INFJ

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Characteristics of an INFJ

(I) Introverted - (N) Intuitive - (F) Feeling - (J) Judging

The INFJ is the rarest of Jungian types and as such is in many ways the most enigmatic, difficult to understand and difficult to know. Conversely this means people can often get the INFJ wrong. Serious minded and caring, values are just so important to the INFJ whose word is not just a bond but tied in with who they are intrinsically as people. Integrity is the watchword and they will be excellent listeners, patient, supportive and with a strong desire to ‘do the right thing.’ Their perception and sense of perspective means that others will ‘open up’ and they will be seen as the catalyst for making things better.

Although quite gentle, softly spoken and preferring to be out of the limelight, the INFJ will work long and hard behind the scenes to maintain harmony but they are also intensely independent - both of thought and spirit - and will be outspoken in their defence of human values, the downtrodden, the oppressed. INFJs often see themselves on a mission, and they take their missions very seriously.

The INFJ is honest and trustworthy, exuding integrity and sensitivity, and have a single-mindedness which will see them plan, organise and work tirelessly to achieve their goals. In this lofty pursuit they may be difficult to deflect from their chosen course of action, not as with the ESTJ from a desire to ‘get it done,’ but from the standpoint of ‘it’ being a worthwhile cause and having been arrived at by tortuous deliberation, therefore it must be right and the INFJ will ALWAYS do what is right.

As their focus is so much on ‘the bigger picture,’ and their primary drivers their values and the desire to ‘do good,’ sometimes the INFJ will find that reality or factual details get in the way of their lofty ideals, their serious schemes and their dreams of a better tomorrow. ‘Facts’ which do not support their ideas or which get in the way of the grand scheme may be ignored in their aspirational desire to reach Nirvana.

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Famous INFJs

Kevin Rowland

Musician

Woody Allen

Film Director and Actor

Leonard Cohen

Musician

Marilyn Manson

Musician

View more famous INFJs »

INFJ Relationships

• Private
• Intense
• Caring
• Deeply held beliefs
• Difficult to understand
• Harmonious
• Easily hurt
• Driven by values
• Needs to be in tune with someone
• Close to few people
• Moves from reflective to crusading
• Value autonomy
• Need for space and reflection
• Supportive
• Long-term relationships

Getting emotionally close to an INFJ will be difficult, take some time and indeed may never happen. The INFJ world is so driven by values, by a complex belief system that it is difficult for outsiders to ‘get in,’ unless invited. Even then trust will be a process, not an event and once given will be seen as something precious and can thus be taken back as easily, if the INFJ perceives someone as having transgressed a precious value. Serious minded and intense the INFJ will take relationships as seriously as they do their causes and their global outlook and focus on the big picture may mean that it is difficult to always get on their wavelength.

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INFJ Careers

• Values based
• Needs to feel right
• Worthwhile
• Need to immerse themselves
• Loyal
• Feeling valued
• Meaningful
• Not micromanaged
• Dedicated
• Need reflective time
• Serious
• Caring
• Important
• Big picture
• Can make a difference

The key word in the INFJ vocabulary is ‘meaning,’ and any role they assume or any organisation they work for will be ‘vetted’ to ensure it fits with their belief system and deeply held values. The INFJ would not take ‘just a job,’ they prefer a cause, something they can believe in and into which they can channel their incredibly serious and earnest energy. They often take charity roles, or roles, which require standing up for the downtrodden or oppressed, and such roles satiate their need for meaning, and provide a platform for their values. The INFJ thinks so deeply and so intensely about their actions and everything needs to fit into their values ecosystem so that work, life, beliefs, people are all connected to the whole. Once they buy in they are incredibly hard workers who will assume roles and responsibilities even in areas others might avoid as they are true crusaders for whom the cause can be everything.

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INFJ at Work

• Difficult to know initially
• Needs to feel valued
• Wants to do what’s right
• Harmonious and caring
• Loyal and people-centric
• Fosters trust and cooperation
• Needs to feel trusted
• Not micromanaged
• Needs to feel it’s worthwhile
• Like to immerse themselves
• Devotion to the cause
• Driven by a strong sense of values
• Needs to ‘feel right’ and be important
• It needs to be serious and meaningful
• Likes the big picture

In a team situation, the INFJ is the radical innovator, coming up with radical, interesting theoretical ideas and good at ensuring the team covers all the bases and actually stands for something. Although introverted, the INFJ can bring out very strong opinions, honed over much mulling around inside the head, and may surprise others by how much is 'in there.' Meaning is just so important to the INFJ and they would only really buy in to a team that was trying to achieve something special, or lofty or that will help do something worthwhile.

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