INFJ

What is a INFJ?

Insightful, principled and quietly determined, the Counsellor reads people with unusual depth and cares about doing right by them. They look for meaning behind the facts, work towards a vision of how things ought to be, and are often private about the effort it takes.

In Jung’s language the mind’s four main functions run in this order for a INFJ: Ni · Fe · Ti · Se (dominant, auxiliary, tertiary, inferior). The first leads and the last is the least comfortable and shows up under stress.

At work and in everyday life

Wants work with meaning, a calm setting and time to think. Often becomes the person colleagues confide in.

Negotiating and disagreeing

Sensitive to what the other party is really worried about and good at finding an outcome both can live with. Can concede too much to avoid a harsh exchange.

Under stress

Withdraws and ruminates, then may become unusually blunt or critical. Can exhaust themselves by caring too long.

Growing

• Name a limit and protect it
• Raise a small disagreement early
• Accept good enough work, from yourself too

How to deal with a INFJ

If they are your boss

Show the purpose of the work, respect their need for quiet and notice the effort they do not mention.

If they are your client or customer

Will tell you the real worry if you ask gently and listen. Be honest; they notice when you are not.

If they are your colleague

Perceptive and generous. Check on them; they rarely ask for help.

If you disagree with them

Do not mistake gentleness for weakness. They will have thought deeply about what is just.

Your mirror type, with every letter opposite, is the ESTP: The Dynamo.

If you work in law: the The Counsellor

Often drawn to family, immigration, mediation, public interest, wills and trusts, employment and any work where a person’s story matters. Skilled at the difficult conversation.

At the negotiating table. Sensitive to what the other party is really worried about and good at finding an outcome both can live with. Can concede too much to avoid a harsh exchange.

These are tendencies, not rules: every type works in every area of law, and the best lawyers are often the ones who stretch beyond their type. Nothing here is career advice for any individual or a reason to choose or reject anyone.