Based on the work of Myers-Briggs (Isabel Briggs Myers and Katherine Briggs) and on the personality classifications formulated by Carl Jung, personality style profiles (PSP) help us understand how our personality type affects the way we approach situations and how we may respond or behave and interact with others.
There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ profiles, it is completely non-judgmental, but understanding how personalities are simply ‘different’ to our own, rather than inconsiderate or wrong, can help us to work together.
What are the practical benefits?
Why display our personality types on our emails?
The Idealist
A person of an INFP personality type is internally focussed with a strong focus on feelings and intuition. When dealing with the world, information is generally interpreted intuitively. INFP personality types have a tendency to deal with situations and things in accordance with how they feel about them and how they fit in with their individual value systems.
INFP behaviour characteristics
INFPs tend to have an ideal view of the world that they strive for, aiming to make the world a better place with what they achieve. Their drive to find meaning in their life means that they are determined when they pursue the goals they set. This, coupled with perfectionism, means they are often quite driven people.
The values that an INFP lives by also direct their interaction with others to some extent. This personality type is highly intuitive about others, and often uses their instincts to guide their dealings with other people. Interactions are examined to test others’ values against their own, all helping to refine an INFP’s goals for themselves.
INFPs are driven to help others, and this can be a real asset in the workplace. They are excellent listeners, and generally considerate of others – they have a genuine interest in understanding what makes other people tick. INFPs may seem reserved at times, but they have a capacity for deep caring. Others often sense these qualities in an INFP and this personality type is often valued as a friend and confidante.
The mediators
With a dislike of conflict, INFPs often approach difficult situations with an aim to resolving them. An INFP will interpret conflict situations via their feelings and not on the rights and wrongs of the situation. This quality makes them excellent mediators, as they are skilled in understanding the various perspectives of those involved. When they are personally a target of the conflict, however, an INFP can have difficulty dealing with the situation logically, concentrating instead on how they personally feel.
INFPs are generally easy-going. However, when something they value is in question, they will passionately defend it. This applies not only to ideals but also to any job which interests them. In such situations, they will fight against their own tendency to gloss over details, and ensure every base is thoroughly covered.
High standards and commitment
‘Impersonal’ is not a word that fits for an INFP, and they will usually filter situations through their own experience. Cold, hard facts are difficult for them to deal with because of this, and logic isn’t something that comes naturally to them. On the other hand, their devotion to a cause they believe in can make them valuable defenders.
A need to complete tasks with perfection, and exacting standards, are other qualities that distinguish this personality type. These high standards make it difficult for INFPs to function when working in a group. They like to be in control of tasks, and their high standards can be difficult for others to live up to. INFPs are just as hard on themselves as they are on others, and usually need to learn how to balance their expectations with what is realistically possible.
The intuitive understanding of others makes an INFP valuable in many positions, particularly when there is a social or community element involved. INFPs are usually skilled writers, able to eloquently express what they’re feeling in the written word even if they may not be comfortable doing so verbally. When these skills are harnessed to working to a goal an INFP believes in, great things can be accomplished. The passion and commitment to an ideal exhibited by many of history’s greats is a hint of their INFP nature.
