INTJs Love A Challenge, but Not for Ego

A lot of people confuse INTJs as being unemotionally competitive. However, their debates and actions are based on principles of exploring different sides of issues based on logic, rather than ego. I am a true INTJ as over the course of the last 10 years, I have taken several versions of the Jungian Myers Briggs Personality Test, of which I find the humanmetrics.com one the most thorough and  accurate, literally more than 50 times. I think people are perplexed because I am a very thoughtful and caring person with those I love, and I am polite with most people, unless crossed, as I believe you should treat others as you would like to be treated. I am not rude or unnecessarily blunt to people as some think INTJs to be. However, I do get annoyed greatly and can be very intense when I see people being illogical, rude or selfish. I am competitive, but not with friends or family. I do compete at work and in school, but it is not with other people, but rather it is myself with whom I compete. What I mean by this is that I have very high standards for myself and am a perfectionist, not because I think I am better than others in the least, but because I am hard on myself when I am not giving my best.

It is hard to explain to non-NTs (ENTJs are similar in their high standards as well) because they think that I or other INTJs are just being argumentative or stubborn. It is absolutely nothing personal, but INTJs just have a hard time letting go of issues that are not thoroughly thought out. There are times when I will hold myself back and will refrain from discussing issues as I do not want to disrupt the harmony of a moment, but in my mind, I turn the issues over and over again in my head sometimes even for days after. I have been told that I am complex and intense. This is not always said in flattery as sometimes people have told me that I think too much and need to let things go. However, this is who I have been since I was a child of 3 or 4 (my earliest memory), and I accept myself as I am and frankly, after much self reflection and self criticism in my life, I like who I am. Still, I do not want to inconvenience others or make them uncomfortable. Now, there are INTJs who may be more egotistical about proving their point, but that is probably due to another issues that they may have, such as insecurity, narcissism or bi-polar disorder. Most INTJs that I have met are just very cerebral, intense and misunderstood. So, next time someone seems intense and argumentative, as long as they are not criticizing or putting down others, reflect on them, and think whether they may be an INTJ. Under that cerebral cloak, we are actually very ethical and fair people. Make your case logically, and we are also very open-minded.

Please comment on your experiences with INTJs or whether you relate to this if you are an INTJ.

Best job environments for Introverted-Extroverts

Introverted Extroverts (IEs) lack the extreme skills in social situations of pure extroverts, and share some characteristics with introverts. They're a mixture of both, but they have their own individual characteristics which make them quite unique.

Many IEs have evolved from pure introversion to a working level of extroversion. Some are extroverts who've developed truly deep inner dimensions. They have a sufficient level of extroversion to be good communicators, and are much more comfortable in social and career environments than introverts. Their social instincts are sometimes highly developed, like extroverts, and they are frequently good mixers.
However, their basic origins are very like introverts, even with the ones who were formerly pure extroverts. They retain a lot of the personal characteristics of introverts, and are often empathic to pure introverts. IEs are relatively low key, compared to even mild extroverts, although the former extroverts can turn it off an on at will.

They're good listeners, as well as talkers. They can see multiple perspectives in any social situation, which makes them excellent mediators, because they really can see both sides of any dispute.

This ability is their unique skill, and they can use it effectively in any career situation. They're real thinkers, like introverts, and their role is often to think their way through social situations. They're very good trainers, because they can literally see what's happening with their trainees' thinking, and know what's worrying them.

They aren't born managers. But if they have enough experience, they're very good managers by any standards. They communicate at all levels of their workforce, and are never bullies, or unreasonable. It's against their instincts to be unfair. They get a lot of genuine respect for that characteristic from their subordinates and their managers. Their judgment of people is very good, and they find and fix social problems without needing to be asked.

IEs far prefer healthy social environments, and actively avoid anything that doesn't meet that criteria. They don't like, and usually won't tolerate, irrational behavior, even in their managers. They're honest to the bone, and are never going to be part of anything underhanded or illegal. They also dislike office gossip, and executive power games.

That makes them lousy at office politics, but they're usually so good at their jobs that they're never even considered as dispensable. The IE will be the one that does the difficult jobs well, puts in enormous amounts of time where necessary, and does really good work on a routine basis.

