I am INTJ
- Introvert(95%)
- Intuitive(12%)
- Thinking(88%)
- Judging(39%)
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.
Temperament: NT (Intellectual)
INTJ Population:
- Total: 1.5%
- Male: 2.5%
- Female: 0.5% (this makes me extremely happy)
Strengths
- High self-confidence. INTJ personalities rarely doubt themselves or care much about their perceived social roles, expectations etc. Consequently, they are not afraid to voice their own opinions. This exudes confidence and reinforces the INTJ’s self-esteem even further.
- Quick and versatile mind. INTJs are very good at improving their knowledge of (often diverse) topics and fields that interest them. People with this personality type take pleasure in tackling intellectual challenges and their natural curiosity pushes them forward as well.
- Jacks of all trades. The most important strength of any INTJ is their mind. Other personality types pride themselves in being artistic, intuitive, convincing, athletic etc. In contrast, INTJs excel at being able to analyze anything that life throws at them, uncovering the underlying methodology and then applying it in practice. Consequently, INTJ personalities are usually able to become what they want to become – be it an IT architect or a high-flying politician.
- Independent and decisive. People with the INTJ personality type are ruthless when it comes to analyzing the usefulness of methods or ideas. They could not care less if that idea is popular or supported by an authority figure – if the INTJ believes that it does not make sense, only overwhelming rational arguments will convince them otherwise. This strength makes them efficient and impartial decision-makers, often at a very young age. INTJs also tend to be quite resistant to conflicts, usually remaining rational and calm in an emotionally charged situation.
- Hard-working and determined. INTJ personalities can be very patient and dedicated if something excites or intrigues them. They will work hard to achieve their goals, often ignoring everything else. That being said, INTJs may also appear lazy in situations that do not require them to flex their mental muscles – for instance, they may take risks and not study that hard at school, knowing that in all likelihood, they will be able to tackle the tests anyway.
- Imaginative and strategic. INTJs are very good strategic thinkers, often using this strength to devise multiple contingency plans in both professional and personal situations. They like to plan ahead and be prepared, imagining all the potential scenarios and consequences.
- Honest and direct. People with this personality type hate playing social games and putting comfort or social expectations above honesty and facts. INTJs tend to see these activities as pointless and irrational, preferring inconvenient truth over a comforting lie.
- Open-minded. INTJ personalities do not mind being proven wrong and enjoy being exposed to something they were not familiar with. They will embrace a competing theory if it makes more sense, regardless of the existing traditions or expectations. Not surprisingly, INTJs also tend to be fairly liberal in a social sense, believing that many social norms are outdated and unnecessarily restrictive.
Weaknesses
- Arrogant. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Some less mature INTJs may overestimate the importance of their knowledge or analytical skills, seeing most other people as irrational or intellectually inferior – and often making their opinion known.
- Perfectionists. INTJ personalities loathe inefficiency and imperfection, trying very hard to iron out all the flaws and analyze all possibilities – if left unchecked, this trait can easily become a weakness, slowing down their work quite significantly and frustrating people around the INTJ.
- Likely to over-analyze everything. INTJs tend to believe that everything can be analyzed, even things that are not necessarily rational – e.g. human relationships. They may seek logical explanations and solutions in every situation, refusing to rely on improvisation or their own emotions.
- Judgmental. INTJs reach their conclusions very quickly and stick to them. Even though people with this personality type tend to be open-minded, they have little patience for things they consider illogical – e.g. decisions based on feelings, irrational stubbornness, emotional outbursts etc. An INTJ is likely to believe that someone who behaves in this way is either very immature or irrational – consequently, they will have little respect for them.
- May be insensitive. INTJ personalities often pride themselves in being brutally honest and logical. However, while their statements may be rational and completely correct, they may not take into account another person’s emotional state, background, individual circumstances etc. Consequently, the INTJ’s directness and honesty may easily hurt other people, thus becoming a major weakness in social situations.
- Often clueless when it comes to romantic relationships. Many INTJs are likely to have difficulties dealing with anything that does not require logical reasoning and this weakness is especially visible in interpersonal relationships. They may overanalyze everything and get frustrated trying to understand how the other person thinks, try to use a nearly scientific approach to dating, or just give up altogether.
- Loathe highly structured environments. INTJ personalities do not respect rules or regulations just because they are there, they need to be confident that those restrictions make sense. Consequently, INTJs strongly dislike environments that are built on blind obedience, traditions or respect for authority – they are likely to challenge the status quo and clash with people who prefer stability and safety.
Career Ideas
Generally, INTJs have successful careers in areas requiring intensive intellectual efforts, presenting intellectual challenge, and creative approach. Due to the characteristics mentioned above, successful INTJs are found in technological companies, particularly in research and development, and also found among corporate lawyers, high- and mid-rank managers in technology companies and financial institutions.
- Computer Programmers or Systems Analysts
- Scientists
- Engineers
- College Professors and Teachers
- Medical Doctors / Dentists
- Corporate Strategists and Organization Builders
- Business Administrators / Managers
- Military Leaders
- Judges
Famous Personalities Sharing Your Type
- Stephen Hawking - theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author
- Andrew Grove - businessman, engineer, and author
- Marie Curie - physicist and chemist famous for her pioneering research on radioactivity
- Guy Kawasaki - a venture capitalist, bestselling author, and former chief evangelist of Apple
- Igor Sikorsky - pioneer of aviation
- Hillary Clinton - 67th US Secretary of State
- Augustus Caesar, Roman emperor
- Paul Krugman, a famous American economist
- Michelle Obama, U.S. First Lady (quite happy about this one)
- Richard Gere, actor
- Angela Lansbury - actress (Murder, She Wrote)
- Arthur Ashe - tennis champion
- Augustus Caesar - Roman Emperor
- C. Everett Koop - former U.S. Surgeon General
- C. S. Lewis - apologist, author (The Chronicles of Narnia)
- Chevy Chase - actor, comedian
- Dan Aykroyd - actor, comedian, musician
- Edwin Moses - olympic gold medalist
- General Colin Powell - former U.S. Secretary of State
- Ivan Lendl - tennis champion
- Jane Austen - author (Pride and Prejudice)
- Joan Lunden - Journalist
- Josephine Tey - English author
- Katie Couric - journalist
- Maria Shriver - journalist
- Martina Navratilova - tennis champion
- Michael Dukakis - former Governor of Massachusetts
- Orel Hershiser - baseball player (pitcher)
- Pernell Roberts - actor, activist
- Peter Jennings - journalist
- Raymond Burr - actor (Perry Mason), vintner
- Sir Isaac Newton - Astronomer
- Veronica Hamel - actress
- William F. Buckley, Jr. - journalist
- Hannibal, military leader of Carthage
- US Presidents
- Thomas Jefferson, a former U.S. president
- John F. Kennedy, a former U.S. president (very happy about this one)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower, a former American President
- Woodrow Wilson, a former U.S. president
- Calvin Coolidge, a former U.S. president
- Fictional characters
- Walter White (“Heisenberg”) from “Breaking Bad”
- Gandalf the Grey from The Lord of the Rings
- Hannibal and Clarice Starling from “Silence of the Lambs”
- Professor Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes’ enemy
- Gregory House from "House, M.D".
- Ellen Ripley - Alien
- Ensign Ro Laren - Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Gandalf - Lord of The Rings, The Hobbit
- Marsellus Wallace - Pulp Fiction
- Michael Corleone - Godfather
- O-Ren Ishii - Kill Bill Vol. 1
- Stewie Griffin - Family Guy
- Tom Hagen - Godfather
- Vicious - Cowboy Bebop
- Vito Corleone - Godfather