INFJ from the perspective of the StrengthsFinder

Clifton StrengthsFinder

mine; priorities in my life

Ideation (N)

see patterns & concepts

make connections

form new ideas

need study many subjects

need time to think

partner with an analyzer for balance; apply ideas is real world; practical

need to change environment often

Strategy (INJ)

chart course

see consequences

plan to avoid problems

trust intuition

need time to think out ideas

good at counseling 

"Beach Master" Style of Leadership

Have you every worked under a "Beach Master" (ESTP) employer. They are superb at utilizing resources to accomplish a specific task. The have "Staff Briefings", then "deploy the troops" to get the job done.  They are strong with immediate goals, but weak in long term planning. They are people of action. They need to talk out their plan verbally. They do not want to be questioned. They only want their ideas listened to and implemented as directed. They do not tolerate their authority being questioned and must be in total control. They will not abide "insubordination in the ranks". People are viewed more as resources to accomplish a specific task. They usually do not notice, or are insensitive to people's feelings and therefore frequently unknowingly insult the people they work with. Though they do not create collaborative teams, the are the supreme masters of making task teams with themselves as the undisputed leader. They are frustrated when the task requires long term planning, working in a committee, and follow-through. They often do not have the patience to work out procedures and goals. Given large complex projects, their one-task, commander, style of management is inadequate.  When they are unable to accomplish the large goal, they have no idea what the problem is, or what can be done about it. Often they think that having more people or resources will solve the problem. They can not cope well with jobs where responsibilities involve many tasks that interrelate, deal with personnel, require delegation, are complex with many details, have long term goals,  require adhering to procedures, follow-through, or global thinking, unless they enlist the assistance of other people who can supply the abilities they lack.

An Intuitive's Experience in a Sensing World

I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California, went to Brigham Young University, got married, and had two small before I confronted "Mormon Culture". We had moved to a small bedroom community  and were enjoying have a home of our own. Then it began.  "How many quarts of peaches did you can?" I had made a brief foray into the world of canning, then after spending two days cleaning up my kitchen afterwards and ending up with only 30 cents worth of apple juice, I decided it wasn't for me. I was given sympathy for being too ill to do it and wishes for better health.

I felt intimidated when saw all the mothers busily running errands, cooking good dinners, baking cookies for school, gardening, and cleaning. Trying to fill a role I felt was expected of me, I tried doing these things only to conclude that I don't like that sort of life. I had loved being in college; attending lectures, studying, and writing papers. I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I believed the principles were true, but what was all this? I hadn't signed on for this busy Mormon homemaker life. Yes, my health prevented me from this "busy" life, but I couldn't admit to others that I really didn't want to live as they did. I felt both shame and relief.

Poems Instead of Casseroles - Intuitives in a Busy World

  How does a creative intuitive person (I'm a INFJ) fit into the busy orderly world out there? We don't. We just sort of slip out of the main stream and make our own quiet little eddie. It's a great place. There is time to think, feel, enjoy life, and time to create beauty.

From my quiet spot, I watch others whizzing by. Though appreciating their accomplishments, I have no desire to be a part of this madly rushing main stream. Does this mean I have nothing to do with other people? How does a creative person still be a part of their society?

The Creative Homemaker - Intuitive Feeling People

 Stillness
by Cheryl Merrick

Focusing on the beauty around me
my racing heart 
stills,
and my anxious mind 
calms.

Gazing upward
into the canopy of branches,
peace fills my soul.      
                                          
I have always loved the story of the two sisters, Mary and Martha. When Martha complains to the Lord that Mary isn't helping enough with the housework, the Lord replies that Mary has chosen the better part. I see myself as a Mary.

Since I have no intention of ever becoming  a "busy little homemaker", is my home a mess? It is true that I don't weed, mow, vacuum, shampoo rugs or furniture, polish furniture or silverware, or "deep clean". I spend my day writing and love it. I also have major allergies and must have a dust and mold free home, and I do. My house is very clean and orderly. You may wonder how I can do this. It's really not that hard. I just decided to

A Creative Intutive Feeling Person "Fitting In"

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (Bible, Old Testament - 1 Samuel 16:7)  This poster has a lot of meaning for me.

Yes, I really think there is a higher percentage of traditional people (SJ's) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, than out of the Church. There are probably more orderly people in most religions and organizations since they are the people who set up and maintain society on the whole. The fact is that about forty-five percent of the American population are these diligent souls. As much as creative people (intutive and many perceiving people ) complain about their inflexibility, we need them.  Orderly people are the bulwark of society, but where do we fit in?

Happily Married for 43 Years - INFJ and ISTJ

I have been thinking about this talk on the Renaissance of Marriage by President Eyring about how to make a happy marriage. I love this humourous video, Lasting Marriage,  on having a long happy marriage.I means a lot to me because my husband and I are very different.

