INTP

Extraverted when it comes to energy. You tend to get energized and so spend your energy outside by engaging with others and with experiences (rather than primarily in inner reflection). E’s tend to “think out loud” and bring energy to groups and get energized by working in groups.

Introverted when it comes to energy. You tend to get energized and so spend your energy inside, thinking, feeling, reflecting (rather than in a predominantly outgoing way). I’s think and feel inside before they react outside.

Sensing in perception Sensates tend to focus on experience and practicality. They are less interested in big patterns or possibilities or theories than in seeing (and using their other senses to understand) realities as they are. They tend to work step-by-step and trust rules and experience in getting things done (rather than theories or dreams).

iNtuitive in perception. You tend to see with a sixth sense, not focusing on specific details and step-by-step processes, but instead seeing patterns and possibilities almost before you see realities. iNtuitives tend to be future-oriented rather than present-oriented, and pattern-seeing rather than detail-seeing.

Thinking dictates how you prefer to make decisions, large and small. Your natural preference is to be impartial, analytical, detached and logical. You have plenty of feelings but when it comes to deciding you’d prefer that people do what makes rational sense (and not let too many feelings and personalities get in the way).

Feeling dictates how you prefer to make decisions. Your natural preference is to assess situations and potential actions according to what creates harmony and good feeling in others (and yourself), rather than what appears to be the most objective, rational and efficient way.

Judging means that you prefer to make decisions and move and organize things and events, rather than sitting back and observing and wondering and analyzing and re-analyzing. You likely feel a continual desire to complete, get things done, and get to solutions.

Perceiving describes the orientation of people whose natural tendency is to “go with” things, inclined to be flexible and adaptable and see new ways of approaching things; they keep their options open and work well under pressure. Their opposite, the Judgers, by contrast are “in it to fix it,” driven to order, plan, organize and finish.

There are 4 temperaments, a short-hand of styles that come from two functions. Your “temperament” is that of a “rational,” a product of the combination of your NT (iNtuitive Thinking). Rationals are often considered as the problem solving temperament. You pride yourself on being intelligent, independent and capable. Specifically, the INTJ is often called a ‘mastermind’. You are naturally capable of understanding and anticipating complex systems, often before others realize what is going on. You have a plan for every scenario and are able to move between them logically and efficiently.

At work INTPs are sources of ideas and inspiration who often work most effectively on their own. They are generally creative and given both to high energy and to occasional bursts of fun. All life—including work—is an intellectual challenge to the INTP. One great strength of the INTP is their ability to think independently in a way that is impressively and astoundingly creative. They are constantly challenging, thinking, evoking, the latest and greatest in innovative, groundbreaking ideas. When it comes to leading others, your natural style will tend to be highly variable. You likely will create a structure to use while leading, but you will constantly seek to improve and alter it as you see fit, and as you continue to learn. You will find yourself seeking more information and this will begin to influence last-minute changes to all of your plans. In turn, you appear flexible, quick to respond, and approachable to listening and implementing others’ ideas, if they are well thought out and on par with your level of intellectual expertise. With these attributes, your greatest potential strength is encouraging innovation among your team as your nature allows individuals to willingly share new thoughts and ideas because they know their input (as long as it is intelligent) is valued. INTP’s are often written of as the genius type. This is backed up by research that shows a very strong correlation between the INTP and high standardized test scores. It makes sense. They can think on their own, see big picture concepts, approach them very rationally, and they constantly thrive to make ideas better. So, they are “architects” (in Keirsey’s schema) whose great minds may build things or theories. They are the consummate strategists, able to patiently think through solutions that can endure.

All types have certain hurdles and challenges that may prevent them from leading with their best. As an INTP, the first challenge you may encounter flows from your Introversion; INTP’s tend to work out their theories and strategies inside their own heads, leaving others guessing about their reactions. For example, their best work can come after a meeting in which important things have been discussed; they will mull things in the car, shower, at the gym, continually wrestling to understand the overarching and underlying theories. This can combine with their characteristic intellectual restlessness, which motivates them to constantly seek a better system, always discovering and adapting their theories. Colleagues may thus think they understand your strategy, only to be confused when you come back later with a wholly different (and you are sure, better) strategy or understanding. You may pose quite a challenge at times for (a) those who love the extraversion of ideas, (b) those who love practical rather than theoretical efforts and/or (c) those who love making decisions and moving on. It’s also essential to remember that Feelers (about 60% of the population and an even larger population of women) may not appreciate your “cutting mind,” but instead take personally your sharp logical thoughts.

To form a well-rounded team, it will be to your benefit to work with those opposite aspects of your type. As an INTP, you can take advantage of the detailed type of an SJ to help you keep track of the minute details you may have left behind as you tend to focus on the bigger picture. The SJ balances your theoretical and open nature with an attention to detail and a drive to complete. (Younger INTP’s can become impatient with SJs for seeming like small-minded, rule-obsessed characters, but with age and wisdom an INTP realizes that these opposite inclinations are indispensable to turn the INTP’s grand ideas and strategies into timely, pragmatic and efficient tactics). An ESFJ (or NFJ) will be particularly beneficial to you, due to their strengths in being aware of people’s needs for support and encouragement. Including individuals with these characteristics on your team will help you lead where you are best, while still focusing on other important aspects of your team’s contributions.