INFP

THEME
The theme of the INFP is one of supporting. INFPs support anything that allows
the unfolding of the person, encouraging growth and development with a quiet
enthusiasm. They become the advocates and champions of causes, caring deeply
about their goals and aspirations, and they naturally tend to relate to and dedicate
themselves to a few special people.
WORK LABEL
Advocate
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS
A peacekeeper
Undertakes a great deal
Absorbed in projects
Deeply caring
Idea oriented
STRENGTHS
Dedicated
Conceptual
Ingenious
Idealistic
Perfectionist
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
Communicate more to others
Take care of important details, routine
Try to see beyond own values
Be more objective and realistic
Develop and use a social network
TO FUNCTION AT THEIR BEST
To handle significant projects from start to finish. Support for ideas.
Encouragement and respect for their unique contribution. Freedom from structure
and rules.
MAY BE FRUSTRATED BY
Their own inner standards of perfection. Routine and inconsequential details.
Conflict and unpleasantness. A lack of purpose.
MAY INFURIATE OTHERS BY
Appearing reserved and detached. Refusing to deal with unpleasantness.
Undertaking too much and being Moralistic.
THEY VALUE
Harmony, self-determination and meaning.

ON A TEAM
They act as peacekeepers.
MANAGEMENT STYLE
The management style of INFPs is very caring, democratic and participative.
INFPs are very loyal, although their loyalties seem more directed toward the people
in the organization, not toward the systems, procedures and mechanics of keeping
an organization going.
IDEAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
The ideal work environment for an INFP is one that is highly people oriented and
encourages harmony, mutual support and cooperation. Ideally, there would be
minimal focus and insistence on rules and procedures.
VALUES
Whatever INFPs decide to value or favor tends to be very carefully selected and,
as a result, often turns out to be both highly personal and very deep. They seek
and expect relationships to provide growth and development.
ATTITUDE
The basic attitude of INFPs is one of credulity and idealism. They tend to see good
and potential in everyone and everything; they are not troubled by the paradoxical.
Their deep feelings are hidden by quiet reserve.
GENERAL SKILLS
INFPs are skilled at anything having to do with people--listening to them, facilitating
them, deploying them, training them, motivating them, recruiting them, and
counseling them--even though they seem to keep a certain psychological distance.
DRIVING FORCE
INFPs have a high need for empathic relationships. These relationships must be
deep and meaningful for them to satisfy the strong desire they feel for rapport and
quality in interpersonal communication.
ENERGY DIRECTION
INFPs direct a great deal of their energy toward bringing forth the potential in
everyone they interact with on a day-to-day basis. They not only see nuances in
relationships; their highest goal is optimizing self-knowledge for everyone.
AUTHORITY ORIENTATION
INFPs want the person in charge to be authentic and ethical. Authority is not
granted by position; it is earned over time through dedication and exemplary
behavior. Their first inclination is to respect their superior and to seek approval.
ROLE PERCEPTION
INFPs tend to be reactive and adaptive in relationships; i.e., they wait for the
relationship to emerge and be defined by the other person. They usually adapt to
the role set for them, especially if they experience their superior as a chosen
leader.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION
INFPs prefer harmonious situations and may ignore conflicts as long as humanly
possible. They typically are very distressed by conflict and find confrontations to
be a last resort in resolving differences. They often personalize conflicts.
MODES OF LEARNING
INFPs are abstract learners and enjoy expanding their horizons in grasping new
ideas and concepts, especially in the humanities. They learn easily from lectures
and written work. Causes of events, both past and present, are sought.
BLIND SPOTS AND PITFALLS
INFPs become totally absorbed in projects-- to such a degree that they lose sight
of what is taking place around them. They may focus so much on the human
element in any situation that they may get off task.
IN THE GRIP
Energizers
Work that
encourages
enactment of
personal values
Opportunity to help
and affirm others

Stressors
Multiple tasks,
demands and roles

Grip Reactions
Judgments of
incompetence

Remedies
Get upset but hide it
from others

Rigid structures and

time pressures

A cooperative,
open, congenial
atmosphere
Being appreciated
and valued as an
individual
Recognition and
respect for
expertise and
contributions to the
organization
A relaxed, flexible
approach to
deadlines

Conflict and hostility in

the workplace

Global and general

negativity, criticism
of others
Precipitous action

Reflect, meditate on
personal values,
priorities
Take time for fun,
engage in relaxing
activities
Talk to close friends
and associates

Insufficient time to work

alone

Cynicism, distrust
and disappointment

Controlling, demanding
or confronting people

A martyr attitude

Have time alone for

as long as needed: it
will expire on its own

A political climate that

demands conformity to
unacceptable values or
procedures.

Depression,
hopelessness

Refocus on what is
right rather than
what is wrong

Alternating active
and passive
aggression
Loss of confidence
and sense of
competence

Have feelings
validated
Avoidance by others
of trying to reason
with them.