INTJs tend to have a model in mind of how their relationship ought to be. This is less a romantic
vision than it is and idea that relates to how the relationship functions in a unique or special way.
They tend to withhold their deep feelings and affections from the public and sometimes even from
the object of their affections. They can be intensely loyal and caring, even though this is not
always expressed in words. INTJs can be generous with their gifts if the gift fits their vision of
what ought to be appreciated by their partner.
When scorned, INTJs retreat to their own world and may share none of their feelings with others.
They may assume that there is a right way for a relationship to end and look for that. They act on
the outside as if nothing has happened to them when indeed much has. They may lash out with
criticisms of their former loved ones. It may take them a while to recover.
33.
34. Profile by David Keirsey
35. INTJs are the most self-confident of all types, having "self-power" awareness. Found in about 1
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percent of the general population, the INTJs live in an introspective reality, focusing on
possibilities, using thinking in the form of empirical logic, and preferring that events and people
serve some positive use. Decisions come naturally to INTJs' once a decision is made, INTJs are
at rest. INTJs look to the future rather than the past, and a word which captures the essence of
INTJs is builder-a builder of systems and the applier of theoretical models.
To INTJs authority based on position, rank, title, or publication has absolutely no force. This type
is not likely to succumb to the magic of slogans, watchwords, or shibboleths. If an idea or position
makes sense to an INTJ, it will be adopted, if it doesn't, it won't, regardless of who took the
position or generated the idea. As with the INTP, authority per se does not impress the INTJ.
INTJs do, however, tend to conform to rules if they are useful, not because they believe in them,
or because they make sense, but because of their unique view of reality. They are the supreme
38.
39.
pragmatists, who see reality as something which is quite arbitrary and made up. Thus it can be
used as a tool-or ignored. Reality is quite malleable and can be changed, conquered, or brought
to heel. Reality is a crucible for the refining of ideas, and in this sense, INTJs are the most
theoretical of all the types. Where an ESTP sees ideas as the pawn of reality, an INTJ sees
reality as the pawn of ideas: No idea is too far-fetched to be entertained. INTJs are natural
brainstormers, always open to new concepts and, in fact, aggressively seeking them.
INTJs manipulate the world of theory as if on a gigantic chess board, always seeking strategies
and tactics that have high payoff. In their penchant for logic, the INTJs resemble the INTPs. The
logic of an INTJ, however, is not confined to the expressible logical. Unlike INTPs, INTJs need
only to have a vague, intuitive impression of the unexpressed logic of a system to continue surely
on their way. Things need only seem logical; this is entirely sufficient. Moreover, they always
have a keen eye for the consequence of the application of new ideas or positions. They can be
quite ruthless in the implementation of systems, seldom counting personal cost in terms of time
and energy. Theories which cannot be made to work are quickly discarded by the INTJs.
To understand INTJs, their way of dealing with ideas should be observed closely. Their conscious
thought is extraverted and empirical. Hence, they are better at generalizing, classifying,
summarizing, adducing evidence, proving, and demonstrating than are the INTPs. The INTJs are
somewhat less at home with pure reason, that is, systemic logic, where principles are explicit. In
this respect they resemble the ENTJs. The INTJs, rather than using deductive logic, use their
intuition to grasp coherence.
40.
41. Career
42. INTJs can be very single-minded at times; this can be either a weakness or a strength in their
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careers, for they can ignore the points of view and wishes of others. INTJs usually rise to
positions of responsibility, for they work long and hard and are steady in their pursuit of goals,
sparing neither time nor effort on their part or that of their colleagues and employees.
INTJs live to see systems translated into substance; an INTP, by way of contrast, is content to
design the system. In both these types, however, coherence is the master. Both internal and
external consistency are important, and if an INTJ finds that he or she is in a working situation
where overlapping functions, duplication of effort, inefficient paper flow, and waste of human and
material resources abound, the INTJ cannot rest until an effort is made to correct the situation.
Cost-effectiveness is a concept which has a strong imperative for INTJs, who frequently select
occupations in engineering, particularly human engineering. They also can be found in the
physical sciences, in roles which require development, such as curriculum building, and, in
general, any job which requires the creation and application of technology to complex areas.
Fellow workers of INTJs often feel as if the INTJ can see right through them, and often believe
that the INTJ finds them wanting. This tendency of people to feel transparent in the presence of
the INTJ often result in relationships which have psychological distance. Thus colleagues find the
INTJ apparently unemotional and, at times, cold and dispassionate. Because of their tendency to
drive others as hard as they do themselves, INTJs often seem demanding and difficult to satisfy.
INTJs are high achievers in school and on the job. On the job, they take the goals of an institution
seriously and continually strive to respond to these goals. They make dedicated, loyal employees
whose loyalties are directed toward the system, rather than toward individuals within the system.
So as the people of an institution come and go, the INTJs have little difficulty-unlike the NFs, who
have their loyalties involved more with persons than offices. INTJs tend, ordinarily, to verbalize
the positive and eschew comments of a negative nature; they are more interested in moving an
institution forward than commiserating about mistakes of the past.
45.
46. Home
47. As mates, INTJs want harmony and order in the home and in relationships. They are the most
independent of all types. They will trust their intuitions about others when making choices of
friends and mates, even in the face of contradictory evidence and pressures applied by others.
The emotions of an INTJ are hard to read, and neither male nor female INTJ is apt to express
emotional reactions. At times, both will seem cold, reserved, and unresponsive, while in fact
48.
49.
INTJs are almost hypersensitive to signals of rejection from those for whom they care. In social
situations, INTJs may also be unresponsive and may neglect to observe small rituals designed to
put others at their ease. For example, INTJs may communicate that time is wasted if used for idle
dialogue, and thus people receive a sense of hurry from an INTJ which is not always intended. In
their interpersonal relationships, INTJs are usually better in a working situation than in
recreational situations. They do not enjoy physical contact except with a chosen few.
As parents, INTJs are dedicated and single minded in their devotion: Their children are a major
focus in life. They are supportive of their children and tend to allow them to develop in directions
of their own choosing. INTJs usually are firm and consistent in their discipline and rarely care to
repeat directions given to children...or others. Being the most independent of all the types, they
have a strong need for autonomy; indifference or criticism from people in general does not
particularly bother INTJs, if they believe that they are right. They also have a strong need for
privacy.
The most important preference of an INTJ is intuition, but this is seldom seen. Rather, the
function of thinking is used to deal with the world and with people. INTJs are vulnerable in the
emotional area and may make serious mistakes here.
50.
51. Midlife
52. At midlife the feeling side of personality should be given much attention by the INTJ, who can
work at expanding his or her abilities to respond to wishes and feelings of others. They may also
do well to turn more attention to the sensory side of their natures, attempting to get in touch with
the joys of good food, good beverages, social rituals, kinesthetic experiences...and play. The
"wasting" of time in play is an appropriate target as a midlife task for INTJs who can take lessons
from an SP, especially an ESP, in the art of enjoying the pleasures of life.
53.
54. Mates
55. Wishing to control nature, the INTJ "scientist" probably has more difficulty than all other types in
making up his or her mind in mate selection. Even mate selection must be done in a scientific
way. It may well be that the narratives, plays, and films impugning the "rational and objective"
approach to mating have as their target our thorough-going scientist INTJ. Nevertheless, when
young, the INTJ is attracted to the free-wheeling, spontaneous, fun-loving "entertainer" ESFP. But
the INTJ requires that mating meet certain criteria, else it is not undertaken. So the INTJ doesn't
often go through with what is begun by natural attraction. Since he or she proceeds in a rational
and methodical way, the selection of a similar temperament is more likely than selection of
opposite, following the assumption that those who are similar ought to do well together. The INTJ
"scientist" is also attracted to the ENFP "journalist," probably because of the enthusiastic,
effervescent, and apparently spontaneous enjoyment and wonderment this type exudes-the very
antitheses of the careful, thoughtful exactitude of the INTJ.
56. INTJ - THE SCIENTIST (THE MASTERMIND)
57.
58. BRIEF OVERVIEW
59. Independent, innovative, logical and driven by the inner world of ideas and possibilities,
the INTJ often appears to others as a quietly self-confident (and sometimes stubborn)
critic of the status quo, convinced that reality can be altered, the future reshaped.
Wherever there is a need for change in systems, programs, concepts or theories, INTJs
will be working behind the scenes to reorganize and revise. This type's focused attention
to the personal mission may be inspiring or frankly obsessive, depending on the
observer's viewpoint or the success of the enterprise. Introspective and somewhat shy,
INTJs place their trust in logical analysis and intuition to guide their thoughts and
decisions. More feeling types may find them chilly, and more practical types accuse them
of being unrealistic, but INTJs take their cues mostly from those they recognize as
intelligent. Often attracted to theoretical, analytical and methodological areas of inquiry,
INTJs succeed in a wide variety of fields, from ones heavily dependent on mathematics
and science to more philosophical, literary or applied disciplines.
60.
61. EXPLANATION BASED ON THE RESEARCH OF CARL JUNG, KATHARINE C.
BRIGGS AND ISABEL BRIGGS MYERS
62. INTJs live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. They value intelligence,
knowledge, and competence, and typically have high standards in these regards, which
they continuously strive to fulfill. To a somewhat lesser extent, they have similar
expectations of others.
With Introverted Intuition dominating their personality, INTJs focus their energy on
observing the world, and generating ideas and possibilities. Their mind constantly gathers
information and makes associations about it. They are tremendously insightful and
usually are very quick to understand new ideas. However, their primary interest is not
understanding a concept, but rather applying that concept in a useful way. Unlike the
INTP, they do not follow an idea as far as they possibly can, seeking only to understand it
fully. INTJs are driven to come to conclusions about ideas. Their need for closure and
organization usually requires that they take some action.
INTJ's tremendous value and need for systems and organization, combined with their
natural insightfulness, makes them excellent scientists. An INTJ scientist gives a gift to
society by putting their ideas into a useful form for others to follow. It is not easy for the
INTJ to express their internal images, insights, and abstractions. The internal form of the
INTJ's thoughts and concepts is highly individualized, and is not readily translatable into
a form that others will understand. However, the INTJ is driven to translate their ideas
into a plan or system that is usually readily explainable, rather than to do a direct
translation of their thoughts. They usually don't see the value of a direct transaction, and
will also have difficulty expressing their ideas, which are non-linear. However, their
extreme respect of knowledge and intelligence will motivate them to explain themselves
to another person who they feel is deserving of the effort.
INTJs are natural leaders, although they usually choose to remain in the background until
they see a real need to take over the lead. When they are in leadership roles, they are
quite effective, because they are able to objectively see the reality of a situation, and are
adaptable enough to change things which aren't working well. They are the supreme
strategists - always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them against
their current strategy, to plan for every conceivable contingency.
INTJs spend a lot of time inside their own minds, and may have little interest in the other
people's thoughts or feelings. Unless their Feeling side is developed, they may have
problems giving other people the level of intimacy that is needed. Unless their Sensing
side is developed, they may have a tendency to ignore details which are necessary for
implementing their ideas.
The INTJ's interest in dealing with the world is to make decisions, express judgments,
and put everything that they encounter into an understandable and rational system.
Consequently, they are quick to express judgments. Often they have very evolved
intuitions, and are convinced that they are right about things. Unless they complement
their intuitive understanding with a well-developed ability to express their insights, they
may find themselves frequently misunderstood. In these cases, INTJs tend to blame
misunderstandings on the limitations of the other party, rather than on their own difficulty
in expressing themselves. This tendency may cause the INTJ to dismiss others input too
quickly, and to become generally arrogant and elitist.
INTJs are ambitious, self-confident, deliberate, long-range thinkers. Many INTJs end up
in engineering or scientific pursuits, although some find enough challenge within the
business world in areas which involve organizing and strategic planning. They dislike
messiness and inefficiency, and anything that is muddled or unclear. They value clarity
and efficiency, and will put enormous amounts of energy and time into consolidating
their insights into structured patterns.
Other people may have a difficult time understanding an INTJ. They may see them as
aloof and reserved. Indeed, the INTJ is not overly demonstrative of their affections, and
is likely to not give as much praise or positive support as others may need or desire. That
doesn't mean that he or she doesn't truly have affection or regard for others, they simply
do not typically feel the need to express it. Others may falsely perceive the INTJ as being
rigid and set in their ways. Nothing could be further from the truth, because the INTJ is
committed to always finding the objective best strategy to implement their ideas. The
INTJ is usually quite open to hearing an alternative way of doing something.
When under a great deal of stress, the INTJ may become obsessed with mindless
repetitive, Sensate activities, such as over-drinking. They may also tend to become
absorbed with minutia and details that they would not normally consider important to
their overall goal.
INTJs need to remember to express themselves sufficiently, so as to avoid difficulties
with people misunderstandings. In the absence of properly developing their
communication abilities, they may become abrupt and short with people, and
isolationists.
INTJs have a tremendous amount of ability to accomplish great things. They have insight
into the Big Picture, and are driven to synthesize their concepts into solid plans of action.
Their reasoning skills gives them the means to accomplish that. INTJs are most always
highly competent people, and will not have a problem meeting their career or education
goals. They have the capability to make great strides in these arenas. On a personal level,
the INTJ who practices tolerances and puts effort into effectively communicating their
insights to others has everything in his or her power to lead a rich and rewarding life.
63.
64. EXPLANATION BY MARINA MARGARET HEISS
65. To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness", of self-confidence.
This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is
actually of a very specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized
knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their
own areas of expertise -- and INTJs can have several -- they will be able to tell you
almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and if so, how. INTJs know what
they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don't know.
INTJs are perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything
that takes their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in
this pursuit of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the type: INTJs apply
(often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research
efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of
mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its
own sake.
INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they
possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an
INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ;
both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs can be
unsparing of both themselves and the others on the project. Anyone considered to be
"slacking," including superiors, will lose their respect -- and will generally be made
aware of this; INTJs have also been known to take it upon themselves to implement
critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers. On the other hand,
they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the individual
contributions that have gone into a project, and have a gift for seizing opportunities
which others might not even notice.
In the broadest terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know". Typical INTJ
career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a
combination of intellect and incisiveness are required (e.g., law, some areas of academia).
INTJs can rise to management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing
their abilities as well as enhancing them, and (whether for the sake of ambition or the
desire for privacy) many also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface
conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.
Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel. While
they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to
spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence
that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in
interpersonal situations.
This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for
instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small
talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). To
complicate matters, INTJs are usually extremely private people, and can often be
naturally impassive as well, which makes them easy to misread and misunderstand.
Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to
make sense. :-) This sometimes results in a peculiar naivete', paralleling that of many Fs - only instead of expecting inexhaustible affection and empathy from a romantic
relationship, the INTJ will expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.
Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and
their willingness to "work at" a relationship. Although as Ts they do not always have the
kind of natural empathy that many Fs do, the Intuitive function can often act as a good
substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice,
turn of phrase, and facial expression. This ability can then be honed and directed by
consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those they care about, and those
relationships which ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be
characterized by their robustness, stability, and good communications.
66. Excerpt from
Please Understand Me, Character and Temperament Types
by David Keirsey & Marily Bates.
67. INTJs are the most self-confident of all the types, having "self power" awareness. Found
in about 1 percent of the general population, the INTFs live in an introspective reality,
focusing on possibilities, using thinking in the form of empirical logic, and preferring that
events and people serve some positive use. Decisions come naturally to INTJs; once a
decision is made, INTJs are at rest. INTJs look to the future rather than the past, and a
word which captures the essence of INTJs is builder - a builder of systems and the applier
of theoretical models.
68. To INTJs, authority based on position, rank, title, or publication has absolutely no force.
This type is not likely to succumb to the magic of slogans, watchwords, or shibboleths. If
an idea or position makes sense to an INTJ, it will be adopted; if it doesn't, it won't,
regardless of who took the position or generated the idea. As with the INTP, authority per
se does not impress the INTJ.