They're not actually unambitious, although they may seem uninterested in promotions and careerism as a whole. To the IE, like the introvert, the career is a personal thing, and they have their own ideas about what they consider to be success.

This mix of characteristics makes IEs very good original thinkers. In creative fields, they excel, because of the variety of perspectives they understand so well, and they love to innovate. To them, innovation is exploration, and sometimes problem solving as well. They share with introverts the love of mental challenges, and will tackle any difficult concept fearlessly, like introverts.

They're very fast learners. Only the pure introverts can keep up with them in terms of recognizing the importance and uses of learning skills. They learn well, and they're almost always as demanding as introverts in perfecting their new skills. They want to know everything about their own mistakes, and will go looking for reasons for any shortcomings in their own work, and fix them.
As mediators, IEs are unique, and utterly unlike the other three types, in that they do a lot of their best social work almost unconsciously. For the others, it's a conscious effort, but for the IE it's so normal that they may not even notice that they've successfully solved a personal dispute or problem.

Unfortunately for IEs, management may not notice it, either. Where their natural skills are properly understood, IEs can be high flyers, and much appreciated. Their skills in some fields, like mediation, product development, and consultancies are usually so advanced that they're impossible to overlook. But in other fields, like accountancy, or in bureaucracies, they can be almost ignored, however good their work may be.

Their talents have to be in areas where recognition is easy, to guarantee career success. Their thinking is their real skill, and in humdrum careers full of routines and standardized procedural situations, that thinking is seriously restricted, and lacks outlets.

Anywhere an idea has a perceived value, the IE has a good career.
Conversely, anywhere thinking is not required is a desert to the IE, like the introvert. They're as likely to suffer from restrictions on use of their talents as an extrovert, and can be as deeply offended and repelled by some career environments as an Extroverted Introvert.

IEs mix very well with the other types, because of their empathy, and can be relied upon to assist them. They're very effective as mentors and make excellent friends, because they can genuinely understand the personal difficulties of others. IEs are often interpreters between the other types, and can explain the logic of an introvert to an extrovert so that the extrovert actually understands what's involved in the introvert's thought processes.

IEs can also make an EI feel secure in a room full of extroverts. They understand the extrovert mentality, and can explain it in a few words so the EI doesn't misinterpret the situation. They can help an introvert deal with a presentation, simply by being there, and with a few reassuring words. They can help an extrovert avoid going insane while attempting to communicate with an office full of introverts. They do this simply by asking a few questions which will make the extrovert use the sort of concepts which the introverts will want to hear, rather than doing a sales pitch, which will bounce off the introverts.
They are born consultants. Their advice is always good, and they check their own thinking are rigorously as any introvert. When they give advice, it's honest advice. Their honesty applies to themselves, too, and no double standards or excuses are made. They would be devastated if they ever gave bad advice, as much out of empathy as out of sheer horror at their mistake. Fortunately for IEs, they don't often make mistakes.

Despite their social skills, IEs sometimes frighten other people with their sheer inscrutability, which is very like introverts, unless they make the extra effort to communicate their friendliness. It takes a bit of time to spot the IE, who can be mistaken for an introvert or an extrovert, at first glance.

IEs are very good information handlers, but they do it differently from introverts and extroverts. The multiple perspective function takes over control of information, and will make associations with those perspectives, in any situation. Possible clashes and conflicts will be seen in advance. Most importantly, IEs share with introverts the ability to find weak points in information, and have the added ability to make all possible connections to their work.

It's not uncommon for an introvert, who can always find the most obscure information imaginable, to recognize significant issues with that information, and pass it on to the IE. The introvert knows the IE will know what to do with it, and how best to use it. An extrovert, who has a very high level of exposure to information from a huge variety of sources, will make a point of passing on any odd-looking or implausible information to the IE, for the same reason.

IEs are true team players. They really can generate trust in such diametrically opposite types of people. In any group of people if you ask who's the person they would trust with sensitive or difficult information, it'll be an IE. This is not a coincidence. IEs are trusted because they are trustworthy, and so are their skills. Their empathy and their individualism makes them strong characters, even if they appear understated compared to others.

