INFJ: The Counselor

INFJs make up 1.5% of the US population.

INFJs are creative nurturers with a strong sense of personal integrity and a drive to help others realize their potential.  Creative and dedicated, INFJs have a talent for helping others with original solutions to their personal challenges. INFJs are guided by firm principles and closely held values, and often have a vision of a happier and more ideal future. However, they are not content to just have ideas; they are motivated and persistent in making their vision into reality. INFJs want a meaningful life and deep connections with other people. They do not tend to share themselves freely but appreciate emotional intimacy with a select, committed few. Although their rich inner life can sometimes make them seem mysterious or private to others, they enjoy making authentic connections with people they trust. The INFJ has a unique ability to intuit others’ emotions and motivations, and will often know how someone else is feeling before that person knows it himself. INFJs trust their insights about others and have strong faith in their ability to read people.

Popular hobbies for the INFJ include writing, art appreciation, cultural events, reading, socializing in small, intimate settings, and playing or listening to music.

At work, the INFJ is focused on the task of bettering the human condition. INFJs are dedicated, helpful, and principled workers who can be relied on to envision, plan, and carry out complex projects for humanitarian causes. INFJs gain the most satisfaction from their work when they can turn their vision into reality, creating constructive change for other people. The ideal work environment for an INFJ is harmonious, industrious, and oriented to a humanitarian mission, with co-workers who are similarly committed to positive change. The ideal job for an INFJ allows them to use their creativity in an independent, organized environment to develop and implement a vision that is consistent with their personal values.

In leadership positions, INFJs motivate others by sharing a positive vision. INFJ leaders are often quiet and unassuming, but win others’ dedication through their own hard work, strong principles, and inspiring ideas.  INFJ leaders are at their best when guiding a team to commit to a common vision, and when creating organizational goals to benefit people. They are insightful and creative, and bring a sense of confidence and commitment to projects that they believe in. Because INFJ leaders are often motivated by personal values, they do best in organizations with a mission consistent with these values. Their challenge is to keep their ideas and initiatives realistic, and to consider practicalities as they plan for change.

Popular careers for an INFJ include:

career counselor psychologist teacher, humanities librarian special education teacher social worker public health educator documentary filmmaker

religious worker clergy playwright poet interior designer desktop publisher legal mediator chiropractor

occupational therapist nutritionist alternative medicine practitioner human resources manager corporate trainer fundraising director organizational development consultant

In relationships, the INFJ is supportive and guided by a sense of integrity.  The INFJ’s interest in human development applies to their mates as well, and they are encouraging of their partners’ dreams, aspirations, and achievements.  INFJs want to maintain harmony in their relationships and are extremely motivated to resolve conflicts; however, when it comes to their core values and ethics, they are unwilling to compromise. INFJs want a high degree of intimacy and emotional engagement, and are happiest when they feel they and their mates are sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings. INFJs value a partner who respects their deeply held morals and values, and one who appreciates their creativity and inspiration.

Good matches for an INFJ include other Intuitive Feeling types (ENFP, INFP, ENFJ, INFJ). Intuitive Feelers paired with each other have one of the highest couple satisfaction rates of all possible combinations.

As parents, INFJs are devoted and loving. They tend to form strong bonds with their children and are very closely tuned in to their emotional states. Although they support their children in their individual interests, INFJ parents are firm disciplinarians, particularly when it comes to moral or ethical concerns. They are concerned with their children’s emotional health and spiritual development, and want to create a nurturing atmosphere that promotes growth and well-being. 

Famous INFJs include Mohandas Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Emily Bronte, Carl Jung, Fyodor Dostoevsky,  Florence Nightingale, Shirley MacLaine, and Jimmy Carter.

Interesting facts about the INFJ:

• Least common type in the population
• On personality trait scales, scored as Sincere, Sympathetic, Unassuming, Submissive, Easygoing, Reserved and Patient
• Among highest of all types in college GPA
• Among most likely to stay in college
• Most likely of all types to cope with stress by seeing a therapist
• Highest of all types in marital dissatisfaction
• Personal values include Spirituality, Learning, and Community Service
• Commonly found in careers in religion, counseling, teaching, and the arts

 

Sources:
MBTI Manual, Third Edition, Briggs Myers et. al.
Introduction to Type and Careers, Hammer
Just Your Type, Tieger and Barron-Tieger
Please Understand Me II, David Keirsey
Do What You Are, Tieger and Barron-Tieger
Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types in Organizations, Berens et. al.

©2007 by Molly Owens.