69. INTJs do, however, tend to conform to rules if they are useful, not because they believe
in them, or because they make sense, but because of their unique view of reality. They
are the supreme pragmatists, who see reality as something which is quite arbitrary and
made up. Thus is can be used as a tool - or ignored. Reality is quite malleable and can be
changed, conquered, or brought to a heel. Reality is a crucible of the refining of ideas,
and in this sense, INTJs are the most theoretical of all the types. Where an ESTP sees
ideas as the pawn of reality, an INTJ sees reality as the pawn of ideas: No idea is too farfetched to be entertained. INTJs are natural brain-stormers, always open to new concepts
and, in fact, aggressively seeking them.
70. INTJs manipulate the world of theory as if on a gigantic chess board, always seeking
strategies and tactics that have high payoff. In their penchant for logic, the INTJs
resemble the INTPs. The logic of an INTJ, however, is not confined to the expressibly
logical. Unlike INTPs, INTJs need only to have a vague intuitive impression of the
unexpressed logic of a system to continue surely on their way. Things need only seem
logical; this is entirely sufficient. Moreover, they always have a keen eye for the
consequence of the application of new ideas or positions. They can be quite ruthless in
the implementation of systems, seldom counting personal cost in terms of time and
energy. Theories which cannot be made to work are quickly discarded by the INTJs.
71. To understand INTJs, their way of dealing with reality rather than their way of dealing
with ideas should be observed closely. Their conscious thought is extroverted and
empirical. Hence, they are better at generalizing, classifying, summarizing, adducing
evidence, proving, and demonstrating than are the INTPs. The INTJs are somewhat less
at home with pure reason, that is, systemic log, where principals are explicit. In this
respect they resemble the ENTJs. The INTJs, rather than using deductive logic, use their
intuition to grasp coherence.
72. INTJs have a drive to completion, always with an eye to long-term consequences. Ideas
seem to carry their own force for INTJs, although they subject every idea to the test of
usefulness. Difficulties are highly stimulating to INTJs, who love responding to a
challenge that requires creativity. These personality traits lead INTJs to occupations
where theoretical models can be translated into actuality. They build data and human
systems wherever they work if given even a slight opportunity. They can be outstanding
in scientific research and also outstanding as executives who generate a plethora of
implementations of ideas. Teamed with an INTP who is the architect of systems, the
INTJ provides a dimension to an organization which insures that the work of the INTP
does not gather dust on library shelves.
73. INTJs can be very single-minded at times; this can be either a weakness or a strength in
their careers, for they can ignore the points of view and wishes of others. INTJs usually
rise to positions of responsibility, for they work long and hard and are steady in their
pursuit of goals, sparing neither time nor effort on their part or that of their colleagues
and employees.
74. INTJs live to see systems translated into substance; an INTP, by way of contrast, is
content to design the system. In both these types, however, coherence is the master. Both
internal and external consistency are important, and if an INTJ finds that he or she is in a
working situation where overlapping functions, duplication of effort, inefficient paper
flow, and waste of human and material resources abound, the INTJ cannot rest until an
effort is made to correct the situation. Cost-effectiveness is a concept which has a strong
imperative for INTJs, who frequently select occupations in engineering, particularly
human engineering. They also can be found in the physical sciences, in roles which
require development, such as curriculum building, and, in general, any job which requires
the creation and application of technology to complex areas.
75. Fellow workers of INTJs often feel as if the INTJ can see right through them, and often
believe that the INTJ finds them wanting. This tendency of people to feel transparent in
the presence of the INTJ often results in relationships which have psychological distance.
Thus colleagues find the INTJ apparently unemotional and, at times, cold and
dispassionate. Because of their tendency to drive others as hard as they do themselves,
INTJs often seem demanding and difficult to satisfy. INTJs are high achievers in school
and on the job. On the job, they take the goals of an institution seriously and continually
strive to respond to these goals. They make dedicated, loyal employees whose loyalties
are directed toward the system, rather than toward individuals within the system. So as
the people of an institution come and go, the INTJs have little difficulty - unlike NFs,
who have their loyalties involved more with persons than offices. INTJs tend, ordinarily,
to verbalize the positive and eschew comments of a negative nature; they are more
interested in moving an institution forward than commiserating about mistakes of the
past.
76. As mates, INTJs want harmony and order in the home and in relationships. They are the
most independent of all types. They will trust their intuitions about other when making
choices of friends and mates, even in the face of contradictory evidence and pressures
applied by others. The emotions of an INTJ are hard to read, and neither male nor female
INTJ is apt to express emotional reactions. At times, both will seem cold, reserved, and
unresponsive, while in fact INTJs are almost hypersensitive to signals of rejection from
those for whom they care. In social situations, INTJs may also be unresponsive and may
neglect to observe small rituals designed to put others at their ease. For example, INTJs
may communicate that time is wasted if use for idle dialogue, and thus people receive a
sense of hurry from an INTJ which is not always intended. In their interpersonal and
relations, INTJs are usually better in a working situation than in recreational situations.
They do not enjoy physical contact except with a chosen few.
77. As parents, INTJs are dedicated and single-minded in their devotion: Their children are a
major focus in life. They are supportive of their children and tend to allow them to
develop in directions of their own choosing. INTJs usually are firm and consistent in their
discipline and rarely care to repeat directions given to children - or others. Being the most
independent of all the types, they have a strong need for autonomy; interference or
criticism from people in general does not particularly bother INTJs, if they believe that
they are right. They also have strong need for privacy.
78. The most important preference of an INTJ is intuition, but this is seldom seen. Rather, the
function of thinking is used to deal with the world and with people. INTJs are vulnerable
in the emotional area and may make serious mistakes here.
79. INTJs or MASTERMINDS, according to Keirsey (www.keirsey.com), excel at contingency planning. They may
eventually take complete charge in order to achieve their goals. MASTERMINDS have strong wills and confidence.
They are born decisions-makers. They constantly test their ideas in the real world and tend to use people as a
means to an end.
80. INTJs are also called ANALYSTS. In earlier classifications they would be members of the RATIONAL group, called
PROMETHEAN and Phlegmatic.
81. Also see TypeLogic. Where Keirsey and TypeLogic differ in assigning famous people to categories. I have used my
own intuition.
82. FAMOUS MASTERMINDS:
83. AUGUSTUS CAESAR
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
HANNIBAL BARCA
THOMAS JEFFERSON
SIR ISAAC NEWTON
AYN RAND
GEORGE LUCAS
84. Read what Nancy's INTJ readers say about themselves and how they have learned to cope.
85.
86.
87. 11.19.2007
88. Cindy, email seadivmcycle68@hotmail.com, age 39 speaks about being an INTJ
89. I love the comments about having difficulty dealing with stupid or annoying people! It is also the first
time I saw someone who was also not great at math say they could solve complicated math problems
and have no idea how…I did this in physics all the time, but had trouble with algebra in college…the
same damn algebra I’ had in 4th grade!
90. I have always known I was sroong minded and strong spirited.
As a child, when an older child abused
me, I knew it was because he was weaker willed and spirited than I was, and I forgave him, before I
forgave myself for not keeping myself out of the situation. I tricked him many times to preserve
different aspects of myself, then eventually got myself out of it…HA! Bigger and physically stronger than
me and tried to humiliate me to boot, didn’t work.
91. From some of the comments I would think that I am not an INTJ except that I’ve taken the test so
many times and only when I was on meds for a serious injury did I get any different
reading…ENTJ…bordering on INTJ! Too funny!
92. I have never married, I would love to and am a romantic at heart…but find many men to be too
emotional and needy for me, I refuse to have to bullshit at home. I am perfectly happy to tell him how
sexy he is, and wonderful, but I HAVE to be able to be brutally honest…it’s where most of my humor is.
93. I actually have nicely challenging jobs, so have stayed in many of them for extended times compared to
many. I also have always felt a sort of connection to all living things, or an understanding.
94. The truly odd thing for me from the other comments, though I like to be alone quite often and get
irritated in places like crowded shopping malls, I am extremely good at empathizing with people. I have
been one of the most successful at interviewing resistant personalities and proven it repeatedly since
early high school. Without being fake at all (rather enjoying myself) I can get someone who hates even
the idea of me (i.e. a woman in what they think is a man’s position) to laugh and chat with me freely,
even telling me some of their most hidden guilt/obssession/fear, giving me an huge amount of power.
However, I hate manipulation, so the fact that I will only use what I know when and only if needed for
the greater good, comes through.
95. Small talk is fine, and I seem to be good at it and make people laugh a lot, even when I my “;cutting
tongue” as put by chinese philosophers, is in high gear! I love being INTJ and can often seem extremely
outgoing because I like adventurous activities and sports as well as dancing and observing people.
96. I do have just a few close friends really and have historically had many more male than women friends,
but as I’ve gotten older I seem to have a lot less men friends as I find that most want more from me…I
am 39 but am frequently called a liar about my age, I ‘ve never had reason to lie about it, I have
always been perfectly fine with the age I was at the time, just the world wasn’t always ready for me!
97. A few things I’ve been told by friends and observed about myself: I don’t appear drunk, when I know I
am out of my head smashed (others always ask me to drive for them!) I always attributed it to really
being myself so much that there was no major change when I drank, I didn’t need alcohol to “;come
out of my shell.”
98. I also tend NOT to fall in love until I have logically evaluated that the man is someone I can look up to
and respect. I am not swayed at all by swaggeringly handsome men, but also refuse to be saddled with
someone that won’t take responsibility for their own wellbeing. I think any INTJ can be quite
emotionally attached and empathic, and often at a deeper level because we actually have to feel more
connected than some twit allowing their hormones or solely their heartstrings be pulled, we see through
the bullshit and therefore can see the truth, isn’t that infinitely a more true love since it is not clouded
by self deception?
99.
100.
101.
102.
11.16.2007
anon., age 21
Being an INFJ can be very frustrating sometimes. However, I defintely do not recommend
trying to be more extraverted by drinking. Eventually it will become a crutch and instead of becoming a
better person you can become sidetracked into the negative tendancies of INFJs. I know I have become
a little too arrogant and quick to dismiss other people.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
11.15.2007 Kate, age 22
When I was younger, being an infj was difficult. I stood out because I was so quiet and some
teachers were worried because they thought I didn't have enough friends. Of course, I was confused
because I was just fine with the 2-3 friends I had in class! When I was in high school I was in the
advanced classes, but dropped them because of the intense competitiveness-it seemed so superficial to
me. I also had many good acquaintances, I guess you could say, but at that point I didn't realize I was
holding them at such a distance. As one of the girls who I considered to be one of my closest friends at
that time put it, "You never tell anyone anything!"
108.
At the time I was surprised she said that; now I realize that growing up I didn't open up to
people because I felt like it was all already out there-I thought everyone else felt things as strongly as I
did, but I now know I need to keep in mind that most people need words! It is very easy to forget that
since the vibes we infjs get from people are so strong to us. It wasn't really until I read the infj
description that I began to understand those things, and they have really helped me grow. At the age I
am now, it is still hard sometimes being infj because of the emphasis on being social, drinking, etc., but
I have a few close friends and am able to do the things I love, helping others in need and writing music.
I think it will always be somewhat of a struggle as an infj just because we are the minority, but that
doesn't mean we can't
109.
110.
111.
11.11.2007 Being an Infj is a very perplexing state indeed... To understand without being
understood, to see complexities which others are not aware of in themselves would usually make one
arrogant, and yet there is this love that weighs against this arrogrance. Our greatest desire to love in
the way we love others and yet so often unfullfilled...
112.
113.
114.
115.
age 23, Mike, email
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
male, age 29
I hate to think that I have to learn to "cope" because I'm an INTJ, but I read these passages
and see that we all do share some common headaches: the inability to engage in small talk or politics,
being an introvert in an extroverted world, and attacking problems from a totally different angle leading
to being misunderstood. But I want to do more than just cope. Gotta live in this world, . I totally
identified with the folks who mentioned chronic job hopping. Its amazing how much of a difference
someone can make by leaving sometimes. Where are those super creative jobs out there for us? I'm
happy where I'm at now though. Politics is just a part of the game you have to play with others when
you have something important to say. In the end though I don't like the idea of having my potential
being boxed in by an archtype. We are still a product of our own decisions. Just good for me to see that
I'm not alone in the decisions I'm making. Take care!
Adriana, email, 29
Im a journalist I have won several national awards but i hate to write. I like the fact that i can
learn new things and investigate theories and see a solution . i love learning when I was in college i
graduated with almost 3 majors in 4 years. I like to be by myself and I usually seek people that are
smarter than me but sometimes they are hard to find , I also dont like needy people or people that just
want to get attention. I llike to create new systems all the time and I love to travel by myself because it
gives me a sense of accomplishment to be in a different place and understand it .
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
8.09,2007
Kris L., email, webpage
age: 30's
When I tested out as an INTJ and read up on it, it was such a relief. It explained a lot of
things. I always felt different, but not an any of the "different" ways that I've ever heard of.
The INTJ type is so rare it can make it difficult to feel like I belong. I felt, even as a kid, that my brain
worked differently than most people. It wasn't just that I was at the top of my class most of the
time; is was as if I used a different reasoning process. I work with computers now, and a lot of people
are at least close to the same type, which helps a lot.
128.
I'm not good at small talk and wish I were. I love animals and have found it easiest to "chat"
with someone when we're talking about our pets. It may be a crutch, but it works.
129.
130.
I think I may be a little nervous about getting close to people. I don't trust easily.
I get irritated sometimes when things go slowly. Sometimes it seems to take forever for
people to get to the point. I don't think acting impatient helps, though.
131.
When it comes right down to it, I do like helping people, even though sometimes I really need
to be alone
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
.
7.26.2007
I’m not quite sure. I’ve not thought about this at great length as of yet.
What’s it like to be an intj? It’s isolating. I have zero tolerance for bullshit, and so I’m often
frustrated after social situations; especially after dealing with family members. I’ve never “dated,” I just
get to the point. I seek out people who are like minded, and attempt to spark conversations with them.
I find myself alone 99 percent of the time; sans my husband. I’m amazed that he’s able to put up with
me.
138.
I cope with all of this by staying alone, or in the company of my husband. I read, make music,
and watch interesting documentary programs on television. I absolutely love the science channel.
139.
I have hope for the future, and I dream of owning private property, away from the masses. I
love nature!
140.
141.
I’m particularly fond of these people:
H. Thoreau
Ray Bradbury
George Lucas
William F. Buckley Jr.
Star Trek character Seven Of Nine
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
7.24.2007
Wow... It feels good not to be alone. As i sit here and read this stuff, I get goose bumps. I’ve
taken the mbti, about 5 times, only to get the same result. I tried to deny it at first, because I didn’t
think that I was an INTJ, but it’s true. Were do I start. Just reading through some of the other posts
made me feel sane.
147.
First, I’ve had tons of jobs, not because I don’t like to work, it’s because I get bored. At a
previous job I started a revolt against the system... literally, I made life a living hell for the whole
company, because I was bored and in the process I convinced about 10 of my coworkers that they
should follow me. It was the best time I’ve had ever... then of course I quit when there was nothing
else to do. I changed the policy and employee manual for another company. I changed the terriotory
set-up for two different companies. I recreated the security schematics for another company. I’ve had
about 5 jobs in the last 6 years... because I really get bored... it’s the weirdest thing. I’m as open
minded as they come, and I love to play devil’s advocate.
148.
Unlike some of the posts on this page, I love to read and write poetry, because it has no
meaning to some, but it could have all the meaning in the world to someone else. The feeling of figuring
out the meaning to poetry is very gratifying... even more so than figuring out a science problem,
because chances are with science you’ll have an answer, but poetry has so many possible answers.