IEs, by definition, are not doormats. They won't demand respect, but they'll get it, and there won't be any doubt why they get it. They're invariably capable, competent, people, and they have no difficulty proving it. They will stand up for themselves on principle, and the big risk in getting into a dispute with an IE is that they'll prove themselves right. They make very good arguments, and they're tough to debate against.

The best way to antagonize an IE is to be blas� about their ideas, or superficial about something important. That will convince the IE that they're dealing with a lesser intelligence, or one that doesn't know its own job. IEs do not like incompetent people, any more than introverts. They're usually nicer about it, most of the time, but they're as ruthless as introverts at removing anyone they see as a liability. They make very good managers, fair, open-minded and understanding, but the IE's bottom line cannot be crossed.

They're much the same, as subordinates. The bottom line applies to those above them as much as those below. An IE is more likely to fire an employer than an employer is likely to fire an IE. As employees, or members of an organization, the bottom line is credibility. They won't stick around trying to un-destroy any workplace, business, or group which has passed their level of tolerance. If you see an IE walking out of your workplace, that workplace is in trouble of some sort, for sure. Their judgment is extremely good, particularly in older IEs, and they will get off a sinking ship well before it hits an iceberg.

IEs don't know the meaning of laziness. Their internal introversion is a very powerful driving force, usually unseen by most people. The extroverted part may seem perfectly normal, but the energy level is always high.

This is where the Extroverted part of the IE flourishes. They aren't as frenzied as the extroverts in full flight, or a silently ultra industrious as introverts, both of whom can handle gigantic workloads, but they're on a par with both. If you want something done, and done in a certain way, the IE is the one who'll do that. Introverts and extroverts can be absolutely brilliant, and so can IEs. But the IE will understand instantly what you want, and why you want it done that way. The others may need it explained to them, or not see the perspectives.

Another definite skill of the IE, devolving on that ability to understand the priorities of others, is project management. Given a set task, the IE can turn it into a work of art. Their extroversion is particularly good at dealing with stakeholders, negotiating the impossible, and their empathy with other types connects well with anyone involved. Better yet, from the IE's point of view, there are plenty of issues to solve, planning issues, budget problems, all of which is lots of fun, for any IE, who thrives on any mental work. The IE may well make a few remarks about getting paid for having fun in these situations, and mean it.

If you want to build a pyramid, the introvert may produce a spaceship shaped like a pyramid, and the extrovert might have it built two weeks before you mentioned you'd like to build it. The IE, however, will give you a beautiful pyramid, with the sphinxes you asked for, all under warranty, and quite possibly under budget, if anyone suggested there was likely to be a budget blowout, and made that a problem for the IE to solve.

All that's required is that they're left in peace to do their work, like introverts, and aren't ever confined to the point their talents are suffering, like extroverts. If they have an idea to present, they should be heard, and their idea evaluated. Even if that idea isn't feasible, you can bet good money on the fact that the next idea will be, because the IE will learn from any situation.

IEs are real assets, in any situation, in any career. Managers who see an IE in their midst are strongly advised to grab them, before your competition does.

 Source: http://www.cvtips.com/career-choice/which-are-the-best-job-environments-for-introverted---extroverts.html

Careers & skills for the Introverted-Extrovert

Introverted extroverts are evolved extroverts. They've developed some of the characteristics of introverts, particularly socially. They're not true extroverts, because their style is quite different. Sharing a mix of the characteristics of two potentially very complex types makes IEs pretty complicated.

A rare few, those who were actually introverts but became semi-extroverts through their work, remain introverts, but have developed a range of social abilities. Introverts don't change drastically, but this form of the IE is what happens when they do. Their confidence has also developed enough for some selective extroversion.

IEs tend to be older, usually developing in early middle age or late adolescence. Experience has often dealt them some difficult cards, and frequently they've become a lot more advanced than people of their own age.

The extroverted part of the IE is the truly experienced campaigner. There will have been many situations, many lessons learned, and the IE tends to be a good student. The studious side, particularly the practical learning, interestingly, is the promoter of the introversions which transform the extrovert into an IE.

IEs are intelligent, and they recognize good working methods of doing things. Introverts have a lot of learning skills and habits which make them brilliant students, and the IE has no difficulty adopting them. They may also have introvert friends whose sheer ability has taught them how to use these skills. Their evolution is perfectly natural, and the result is a really effective hybrid.

