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THE
MASTERMIND
... Living a
life as a Myers Briggs INTJ
IMPORTANT NOTE
ABOUT THIS ARTICLE: I hope those that choose to read this article are educated on the
subject of Myers-Briggs personality profiling because I am not going to take the time to
explain it. Also, please note that I did not write the first part
of this article. The author is Marina Margaret Heiss of the University of Virginia
[Contact Ms. Heiss]. Ms
Heiss has done an outstanding job defining an INTJ. She has written
the first part of this article in the third person. The second part of the article
contains my
own thoughts about the practical aspects of living life as an INTJ in the first person.
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; its source lies in the specialized
knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. 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.
INTJs are
perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes
their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in this
pursuit of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the type: 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.
INTJs are known
as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the
unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens
to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both
perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs can be unsparing of
both themselves and the others on the project. Anyone considered to be
"slacking," including superiors, will lose their respect -- and will generally
be made aware of this; INTJs have also been known to take it upon themselves to implement
critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers. On the other
hand, they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the individual
contributions that have gone into a project, and have a gift for seizing opportunities
which others might not even notice.
In the broadest
terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know". Typical
INTJ career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a
combination of intellect and incisiveness are required (e.g., law, some areas of
academia). 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.
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 do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance, they tend
to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation
(which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). To complicate matters, INTJs
are usually extremely private people, and can often be naturally impassive as well, which
makes them easy to misread and misunderstand. Perhaps the most fundamental problem,
however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense. This sometimes
results in a peculiar 'naivete', paralleling that of many Fs -- only instead of expecting
inexhaustible affection and empathy from a romantic relationship, the INTJ will expect
inexhaustible reasonability and directness.
Probably the
strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their
willingness to "work at" a relationship. Although as Ts they do not always have
the kind of natural empathy that many Fs 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 by
consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those they care about, and those
relationships which ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized
by their robustness, stability, and good communications.
Sitting in
corporate meetings sometimes drives me friggin nuts (did you happen to discern that almost
unnoticeable change to first person?) People spend a staggering amount of time
processing information and playing the politically correct game trying to save someone's
feelings. Those actions drive an INTJ insane.
When an idea is
presented in a corporate meeting, I usually know what I like and dislike about it
immediately; that is, if I am educated on the subject at hand. If not, I shut up
until I can provide input. Furthermore, I have no trouble whatsoever conveying my
opinion on matters. Most personality types need to sit around and
"mull-over" an idea before reaching a conclusion. Most will arrive at
somewhat the same position as I ... however, they just take longer processing the full
spectrum of information. What works best for me is if I sit back and let people talk
about the merits and weaknesses of ideas until enough time has elapsed for others to
digest and begin reaching conclusions. Admittedly, I have yet to master the art of
knowing when that time has arrived before opening my trap.
Most personality
types also find the need to make sure that someone's idea is handled in a
'politically-correct' method. This also drives me friggin nuts and I have some very
strong feelings about the subject. Because managers wanted to 'save-feelings', I've
been a witness to bad ideas being implemented and subsequently costing others their jobs
because of the negative impact the decision made on the business over time ... all because
some feel-good manager felt the need to save the feelings of one person with an idea that
wasn't properly vetted.
Over the years,
I have attempted to create environments where people are comfortable with dissent.
Sometimes I like to throw out a completely stupid idea in hopes that someone will
pounce on it and call it such ... to which I'll subsequently happily agree in hopes of
setting a tone for the rest of the meeting that it is ok to disagree with ideas and
positions. Sometimes it works. Sometimes not.
Now, don't get
me wrong. When one is handling a meeting with the entire staff, yes, one does want
to handle things with kid-gloves. But, those are not the kind of meetings I'm
talking about. The meetings I'm speaking of are management meetings where decisions
need to be made regarding issues that may determine the future direction of the company.
In my opinion,
if one can't hold their own and support their idea ... and, the person is going to take
things personally, then they have no business being in management. If one is going
to open their trap, then they had better be able to vigorously support the idea with
reason and logic. As well, if one lets bad ideas pass without voicing dissent
because of worry about someone's feelings, then someone needs to be an Indian and not a
chief.