149.
The weirdest thing is that I was never good in math class, however to this day I can solve
almost any math problem using unorthodoxed methods that just “come to me” as I’m trying to figure
out the answer, but I don’t use or remember the correct way to arrive at an answer... I always found
that to be pretty cool, but really weird.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
7.23.2007
reading this page was a breath of fresh air. finally, people who think the same way i do! the
only other INTJ i know is my older brother. we’re not very close in the conventional, emotional sense,
but we do understand each other fairly well, and we have deep conversations, which i think is better
anyways.
155.
i have learned how to mask some of my more intense INTJ qualities (like the fact that i often
find people stupid and annoying) for the sake of ambition. i am constantly looking for ways to improve
myself mentally, socially, physically, and basically in any way possible. why shouldn’t one strive for
perfection? the qualities i never hide or apologize for are my desire for efficiency and my extreme
intuition.
156.
i enjoy the company of my few close friends and my family very much, but i am also content
to be alone for days at a time, reading, researching, daydreaming. people constantly tell me that i think
too much. i am very private and secretive. i hate when other people know my business.
157.
i don’t hate small talk as much as everyone else seems to, although i can’t say i enjoy it. i
mostly just hate having conversations when the other person is not being concise. i often become
disinterested in peoples’ stories because they mention too many useless details instead of sticking to
the point. i also absolutely hate it when people can’t make decisions as fast as i can.
158.
i love to multi-task, and i sometimes feel that my brain is working on a few different levels at
once - if i am studying, i have to have music playing or else i get distracted. usually when i watch TV, i
read a book or do some small project at the same time.
159.
160.
i am not reckless but i do enjoy a little bit of danger every now and then.
i best express myself through writing. i have kept a diary since the age of 7 and enjoying rereading them in order to rethink and gain different perspectives on my experiences.
161.
romance is difficult because i don’t trust many people and i am always suspicious that guys
just want to get me into bed. i get bored with the ones who are genuinely interested in me because
they either become emotionally needy or they are simply not on my level and therefore cannot keep up
with me. i like to stay single mostly because boyfriends usually want to talk on the phone just for the
sake of talking, and i find it a waste of time.
162.
i have only had two serious relationships (both approximately a year and a half) and i wish i
hadn’t had even had those, because they were annoying and a waste of time. i like to date extraverts
because they bring me out of my shell and make social situations easier for me, but too many of them
let their emotions run their lives for them, and seem to find me cruel and detached when i make my
decisions objectively, and when i do what i think is best for myself without really caring much what they
think.
163.
i want to be an investment banker. you start out working 100 hours a week for 2 years and
then it becomes less demanding (so i’ve been told). people find it incomprehensible that i am perfectly
okay with that arrangement, especially since i am a woman willing to put aside or delay romantic
relationships for the sake of my career.
164.
i get along with men better than with other women. men are generally less emotional, more
decisive and more confident. also, so many women put men first, which disgusts me. men tend to look
out for themselves first, which is what i do, and which is what i think everyone else should do too.
165.
sometimes it can get hard and lonely, and i used to be in denial about my INTJ personality,
but now that i have reached maturity, i wouldn’t want to be any other way!
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
~beth, age 20
7.20.2007
Hmmm. It’s a bit odd writing here, because I’m not entirely sure I am an INTJ. I tested as one
in my late teens and right out of college, but then I went through a few relationships, and got ‘more in
touch’ with my emotions. I’ve always wanted to continue growing as a person and have never wanted
to just stagnate, so I felt the emotional side needed work, and I needed to be more compassionate and
open to others and other personality types. Basically...I believe I’m right and more evolved and more
balanced and more in touch with things than almost everyone else is...BUT I figure everyone else
probably feels the same way about their perceptions, so who’s to say who’s more valid? ;-) Needless to
say, there has been a switch, and for the past 3-4 years I have tested basically as INFJ. But...I now
wonder if that was more wishful thinking, in that I didn’t *want* to be my true self, because then I
wouldn’t have many friends.
172.
So. I think I’m a chameleon right now. I can do the smalltalk thing, I can find compassion
within me, I can empathize....all up to a point. However, it’s not endless. And, a part of me hates my
ability to be fake like that. But, I believe my true self would not be acceptable to most people.
Obviously til now my true self hasn’t been entirely acceptable to myself!!
173.
Without going into the details (because there are too many of them), I am here today because
a friendship suddenly blew up yesterday, and my friend told me I was cold and robotic in my responses,
and my responses make her feel like she’s in a counseling session with her therapist. Perhaps that’s a
compliment?? - have I missed my calling? haha. Again, too much of a story behind how we got to this
point, but I got to that point for a reason - I was tired of her drama and constant need for someone who
listens and NEVER responds back (which is what she wanted). The ironic thing is I chose to be
cold/’robotic’ in my responses, because I knew it would be pointless to tell her my true feelings (not to
mention, mean, and I decided I was going to take the high road and not rip on her like she was to me).
174.
With all of that said, the ‘robot’ comment is why I’m here today. I figure as unappealing as it
is to hear something like that (because, as I said, there are reasons for everything I do, which extends
to behaviors I choose to exhibit), there are kernals of truth in most hings. And, there’s a kernal of truth
in what she spat at me: I’m analytical in everything...perhaps analyzing my feelings and reactions and
*myself* the most.
175.
I’m at an impasse. Relationships - friendships as well as romantic - have always been
perplexing for me. Don’t get me wrong, I have some good friends. But far too few, and that bothers
me. I simply can’t relate to most people. I can’t relate on a deep level. And that’s what I most crave, is
some sort of spiritual connection, to get above the trivial things in life. I take most everything very
seriously, and notice atterns in behavior. I categorize people, even though I hate that I do that.
176.
And I think above all I want other people to grow, and I’m starting to realize most people
don’t want to grow, and don’t want to hear anyone elses’ opinion. Must I always be the quiet observer?
:-)
177.
178.
~Anonymous, age 29 (female)
179.
180.
181.
6.12.2007 I took a personality test after I got divorced at 30 and found out I was an INTJ . I
studied industrial engineering and went to work for a large utility and was promoted quickly because
I’m always looking for a better way and am very results oriented. I left after 9 years due to boredom,
politics and stagnation.
182.
Most people thought I was crazy. I struggled with my own business before accepting a job at
Arthur Andersen. I was offered a job by my first client and was promoted to Director of Operations after
6yrs and VP after 11yrs. I just resigned again for the same reasons I left the utility.
183.
Everyone thinks I’m crazy again because I was making $200k, but the monotony, politics and
endless discussions about sports were making me depressed. I’m going to try consulting for a few
months and look for something more in the R&D area if it doesn’t work out. Best of luck to all and hope
this helps.
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Art: aperez@digatconsulting.com
5.25.2007 i'm naturally too much of an intj to identify with almost anyone. i hate being
compared to people in any way: told i am just like them or told i am their opposite. at risk of selfparody, i'm even suspicious of the 1% statistic. i also, as an intj, distrust the hell out of the mbti but am
always trying to place myself within the mbti system as i try to critique the same system. i identify most
with descartes from keirsey, because he was very, relentlessly skeptical and shifting and yet very
coherent overall.
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i echo a lot of what's been written about social interactions, being perceived as cold, the
oddness of being an intj woman, careers and decisions. socially, i'm very much able to make small talk,
even intoxicating small talk, because my mind is so associative, but it will, at some point, stop being
small talk to me, even if i'm talking about something my companions find simply trivial and amusing,
because i start to see some broader, general logic in the most mundane thing and then generally get
very quiet because i don't want to trouble people with it. i am perceived as cold for this reason to
acquaintances, but even more troublingly for me, for a different reason to close friends. my close
friends (and i tend to be attracted to the more overtly visionary artists and idealists on the nf side of
things) tend to find me cold because i approach other people, i am told, "as a problem." i think of it
more in terms of a riddle, though: a riddle that, if i care about them, i really want to solve. and it
disappoints me when i can't, particularly with rapidly shifting nf's, find their internal coherence or help
them achieve it (when often it's the last thing they might care about or want-- understandably to me to
some degree; if i could stop demanding it of myself so much, i might actually want to). being an intj
woman is hard. i am perceived as a cold bitch. i was the only female in my area in college and went to
heavily male grad programs. i don't mind being around male intj's, but they tend to think of me as an
alien. perhaps the most tragic thing for me in relating to men is that most intx men desire an esfpesque mate who will tell them it's been two days, to stop thinking and at least brush their teeth. as
much as i say i need a nanny, i much prefer intellectual communion to finding an imagined complement
in some one else. so, the men i am attracted to are generally more attracted to women i perceive to be
flighty, tedious, illogical, etc. (yes, i am a snob and have horrible guilt about it.) careers are difficult for
me. i find i'm good at very technical things, but that they do not satisfy me. yet when i try to enmesh
myself in the idealistic work i think i want, i don't do as well dealing with raw human emotion, either. i
dislike it when people put labels on what i do, tending to feel it's all part of the same project (which i
couldn't describe well, but would certainly try for hours for some one i thought was really listening). so,
of course, you know, i program and write poetry. i'm right now reading a bio of baudelaire and
feynman's letters and it doesn't seem at all weird to me. the academic world suits me and i hope to find
myself there soon, as soon as i figure out which field will Help Solve Everything Someday. i too am
perceived as making rash decisions, because i don't think aloud, and tend to let the most important
things percolate (often for too long) before i act. i will change horses midstream, but always very
decisively, and sometimes even abandon the horse and swim to the other bank myself. also, yeah, like
everyone else here, i was a precocious, perceived-to-be-disturbed child, think iq is faulty at best but am
secretly proud of mine and don't think in language but try excessively to express myself through it.
also, i'm editing this a lot, considering the comment-box, but it still doesn't feel well-structured enough
to me, but i'm submitting it anyway.
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~ anonymous, late twenties
5.19.2007 I’ve felt misunderstood for a long time. When I was younger my parents thought it
was strange that I would sit in my room and read books all day, then talk about the characters like they
were real people. I’ve always prefered books to people, mostly because I like to look into the minds of
the characters. When I go to social gatherings I always feel like people are putting up a front or they
are drunk and I don’t get to know who they really are. I like to watch people when they are in their
element; preforming or engaging in a task they excell at. I don’t like to say much because the
responses I give to questions usually get strange reactions (in college when my professer asked me
what I would consider a great accomplishment I said “unionize Walmart” and everyone stared at me like
I was an alien or in high school when we were reading Milton’s Paradise Lost and I agreed with Lucifer
because I felt his rebellion could be compared to America’s War of Independence (a few kids promised
to pray for me?) thats when I said to myself- Dana you don’t fit in. (I also knew I was right about the
Lucifer thing). So there you have it, a true INTJ, someone who will stick up for the devil himself (if they
think he has a rational argument). I’m glad that I discovered this site. When ever I am surrounded by
people I feel hopelessly alone, and whenever I am alone with great thinkers (thank you Ann Rand,
Naomi Wolf, David Orr, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Robert Frost, I’d be a lost
soul without you.)I feel surrounded by old friends.
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Dana, age 22, soxnut11@aol.com
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ian, age 21, email
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-- Robin Biles, age 47, email
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I daydream a lot.
5.14.1007 Think of your entire life leading up to when you find your answers as build up for a
greater release. A greater release and satisfaction in comparison with the average persons
achievement. On that note do not become dispassionate, and do not abandon your inner quest. On the
contrary, aggressively seek inner clarity, but do not keep trying to do it the same old way and expect
new results. I would recommend, first, you read Wittgenstein, so you can have a universal language.
That is really the quest of the disconnected INTJ- to develop a universal language. A way of explaining
everything. Wittgenstein is a start. Do not neglect to pursue this to its end, because the sooner you
reach this completion the sooner you can become reconnected with reality, and overcome your ghoulish
existance which has been plaguing you for so long.
2.11.2006 I have just found out that I am INTJ, and all of a sudden my whole life to date has
been explained. I always was the odd one out and now I know why. It has been good to read other
peoples stories. Now I must go away and think this through. Typical I suppose.
2.10.2006 Since I was 3 years old I was interested in science. I used to disassemble all my
toys and TV sets.
I have few friends.
I did not that much of successful relationship, first was with an ENFP a journalist type. Second
was ISFJ, more compatible. I was told I am too demanding, high standards. I am not reallt looking for
Mrs Perfect, but someone who would be perfect for me.
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I try to create theories, conceptualize. I have a broad range of interests , from religion to arts
to mathematics.
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My mathematics and engineering studies were very easy and I never had to put much effort in
grasping complex theorems.
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I always plan well in advance and plan for all the possibilities.
I feel of the times superior to others, and I thrive on competition.
Besides my engineering degree, I have two graduate degrees (PhD, MBA), and always feel the
urge to learn something new...
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In the Myers briggs components, the Thinking side is the predominant. I rarely falls in love,
and usually starts noticing imperfections from the 2nd date.
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I am currently trying to shift careers from pure science to more management or policy making
where I can be more useful to society in a more efficient way.
-- Ross, age 30, email
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2.05.2006 I first took the MBTI when I worked for a prestiguous law firm. I have always
known myself to be a deep-thinker, sarcastic, highly developed and evolved, and most of all, a master
of conceptual/analytical thinking. Yes, I prefer music and books to the company of people. Yes, I am
quiet and reserved, and yes, I am usually always right. I know that I am an elitist and have an ever
advancing imagination and perception of life as most people view it. I have highly evolved spiritual
practices and beliefs and I know that I am "different" from the rest. It's funny, the criticism I receive at
work is to "pep it up". I am and will never be warm and fuzzy. I believe those people are frivolous. I
have a small circle of friends, but the "un-intelligents" I cannot endure. I am sure you understand - they
are beneath me and I have other avenues of exhausting my time and energy. I am an avid reader,
writer, and enjoy technology. Best wishes to all. To all INTJs, please do not doubt your judgement. You
are spot-on in your thinking and suspicions. I wish someone would have given me that advice earlier
on. - M
It is strange to be a INTJ. I am very reserved, highly evolved mentally and spiritually, I read Nietzche,
Socrates, Plato, and I am fascinated by Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. I haven't really learned
to cope, per se. I have more or less accepted that I am different and I expect others to find me strange
or eccentric. I have a few friends who are intellects but really want to fit into a societal mold. I don't
care to fit into anyone's mold. I am my own person with my own agenda. I don't follow trends - I am
my own trend
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-- Marquise, age 28, email
2.01.2006 It's tiresome.
-- Anonymous, age 23
12.17.2005 I am an extreme INTJ. I do what I want but follow the rules as long as they fit
into my master plan.
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I am obsessed with learning and don't really care what other people think about me because
as long as I think I am acting rationally then I am right and they are obviously misguided.
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Sometimes people think I am shy, but of course I am not. I just don't want to talk on the
phone and or make small talk. I just don't like to talk. To me, small talk is stupid and pointless - I
would rather just get my work done. However, like many here, I make small talk when I have to.
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Yes of course we may seem a bit arrogant, but all we do is think about stuff all the time so we
know what we believe and why we believe it. We don't just believe things for the sake of it - we believe
them because they are logical. If I see a flaw in my thinking, I as a true intj, will of course change my
opinion. But I usually think things through so completely it is hard for others to find holes in my logic.
If others think that is arrogant then too bad for them. I'm too independent to care what they think
anyway and too efficient to waste my time with them.
-- Sue
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12.16.2005 Oh god. I kept wondering why I was so strange compared to everybody I knew. I
was always the odd one out. NOBODY 'got me' except for a select few.
I thought I was nuts!
Last week, (I work in HR), a psychologist came up to me and challenged me to find my MBTI type, and
I did. Im an INTJ - and how its clear why Im so 'odd'.
I think everybody else is stupid, I do not have time for small talk, Im intensely private, I can grasp
abstract and reorganize complex situations fast and Im terrible at making first impressions.
