Overview of the INTJ

“INTJs are idea people; anything is possible and everything is negotiable.”

INTJs are intuitive thinkers who tend to notice meanings, possibilities and patterns rather than the mundane facts and details of their lives.  They manipulate the world of theory as if on a gigantic chessboard, always seeking strategies and tactics that have high payoff.

To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness," of self-confidence.  This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature.  When it comes to their own areas of expertise -- and INTJs can have several -- they will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and if so, how.  INTJs know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don't know.

No more than 2-3 percent of the population, INTJs are perfectionists with a strong need for autonomy and personal competence.  Pragmatism is also inherent in this type, as INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms.  This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake.  Theories that cannot be made to work are quickly discarded by the INTJ.

INTJs are visionary leader, system builder and reformers.  They enjoy developing unique solutions to complex problems, and have a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes their interest.

They are the supreme pragmatists, who see reality as something which is quite arbitrary and made up.  Reality is a crucible for the refining of ideas, and in this sense, INTJs are the most theoretical of all the types.  Where an ESTP sees ideas as the pawn of reality, an INTJ sees reality as the pawn of ideas: No idea is too far-fetched to be entertained.  INTJs are natural brain-stormers, always open to new concepts and, in fact, aggressively seeking them.


INTJs and Authority

INTJs typically demonstrate a disregard for authority based on position, rank, title, or publication.  This type is not likely to succumb to the magic of slogans, watchwords, or shibboleths.  If an idea or position makes sense to an INTJ, it will be adopted; if it doesn't, it won't, regardless of who took the position or generated the idea.  As with the INTP, authority per se does not impress the INTJ.

INTJs can be unsparing in criticism of both themselves and the others.  Anyone considered to be “slacking,” including superiors, will lose their respect -- and will generally be made aware of this.

Being the most independent of all the types, the INTJ does not conform to rules, per se, and will only fall in line with them if they make sense.  They are largely immune to external criticism if they believe that they are right.  The INTJ is determined in the face of opposition.  They do, however, tend to conform to the rules if they are useful and make sense.


INTJs in the Workplace

INTJs usually rise to positions of responsibility, for they work long and hard and are steady in their pursuit of goals.  Fellow workers of INTJs often feel as if the INTJ can see right through them, and finds them wanting.  This tendency of people to feel transparent in the presence of the INTJ often results in relationships which have psychological distance. As a result, and also because of the INTJ’s strong need for privacy, colleagues find the INTJ apparently unemotional and, at times, cold and dispassionate. 

Because of their tendency to drive others as hard as they drive themselves, INTJs often seem demanding and difficult to satisfy.  INTJs are high achievers in school and on the job.  On the job, they take the goals of the institutions seriously and continually strive to respond to these goals.  They make dedicated, loyal employees whose loyalties are directed toward the system, rather than toward individuals within the system.

The INTJ often has a strong intellect, and can think effectively at both the macro and the micro levels.  As such, they have a gift for seizing opportunities that others might not even notice.  Moreover, they always have a keen eye for the consequence of the application of new ideas or positions.

Typical INTJ career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a combination of intellect and incisiveness are required.  INTJs can rise to management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing their abilities as well as enhancing them, and (whether for the sake of ambition or the desire for privacy) many also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.


Relationships of the INTJ

INTJs are the most independent of all types.  They trust their intuitions about others when making choices of friends and mates, even in the face of contradicting evidence and pressures applied by others.  The emotions of an INTJ are hard to read, and neither male nor female INTJ is apt to express emotional reactions.  At times, both will seem cold, reserved, and unresponsive, while in fact INTJs are almost hypersensitive to signals of rejection from those for whom they care.

In social situations, INTJs may also be unresponsive and may neglect to observe small rituals designed to put others at their ease.  For example, INTJs may communicate that time is wasted if used for idle dialogue, and thus people receive a sense of hurry from an INTJ which is not always intended.  In their interpersonal relationships, INTJs are usually better in a working situation than in recreational situations.  They do not enjoy physical contact except with a chosen few.


Mating and the INTJ

Wishing to control nature, the INTJ “scientist” probably has more difficulty than all the other types in making up his or her mind in mate selection.  Even mate selection must be done in a scientific way.  The INTJ requires that mating meet certain criteria, else it is not undertaken.  So the INTJ doesn't often go through with what is begun by natural attraction.  Since he or she proceeds in a rational and methodical way, the selection of a similar temperament is more likely than selection of opposite, following the assumption that those who are similar ought to do well together.

Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel.  While they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations.  This happens in part because many INTJs are extremely private people who do not readily grasp the social rituals.  For instance, they tend to have little patience for such things as small talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship).

Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense.  Whereas other types may expect inexhaustible affection and empathy from a romantic relationship, the INTJ will expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.  This preference for ‘truth,’ however painful, can put others around them on a permanent but unnoticed defensive, making them difficult as a partner.

With the right partner, however, the INTJ’s ability to challenge the status quo and find ways to overcome apparently insurmountable difficulties can make them rewarding and inspiring allies.

Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their willingness to "work at" a relationship.  Although they do not always have the kind of natural empathy that many other types do, the intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and facial expression.  This ability can then be honed and directed, and those relationships that ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized by their robustness, stability, and good communications.


Parenting and the INTJ

As parents, INTJs are dedicated and single-minded in their devotion:  Their children are a major focus in life.  As individualizing patients, they are supportive of their children and tend to allow them to develop in directions of their choosing.  INTJs usually are firm and consistent in their discipline and rarely care to repeat directions given to children -- or others.