I find most good
ideas lead to a thriving business and bad ideas sometimes cost people their jobs ... it's
that simple. I dunno ... I guess I am just bewildered by people who want to be in
management but then walk away from a management meeting with their feelings hurt. In
those cases, I tend to feel sorry for that particular manager's staff for having a
pansy-ass for a manager.
For God's sakes,
it's a business ... were not playing with tinker toys!
I've been
involved with several different types of organizations. For example, I've been in
management within an organization that had a very strong management staff. When we
met behind closed doors, people threw out ideas and everyone ruthlessly attacked it ...
the merits ... the weaknesses ... everything was open game, except for the individual.
Individuals were never attacked ... but, ideas were open game. The meetings
were remarkable. Ideas were conveyed, digested, analyzed, dissected and decisions
were made within a few minutes. What's more, everyone around the table was
*expected* to voice their opinion ... and damn-it, it had better be a well-thought-out,
strong opinion on the matter, or you were not invited back to the next meeting. We
always advanced the business during those meetings and everyone left the meetings
invigorated from the experience but also feeling brain dead from the need to think on
their feet at a moments notice. Ah, yes! The business thrived, and it was one
of the most satisfying experiences of my life.
I've also been
in management in organizations with weak management staffs. Within these
organizations, I wouldn't exactly say that the management staff had the ability to
strongly voice opinions without somebody feeling like they have been <insert
diminishing feeling of choice here>.
That all being
said, within all organizations, there are always people who can hold their own and have
the ability to voice opinions and support the same. I worked with one person
that was particularly invigorating to talk to. We chatted about a variety of subjects
every so often. I could present an idea to the person can she had no
hesitation in looking me square in the eye
and say "I don't like it"! <chuckle> Then, the person proceeded
to logically tell me the merits and faults of my position on the given matter.
Although I sometimes did not agree with her, the person's arguments always had a logical
application of value. We could banter back and forth and the person held their
own. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes not. But, the person was confident of
their position and ideas. I usually left this person's office feeling that I had
more information to digest. I felt challenged and I loved it.
By now, perhaps
readers of this article (that are not INTJ's) are thinking that I am the most arrogant
son-of-a-bitch on the planet. By way of their own personality types, I can truly see
how they could reach that conclusion. Many will probably interpret these writings to
say that I think my particular ideas are God's gift to the world.
Nothing could be
further from the truth.
I simply wish
that most others were able to support their ideas with the same tenacity. I believe
that my ideas certainly have value, but they may not be the answer to the issue at
hand. I will stand up and support my ideas with sounds reasoning and logic.
Some others do not ... they just let them slide. What concerns me most is when ideas
are not fully vetted because people are worried about hurting someone else's
feelings. In my opinion, a business just does not have time for that.
Furthermore, I believe management owes it to the staff to make sure that ideas are
properly vetted before being put into action. Hell, people's livelihoods are
sometimes in the balance.
Living as a INTJ
certainly has it's challenges ... especially with those that are Sensing,
Perceivers. One such person recently felt the need to warn me that some things that
I am confiding in others are being spread. This particular person is a ESFP ... so,
of course, no details about what information or who is spreading information was
forthcoming for fear of compromising their relationships. I could have pressed the
matter and took advantage of the person's F & P sides to find out the details, but
choose not too because, at the time, I frankly couldn't give a flippin-shit. But,
what I found interesting is that the comment came after a particularly direct conversation
where we agreed that we needed to confide in each other more than what we had in the
past. After the comment, I sat there intrigued by the look on the person's
face. The person was obviously pleased ... the 'glazed-over', starry-eyed look that
people get when they are bubbly-happy inside but don't want to show it on the outside was
all over the person's face. Yeah, it didn't even come close to a poker face.
As for me, I sat there feeling frustrated that our relationship had not yet developed to
the point I wish I would. After a pause of 30 seconds or so, I verbally said
"joy" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. The person interpreted my short
statement as me voicing my distaste in hearing that rumors were being spread. To bad
the person wasn't an Intuitive ... the person may have interpreted the comment for its
true meaning.
Some personality
types are just strange to me. There are those that seem to thrive on what they
believe are secrets. During my conversation with some people, I've realized
that they have seen this website ... but yet, they seem to have trouble admitting that
fact ... like they would be admitting they have intruded on my personal life or something.