Now I know.
I wish I was normal though. Like an ESFP or something.
Oh well.
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-- Lena Lin, age 24, email
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11.16.2005 I have tested on-line as an INTJ and Rational although I am not totally convinced. I identify
with INTP,s as well. Finding this site has been a life-changing experience for me as I have lived my life
feeling like an alien on my own planet.
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I have never liked parties. I have always wanted to get away on my own and was called
selfish for it. I suspect my family are S types. I have never had a relationship because I could not
imagine anyone being on the same wavelength as me.
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I could only admit that on this page. I would never be able to stand up and say I was
introverted and an HSP because it so goes against the northern English culture where you are supposed
to just "get on with it" and any kind of soul-searching would be regarded as "weird" and "soft". I am
only just learning why that what is regarded as a "good steady job" for most people is totally wrong for
me. I would like to know from the over 35's if they have managed to successfully change their careers
to something more in keeping with their personalities.
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-- cs, age 45 DID NOT LEAVE EMAIL ADDRESS!!!
12.07.2005 For years, as long as I can remember, I have known that I do not think and
process information like everyone else. I learned to read at 3 - mostly by teaching myself. It wasn't
phoenetics, I just figured it out.
Although I knew something before, I got real tangible evidence iIn 1st grade. I listened to kids
sounding out words and struggling and I thought the teacher was an idiot for teaching that method and
I just couldn't understand how the kids didn't just get it. It was so painfully slow and boring that I read
all the teacher prefaces in the books to amuse myself.
Most of the time in school was like that. I learned things sometimes despite what the teacher says.
Often I do best with those that other students find disorganized as I find easy order in the randomness.
My least favorite test questions are ;list 5 traits of an extroverted person - I actually find that a little
difficult and am amazed that people can memorize such lists and spout them off. I much prefer the
analysis type questions where I have to synthesize information and come up with a new idea. Or
simply - if you were going to hire someone to do cold calling sales, what attributes would you look for
and why?
What I have since figured out (and fairly recently at that) is that I do not process things in English.
Most of my mental processing and even conscious thinking isn't in a spoken language. To switch to a
verbalized language entails switching to a much slower gear - I think much faster than words.
Fortunately I have learned to type really fast and can sometimes get stuff out that way.
I think what most people call intuitition is just really fast non verbal thinking. Best way I can describe it
is that I think in bytes that are processing in the windows behind the one that is on the screen. I
suppose that is how the guy came up with the concept of the Windows operating system. I can
consciously (verbally) give a certain idea or topic over for processing and then do something completely
different. Then suddenly the answer appears. What people can't understand is that for me, this type of
processing is going on all the time - and I mean all the time! - on multiple levels without me being able
to consciously verbalize it.
I don't really understand social niceties and etiquette - what purpose do these things really serve?
However I have learned that they are important to people and will go through the motions simply
because it usually makes things more smooth and efficient in the end. It is a learned skill that I have
been coached on. In fact, in public you would think I am very cordial and polite - I always say please,
thank you and pardon me (probably to excess) - because I know it is something that makes people
happy.
The write up said my type is found in about 1% of the population. No freaking wonder that I have been
feeling like an alien and that people don't get me. It's because they don't. Most people simply don't
think like me. This information was so reassuring.
Growing up my mother used to say ";why do you keep to yourself ? Why don't you go spend time with
the other kids? No one likes you because you are different." I can be very personable and friendly and
seem very outgoing and fun and silly - but then I have to have down time where I am not around
people because I get emotional overload.
Most of my big life problems have come when I deny who I am.
I deny my intuitition - I try to conform to the norm and consciously slow my thoughts down, trying to
deny the other levels
I deny my introverted nature - I try to be more outgoing, other centered. I look for external validation
because that is how I am supposed to be -- because most people are that way.
All this time I thought there was something wrong with me because I thought I was different.
Now I know I am different and there is nothing wrong - in fact I was very pleased with the list of people
who share my personality trait.
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-- Lee, age 43, email
12.05.2005 I am definitely an INTJ. I exhibit all the tell tale traits. I sacrifice everything in
the spirit of building more efficient systems and ways of doing things. I have degrees in finance and
electrical engineering, but think academia is a huge farce when compared to following your own
intuition and self education. I am an entrepreneur.
I am continuosly searching for new perspectives and systems/approaches that dictate the structure of
other systems. Sort of like the difference between a design engineer and a business development
professional. Of course, this is insight into two layers of something much broader and more
multidimensional. I enjoy learning how bias due to "lack of awareness" of the next layer up of systems
influences people. I discard relationships and form new ones as my own understanding evolves. I can
step back and appreciate this as the ultimate learning process.
Everything I do is dictated by my existing paradigm, making it difficult (sadly I suppose) to truly
experience things like love. I do attend church and feel that fellowship, community, and service are
fundamental elements of acheiving this happiness. I encourage everyone to read Ben Franklin's
biography, The First American.
INTJ's don't have to be introverts if connecting to other human beings fits their views -- I believe the
development of human relations and comunications is the number one inhibitor to INTJ's'. Folks we are
the visionaries of our time. However, without communication and influence our talents are wasted.
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-- Anonymous, 30 year old male
12.05.2005 i agree with isaac newton and thomas jefferson. like newton, i do think a lot abt
the wonders of the universe and like jefferson "i cannot live without books". but the ones who gave me
my biggest impetus as an INTJ happens 2 b george lucas, who made star wars(although he's not on the
list)
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my friends never understood what makes me tick, that i'm not a clubber or a pubber, and that
i prefer not 2 b told what 2 do.
i'm also very independent and as i read in depth abt the MBTI i realized i wasnt 2 blame for who i am.
its just that i'm very open minded and always searchin 4 the "Infinite possibilities".
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-- Calvin, age 26, email
10.26.2005 I've done this test three times in the last six months, each time getting the same,
so it's definite that I'm INTJ. I was something like 83% introvert, so I'm very withdrawn, and people
say I'm always off in my own little world, and that I'm a bit odd. I go into the library every afternoon
and read for about an hour in the same corner. I find it a chore talking to people, and express myself
much easier in writing. I really enjoy science, but I do find some things a bit restricting. I like maths
and art also. I'm not very popular in school, I think they see me as a tad strange, but it's just not
important to me. People just bug me most of the time - Ignorance isn't bliss for me. I can find myself
obsessing and being a perfectionist. I'm quite messy sometimes, though.
I don't so much like going to school in the morning as other INTJ's do. I think it would be the social side
that frustrates me. Being a thinker makes me seem a bit cold, kind of true, but I also have my head in
the clouds. I've read that INTJ's can be arrogant and self confident, true also, but I'm a tad too
introverted to let it show. I often find myself, in maths problems etc., creating my own ways to get the
answers that work just as well, but getting told instead to do it the way I was told. People
misunderstand me because I am extremely private, I don't really like making friends - too much
emotional responsibility (probably also a fear of commitment).
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Larnii, age 13, email
10.26.2005 It is a little different being an INTJ. Even when I was young concepts and
understanding popped into my awareness without thought. It was only when I was a little older I
realized other persons did not readily do this.
My intuition has served me very well & I trust it completely, and especially so in judging who to
like & not like.
College was easy for me and I completed the first four years in 2 years and 9 months. My IQ is 125,
and I have spent my career as a manager and analyst. I had a very successful career leading people. I
am a pure INTJ.
I have had the MMPI a couple of times given by Industrial Pysychs. prior to promotions. They told me I
have no mask at all, and that that is something I should be aware of. I am fairly introverted, but have
learned to force myself to small talk & chat with my co-workers. I don't like to be a misanthrope &
recognize I could be, so I strive now to try to small talk & be friendly at work.
When I think about people my mind flashes a very quick images of the person (usually it is of people)
or thing I am thinking about. It is probably about 1/100 of a second. I was chatting with a woman at
work a while back & I mentioned to her something like "my mind sends me pictures' when I am
thinking", and she looked at me fairly quizzically, so I will not share that with people in the future..
I would make a good criminal if I wanted to, as I am a mastermind type person. Fortunately, I am
content to be good citizen. I am a Manager in a large org.
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-- Don, age 54
9.21.2005 I think I can identify with Isaac Newton the most. My views on everything are
scientifical, and many people say I tend to "over-think" or "over-analyze" on many things. That, and the
fact that I am going to be a psychiatrist one day. Science, medicine, and analysis rolled into one.
One of my best friends is an ISFJ. She and I happen to get along very well, except she happens to be a
lot more feeling outwardly than I. Usually, I'd keep my emotions within myself until I have a chance to
rant, or analyze /why/ I'm so upset over the event.
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I think I'm a bright girl. Not the very smartest, but I know I'm smart enough to want to learn
about things that will actually help me in my career one day.
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For example, geometry. I think long-term, and I know for a fact that I am not going to use a
protractor to measure some angle I happen to see.
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If what I am learning will not help me achieve or help my career in many ways, I don't see the
benefits of it at all. Therefore, my grade slips until I get my act together, and just go on with it, trying
to get the best grade I can in that certain class.
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It's refreshing to read the other INTJ comments. My parents think I'm arrogant too - But I
take it as a complement, because I know I'm smart, and I don't necessarily hide that fact ashamedly.
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I don't care if other people think I'm weird - they're just not thinking the way I do. =)
-- Re, age 15, email
9.21.2005 I identify with Ayn Rand! Yes she could be quite ruthless in her way but she had a
mind like a steel trap. The first time I read her essay comparing The Apollo Space flight to Woodstock I
was blown away by her spectacular logic.
About seven years ago I took the Kiersey Temperment Sorter test and learned I was INTJ. I took it
again last week and I am still INTJ.
I think the test is correct because I do feel drained when I am around people for more than about 3
hours. I hate loud noises, clutter, bright lights and I am very sensitive to odors. I dread talking on the
phone and I don't like small talk. I would rather write than talk because I can revise and refine my
thoughts when I write.
I admire Ann Rand's pithiness and was delighted when I found out that she was an INTJ too. For me it
is of the utmost importance that things make sense. I place a high value on logic.
Unlike Ms. Rand, I do believe in God and I am a Catholic Christian. I am a Catholic because to me it is
the most logical approach to Christianity.
I was never a part of the in crowd at school. I always just had one or two girlfriends. I was only an
average student although my IQ is around 117. I hated and dreaded elementary school but that might
have more to do with being in a dysfunctional family than being INTJ.
When I am interested in a subject I pursue it with intensity and in depth. My interests and hobbies and
the thoughts and plans about them inside my head seem to take hold of me to the point that I cannot
concentrate on certain kinds of mundane tasks especially clerical work. I did clerical work for 20 years
and I hated it because I never could concentrate on it and I was always losing track of what I was doing
and going back to check my work and then losing track and having to start over. I wanted so much to
be at home where it is quiet and cozy and my mind was my own and not rented out to some stupid
business. I actually hate the business world with all the networking and pressure. I would rather focus
on concepts and ideas. I have to do things my own way. When I am left alone to work out my own way
of getting things done I almost always succeed. When somebody is making me do things and
monitoring me I can barely tolerate it. I start to retreat inside my mind and I lose my concentration.
I work very hard toward my goals. I am organised and I am very industrious. However I am not very
ambitious and I think it is because I don't want to be part of the rat race.
My only friend right now is my husband. I had some women friends in the past but I drifted away from
them because I got very involved in one of my hobbies. And I always felt different from them...too
serious and opinionated to really fit in.
-- MB, age 56
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9.15.2005 Haha it's so comforting to find like-minded people! Just found out I'm an INTJ when
prepping for a department reorganization that I'm pushing for. Isn't that typical INTJ? Nothing in the
system was working. My boss is ISTJ. He wants to preserve the system, I want to tear it down and
redo. Gosh I understand my frustrations so much better now
It always puzzled me as to how I was elected class rep in school when I was never among the in crowd,
in fact I was far from fitting in. Now I know, I could do the job better than anyone else! :)
I love to read and learn, it's one of my biggest expenditures and the area where I'm most subject to
impulse buys. You can't catch me without a book.
I do believe in God, and I was raised in a Christian family. I remember way back in my teens once
thinking about the whole system of God rationally, and I came to realize that when I examined it from
God's viewpoint, the whole thing actually made sense. You have to get a good grasp of His whole
system and person first of course. That was, I think, a defining INTJ moment. Haha, understanding
God.
I'm a couple of years out of college, and just trying to fit the world into place, understanding all the
different components, and fitting it into my understanding. Last thing I want to do is settle for secondbest and mediocrity or normality or whatever the other 99% do. Whatever it is, I'll stay true to myself
and i'm definitely going take take the path less travelled. :)
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~ Sharon age 23, , email
9.13.2005 Well, I identify with more recent people: Ensign Ro Laren Star Trek), but mostly
General Jack O'Neil (Stargate SG-1).
When I learned I was INTJ a few years ago, life made more sense. I am highly creative and scientific.
I learned to cope by using my own life experiences to bridge the experiences of others. When I seal the
gap, the comprehension helps me identify with people who I normally do not understand.
For the most part, I am alone. Some people say I am feared and respected, and not given the time of
day. Other people say I intimidate others. None of which I intend, I am straight forward and honest.
Nothing I say or do is directed at anyone else (unless specified). I am more interested in repairing or
building systems that assist with efficient use of time, human and technological resources. I pride
myself as being a resource to others and the breadth of my vast knowledge is well appreciated by a
select few who are not afraid of eccentric individuals.
Still what occurs is a lack of concern for my feelings from others. Since I am reserved and cool under
pressure, it seems that others go out of their way to injure my feelings. When my ideas are given freely
(I refrain from this activity now), credit and awards befall others. My hard work widely ignored.
I am confident and smart as well as gifted in intellect and grace, however often set aside for more
emotionally manipulative individuals.
These days, I find myself asserting myself more. I am an artist, writer and presenter. I have come to
the realization that I would like a legacy to leave my friends and family.
If anyone would like to view my talents, please visit me online. http://www.dlmullan.com
If you would like to assert yourself more, please do not hesitate to email me for advice.
Thank you,
DL Mullan, age 33, email
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9.01.2005 I identify with most of them, but I will write mainly about Augustus Caesar, since he's the
one I know best and, in fact, it was when I read that he was an INTJ that I was persuaded that I was
one, too.
It always puzzled me that, in the confrontation between Octavian (later Augustus) and Mark Antony, as
portrayed in films, books, plays, etc, most people seemed to identify and sympathize with Antony rather
than Octavian; Octavian being regarded as cold and calculating, and Antony as spontaneous, warm,
open, and putting his relationship with Cleopatra above everything else.
I, on the other hand, always identified with Augustus - sure, he did cruel things, but so did Antony. I
could very easily imagine myself in Augustus's position, acting as he did. I could never see myself
acting as Antony - but it seems that most people do, which indicated to me that I was different from
most people.
Like Augustus, I have very few close friends that I tend to keep constant over decades. I haven't been
able to find a soulmate but would really like to, while I have no need, indeed, little patience for casual
relationships. I also tend to make plans for my life and career in the long term, and put reason above
emotions when taking decisions about that. I am constantly trying to see trends and connect the dots in
order to design my strategies - in life as in my job. Sometimes my strategies fail, but then I start
again.As a consequence of that, I have a need to understand what is going on.
Romantic relationships are not very easy for me, and few things hurt me more than break-ups when I
don't understand the reason - as in, she just says it's over and refuses to say why. The lack of
understanding, in this cases, is for me as big a source of distress as the break-up itself. This, I have
noticed, is something almost nobody seems to understand.
For me, being an INTJ means precisely this: being misunderstood as an Augustus in a world of Antonys.
I have been recently told by an ESFP female friend, in an outburst, "why can't you be like everyone
else, why can't you be normal?" For some time, this was a source of distress for me - not because I felt
there was something really wrong with me, but because I realized that, apparently, most people
thought there was.