The single accurate description of IEs is Low Key. IEs are the exact opposite of Extroverted Introverts in the sense that there are little or no theatrics. The IE doesn't bother to put on an act, because they assume others can see through acts as easily as they can. Their former extroversion remains functional as social judges, and in fact it's a major asset.

IEs have a huge advantage over other types. They're genuinely sensitive, like real introverts, but they have the social instincts of extroverts as well. As professionals in a career environment, this is usually a very good combination of abilities. They can see the raw nerves, and they know how to deal with them so no damage is done.
IEs are normally people who were good students, and became good professionals. As they mature, they improve their skills in doing business in their career environment. The days as a younger extrovert have given them some real toughness, but they've also evolved a lot of ability to empathize.

They don't tread on toes or try to belittle people. They can still be real extroverts when they feel like it, or when provoked, but that's not often. Usually they've completely outgrown it. If they suddenly become full powered extroverts, it generally means they're either annoyed, or enthusing like kids about something.

The ability to empathize is perhaps unique. IEs could make a career out of it. They're excellent negotiators and mediators. They know what's reasonable and what's not. They don't usually even need to ask what's acceptable to another party in a business deal.
This is partly professional skill, because they're always competent. However, it's also real understanding. Most IEs have had enough real life experience to be able to see the problems on a personal level as well as the purely professional. They know why something's a problem for a particular individual.

In the career environment, IEs are often hired as fixers as much as for their ability to make a good fit as for their work. Their mix of abilities means they're not too easily ruffled by any group of people, even the sometimes impossible EIs and the pure introverts, some of whom need a code book to be understood.

They're an indispensable asset to extroverts. The IE will be able to talk to the extrovert in the same language, with a perfectly genuine understanding of how the extrovert works. The IE also makes a very good sounding board for both the extrovert's and the introvert's endless streams of ideas. Both these types need people who can argue at their level, who have opinions and ideas of their own.

If that sounds like IEs have to be pretty good themselves to deal with very demanding people, that's exactly what it means. IEs are often leaders, CEOs, or managers, and they're extremely good in those positions because of their character. They can handle some of the most fiercely independent members of the other types, for that reason. They know why the introvert is frustrated, why the extrovert's chewing holes in the ceiling, and why the Extroverted Introvert is threatening suicide.

IEs know how to work with other people, and that fact is universally appreciated by everyone they work with. The IE is the one the warring tribes will bring in to make sense of the situation, when they've completely lost track of it. The IE will also be brought along to any business meeting, because of their ability to read the situation. It may not even be a conscious decision, but everyone will feel better if the highly experienced and knowledgeable IE is watching the store.

Another lesson IEs could teach the human race as a whole is that they never conflict with each other to the point where any damage is done. It simply would not cross the mind of an IE to even raise their voice, when disagreeing with another IE. Their disputes are more like games of chess, where the better thinking will win.

IEs will acknowledge good ideas, too, which is another invaluable career skill, sometimes totally lacking in some people. They will, invariably, promote talent. They never feel threatened by the skills of others. They're mentally much better adjusted to career issues than many others.

IEs can be highly competitive, but it's only in relation to things they care about. They're not competitive on principle, like extroverts, or despite themselves, like introverts. They'll do a good competitive interview for the job they've always wanted, because it really will be the job they've always wanted. IEs keep an eye on their career track, and being at heart realists, they will try to better their position. They are goal oriented, but most people don't notice that.

In career environments, their approach is good, because they don't get discouraged. It's part of their evolved state that they've acquired some of the sheer determination of introverts. To an introvert, nothing is impossible, just irritating. To the IE, nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of time.

Like extroverts, IEs create their environment to a large degree, but they do it cooperatively. Even as managers, in full control of environments, they remain low key, and don't become oppressive about their control.

Actually one difficulty in analyzing IEs is that they can be so low key they look like the janitor, not the boss. They're often underestimated because of their way of doing things.
Underestimating IEs is a real mistake. They can be seen as being too nice, too accommodating, too helpful. These perfectly natural traits are usually mistaken for weaknesses, which is entirely wrong. It doesn't bother the IE much if people don't know how to read them, but it gets on the nerves of the IE's friends. IEs have a lot of real friends, which they accumulate largely because of their habitual empathy and frequent fixing of other's problems. So those mistaking the IE for a doormat will soon find themselves on the receiving end from the IE's pure extrovert and pure introvert friends. Every once in a while the IE has to save their detractors from their friends.