My husband is a person who is always engaged doing something, such as his handyman business. He deals with the real world and likes to follow patterns that have worked well in the past. He does things with exactness. He is a quiet thoughtful person and so am I. The big difference is that my thoughts are racing at top speed. I leap from thought to thought. I love to study and think about ideas. I like to see patterns in behavior and help people reach their potential (I'm a natural teacher). I live mainly in the world of thought and future possibilities. So how have a hands-on builder and a head-in-the-clouds philosopher been happily married for 43 years?

Our Marriage - an INFJ and an ISTJ

Today I wrote in my http://meditationsofamormonmom.blogspot.com/ blog about marriage. Specifically about being married to a person with a very different personality type than I have and how we have come to appreciate each other's differences.

My husband is an ISTJ (Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging) while I am an INFJ (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging). True we are both introverts. We both can focus on what is of interest to us for long periods of time. That can be a challenge at times.

Being Me an INFJ

Advantages of Being Me!

(I wrote this as kind of my mission statement. I've had a  lifetime of feeling I was inferior because I couldn't spell or do math well, or remember name and dates easily. Now I'm trying to recognize and share the unique talents I have as an INFJ - Introverted Intuitive Feeling Judging woman. I am trying to develop a more positive view of myself. I am looking at my strengths instead of just my weaknesses.)

NF Intuitive Temperment

Blue Type- NF  Intuitive Feeling Personality Type
The strengths, weakness of an NF and what stresses and energizes this type of person.

Desires - to influence others - to lead significant lives
Values - people and personal relationships; relates individually
Characteristics - empathetic, appreciative (also strong needs), warm, enthusiastic, good listener

Introversion

Intuition function can be used in the inner world of thought (introverted) or used in the physical world (extroverted). This chart shows a dominate intuitive who naturally intoverts intuition. It also shows the consequences when intoversion is used in an unnatural way for that type. I made this to remind me, a dominate introverted intuitive INFJ, to be myself.  If extroverting intuition is natural for you then you would not have the negative consequences.  Instead, introverting Intuition would cause you stress and not fully use your abilities.

ESFJ Extroverted Sensing Feeling Judging

ESFJ      13% of population  Extroverted Sensing with Feeling

Facilitator Caretaker, The Provider, Hosts and Hostesses of the World; Traditionalist, Stabilizer, Consolidator;  uses extroverted feeling to deal with the world supported by introverted sensing

goals provide/ensure physical needs of others are met; comfort of others, help others

Talents supportive of others, social, warm, caring, friendly, emphatic, patient, steady, common sense, clear-eyed realism, love of life, know how to listen, laugh, forgive, and bringing out the best in

ISTJ Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging Character

ISTJ    10% of population   Introverted Sensing with Thinking

Relating
administrator; help others by checking to see if following rules and procedures patriarchal
firm and consistent
teach basic home skills not play
work on own; silent; reserved

ESTJ Extroverted Sensing Thinking Judging

ESTJ  10% of population   Extroverted Thinking with Sensing

The Supervisor

Relating
by making people do what should do (feel is their duty)- enforce rules and procedures, consequences; moral
prize gratitude
cooperative with superiors and carry out orders exactly (value authority)
not always aware of feelings of others or their view point or responsive to others
through traditions and rituals, socials

INFP Character

INFP 1 to 4% of population Introverted Intuitive Feeling Perceptive
dominate Feeling- uses within ; auxiliary Intuition- deals with world

Character 
deep and; passionate; private; may appear cold  and indifferent and  be completely misunderstood; restless; independent, bound by inner moral law; inner tenderness; passionate conviction masked by reserve;  deep feeling but seldom expressed; idealistic; loyal, devoted to a loved person,

ISFP Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceptive

Introverted Feeling Supported by Sensing  (ISFP)  about 6% of population

• See the realities--the needs of the moment-- and try to meet them.  
• Satisfaction doing things that involve discrimination, and a sense of beauty and proportion.  They excel in craftsmanship.  
• Special love of nature
• Sympathy for animals.  

ISTJ Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging

ISTJ -  Introverted Sensing with Thinking   Inspector 10%

Relating
role- through check details of workings or group (budget etc.)
direct others; administrator (indirect because of natural reserve)
see others uphold standards and rules
good intentions on insisting on rule compliance
patriarchal

NF Temperment

Frequency
12% of the population is Intuitive Feeling Type (about 24 million people)
25% prefer Intuition over Sensing
50% prefer Feeling over Thinking
6 out of 10 males prefer Thinking to Feeling; 6 out of 10 females prefer Feeling to Thinking

Strengths
enthusiastic, insightful, creative, imaginative, religious, sympathetic, linguistic, subjective, idealistic

NFP Strengths and Weaknesses

NFP

5% of population      Intuition is the preferred mode to deal with world
Possible areas of trouble or weakness for that characteristic

• flexible, adaptable, tolerant, spontaneous, curious, zest for experience, imaginative, original, independent, open minded, open to inspiration
• trouble dealing with details
• trouble remembering names, faces, dates, appointments, etc,