I have learned to cope with being an INTJ by accepting that most people - especially extraverts - will
never understand my way of thinking, and to compromise, in work environments at least, by acting a
bit more "normal" as they put it. Among friends, I am myself; to be able to be myself is actually my
definition of whether or not someone is a true friend of not (sadly, I don't think that's the case with the
ESFP I mentioned).
The awareness of being a misunderstood minority is not pleasant. Yet, I'd still rather identify with
Augustus than with Antony.
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-- Peter, age 40
8.12.1005 It's been really interesting to find out that only 1 of 100 people are truly like me,
and it makes sense. I'm not incredibly smart and I don't try very hard (it's all about efficiency), but I do
think I have a deeper understanding of many things, even compared to the very smart people around
me. I have no true friends but a lot of "aquaintances" too. I've never had or tried to get a girlfriend. I'm
cynical, deist and agnostic despite being raised Christian, fascinated by ideas of the future, and very
quiet. Some people think that I'm arrogant and overconfident as well, but I don't try to be. I hope that
when I go to college (hopefully University of Michigan) that I will meet more people like myself.
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Nick, age 18
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VW, age 17, email
8.10.2005 Psychology is fascinating stuff..if only there were less people involved. As im stil a
teenager the 'thinking im right' isnt so weird but the antisocial tendancies scare my mother, and the
emotional insecurities of most of my friends are a complete pain in the arse. The funny thing is i didnt
even realise there were other ways to look at the world, cause i thought the INTJ is the only way, so i
thought everyone i knew were idiots because they couldnt understand me. It does make logical sense
though that they cant, after reading the profiles of other types im supprised they actually put up with
me...well INTJS of the world, one day we'll cure cancer, now surely thats better then talking about
Madonna's new kids book
8.2.2005 Wow...after doing this Myers Brigg Test and finding my results, I've just been
shocked. It's almost like someone has written a biography about me. I wouldn't say I overflow with
confidence, I'm often quite hard on myself...I'm pretty pessimistic. But anyway, like other INTJ's, I'm
always taking in new information and analyzing things from all different perspectives. My ex-gf used to
always so I over-analyzed and didn't feel enough. Very true....everything's logical to me.
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I've really had to work to develop my social abilities. I wouldn't say I'm a recluse or anything,
but I'm very introverted. I can be nice, but I feel quite uncomfortable with a group of people, especially
if they're not close friends. In high school and while growing up, I always wanted to be accepted by the
"cool kids" but couldn't ever find anything to talk about with them. They'd chat about things, but I
couldn't enjoy it...there was nothing meaninful to their conversations. I love stimulating discussions
and thinking into the deeper meanings of things.
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I can also be very sarcastic. I love sarcasm, but I've had lots of people think I'm being hateful
when I'm sarcastic, though I'm really not. It's just my form of humor. Anyway, overall I'd say I'm an
INTP and I enjoy the perks of intelligence (or what everyone says is intelligence), but I hate having to
force myself to be social. Sometimes it seems life would be easier if I were less intelligent and more
social. I know, I know, that may sound foolish, but the grass is always greener on the otherside.
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Anyway, other INTJ's, send me an e-mail if you'd like, I'd love to talk with someone whom I
know is just like me...who understands and perceives things like I do. Take it easy, everyone.
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-- Jon, age 19, email
7.29.2005 Chaucer or Jung, but only vaguely. I think every INFJ tries to be uniquely different
from every other INFJ even though our characteristics are all pretty much the same.
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It's amazing that out of the our world population of billions, there are only 16 categories for us
all to fit into. After reading through these INFJ accounts, I'm not much different from everyone else
here. I majored in foreign languages and writing, and I'm pursuing my master's in Biblical counseling.
How much more of an INFJ can you get? But while I used to loathe my personality, I have come to
appreciate and enjoy it now. I am content with that fact that I am a closet drama queen and that I will
probably always alternate between extremes. I don't know about everyone else, although I'm fairly
sure it's not much different, I know that I have three distinct modes of behavior. I can be in a very
friendly, helpful mode; a very contemplative, spaced-out mode; or a very ambitious, serious mode.
And I switch among the three without warning. I want to be kind to everyone although I'm sure
sometimes I come accross as just the opposite. I appreciate people who think on their own, but I can't
stand people who try to think for me. Most people desire to distract themselves with activity, which
just wears me out; I would prefer to stay alone and think about something that intrigues me. I lived
my whole life just looking for one person who would just love me despite that the fact that I go ballistic
or overreact or withdraw, but that is human need that all people have; no one's the exception to that. I
have come to a point now where I understand man's nature from birth and throughout life to the
realization of the source of evil, and why it exists, and the source of goodness. And I am satisfied as to
where it is all headed in the future.
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-- Chrisman,age 27
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7.26.2005 I am a 33 year old hog farmer from Nebraska. I'm an INTJ with an IQ of 143. My
wife is an ESFP. It's really as good of fit as I could hope for. She is an excellent mom, and more than
makes up for my intentional disinterest in small details like making sure the kids get fed and bathed
regularly. I am happy to belay her interest in such things as the E! Entertainment channel, celebrity
gossip, and laugh track sit coms, all of which I really cant stand, as long as she doesnt insist on my
shaving daily. - (I do shower and change my underwear daily:))
I'm non-religious, despite a religious upbringing. I'm generally a tightwad, though if it's important to
me (few things are)I'll spend alot to get quality. Dating was a real pain in the butt for me. I always felt
inept in the art of small talk, and social skills generally. This was amplified by at least a magnitude
when placed in a social situation with ESF type female strangers.
Academia was not a good fit for me. Yeah I secured a college degree, but a good deal of courses,
really, I just didn't care about the subject matter enough to expend the energy. I probably had a 4.0 in
theoretical & applied sciences type stuff, and a 2.0 in math and more liberal arts stuff. Calculus was my
bane! My learning style is more suited to self study. The internet is surely the best thing in the world!
Politically I'm a fiscial conservative and a social liberal.
Them teen years sucked, until I figured out that I need not bow to peer pressure. What a liberation
when I stopped fighting my introversion.
Career choice is of major importance to the INTP I suspect. I've found one that allows maximum
freedom to be the"system builder". Another life changing liberation.
My latest research involves "Peak Oil" and "cellulosic ethanol". Google peak oil, now theres a problem
for a serious INTJ.
Famous INTJ's not listed here include: Donald Rumsfeld, Colin Powell, and I suspect David Gergen and
James Woolsey.
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-- Kevin, age 33
7.20.2005 The people who write: "I am an INTJ and I always thought I am crazy" are not
true INTJs.
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Real INTJ knows he is the best. By7 the way INTJs tend to certain professions, so it ispossible
to have less then 100 people inteh room and several INTJs. You will not see a lot of INTJ's in a bar,
wasting time - maybe one in a thousand. But in a lab, building something new and super, there could
be several of them. They all independent and do not give much shit about others opinion, but they
respect each other and in general people who do, not talk.
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7.19.2005 I've always been the shy and quiet one. It annoys me that people still make a big
deal out of my silence. I have always been viewed as bright and people tend to come to me for
answers. I dislike this because I don't feel that I am too smart even though I get good grades. But I do
like explaining things and being right. What INTJ doesn't? I constantly find myself daydreaming. (The
reason why I still don't know my way around the city I have lived in all my life.)
In school I talk to few people and dislike small talk. It sometimes hurts people's feelings when I tell
them they aren't my friend, only an acquaintance. They think that I don't like them. I find the kids that
are immature and waste time to be annoying. It is also annoying when someone wastes my time.
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I have heard that some people think I am arrogant...I know that I'm not. ( I can't stand
arrogance!)Also, I don't like working in teams because I want things done my way and I feel that if left
to others, the results would not be as good.
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I don't like public speaking or being the center of any drama. I used to just refrain from
talking to other people, thinking I was weird. But now I try to engage in small talk here and there and
once in a while make a social appearance. I do it because I dislike all the fuss made over someone that
has no social life...I do it to shut people up and make my life easier :D That's a little mean but...idiocy
and mediocrity annoys me.
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I believe that I have a unique way of thinking and pity others that lack it.
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I am competitive and find my self striving to be the best. I like feeling accomplished and it
annoys me when I feel lazy. Too bad I am lazy lol.
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I'm not sure if I have any INTJ friends but I wish I did because the others' lack of
understanding me really bug me. Plus, I am not interested in the same things.
It's nice to see that I am not alone!
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-- Laura,, age 15, email
7.08.2005 The site you are linked to is not the original INTJ description. INTJs do NOT tell
other people what to do. They are individualists. They work on their own. They are creators, inventors not bosses or leaders. They very seldom take leadership positions and will only take leadership positions
when no one else will. Also, your understanding of introversion is faulty. It's not about 'leaving me
alone'. Introversion means the ability to make decisions based on an inner value system, whereas
extraversion has to do with making decisions based on what other people believe. Ergo, introverts are
the true leaders. Extroverts aren't leaders - they're politicians.
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Oh, yes, and if there are a hundred people in the room, there will not be another person in the
room that's an INTJ. There will only be you. For there to be two INTJs in a room, there needs to be 200
people in the room... Most INTJs are gifted by the way.
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-- TE
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-- Garrett, age 20
7.06.2005 I have a pretty interesting story and set of circumstances. My father, mother, and
brother, encompass my distant imidiate family. My mom debutes as an est-pushy, adjacent my father
hailing from ist-put things where the land land. My brother resides somewhere on planet esf-pot head. I
am the proud owner of a rapid-cycling bipolar disoder, which I've so eagerly inherented a generational
hand me down, complements of my grandmothers schizophrenia. I thought maybe this condition has
something to do with the profile itself. I wonder if anyone has done studies comparing the likehood of
mental illness occuring in a given profile. I am somewhat an oxymoron, or ox like moron. I have always
been althletic and jockish at first glance. I weigh a solid 230 and was quite good at football. However
true to my type I quite after my freshmen year. I hated the hierarchal nature in which you were
expeced to conform.
7.06.2005 I Think I identify with most everyone on here....
I've taken the test so many times and I'm a INTJ... I always thought I was just crazy, for being so
different than everyone else I know. It's very nice to know I'm not a total freak and there are others
like me. Even if it's only about 1% of the population :)
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-- Elle
7.05.2005 Discovering that I'm an INTJ has been a suprisingly helpful experince for me, just
knowing there isn't something faulty with my personality. As an INTJ I've felt I've often been the target
of other people's envy and jealosy. I really can't help it if I'm able to do most tasks at a highly
competent level. That may sound arrogrant and many non-INTJ's would agree, but I honestly don't
believe I am arrogant or smug. I actually really despise that trait in others - I'm a believer that no one
has all the answers. Cockiness really gives me the s**ts too.
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But to tell the truth, I'm sick of having to feel ashamed at my abilities. I have felt this for a
long time, throughout school especially. From my point of view, if the other person can't deal with it, its
their problem. I was reading Don Quixote recently and a quote from it says, "The more eminently virtue
shines, the more it is exposed to the persecutions of envy". Often you know these things already but its
good to be reminded of them every now and then. I try to give constant praise to those around me as I
find it can take the edge off my alledged "superiority". If I express my dislike for something the usual
response is "not good enough for you, huh?". That can be annoying at times.
I can find it difficult to generate small talk at times but I find when I do make the effort it seems to
have a positive effect on the impressions others have of me. I have also been accused on being
ungenerous as I rarely initiate large social gatherings. Often I just prefer the company of a few close
friends who I can talk to about concrete things rather than inane chatter. Like David, I have a few close
friends but many acquaintances. I prefer to work on developing these close relationships rather than
having loose frienships with people I really don't have much in common with.
Romantic relationships are difficult for me also. The pressure to find a girl can be intense at times. I can
sense people wonder why I don't have a girlfriend, but for me its diffcult finding someone you have a
meaningful connection with and can understand my idiocyncracies. I do find I am more attracted to
outgoing affectionate girls rather than opinionated intellectuals.
I set high expectations for myself with my study and am always motivated to do well. I want to live life
to the full.
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-- Sam, age 23
7.04.2005 [I identify with] All of them.
I took the MB test a few years ago and came out an extreme INTJ. Just like the rest of you, it
explained why I'd always felt like a little bit of a misfit (but also kinda liked it).
Being an INTJ female is a particularly tricky thing. You have to be careful your decisiveness doesn't
come across as bossiness because if you don't, you'll be misread a lot. I think because our emotions
run deep, we tend to come across cold a lot too, which we're really not. There are dogs out here who
could take loyalty lessons from most of us.
The most peculiar thing to me about being an INTJ is even though other people seem to think we're
smart and are even constantly telling us how smart we are, most of us don't feel smart and don't really
think we're that smart either. I know I don't.
Now that I'm getting older, my main advice to any really young INTJs out here is to become very
serious about your career choices early on and pursue your goals because like it or not, our work is a
very big part of our happiness. Our type desperately seems to need a feeling of achievement in
meaningful work or something inside feels wasted after awhile. Also, don't ever forget that every other
type out here hates unsolicited advice (yeah, like I just gave above), because we think it's discussion
but they think it's critcism. Finally, smile more. None of our type smiles enough. Even Bill Gates
smiles a lot now. We can do this!
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-- Judy, 40s, email
7.05.2005 I identify very much with Ayn Rand. Loved the Fountainhead. It made so much
sense. She is perhaps a bit extreme, a trifle callous, but I understand, because I am that way, too. I
have a very low tolerance for human foibles, and am often impatient with the structures and beliefs that
people take comfort from.
I don't remember exactly when I first took an MBTI test, but I have known for probably 7 years that I
am an INTJ. It made perfect sense. I am a profound INTJ, and even when I was very young I
understood that I had an unusual and difficult personality type, and that while it caused problems, it
was no flaw. Thank goodness for that INTJ clearheadedness. It is a gift.
My life as an INTJ has been complicated somewhat by my abusive childhood. My family consists of
coarse, aggressive people whose first instinct when threatened is to resort to bullying behavior. Besides
the preexisting dysfunction there was the inevitable conflict and misunderstanding between the
sensitive, bookish kid (me) and the obnoxious jock types (all of them). Their attitude towards me has
been, by turns, bullying, mocking, or pitying, depending on how powerful they were feeling at the time,
but there has never been any degree of understanding or respect. Because I was INTJ I was able to
understand and dismiss them, but with the result that I grew into a distrustful and contemptuous adult,
which, added to all the usual INTJ traits...well, let's just say I'm no social butterfly. But like so many
others here I find it less taxing to let poorly suited friendships die than to put up with people who are
always wondering what's wrong with me.
One particular problem I have had...because I was hurt so much as a child, I have a horror of hurting
other people's feelings, and I tend to hide my dislike of other people with a mask of friendliness which is
a little too convincing; I tend to attract people I don't like. I then have to go through a painful process
of disengaging. People are often surprised and hurt by my willingness to abruptly end relationships,
relationships they were having but I was only pretending to have. I have learned as I get older that that
is much less fair and less kind than simply being honestly unfriendly at the start. So for those of you
that have had problems because you can't force the small talk...you're doing fine. Trust me, there's no
payoff. The cost of pretending is much greater than the cost of being who you are. Let it be.
I've also experienced some minor annoyances because I am black and African, and my personality
places me outside of what people consider to be a cultural norm; white and black people alike are
thrown off-balance by my tastes in books and music, my love of science, my hatred of hip-hop, my cold
objectivism. They all irritate me with their lack of imagination. There is so much preconditioned thinking
to be overcome.