The IE isn't a good person to try to pick on, when on their own, either. In some instances the IE, if required to fight, can become a very well organized mixture of the pure introvert and the pure extrovert. It's a hideously effective mix. At career level, the IE is a very strong professional. They can always stand on their own two feet. They're usually well connected, always respected, and have the career kudos to prove their abilities. 

Fortunately for their opponents, IEs aren't as nasty as the other types, unless someone's been fool enough to really push their buttons. It's no contest, either way. The IE will win.
IEs are never conspicuous or flashy and never play pecking order games. If they do, it's more likely to be as a joke against themselves among friends, not to be taken seriously. They don't need to show off, they know better, and they don't like it when others do, because they see it as a risk. They will make a point of not letting their friends of the other three types set themselves up for a fall like that either, on principle. IE's social skills are very reliable, and their advice is taken because their friends trust their judgment. They're good at keeping their friends safe.

Trust is another part of the large inventory of healthy career skills the IE works with on a regular basis. IEs can be trusted with sensitive information, and can be relied upon to keep their mouths firmly but tactfully shut. The IE, unlike many others, doesn't need to be told when to clam up on a subject, or why it needs doing. They will remain silent on basic principles. They're naturally suited to sensitive situations, where their trustworthiness is a relief to others.

IEs are not suited to the roles of extroverts. They can do the work, and are often as good as the pure extroverts, but they're rarely happy in the social hurricane environment in which the extroverts thrive. They simply don't like it. Trying to remake them into extroverts is like trying to make them into 5 year olds again. They've moved on, and it represents a step backwards.

For the introverted IE form, that environment is poison. They hate it, they're allergic to it, they loathe it, and despite their extroversion skills, and even if they can do the work, they'll already be on the way out the door.

They're also impossible to keep in any environment they dislike. To be strictly fair, they will work in uncomfortable situations when they know the work needs to be done, or to help out. However, if they find themselves in a position where they're expected to be extroverts, and are assessed in comparison with extroverts, they will consider themselves to be misinterpreted.
That means in IE language that an error of judgment has been made, and IEs don't have much faith in people who can't read other people. Because empathy and good character judgment are such basic parts of an IE's nature, misinterpretation equates to incompetence. It's a real faux pas just to make such a basic error of judgment, let alone expect the IE to live with it.

The IE can get another job in about 5 seconds. Unlike introverts, they're instantly recognizable for their skills. Managers should also note that losing the real social mechanics of their organization is not a good idea. IEs contribute a lot to their career environment, on all levels. Their mere presence will generate a bit of positive receptivity, even from office politicians, let alone the other three types. The IE's competence gives them authority in any social group, even when they're not managers, or even particularly well known.

Lack of recognition will annoy an IE. They know much better than almost anyone else, through their early years as extroverts, what a stop-start career means. They've done it before, and won't gladly tolerate any repeat performances. They'll vanish, overnight, and the gap they leave will horrify others in the workplace.

Unlike some, IEs don't need applause, but they do need to know that they're properly understood and that their work in particular is properly understood. This is particularly important among professional IEs whose judgment will tell them they're wasting their time in that job if their efforts are routinely disregarded.

IEs are highly motivated people, although you'd never guess it to speak to them, unless you're on a favorite topic. They do have ambitions, they're just not as neurotic about them as others. The motivation is usually shown by what jobs they go for, and the sort of studies and qualifications they do almost as permanent parts of their lives.

IEs share with introverts the ability to specialize, sometimes to extreme levels. Their extroverted components make them good explorers, and if you were to pick a group of people to land on another planet, the group of most qualified and enthusiastic explorers, apart from the extroverts, would be comprised of at least half IEs.

The IE is a truly brilliant team member. This is the best use of any IE, the one where they're naturally at their most effective. It's the career environment they prefer. They have their friends with them, and although they have a lot of introverted characteristics, they're not natural loners. Team environments, as long as they're real teams, are perfect for IEs to work on all levels. If the IE is in a position to use their talents without restriction, the extroverted component is also happy.