I wish they'd just admit the fact so we can engage in conversation around the
subject at hand. Sometimes I'll just say, "Ah, you've seen my website" and
they will sheepishly admit that they have. For God's sake ... I've posted this shit
to the world, so, what's so in secret about it? Oh well ... things that just make
me go hmmmmm!
But, living the
life of an INTJ can also be fun. Let's take the same subject of spreading rumors,
for example. I have an innate ability to quickly and scientifically digest
information and vet the information through deductive reasoning. As well, the
psychology behind Myers-Briggs gets INTJ's all jazzed. We just love seeing the
practical applications of the methodology. And, I use this to my advantage. An
INTJ usually does not release information unless s/he is willing to have it spread to
others. So, when certain other personality types think/feel that they have juicy
information, the subsequent actions of those people are sometimes fascinating to witness.
To get an idea
of who leaks information, it can be rather fun telling a certain personality type a story
in confidence and see if it spreads ... and, how it spreads. Even more fun is
telling the same story with slightly altered twist to different person of which I know the
first person will compare notes. Most times, I am aware the story has leaked when
one of them comes back to me asking for clarification on the story ... or, by way of the
grapevine.
God knows, the
grapevine is long when you're in management. There just seems to be a lot of people
willing to spill the beans to advance their careers. One always wishes to know how
the vine spreads from berry to berry ... it can be very useful. As such, I use it to
my advantage.
INTJ's make up
the smallest percentage of the population's personality types and are arguably the most
misunderstood. I find that I need to know someone for at least a year before they
even begin to understand me (unless they are a fellow INTJ). But, once they do, and
they choose to embrace frank, honest discourse, the relationships that are formed are
genuine indeed.
It truly takes a
while before people realize that I can be bitching at them one minute and hugging them the
next for two completely different reasons. I guess most people hold a thing called
'grudges'. That just seems so destructive to me. When a conflict occurs,
people get all weird thinking that a grudge will develop. To me, that is strange.
I say my piece and move on with life. Hell, why hold a grudge? I don't
have time for everything that's involved with that crap.
It's a shame
that people don't pay more attention to personality profiling. Truth is, there are
no personality types that are good or bad. Each has it's own merits ... and
challenges. The key is not only knowing what you're good at, and capitalizing on it
... but also knowing the profiles of those around you and capitalizing on their strengths
as well ... especially if they have what you don't.
Famous INTJs:
- Susan B. Anthony, suffragist
- Chester A. Arthur
- Jane Austen, author (Pride and Prejudice)
- William J. Bennett, "drug czar"
- William F. Buckley, Jr., conservative
political advocate
- Augustus Caesar (Gaius Julius Caesar
Octavianus), Emperor of Rome
- Calvin Coolidge
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Rudy Giuliani, New York City Mayor
- Hannibal, Carthaginian military leader
- Orel Leonard Hershiser, IV, major league
baseball pitcher
- Thomas Jefferson
- Peter Jennings, television newscaster
- John F. Kennedy
- Charles Everett Koop, former U.S. Surgeon
General
- C. S. Lewis, author (The Chronicles of
Narnia)
- Joan Lunden, television talk show host
- Edwin Moses, U.S. Olympian (hurdles)
- Martina Navratilova, tennis champion
- Maria Owens Shriver, television newscaster
- James K. Polk
- Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defense
- General Colin Powell, US Secretary of State
- Woodrow Wilson
Famous Fictional INTJs:
- Cassius, in "Julius Caesar"
- Clarice Starling, in "Silence of the Lambs"
- Ensign Ro, of "Star Trek: the Next Generation"
- Gandalf the Grey, in J. R. R. Tolkein's Middle Earth books
- George Smiley, John le Carre's master spy
- Hannibal Lecter, in "Silence of the Lambs"
- Mr. Darcy, in "Pride and Prejudice"
- Professor Moriarty, in Sherlock Holmes' "Nemesis"
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in "Hamlet"
Possess a
desire to express your thoughts about this article? If so,
contact me.
MORE ARTICLES
BY THIS AUTHOR LAST UPDATED:
November 8, 2003
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