I find it sad that INTJs are so uncommon, and we can expect to be mistrusted and misunderstood our
whole lives. That said, I wouldn't want to be any different. It's a lonely type, but the intellectual clarity
seems to me such a powerful and priceless gift. It has seen me through so much, and it certainly
rescued me (to a degree) from my childhood. It also offers me access to my unfulfilled potential,
because I have stayed free of the conditioned expecations that hamstring so many of my peers by the
time they're in their mid-thirties. I think that INTJs are best served by the company of others like them,
not exclusively, but enough to prevent the social alienation that can easily occur when everybody
around you is an irritant. I am in the process of making some life changes that I expect will make my
social life easier. The future looks good; do not allow yourself to be boxed in by others' perceptions.
Chances are, yours are closer to the truth.
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-- Mara, age 34, email
7.05.2005 I identify most with Jefferson because of his classical liberal views.
First of all I should say that my personality tests are split pretty evenly between intj/intp. I'm
disorganized like an intp but I definitely have the confidence of an intj. I also identify more with famous
intjs than intps. Unlike other introverts I am very good at making friends and I love giving
presentations to a large and sometimes hostile audience, I just prefer to be alone and away from the
vast majority of sheeple.
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-- Horatio, age 21, email
6.16.2005 [I identify with] All of them.
I recently took the test and haven't stopped thinking about it. I've asked a lot of people to take it as
well and the results are very amusing.
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I'm the only INTJ that I work with, however both of my closest friends are INTJ's. We spend
lots of time, in doors, just discussing things, ideas, why's, how's...it's amazing to read the descriptions
of an INTJ. They're so accurate to who I am.
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Currently my job is implementing a new system for a huge project. I've been told by my boss
that I have a "problem with authority" and that they have a system and I should just "fit into it" but I
see all these holes and wastes of time and energy and it's killing me to just keep my mouth shut.
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I just wish I could pass around the INTJ profile to everyone and say "Here, this is why I should
be putting together the workflow!"
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I don't think that would work, in fact, I think INTJ's probably find the test and it's results more
interesting than the other personality types because it again gives us another system to analyze and
discuss. The other "A-Ha" moment I've had (as Oprah would say) is that people always tell me "You're
over analyzing that" or "You're thinking too much about it". Now I know, No...they're not analyzing it
enough. They're not thinking about it.
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It's fascinating...now I need to stop reading about INTJ's and start making sense of the other
people in the world!
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-- Paul. age 28
6.16.2005 Hey INTJ'ers. I've done a couple of tests now & i'm pretty definate that i'm an INTJ.
One thing i'd find interesting though is how other INTJ's construct their belief system. Being an INTJ
there is a tendancy to rebel against beliefs that are not logical. And most INTJ's would probably rebel
against their parents beliefs if they don't stand up to scrutiny. One thing I find interesting however it
that Christianity can stand up to what I throw at it, this is coming from a Christian family. No INTJ has
to throw away logic with religion. For example C.S. Lewis was also an INTJ if any other INTJ's are
interested. I don't mind what you say, cos i'm to independant ;)
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-- Peter, age 19
6.15.2005 I have so much trouble sometimes. I become heavily absorbed in my
hobbies/ideas. It seems like since childhood people have treated me like I don't know what I'm talking
about because they don't like what I'm saying. This angers me more than anything. Somehow people
always percieved me as being mean when I was younger. Even though I never meant to be. I have
very few friends. I usually just hang out with a couple friends from early childhood and thats it. I'm
not going to college so it's hard to find smart people to hang out with. Even when I do, I hang out with
them a few times and then move on to someone else. I don't stick with the same group of friends for
long.
It drives me crazy when people don't act, and fail to make a decision quickly. I don't understand how I
can come to decisions fast and others can't. I become very absorbed in my thoughts. I find small talk
not too dificult since I'm trying to figure people out. I just ask questions and let them do the talking. It
use to be very difficult for me. I still don't understand people. I find most of my assumptions of them
are wrong. I have yet to find a person that wants to really get to know me. Or maybe I'm oblivious to
them. Could be either or. I'm constantly trying to figure myself out. Who am I and what am I capable
of. Thats one recurring question out of thousands. I'm either silent or very talkative. It seems like
there's no in between no matter what I am doing.
Sometimes my thoughts are too fast even for myself. I don't know why I'm percieved so differently. I
just keep going and like to have fun. Abstract thoughts excite me. I love to work on my golf swing.
And I love math and science. Some day I want to teach myself math, but right now its all about my
golf swing.
I try not to be arrogant yet I feel like people see me as so.
I am a manager at a local car wash. Although I don't like to tell people what to do, I find it very
satisfying. I like to be in control. I guess because that means nobody is in control of me. I feel like I
have to succeed not because I want to, but because I have a deep fear of losing control. I hear this
voice inside me saying "you're not going to control me". I've never really thought about it until now.
But I have a deep fear of not being in control. I think it's a mix of nature/nurture. I'm not going to go
into details about my childhood, but I can see things a little clearer about myself now. Things are still a
little blurry but they're clearing up. I just like to talk about ideas. I think I'm going to go and buy a few
Ayn Rand books tomorrow.
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-- Jason, age 20, email
6.06.2005 I identify with the other INTJ's in practicing smalltalk to meet people and blend in.
Social networking is important, and even if the emotional needs aren't met by the conversation itself,
other things can be accomplished. I also have had a hard time with girls, particularly the ones who don't
take the time to get to know me first. I also appreciate nature and quietude.
Yeah, we're about 1% of the population. After reading all I could about INTJ's and their tendancies, I
couldn't imagine a closer fit for me. Im also a recovering alcoholic, 130 IQ, estranged from most all
family, etc. I can't help but judge and criticize the emotionally needy, loud mouthed, talkative people.
Get away, you hoosier!
We are system builders who look for a greater understanding, a bigger picture. Buddhism and eastern
philosophy, along with the I-Ching, have helped immensely. Karma, reincarnation, 99.99% of the
population in a confused state of self-induced suffering? It makes sense to me, and regular meditation
takes me"out of my head" and into a more natural state. Im my calm and aware state after meditation,
I'm probably even LESS likely to talk to people, but when I do my words carry more weight and
meaning. Meditation also helps me think and notice things that would have been otherwise overlooked.
Relationships are a hard thing for me. As I said earlier, girls who really got to know me and my loving
side, were interested or (in the case of them being a girlfriend) attatched. The dozens of girls who only
saw me on a superficial level, wrote me off as someone
not worth their time.
We shouldn't judge people so much, in extreme cases try to see others as a sick relative. People can be
ignorant and stupid, as any history book will remind you. Just remeber, they have a lot of suffering and
rebirths to endure before reaching "maturity".
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-- James, age 20, email
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6.5.2005 I have a very good suggestion about what you should
add. Try to get more extroverts talking about thier experiences with introverts so we have a better idea
of how the outside world views us. I think that would be helpful.
I am an INTJ.
I loved school and learning especially math and science. I did not like poetry classes where i had to
anyalize poems in front of other students. I often would walk alone in the field in elementary school,
cause I did not really fit in with the other students who played football or pogs or whatever. I
remember in first grade I was thinking by a tree during recess and lost track of time and did not notice
that me
class had left. I went back to class only to discover they were not there. The whole school had an
assembly and I had to walk into what seemed a huge cafteria with hundreds of staring eyes.
As a kindergardner I remember being frustrated with the useless crap we were learning about cutting
and pasting and coloring. When I was five I wanted to learn about how lasers worked. Also at that age
I wanted to win the Nobel prize.
I also remember one day in the playground being sad that I would not be able to learn everything in my
lifetime!
In highschool I went to a charter school in Arizona based on a catholic private school in Indiana. It had
a liberal arts perspective and their favored choice of learing is the Socratic Method. Many of the classes
had 30% or more of your grade based on in class
discussion. This was a nightmare for me since I preffer lectures and listening to a discussion rather
than putting my input in since I prefer to say something intelligent. It was very frustrating going to this
school because I often felt stupid when I knew that I was not. I would even do my best to participate,
but it still was not good enough for these teachers. It has been three years since this high school and I
still feel a lot of resentment for this school and particular teachers. Since learning about my peronality
type, I have come to grips with the fact that to the outside world I am differnt. So things are good.
I think that being an introvert, people tend to underestimate our abilities, especially when we seem
reserved and quiet cause "there just be something wrong with quiet people". but my opinion is that
results always speak for themselves.
388.
389.
390.
-- Michael E.
?.2005 I should have known I was an INTJ when, after taking the Myers Briggs test prior to
one of these corporate training courses, I walked in late. The teacher said I had to be either "Person A"
or "Person B". I replied "yes". The instructor laughed and said she immediately knew who I was, as
"noone else would answer that specifically".
391.
They said I tested as THE most analytical person in THE most analytical organization their firm
had ever tested. Wowser. And I'm a female--plus I was TOTALLY oblivious of this aspect of my
personality. Such benign emotional ignorance is probably typical INTJ.
392.
393.
Here is my own quiz to determine if you are indeed an INTJ:
1. Are airport security lines your most teeth gnashing scene of frustration, due to the
mindless incompetence and inefficiency?
394.
2. Do you find strangers coming up to you in train stations and other public places to help
them solve their bollixed up predicaments?
395.
3. Is your laughter delayed about 1-2 seconds from the crowd, while the joke meanders
through an additional 10 miles of neurons?
396.
4. When on vacation do you find yourself pondering various contingency plans, such as ways
to "split the passports and wallets in multiple hiding places", in the event of remote yet possible
muggings? Do you think the GPS navigational devices to be THE greatest invention ever?
397.
5. Do your closest friends sometimes look at you like you've seen them naked, just because
you have voiced some insight into their minds and motivations? Have you learned to keep these
observations to yourself so you don't scare people off?
398.
399.
If you answered "Yes!" then you too are an INTJ.
Take hope, I have been highly successful, particularly in work (investment banker).
400.
But I would advise that you do need to get enough education and to find an analytical field
where you are appreciated. Otherwise you could be characterized as a "loose canon" or "voice in the
wilderness".
401.
Also, do take the time to convince yourself of the importance of good grooming and social
skills. An INTJ can do anything once convinced of its expediency--and there is good reason to "play the
game": You get to make sure things are done the "right" way! What INTJ joy!
402.
I have also been lucky enough to have several very great long lasting friendships, much
deeper than most people. (I will always value a single deep friendship to broad popularity.)
403.
It shocks me to reach middle age and find that I am recognized as a leader, respected, and a
role model for younger women. Also I have also managed to achieve a fair bit of popularity (at least for
me) but no Homecoming Queen by any means. But mostly through being steadfast, honest and having
a good sense of humor.
404.
So my point is: INTJ's aren't oddballs. In love, well, in love I am truly humbled. I am in some
ways a complete incompetent in love. And the emotional incompetence is particularly shocking
compared to my intellectual competence I think. I do have great love, loyalty and insight--but I simply
canNOT understand flirting, the "chase", love power struggles, etc. Its a foreign language for me, I am
at sea. I find myself studying movies to observe flirting behavior--as if I was an alien species watching
a documentary!!! But, in spite of this handicap, my loves are great, deep and very intense. Sort of
esoteric too--but remember what the sexiest organ of the body is...
405.
My divorce nearly killed me, and virtually no one had the insight to even recognize it. My exhusband realized my complete vulnerability in the area of emotions and took cruel pleasure in
annihilating me there. I was totally defenseless. Even my parents have never grasped this....they
mistook my silence for strength.
406.
407.
408.
409.
410.
-- FB, age 45
6.28.2005 gosh, reading this is sort of like a personal epiphany. i always thought i was
something of a pariah, not in the bad or egotistic sense but simply as someone who was 'detached' and
slightly skewed from the plane of reality. i read up on a few intj descriptions and i think i now know
why.
411.
Not that I want to revel in it; on the contrary it's just good to see so many 'similar' people
discussing their experiences, so similar to mine too. And it sort of helps me come to grips with why I
had so much trouble in the boring classes, why I frequently got into trouble with undedicated if easy
teachers, why I excelled only in the hard and challenging classes.
412.
Not to mention why I'm so steadfast and resolute in my beliefs despite my parents' urgings. I
never thought of myself as stubborn, though I suppose I am 100% stubborn. And there I go again
using 'I' so much: typical of INTJ. Good reading this and it's given me something (else) to think about
before nodding off.
413.
414.
415.
416.
417.
418.
abilities.
P.S. Is it just me or are you/we all unusually articulate :)
okay.computer@gmail.com
5.26.2005 I can identify with a lot of Ayn Rand's ideas as well as Ike's vision and planning
419.
I always felt I was different, but in a good way. I've never really felt that I completely fit in,
but I sort of like it that way. Everytime I think about why it is that I don't exactly fit into some group, I
come back to the idea that there are some aspects of the way other people do things that I don't (and
won't) agree with. As I've gotten older though, I've learned to see the good in everything and see both
sides of a story, even if I don't agree with one (or both) of them. I've always thought of myself as smart
and I'm always getting told that I'm smart. To be honest, I like being smart BUT I don't think I'm really
smarter than anyone else necessarily. My thoughts are just more organized and I spend more time
thinking about things from many different angles, points of view, and in light of many different potential
outcomes. I am really good at making connections between seemingly unconnected things and events.
This is sort of a hobby for me in a way.
420.
421.
422.
-- Dave, age 37
5.26.2005 Well I took the humourous quiz "What evil villian are you" ; and came up with
Hannibal Lecter. The thing is I didn't know I was an INTJ at the time. The irony now is that he has a
INTJ profile, talk about a strange way to confirm my personality type!
423.
424.
425.
426.
5.16.2005 As an INTJ I often felt odd in high school. I have never had more than a few good
friends at one time. Granted, I may know many more people, but I don't consider most my friends...
usually aquaintences. This made me feel bad at times. If I had only considered my point of view i was
perfectly fine. However, I didn't want other people to think I was a nerd.
Most of the friendships I have last MANY years. I am still good friends with my first friend from
elementary school. We have known eachother for 16 years now. The friends I had I really enjoyed
being around. But I now realize many of my friends from high school and below greatly contrasted my
personality. That is okay though.
I have identified with many people on this form. Andy, I especially IDed with you. As we are both
males in our early twenties (presumably in college), there is lots of pressure to find that girl. I have
only had 1 official girl friend - that was in 11th grade. At the time I had thought I loved her, but in the
end she just wasn't my type. I was then sure that there prolly weren't any girls out there for me.
Later in college I found one of the cooles people I have met (a girl too) - an ENTP. We hit it off really
well. I had learned so many things from her. It is a major turn on for someone to send my mind
reeling on some crazy idea. At any rate, I don't think she saw this. Well, she did but at a different time
then i did. But at the same time she found it necessary to date 4 other guys at the same time.
However, I discarded this . Things were always strange though be cause she loved to go out an
socialize, while I could be happy sitting in my room staring at the wall.
To cut this long story down, here is the end. She sends me a letter say ing how much she misses me
(she was counceling at a camp far away). She tells me how she admires some of my favorit
characteristics about myself. I am in awe.
Next, I send her a letter trying to display my own affections for her. I dropped the I love you bomb. I
never hear from her again. I had tried calling her but no answer. We had passed eachother at school,
but we have to ignore eachother now, and I do'nt know why.
So bohoo, whats my point right? Well, I had to tell the story to explain this part of my personality. I
had a really hard time letting go of that "relationship". In fact I still ocassionally write about it in my
journal. I would have preffered her to just call me and cus me out and she's afraid of relationships. Is
that so hard to ask? AT least I would know what was up. However, the way she ended it i have no
knowledge of what the hell I did wrong. I could not stop analyzing the possibilities of what I did wrong.
For me, knowing something is/was wrong and NOT knowing the how to solve it causes much anguish
(on anything, not just relationships). I have lost much sleep because I could not stop persuing some
sort of information.
Sometimes I have rather strange ideas that I feel obligated to carry out.
Someone mentioned enjoying activities that could be dangerous - mosh pits I believe was the specific
example. I have at times wondered how I can go so crazy at concerts when I can be so reserved on
normal occasions. I have crowd surfed and moshed before. I also enjoy rock climbing (which really
isn't dangerous, but it sounds like it is).
