INFJ - The Advocate
People with INFJ Personality Type are creative, gentle, caring, reserved, and highly sensitive to how others feel.
Advocates are typically idealistic, with high moral standards and a strong focus on the future.
What sets the Advocates apart is their ability to take their idealism and translate it into action.
With Introverted Intuition as their dominant function, Advocates are primarily interested in abstract concepts and ideas.
They enjoy thinking about deep topics and contemplating the meaning of life.
With Extraverted Feelings as their top extraverted function, Advocates are Judgers and use objective values when making decisions.
Advocates are guided by their Introverted Thinking using personal subjective reasoning and like to gather facts with Extraverted Sensing lowest function.
They are structured, like to plan, and prefer closure.
Advocates are introverted, preferring time alone to think things through.
| Process Information: | Organize Concepts and Patterns |
| Decision Making: | Tribe Values |
Dominant Function - Introverted Intuition
- INFJs tend to be highly focused on their internal insights.
- Once they have formed an intuition about something, they tend to stick to it very tightly, often to the point of being single-minded in their focus.
- Because of this, they are sometimes viewed as stubborn and unyielding.
Auxiliary Function - Extraverted Feeling
- INFJs are highly aware of what other people are feeling, which means they are sometimes less aware of their own emotions.
- They sometimes struggle to say no to other people's requests for this reason.
- They are so attuned to what other people feel that they fear causing disappointment or hurt feelings.
Tertiary Function - Introverted Thinking
- INFJs make decisions based on ideas and theories that they form based on their insights.
- INFJs rely primarily on their introverted intuition and extraverted feeling when making decisions, mainly when they are around other people.
- When they are alone, however, people with this personality type may rely more on their introverted thinking.
- In stressful situations, an INFJ might rely on emotions when making decisions, especially if it means pleasing other people.
- Under less stressful conditions, however, an INFJ is more likely to rely more on their intuition.
Inferior Function - Extraverted Sensing
- While this is a less developed and largely unconscious aspect of the INFJ, it impacts personality.
- This aspect of personality helps the INFJ pay attention to the world around them and stay aware of their surroundings.
- Extraverted sensing also helps INFJs better live in the present moment, rather than simply worrying about the future.
- This aspect of personality also helps INFJs appreciate physical activities such as hiking and dancing.
Traits
- INFJs are creative, compassionate, gentle, and complex.
- They have a natural ability to relate to others and usually find themselves to be the ones their friends confide in.
- While they are naturally introverted, people with this personality type can form strong, meaningful connections with others.
- They are sensitive people, strongly dislike criticism and conflicts, and may not readily be able to tolerate them.
- They enjoy helping others.
- Still, they also need time and space to recharge.
- They have high expectations for themselves and others which may lead to conflict.
- With their strong sense of intuition and emotional understanding, INFJs can be soft-spoken and empathetic.
- This does not mean that they are pushovers, however.
- INFJs primary function is Introverted Intuition. In contrast, their auxiliary function is Extraverted Feeling, in which they are deeply concerned with their relationships with others and humanity at large.
- They have the desire to contribute to the welfare of all and find it rewarding to help other people realize their human potential.
- INFJs value solitude as well as the opportunity to concentrate on what is important to them.
- If they find something exciting, they will go beyond and research that specific topic and often ruminate over it.
- They are perfectionists and always wonder whether or not they are living up to their full potential.
- They do not believe in compromising because they have strong ideals.
- They have deeply held beliefs and an ability to act decisively to get what they want.
- While this personality type may be characterized by idealism, this does not mean that INFJs see the world through rose-colored glasses.
- They understand the world, both the good and the bad, and hope to be able to make it better.
- When it comes to making decisions, they place a greater emphasis on personal concerns than objective facts when making decisions.
- They like to exert control by planning, organizing, and making decisions as early as possible.
- Their forte is writing because they can convey their ideas.
Strengths
- Sensitive to the needs of others
- Reserved
- Highly creative and artistic
- Focused on the future
- Values close, deep relationships
- Enjoys thinking about the meaning of life
- Idealistic
Weaknesses
- Can be overly sensitive
- Sometimes difficult to get to know
- Can have overly high expectations
- Stubborn
- Dislikes confrontation
Friendships
- Because they are reserved and private, INFJs can be difficult to get to know.
- They place a high value on close, deep relationships and can be hurt easily, although they often hide these feelings from others.
- Interacting with an INFJ involves understanding and supporting their need to retreat and recharge.
- People with this personality type sometimes feel misunderstood.
- You can be a good friend by taking the time to understand their perspective and appreciating their strengths.
Personal Relationships
- INFJs also have a talent for language and are usually quite good at expressing themselves.
- They have a vivid inner life. Still, they are often hesitant to share this with others except for perhaps those closest to them.
- While they are quiet and sensitive, they can also be good leaders.
- Even when they don't take on overt leadership roles, they often act as quiet influencers behind the scenes.
- INFJs are driven by their strong values and seek out meaning in all areas of their lives, including relationships and work.
- People with this personality type are often described as deep and complex.
- They may not have a large circle of acquaintances. Still, their close friendships tend to be very tight and long-lasting.
- INFJs are interested in helping others and improving the world.
- They tend to be excellent listeners and are good at interacting with people which whom they are emotionally close and connected.
- While they care deeply about others, INFJs tend to be very introverted and are only willing to share their "true selves" with a select few.
- After being in social situations, INFJs need time to " recharge."
Partner Relationships
- INFJs have an innate ability to understand other people's feelings and enjoy being in close, intimate relationships.
- They tend to flourish best in romantic relationships with people with who they share their core values.
- As a partner, it is important to provide the support, and emotional intimacy that an INFJ craves.
- Sincerity, honesty, and authenticity are traits the INFJ appreciates in their partner.
Parenting
- Because INFJs are skilled at understanding feelings, they tend to be very close and connected to their children.
- They have high standards and can have very high behavioral expectations.
- They are concerned with raising children that are kind, caring, and compassionate.
- INFJs encourage their children to pursue their interests and talents to realize their potential fully.
Career Advice
- INFJs do well in careers where they can express their creativity.
- Because people with INFJ personalities have such deeply held convictions and values, they do particularly well in jobs that support these principles.
- INFJs often do best in careers that mix their need for creativity with their desire to make meaningful changes.
- INFJs are usually high achievers and excel in academics and the workplace.
- They can be perfectionists sometimes and tend to put great effort into their work.
- Co-workers tend to feel that INFJs are hardworking, positive, and easy to get along with.
- Because they are introverted, however, they may find that they need to retreat at times to recharge.
- In managerial roles, INFJs sometimes struggle to exert authority.
- They tend to lead with sensitivity and are good at helping subordinates feel appreciated in the workplace.
- Jobs that require a great deal of routine or adherence to strict rules can be difficult for INFJs.