There's one further thing which needs mentioning. The IE, unlike anyone else, is never unreasonable. That's also an utterly non-negotiable part of their makeup. In a career situation, anything unreasonable is simply not acceptable. They will never be able to trust that situation, or the people involved. They'll know what will happen long before it happens. Their ability to empathize will be disgusted. They don't appreciate being able to virtually taste irrationality, greed, or plain stupidity. They won't tolerate it.
It's a good example of how truly competent IEs are. If you see an IE heading for the exit as a career move, you'd probably be best advised to follow.

Source: http://www.cvtips.com/career-choice/best-careers-and-skills-for-introverted-extroverts.html

Introverted vs Highly Sensitive Person

It's interesting in our outward based society how different temperaments can be misconstrued.

My Jung Typology test indicates that I am moderately introverted (44%). However, I have no trouble making friends, being social, striking up conversations with strangers, and although I am quiet at times when I am observing a situation, I cannot recall an instance, even as a child when it was due to shyness or timidity. I have met people who say they are introverted, and who are socially awkward, but although I may feel anxiety at times, I quite natural with my social graces and behavior. I also enjoy being out and about and experiencing new things. However, I also enjoy being alone or just one on one with a friend, and social activity every day, except for with my few closest friends who are like me, leaves me feeling drained, and desperately craving alone time to recharge my batteries after social activity. I also like spending lunch breaks alone at work, but have made exceptions for a few coworkers over the years. I used to tell people that I am introverted because of this need to be alone at time and recharge and because I dislike large crowds. However, people took my saying that I am introverted to mean that I did not feel comfortable or natural socializing. Consequently, introversion has to do with where one gets one energy from. It is not shyness or social awkwardness, and most people think. Shyness and social awkwardness occurs in people who desire to be more social or lack social skills. Some introverts are also shy, but so are some extroverts. I obtain my energy recharge internally and from being alone as well as from new experiences and sensations in the world. After too much outward activities though, I feel overwhelmed. This led me to be unsure of whether I am introverted or extroverted for a long time. I never felt that introverted descriptions aptly fit me or extroverted ones.

Then I discovered one of the books that changed my life: Elaine Aaron's The Highly Sensitive Person for it really changed my understanding of myself. I realized that while I do lean more toward introversion, I am not an extreme introvert, but I am definitely highly sensitive from being affected by loud noises, having a very sensitive body to allergies, my need to be alone due to overwhelm of stimuli, and being able to sense and feel a room or a person's moods very strongly. However, when I tell people that I am highly sensitive, they assume that I am emotionally sensitive and just emotional in general. This couldn't be furthest from the truth because I am a true INTJ because I am very logical and analytical. I even analyze my emotions. High sensitivity related to sensory and biological sensitivity more than emotions. So, I have then stopped telling people I am a HSP, because I find it extremely aggravating when people assume I am emotionally sensitive and delicate (not that there is anything wrong with that. I have a close friend who is very sensitive and I love that about her. However, it is very much not me). I know for sure that I am an HSP as described by Dr. Aaron.

Only 30% of HSPs are extroverted and many assume that the need to withdraw due to over-stimulation is due to introversion, but that is not always the case. Sometimes, you know instinctively when something describes you.

This article explains my point of view quite aptly and explores the relationship and differences between HSP and introversion, check out this great article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/attending-the-undervalued-self/201107/understanding-the-highly-sensitivity-person-sensitive-int

What I have learned from people's feedback is that it is not necessary to tell people what you are, especially if you are doing so in an effort to make them understand you because there are preconceived notions prevalent in society about some labels. If they are interested, you can perhaps describe your character trait and then explain high sensitivity, and then send them an article or get them a book on it. However, I find it quite cumbersome, and it appears so self-centered to go to such great lengths to explain and talk about yourself for as long as it will take to clear up the mis-assocations. Even some of my wonderful friends have made a mis-association when I told them I was more introverted and a HSP. These concepts are great to learn about so that you can understand yourself and learn how to maneuver in your own life and in the world in a manner that utilizes your greatest strengths and enables you to build build coping skills in regards to your weaknesses.