Like everyone else here, I HATE small talk with a passion. However, I do participate in this for several
reasons. 1) People wont think I'm wierd. 2) They will be more likely to listen to my ideas later. 3)
networking with people can be beneficial
Contrary to what some people have said I can enjoy being around extroverts. My best friend is an
ENFP. AS I am usually a man of few words, he is able to fill in what might otherwise be awkward
moments. I do'nt see the point of hanging out with someone if there is lots of silence. He is one of the
few people that actually does understand me. We fead off eachothers creative energy. He has made
me a more rounded person. He has helped me learn to watch people, and interpret their emotions.
It seems like I have typed a lot. Maybe this box is just very small. I would say sorry for the long post,
but I read this entire page without thinking twice. If y'all are the same way then the length prolly won't
matter.
The closing note. I have become obsessed with MBTI types. It has been my saving grace for realizing
why people "act so irrationally" sometimes. I have sort of accepted that some people just talk
meaningless drivel whether I like it or not. MBTI has helped clarify who I am, but I try not to let the
MBTI define who I am (subconciously).
I have really enjoyed reading of everyone's though processes. I have always wanted to read the inside
of another INTJs mind. I believe writing allows one to externalize ones internal thoughts - that is the
thoughts we would not speak. That is why I keep a journal - to read my own thought process on a
specific date.
I have a need for extrordinary adventrure to actually taste life.
427.
428.
429.
430.
-- David, age 21 email
5.6.2005 I've only done a few personality tests recently from different websites, and all of
their results concur I'm an INTJ.
431.
Reading descriptions of this type from different sources, I'm even more convinced I'm an
INTJ. It helps me understand why often I seem to be able at being in charge or undertaking any task
better than some people (and this seemingly arrogant statement is just so typical of an INTJ, no?) It's
not like I look down on other people, nor do I like assuming authority (although I'm a very responsible
and reliable person). But so often I seem to be able to remember little details others tend to discard so
easily, hungry for knowledge in topics others see dull or too meaty, and be able to process my thoughts
and ideas into concrete actions with as much rationality and as little emotional interference as possible.
I'm also a very nitpicky person, my office desk is always organized (in my own way), and if someone
messes with the order of things I put on my desk I can get very upset, though it doesn't show and I'd
just put them back where they belong earlier.
432.
When I was in school, I also strived to excel in the subjects I liked and always set high
standard for myself that whenever I told my friends the test score I got was not good enough even if it
was near perfect they'd just thought I tried to show off even though I simply meant I could have done
better.
However, I think my INTJ personality is only a recent phenomenon. I could easily see my childhood self
as some other types that were more emotionally needy and insecure. However as I grew up, I've
learned from different experiences that being emotional is irritating and it interferes with the future
"me" I wanted to become, so I observed other people and learned about their mistakes so that I would
never repeat them, and in the process become less in touch with my emotional side as I believe it is the
impediment to seeing things clearly and objectively.
433.
Hence I'm very detached when giving any opinions concerning concepts that I should have
related myself to including gender equality and such (I'm a self-promoted feminist, but I regard feminist
movements poorly because doing so would just reiterate their inferiority complex by asking for their
rights from the men).
434.
I think my "I don't give a s*** attitude" about other people is the result from my family
upbringing as well as I'm the eldest daughter, and ever since my little sister was born when I was 5
everyone in my family just seemed to act as if I should know how to take care of myself, so I did and
become more internally focused about myself and the goings-on around me.
435.
Gradually other people's comments or advice seem to mean little to nil as long as I can pursue
my goals and feel exhilarated of my own accomplishments. Meaning, I'll use whatever means needed
to archieve my goals even if it means using people. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate their
contributions but since I'm not good at expressing my feelings, they may feel underappreciated or that I
haven't thanked them enough.
436.
This is also why the emotionally needy people would annoy me to no end because I can't
sufficiently respond to their needs, and would not understand why they're so demanding or so easily
upset whereas I'm perfectly fine being on my own and do my own things uninterrupted.
437.
The intuitive ability helps me spot these needy people miles away thus help me dodge them
and seek out the like-minded as soon as I can. It's not the most salubrious trait to general
relationships, but I prefer to have a few friends who can get along with my eccentricities rather than a
large group of people who might be too easily offended by my insensitivity and an obsession to
perfection and intricate ideas about things.
So, well, I've known all along that I'm somewhat "different" from other people and most of them look at
me curiously, but learning about my INTJ personality type (although I still believe there may be other
alternatives to this type of sorter), I'm more relieved now that I'm not the only one who's like this, and
even though other people can't understand my unconventionality, I'm still proud to be who I am and
wouldn't want to be something else more compromising or less rational.
438.
439.
440.
441.
-- Sirin, age 23
5.2.2005 I'm just overwhelmed by the fact that there is finally a explaination of why I feel so
different. I just thought I was going crazy!!
442.
I knew I was "smart" or thought on a different level than most people. it drives me nuts that I
dont think on the same level. Also the fact my friends say wow my head hurts you think too much or I
tend to get irritated when people have endless banter about nothing, if you have something to say, say
it. loud noises or talking will easliy break my concentration and I feel like i cant get anything done. my
family picked up a strange notion that i was smart so they assumed me as the family "fixer",
the"problem slover", which I had no problem but got irritated by being surrounded by idiots who didnt
even seem to try or it looked that way,because it was so easy for me.and i would try to explain things
to them that it was really easy and they looked at me as if i was from mars. when i took this test it
explained alot how i constantly dig and dig especially in the human mind. I thought that was
facsitnating.
443.
my question is do i have the wrong job? im a nurse.everyday im irritated with people's
constant small talk and complaining of being sick and the office staff and thier incompetence even the
doctor i work for.but i love the medical field but face it being a nurse is just a fancy maid?????i would
like to go back to school but i always seem lost??
-- Daphne, age 25
444.
445.
446.
447.
4.30.2005 Be who you are. Do not suffer fools lightly. Disregard the envies and jealousies of
other people, and trust in your ability to attract those who enjoy the intensities that you as an INTJ
offer. I have tried making compromises of self for the sake of others, and I find it disappointing. The
key, for me, is simply to trust in the Great Order of Things. The world does not understand us well, yet
it often looks to us for leadership and solutions. The nigtingale sings because it must....
448.
-- Michael, age 42
449.
450.
451.
4.25.2005 I agree with just about everybody.
Like most INTJ's, I have known for a long time that I am different. I have taken the INTJ test a few
times throughout college and I am definitely INTJ. I don't know that I have learned to cope. One saying
that I like is "take care of the people that take care of you." This leads me to do things like have dinner
with people and send thank-you notes when I normally wouldn't. But these are social niceties that most
people expect. At the same time, it feels like I use people sometimes.
452.
Relationships are hard. I feel a little down because I am 22 and have only had two serious
girlfriends. I am in college and would really like to date more to learn what is out there, but it's just
hard for all of the INTJ reasons. I'm trying to get more comfortable in the gray zone when we are
spending a lot of time together and calling each other but we're not dating yet. I tend to skip all of the
flirtation stuff and go straight for "dating." I'm getting better. This comes with being an
INTJ...
453.
454.
455.
456.
457.
-- Andy, age 22
4.23.2005 I recommend studying C. G. Jung personality theory, which is the basis for the
MBTI work. Although I believe we (INTJs) are extremely intelligent species, our strongest trait is the
"N." This is our intuitive insight into the unconscious realm of life. I recommend studying those
personalities in history that you most identify with, as it will describe the extent of your potential.
458.
I truly believe that every INTJ out there is destined for greatness, so DON'T sell yourself short,
and don't compromise and settle to a life of internal existence. I have to stop myself at this point, or I'll
seem too idealistic and. oh well, an INTJ.
459.
460.
461.
462.
463.
-- Please call me Ishmael
4.22.2005 I identify with Thomas Jefferson's ingenuity and intellect. Along with Ben Franklin,
he was one of America's early and great original thinkers. What an inspiration to us all.
I also identify with Ayn Rand -- The Fountainhead is one of my ten favorite novels -- although I do not
respect Rand's notorious manipulation of her partner and others who were instrumental in her rise to
renown.
Appreciation, gratitude, and humility are important qualities to cultivate, even for the most capable and
invnovative INTJ.
The first time I took the Keirsey sorter (which, according to one source I read, is only 60% accurate), I
tested as INFJ. That made a lot of sense to me, since it was reflective of my childhood, but I had felt a
lot of resistance as I answered many of the questions with an "F" preference. I finally realized that I'd
been humoring people all my life, on THEIR terms, in order to fit in, and was actually quite resentful for
it.
Teachers, bosses, and my dad always criticized me for my tendency to daydream and drift off in my
thoughts. Even when I got solid A's on my report cards, and worked harder than anyone in my
department (hating to waste time with co-workers on idle chitchat), I still took heat from authority
figures for being a"pace cadette."
464.
Once I owned up to the truth -- that I do see life in more objective terms, and that each of us
creates his own reality, and therefore (including me) their own problems, making the transition from Tmasquerading-as-F to straight-ahead T (i.e., no longer in denial of my true nature) was fairly easy. I
think it surprised a few of my friends, but they adjusted.
I like being first with the answer. I like being smart. I like being correct. I like planning ahead, and
thinking things through before opening my mouth.
Daydreaming is important, particularly for a writer. It just feels right for me. It has never failed me. It
took me four decades, but i've finally become the kid I always wanted to be. Stick to your dreams and
never give up hope.
465.
466.
467.
468.
469.
-- Bill Brent, age 44, website, email
4.22.2005 I can identify with Ayn Rand. I like her philosophy although it is diametrically
opposite of what I believe in. She thinks out of the box and that is why I can relate to her.
Some tests measure me as INTP, but most tests score me as INTJ.
Since the first time I took a Miggs-Bryer test, I always thought I was INTJ until I read an article saying
that I could have been mistakenly sorted as INTJ when I am really INTP. I hurriedly looked at the INTP
profile, and I knew then that I am not one of them.
Here's part of my story. People always think that I am smart. I could not blame them, I like
knowledge, I like to understand. A friend even said that I was too deep, that she was barely even
scratching the surface of who I am. She said that people who try to understand me, suddenly
encounter another layer.
I also like to take charge of situations. It usually happens when nobody wants to take charge or
someone incompetent is taking charge. I do the "mutiny" subtly, almost like they never notice it until it
hits those concerned. I do this so that people may not think that I am being pretentious. However if
someone competent is in charge, I do my best to support him.
I also engage in small talk. I noticed that in order to remove being alienated in a group, I must make
the initiative. It still surprises me that most people are receptive to small talk.
I also have a lot of friends. Usually, it is I who took the first step in trying to know them. To do this, I
drop off what other people see as arrogance and smugness. In other situations, I show myself as smug
and arrogant, just to show the world that they cannot control me.
I also like to see patterns, connections, and contexts when reading or watching movies. I get a kick
out of getting the "hidden meaning".
I do most of my thinking on the bed. I pretend I'm asleep but, I just don't want to be disturbed. When
I read books, I get irritated when someone tries to take my concentration away. I give nonverbal clues
that I don't want to be disturbed, hoping people will take the hint. When they don't, I tell them directly.
I used to say, "SHOO" quite loudly when someone is distracting me. Now, I say it politely or try really
hard to ignore him.
I also have the habit of not admiting to mistakes or saying that my mistakes were perfect. I know
people are annoyed with this. People have been saying or showing this side of me ever since I could
remember.
470.
471.
472.
473.
474.
-- Jordan, age 20
4.21.2005 Just took the Myers-Briggs yesterday for something work-related and the world
now makes sense!Working in healthcare, you would think I would have taken this test earlier.
475.
Why in the world at age 17 was my senior project on Ayn Rand?! I was fascinated by her
writing albeit somewhat different from my own perspectives on the world. Small talk? What? Can't do it
for the life of me. People forever has viewed me as aloof and somewhat snobbish - there's that small
talk problem rearing it's ugly head. No one's understood why it doesn't matter if your the CEO or
someone from Environmental Services - it's all the same as far as I'm concerned. Can't stand senseless
mistakes - use your Spell Check for Pete's sake!
Being an INTJ has singled me out as "different" throughout my life. Too bad. Different is wonderful and
I wouldn't have it any other way. I must admit though, it is uncomfortable to be thought of as snotty,
arrogant, or too smart. I really wish they knew better : )
476.
It's been a struggle learning to deal with the real world, but it works and makes me have to
strive to make sense out of all of the nonsense even more!
477.
-- Donna, age 40
478.
479.
480.
4.20.2005 I identify with Ayn Rand because she realized how impractical and unworkable
communism is and that's the crux of being an intj. I find it hard to believe that Thomas Jefferson was
an intj.
481.
My mother was an extrovert and my father an introvert. I always felt she was unhappy with
both of us. I did not have a happy childhood as a result. I always felt something was wrong with me.
I was constantly surprised with other people's impressions of me that was I was stern and unfeeling. I
never saw myself in that light because I'm certainly not unfeeling - I just don't express it outwardly.
My achilles heel has always been an overly blunt communication style when I'm feeling comfortable
and simply saying nothing when I don't feel comfortable. I've had to work at seeing another person's
point of view before I open my mouth. And I often fail in stressful situations.
482.
People who pursue ideas which will not work annoy me to no end. I also have a hard time
with people who do things because we've always done them this way - even if they don't make sense
any longer.
I'm at peace now with who I am and have begun to develop strategies to compensate for my
personality traits which can harm others if not unchecked.
I recently had a fallout with an INFJ friend who was constantly trying to "counsel" me. I hated it
although I enjoyed her ideas. She hated the thought that I wouldn't adopt them.
My husband is an ISTJ and it took a lot of work for us to understand each other. He gives me my space
and doesn't say a word when a dozen books arrive from Amazon.com on the subject of my current
interest. Sometimes, I have a hard time trying to make him "see" beyond his personal experience, but
it has often turned out to be a benefit to me to have to clarify my thoughts and sell him an idea. Once I
build a system, he is a tireless implementer so it actually works out very well.
Above all, he respects my privacy and doesn't try to push me into something I do not feel comfortable
with.
I also have a mental line with people and once they cross it, there is no turning back. It bothers me
that I am so rigid in that regard.
I like being myself at this stage in my life even though the journey has been long and and often rocky.
I think I understand myself now and isn't that the ultimate satsifaction?
483.
484.
485.
486.
4.4.2005 Ceaser, Hannibal, Newton, The bringers of new orders!
Truely people i can relate to and greatly respect, The need to take into considiration is something
apparent in all of these men, else all of the great feats would be more or less impossible! and that is
how i relate to them...
Being an Intj is a bliss! Specialy since my career in the army is all about moving people and thinking
things out, it's all about merely taking into considiration what thing to say to what type so that each
certain person produces the wanted action...
I love being a stratigist and an INTJ! it gives me great solace to know that not only am i diffrent, but
that i am feared, that all those like me are feared.
but it also makes me sad that almost no one will ever understand our excellence!
As a great man once said:
Like the moon over
the day,
my genius and brawn
are lost on these fools. ~haiku (Bowser)
-- Aziz
487.
488.
489.
3.17.2005 I have taken the test several times over the course of 30 years and I always test
out as either an INTJ or an INFJ depending upon what serious events are going on in my life at the
time. When I was first told I was an INTJ, the counselor looked at me and said that I had the empathy
level of a serial killer (because I was an INTJ!!). What kind of a career counseling session is that????
And what personality type would say such a thing???? Surprising, too, since I wanted to be a social
worker at the time. I'm glad I didn't pursue an MSW because I don't have any patience for other
people's whining about problems that they probably caused themselves; yet if someone has a real
problem in their life (death, disease, divorce) and they need someone to do some legal or medical
literature research for them or get info on an incurable disease, or research the politics behind
decisions, I'm your girl. I have a strong vengeful streak and I pour myself into a project to seek justice
for myself or my friends I love to organize stuff, people, policies, procedures, stockrooms, technology,
you name it. I want order from chaos.
