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Masterminds: The INTJ Personality

22020 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  misterjc0612
INTJs make up 2% of the US population.

INTJs are analytical problem-solvers, eager to improve systems and processes with their innovative ideas. INTJs have a talent for seeing possibilities for improvement, whether at work, at home, or in themselves. They have a hunger for knowledge and strive to constantly increase their competence; often INTJs are perfectionists with extremely high standards of performance for themselves and others. They may not want to bother with people who they do not perceive to be their intellectual equals. INTJs live in a world of abstraction and theory, and may sometimes be absentminded in their preoccupation with concepts. Often intellectual, they enjoy analysis and complex problem-solving, and are much less comfortable with the illogical and unpredictable nature of other people and their emotions. INTJs enjoy applying themselves to a project or idea in depth, and putting in concentrated effort to achieve their goals.

Popular hobbies for the INTJ include reading, cultural events, taking classes, appreciating art, computers and video games, and independent sports such as swimming, backpacking, or running marathons.

At work, the INTJ excels at creating and implementing innovative solutions to analytical problems. INTJs naturally see possibilities for improvement within complex systems and are organized and determined in implementing their ideas for change. They are comfortable with abstraction and theory but gain the most satisfaction out of turning their ideas into reality. The ideal work environment for an INTJ is logical, efficient, structured, and analytical, with colleagues that that are competent, intelligent, and productive. The ideal job for an INTJ allows them to use their analytical skills to problem-solve in a challenging environment, and to take responsibility for implementing their ideas to create efficient, innovative systems.

In leadership positions, INTJs are strategic, analytical planners and problem solvers. They are good at making tough decisions and sorting out complex issues. INTJs excel at managing projects that implement a vision of improved efficiency or innovation, and although they prefer not to have to manage other people they will take over if no other leader steps up. INTJs value competence and decisiveness, and may sometimes neglect to listen to differing opinions once their mind is made up. While they focus on creating logical and innovative solutions, they may sometimes leave out the details of their plans, leaving their teams to wonder exactly how things will be accomplished.

Popular careers for the INTJ include:

  • economist
  • financial planner
  • investment banker
  • computer programmer
  • financial analyst
  • network administrator
  • systems analyst
  • software developer

  • university teacher
  • archivist
  • psychiatrist
  • scientist
  • astronomer
  • biomedical researcher
  • cardiologist
  • surgeon

  • attorney
  • engineer
  • architect
  • pilot
  • graphic designer
  • writer
  • columnist/critic
  • inventor
In relationships, the INTJ is loyal but independent. INTJs can be almost scientific in choosing a mate and make devoted partners once they have found a match that fits their rigorous list of requirements. INTJs often have a passion for self-improvement and take pride in fulfilling their responsibilities within a relationship. However, they often do not see the need for affection or niceties, feeling that their devotion should be evident. Their partners often find them difficult to read, and indeed they do not show emotion easily; INTJs find the process of discussing emotions much too messy and disorganized. INTJs value a partner that allows them the independence to achieve their goals, and one who appreciates their efficacy, insight, and ability to offer creative solutions to problems.

Good matches for the INTJ include other INTJs as well as ENTJs. These types share a appreciation for logic, structure, and results. Also good matches are ENFJ and INFJ, types which have a similar preference for an orderly environment but can help the INTJ tune in to values and emotions.

As parents, INTJs are devoted and supportive. They set firm limits and provide consistent reinforcement, but within that structure allow a lot of latitude for their children to explore their own interests and potential. INTJs get a lot of satisfaction from parenting and want to develop productive, competent, and self-sufficient children who think for themselves.

Famous INTJs include Dwight Eisenhower, Alan Greenspan, Ulysses S. Grant, Stephen Hawking, John Maynard Keynes, Ayn Rand, Isaac Asimov, Lewis Carroll, Cormac McCarthy, Thomas Jefferson, and Sir Isaac Newton.

Interesting facts about the INTJ:

  • On personality trait measures, score as Discreet, Industrious, Logical, Deliberate, Self-Confident, and Methodical
  • Among types least likely to suffer heart disease and cardiac problems
  • Least likely of all the types to believe in a higher spiritual power
  • One of two types with highest college GPA
  • Among types with highest income
  • Personal values include Achievement
  • Of all types, least likely to state that they value Home/family, Financial security, Relationships & friendships, and Community service
  • Overrepresented among MBA students and female small business owners
  • Commonly found in scientific or technical fields, computer occupations, and legal professions
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My brother found this very useful thank you very much
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Thank you for this! I found the matches & facts most interesting.
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I think that us INTJ's are the most valuable type out of all of the personality types. We shape the world with our creative and ingenious minds.
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Oh and thank you for the information. I almost feel as if this was written specifically for me and no one else. Hard to accept that there are others like myself. Makes me feel less unique. I guess I will have to try and hold on the the idea that I am the best of all of the masterminds in order to satisfy my narcissistic tendencies lol
I am amazed how accurately this described me.
I am typical something, that seems outlandish to me.
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Hmmm.... 1 in 50 people are INTJs?... doubt it. Try 1 in 100. In three full classrooms of 30, there is not likely to be even 1 INTJ and if you are an INTJ in school... that 1 is probably you. This helps to explain why I have only met one other INTJ in my life, who was my best friend as a child, until we parted forever after I moved. Not to give you a sob story, hahaha, just an example that shows that we are rarer than 2% of the population.
I think that us INTJ's are the most valuable type out of all of the personality types. We shape the world with our creative and ingenious minds.
Most valuable type? As I recall none of my ideas have ever been well accepted. Maybe if people understood us a little better we would be accepted into more leadership positions, though it is my understanding that there are many of we INTJs are.

Though I do not hesitate to say that if the world consisted of only INTJs, everything would be very efficient. Then imagine if we had ENTPs to engineer inventions, then ENTJs to command the ENTPs as to what they need to do, and to finish it off with INTPs figuring things out that none of the rest of us would bother to even think about.

Now... a world of NTs? = maximum efficiency
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Very interesting info thanks for posting :) especially the facts..
Most valuable type? As I recall none of my ideas have ever been well accepted. Maybe if people understood us a little better we would be accepted into more leadership positions, though it is my understanding that there are many of we INTJs are.

Though I do not hesitate to say that if the world consisted of only INTJs, everything would be very efficient. Then imagine if we had ENTPs to engineer inventions, then ENTJs to command the ENTPs as to what they need to do, and to finish it off with INTPs figuring things out that none of the rest of us would bother to even think about.

Now... a world of NTs? = maximum efficiency
Might be so, but it would also be a world so closely alike Vulcan from Star Trek that I think We'd never see another Adam Sandler movie... Please make it happen!
I think that us INTJ's are the most valuable type out of all of the personality types. We shape the world with our creative and ingenious minds.
Noone ever said we were modest about our abilities...
Thanks for this in-depth post. It is just incredible how accurate these tests are. I had been wondering why i am so different than my peers until i took the test and found i was an INTJ; So i'm different than 98% of the population? That sure explains a lot, lol. I peer into my recent yet young past and see myself often playing with legos in my room, watching Dexter's Laboratory, writing my webpage with HTML and Notepad, and playing Tennis. All solitary, technological or scientific, strategic, and creative interests. Fascinating!
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