490.
As for my own career, I have been kept at an entry level positionat my job (for 20 years) even
though I have more education and letters after my name than anyone else in the department. Without
permission from authorities at my workplace, I took over a project that other people screwed up,
streamlined it and got someone fired who sorely needed to be fired. However, I was seen as a
"loose cannon" who "knew too much". Can I help it if everyone around me is incompetent?
This made me realize that my "take charge" attitude threatens people around me and I have to just
swallow the BS and pretend that mediocrity is a great standard to live and work by. That's tough for
me. I've been trying to find a way to become self-employed ever since. If hating your job was a
marketable skill, I'd be filthy stinking rich. In the meantime, I take solace in the fact that I'm in that
1% of people that everyone else is afraid of because we see right through everyone else's garbage. I
have a tough time listening to other people boast about themselves and gossip about each other. I
spend most of my time thinking of better ways of doing simple things. Otherwise focusing on how unfair
worklife can be becomes too much like solitary confinement. For a laugh on the subject of being
smarter than your bosses and co-workers, visit www.despair.com If there was ever a website devoted
to INTJ people, it's that one. I bet the guy who runs it is an INTJ.
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3.13.2005 I am not sure who I can identify with, but I have enjoyed the Ayn Rand that I have
read. I took the Myers-Briggs typology test about six months ago from a book because my friend asked
me to. He was an INTJ as well. I have only met three other ones, and I only really cathesize with one.
I find that it's incredibly annoying when someone claims to ''understand'' you. My mother once told me
that she had me completely figured out. That bothers me. She hasn't got a clue, really, but we do get
along excellently. She has mentioned that I'm apparently arrogant, but that is never my intent, and I
am not boastful or outrightly rude. Apparently it's got something to do with ''tone.'' Hmm. Something to
ponder.
495.
Anyways, I find that it's best to try to blend in with everyone else when you're an INTJ. My
friends tested themselves on the internet, and my two best friends are ESFP's. Good God. It can be
annoying, especially when they think there's something wrong just because I'm reading a book and not
talking to anyone. Honestly, what's wrong with not talking? Hehehe.
It's much easier to be yourself when you have people like you around, so I do spend time with the INTJ
that I do know, and I do enjoy that time. It is a beacon of reason in my otherwise chaotic existence...
Thank you for your time.
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-- Anna, age 15
2.24.2005 I first knew that I was an INTJ my senior year in high school when I was visiting a
career counselor and took the full Myers-Briggs. I didn't really realize then how unusual the type was,
but the description fit me perfectly, and I've taken the test several times since then and come up as
INTJ. Like other contributors here, I have constantly been viewed as aloof and snobbish, although as I
have become aware of this I have made efforts to become more relaxed in my facial features and to
smile more often. I also find small talk difficult. To be honest I don't care about the minute details of
someone's life, such as how their day was, etc., but I think I am much more genuinely interested in
their well being than other people who are talented at small talk. It usually takes a while for others to
realize this. In fact, I think that INTJ's are much more caring about people's real issues, in spite of the
apperance otherwise. We just like to cut to the chase!
I also tend to avoid social group settings, as they are tiresome to me and I just honestly don't see the
point. I also very much relate to the idea of not respecting anyone or their ideas based solely on their
status as someone "important". I'm pretty unimpressed with awards and degrees unless
the person's ideas are sound.
My advice to other INTJ's is to realize that most people need the "niceties" of small talk, and
that the few minutes you spend engaging in them, although forced for you, will make the other person
more comfortable and benefit you in the long run in a work or school setting. Hopefully you, like
myself, enjoy the fact that INTJ's are such a small percent of the population-I for one like being
different!
-- Jacqueline, age 31
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2.08.2005 I'd say of the people above, I can most identify with Isaac Newton -- which is
probably due to my love of science.
When i first took the MBTI, I got INFJ, actually. But I took it again later, and all subsequent times I've
been INTJ. My "T" and "F" are fairly balanced, but I lean towards T, and have a few F characteristics.
Before I even knew my personality type, I never thought that something was wrong with me, and I
should be like all the extroverts -- I loved being my unique self. but still, it has helped me feel better to
understand how I differ from my extrovert friends, and to know that it's just 'the way I am' instead of it
being a behavioral problem that needs counseling, or something.
I tend to be very analytical, and when people have crises, I always look at solutions to the problem -simply offering sympathy never occurs to me, as it doesn't really happen naturally for me. This has
caused problems in my relationships with people who are way more "F" than I am. A lot of the time, I
tend to be very detached -- but I've found that that's not entirely a bad thing.
I've recently tried to break into a hobby/profession that I thought I would love, only to realize that it's
definately not my forte -- Being a yoga instructor. I love yoga, but after going to a teacher training
workshop, and actually practicing teaching to a bunch of people, I've realized how much it doesn't mesh
with my personality. I thought I just needed to break out of my shell, and forget my nervousness - but
no. I think that teaching yoga is first of all a very 'E' thing, and second of all, a very 'F' thing. It just
doesn't come naturally, and feels so forced. So I think I'm going to look to my love of environmental
science as my ideal INTJ career.
I find that I get along well with other NTs - My boyfriend is an INTP, and we understand eachother so
well. Our ESFP & ENFJ friends don't understand our relationship at all. They think we don't have any
feeling in our relationship because we don't overtly display it, and that we're crazy because they like to
go out and be social all the time, and our idea of a good time is staying home playing networked
computer games with eachother. :)
Well, to each his own, I suppose.
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- Nicole Evans, age 18
2.08.2005 The one person I identify with is Sir Isaac Newton. I'm very logically and
scientifically oriented and love inventing or creating new ways of doing things more efficiently, or that
contribute to advancing society.
I didn't know I was an INTJ until last year when my boss told me I was different than everyone else he
had met. He has spent considerable effort trying to"understand" me and why I am different than his
other team members. This has caused me to assess myself and with the Brigg-Myers test determine
that I am definitely and INTJ.
I'm excited to be part of this small percentage of the world's population that are considered
masterminds. I am very introspective, analytical and love to spend time just doing nothing else but
"think". I'm not fond of anyone interrupting me when I'm concentrating ... and consider it rude (while
this may mistakenly be considered a non-team player). Being misunderstood in these types of
situations is the downside to being an INTJ but I'm learning to make others feel more comfortable by
engaging in small talk and interpersonal interactions to encourage them to feel better around an INTJ.
The best part about being an INTJ is that it really helps me in my Career as a Systems Analyst/Lead
and my personal finances. I can deliver information systems projects so easily because I can intuitively
fit the pieces, recources, timeline, etc. together to implement new information systems. People often
say that I appear to do things so incredibly easily ... because I think it through first, have a plan of
action and then execute it. It's like solving a puzzle and fun for me (and I get paid)!
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-- Amina, age 36
2.08.2005 Rand - I was fascinated by the protagonist in The Fountainhead (Howard Roark).
While I am not a devotee of Objectivism, I think it's clear that it came from an INTJ mind.
I identify with the other posters who describe the difficulties in personal relationships. I think I alienate
people, but I don't know exactly how it happens. I do have to force myself to engage in small talk and
banter at work and elsewhere, wich I also regard as a waste of time. Despite all of that, I am in a longterm relationship with an extrovert. His need to be around people drives me nuts, and I think my
isolation bothers him, so we don't socialize together, and the relationship works much better that way.
Understanding our differences has really helped in that regard.
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-- Aonymous female, age 30
1.21.2005 Just a few months ago I took the test and found out what I was. When I fist read
the description, I identified it as myself, but I didn't like what I read and became very downtrodden.
So, I ignored it for a while, but gradually saw that in fact I couldn't escape my INTJ nature. I began to
read about it online.
I've found it very difficult to deal with people in new situations. In my time in high school so far, it
depresses me that people find me so stern and unfeeling, and choose not to be my friend. But, I try
not to dwell on these things much because I understand that everyone is different and that I am a very
complex person. Once I read that INTJs were aloof, and since I like this word it made me feel better
about who I am.
I try not to critisize people in my mind even, but just to open up my mind to everything so the world
doesn't seem so against me. Also, I have a very good friend and some other friends which are mostly
extroverts. These people help me to find a group of people that they find interesting, and thus I feel
more at ease when around people.
My dad is an INTJ. It works out well to have him as a role model that I can relate to. We don't say
much, but when we do we get along brilliantly.
I find it frusterating when people think that I'm a smart, snotty person. Although I am smart, people
think that I want to hold that above them, which isn't the case at all. I just wish that I didn't interact
with them in a learning environment.
That's my shpeel, and I think INTJs just have to learn not critisize so much, but just to let things go as
they are. We have to try to be as friendly as possible to everybody, even if they annoy us, and soon it'll
become second nature to communicating well. Man, that felt good. :-D
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Anonymous, age 14
1.21.2005 Nate! Exactly! I am always creating and thinking up new ideas for stories and
songs and in order to do it completely, I often "stare off into space" and like Nate, I get those annoying
interruptions from people who usually have nothing useful to say!
522.
I love being associated with INTJ! But it has caused me some problems. I don't let people
dictate to me what I should and should not do-if I want to daydream, I do it. So unfortunately I haven't
learned to cope with the intrusions from the outside world; I simply tell people how I feel and if they
don't like it, well that's really their problem, now isn't it?
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Shaye, age 33
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Judging by the number of answers, we really are rare. I have never met any other INTJ.
1.11.2005 I have not yet read any of her works, but - as a libertarian - I suppose I would
relate to Ayn Rand. And on some other page Hannibal Lecter is listed as INTJ, and he does feel close;;-)
As for life as an INTJ... It can be a lot of fun when you get to do the things that we are "suited" for, and
interact with people who make some effort to understand you. And really painful when e.g. your loved
one tells you that she does not think you have any feelings at all and dumps you when your relationship
have not really started, and you simply cannot stop loving her, because you just *know* that you would
make a perfect couple and she is simply mistaken. Or when you hear you boss saying that you are a
"black box" to everyone else, and people - even the ones that you like and try to be a friend to - seem
to be avoiding contacts with you. And frustrating, when you see your friends not doing what you
consider to be right for them.
So far I have found three "coping" methods:
1) attending meetings of associations etc. and making as many contacts as possible
2) engaging in smalltalk at work (even though it objectively is a waste of time ;-)
3) starting conversations with strangers, e.g. on a plane
I also feel compelled to engage in potentially dangerous activities, like moshing at metal shows, or
going to San Fermin and Gotmar Mela. These might not be the best solutions, but I believe it is how my
personality tries to reduce the level of stress.
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Pawel Kranzberg age 27 website
1.06.2004 Rand's rogue individualist characters struck a cord with me.
I have noted that my few male friends tend to be intj's or intp's.
I tend to not enjoy the company of extroverts. Banter is extremely tiresome and very boring.
When i am focusing I go into a trance state, such that I literally can't hear when people talk to me, and
I get accused of "ignoring" someone. I decided to end this problem telling people not to interupting me
when i am staring off into space. It is one of my greatest peeves.
I enjoy spending time in nature. I find spending time with animals and observing interactions in the
ecosystem extremely facinating, and that facination puts me in a very relaxed, yet alive state of mind.
Any introvert who is struggling with stress may enjoy taking time out just to enjoy the natural balance
of the natural world.
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Nathan, age 28
11.06.2004 Barry Lanyon: I relate to A. Rand. I disagree with her philosophy, but I can see
myself reflected in her antipodal, antagonistic writing style--though couched in terms of abstraction, it
is a pointed argument for/from her view, not just something to consider. The fact that she goes against
the accepted norms of her times, and crafts something new from her own forge is all too reminiscent of
my own musings, or at least some of them.
Life as an INTJ is pretty much like regular life for any extrovert, only much more intricate, ineffable, and
onerous. Intricate, because life does not only consist of doings, but of beings. Ineffable, because life is
not something one can define; i.e., what is spirit or love, and why do those words differ in their
definition from person to person? Life is onerous because it is intricate and ineffable; ergo, for someone
like me, someone who likes to have things defined, making a system into which the stuff of life may
exist in harmony proves a daunting task, since life has a great many black holes of convoluted,
ethereal, information/experiences. Granted, I find the black holes the most interesting, so I'd be
disapointed if they weren't there.
Contradictory? Yes, probably, but that's life for an INTJ. ;-
What makes an INTJ tick?
The Dominant function is the perceptive one of iNtuition. Characteristics associated with this
function include:
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Likes looking at information from a global viewpoint, spotting patterns and relationships, that
lead to an understanding of the key issues
Focuses more on possibilities for the future than the here-and-now
Enjoys change, challenge, and variety
The perceptive iNtuition function is introverted. That is, iNtuition is used primarily to govern the
inner world of thoughts and emotions. The INTJ will therefore:
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Seek to develop a understanding of how the world can be
Seek to understand the patterns underlying his/her observations
Be strategic in nature, wanting to establish a clear vision towards which the INTJ is working
Not involve others in the development of that vision
The iNtuition function is primarily supported by extraverted Thinking judgement. That is,
Thinking judgement is used primarily to manage the outer world of actions and words. This will
modify the way that the iNtuition is directed, by:
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focusing the (inner world) iNtuition on ideas and possibilities that relate to systems and
concepts
inwardly maintaining a long term vision. Rather than communicating this vision directly, it may
tend to surface in the form of criticism of ideas and situations that do not conform.
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applying logical analysis to perceived patterns and possibilities, enabling the INTJ to quickly see
the underlying principles in a situation
The classic temperament of an INTJ is Promethean, or Phlegmatic, for whom a basic driving
force is the search for competence or excellence.
Contributions to the team of an INTJ
In a team environment, the INTJ can contribute by:
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challenging the status quo
leading the team to a greater understanding of the concepts and principles involved
finding ways to overcome apparently insurmountable difficulties
developing and maintaining a sense of direction in the team's work
observing and understanding the way the organisation works, and leading the team to take
appropriate action
producing work to a high level of quality
ensuring that ideas and vision are translated into action
The potential ways in which an INTJ can irritate others include:
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being single-minded or stubborn
not taking sufficient account of current realities
not expressing appreciation for the contributions of others, particularly where it hasn't been
fully competent
not delegating
making errors of fact, and appearing to make decisions irrespective of the facts
Personal Growth
As with all types, the INTJ can achieve personal growth by developing all functions that are not fully
developed, through actions such as:
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articulating the INTJ's vision, and allowing others to contribute to its development
expressing appreciation for work done, even when it falls short of the INTJ's personal standards
investigating the facts, and documenting them, before interpreting what they mean
taking time to consider the impact of the INTJ's approach and ideas on people's feelings
looking for and acknowledging positive contributions and areas of agreement, rather than just
seeing flaws and areas of disagreement
Recognising Stress
As stress increases, 'learned behaviour' tends to give way to the natural style, so the INTJ will
behave more according to type when under greater stress. For example, in a crisis, the INTJ
might:
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retire to a private place and think through a problem until the INTJ has formulated a complete
plan for solving it
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try to maintain a high degree of quality in the solution
criticise others' ideas, particularly if they involve compromising quality
make errors of fact, or pursue ideas that are unrealistic
Under extreme stress, fatigue or illness, the INTJ's shadow may appear - a negative form of
ESFP. Example characteristics are:
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doing things to excess - e.g.: eating, drinking or exercising
acting very impulsively, perhaps starting off more projects than the INTJ could hope to
accomplish
expressing emotions in an intensive and uncontrolled way
being very sensitive to criticism
asking for lots of information that is irrelevant
The shadow is part of the unconscious that is often visible to others, onto whom the shadow is
projected. The INTJ may therefore readily see these faults in others without recognising it in
him/her self.