JUNGIAN PERSONALITY TYPES

ENTP
Above all, my goal is to awaken others from their dogmatic slumbers into intellectual
curiosity."
ENTPs at a Glance
Spontaneous, witty, and clever.
Adaptable, lively, and quick.
Excitable free spirits who crave novelty and enjoy the unexpected.
Have a great need for intellectual stimulation and may stir up debate just for the sake of it.
Are more conceptual than practical, with more of an interest in exploring the new than in
following up on the old.
ENTPs as They Typically Are
ENTPs are spontaneous and jocose individuals who tend to approach things with a keen sense
of curiosity. They often have an intellectual and cerebral bent where they prize learning and
love tinkering with concepts and exploring new ideas. ENTPs may come to see the world as
their intellectual playground and as a place for them to unfold their experiments just to see
what will happen.
ENTPs tend to be highly adaptable and are often good at seeing the same thing from multiple
viewpoints at once. Though their thinking is logical, they are not primarily rationalists or
systems thinkers, but tend to operate on the basis of highly original (if also fleeting)
inspirational insights that come to them as unexpectedly as they take flight again: In a single
moment, an ENTP might see how a thing could work, how it could be harnessed, and what it
could mean for humanity several years from now. However, such ideas may take flight just as
easily as they came upon the mind of the ENTP in the first place, leading the ENTP to
suddenly drop the whole thing cold once the fire of novelty has died out.
Whereas ENFPs tend to be passionate champions of whatever they believe in - be it a
person's potential or a political agenda - ENTPs place more weight on confronting others
with their reasoning than on getting them on board with their conclusions, and in the eyes of
people who want to know where others stand ENTPs may therefore seem both impersonal
and irresolute. In general, ENTPs tend to think in terms of ideas rather than causes, and in
terms of principles rather than value judgments. In spite of these differences, however, both
ENFPs and ENTPs tend to excel at getting others excited at some future possibility or project
and at getting them to work together in order to blaze new and unknown trails in the quest to
discover something new.
Although they are normally quite laid-back and easygoing, ENTPs can nonetheless be a bit
interpersonally abrasive at times, especially in regards to intellectual matters. ENTPs tend to
have high expectations of themselves and others, and they will often be disappointed by a
world which is inevitably seen as too mundane and slow-moving to satisfy their restless

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minds. Hence ENTPs can often become frustrated, or even misanthropic, when others fail to
grasp the inspirational value of their ideas or fail to get excited over the inspirational vistas
that the ENTP is laying bare before them.
Of the 16 types described in Jung's typology, the ENTP is perhaps the most Promethean of
them all: ENTPs are often deeply invested in the advancement of humankind - they tend to
see scientific and philosophical progress not just as methods or tools for the betterment of the
human condition, but as steps towards transcendence. In this way, ENTPs tend to take a
panoramic, "grand view" of developments where they de-personalize and de-individualize the
content of their perceptions. ENTPs may therefore get excited about the various social and
technological developments that take place in the world, but inevitably they will view them
as impersonal in nature and forget to give much thought to how these prospects should be
implemented in practice, or how they could personally stand to gain from them.
In interpersonal matters, ENTPs will often strike a challenging and humorous pose. In
conversation they tend to bounce from subject to subject, making sly remarks and engaging
others in playful banter. While ENTPs may be both amiable and personable, they are
nevertheless more often interested in learning about people's thoughts than about the personal
details of their lives. Hence while most ENTPs are friendly enough, they can sometimes
come across as somewhat cold or intimidating since they are less interested in people than in
the ideas that people are able to think up. In this way, others may sometimes experience a
sense of uneasiness at the risk of being thought boring or tedious while around the ENTP.
This critical gaze is also a double-edged sword, however, as ENTPs can sometimes be
overwhelmed by existential alienation and isolate themselves from others if they feel they are
surrounded by simpletons.
In their professional lives, ENTPs are generally drawn to jobs that challenge them
intellectually and continually introduce them to new ideas. ENTPs tend to approach their
work in a highly unstructured and chaotic fashion and they may easily become resentful if
they feel that others are forcing routine or an undue focus on practical matters upon them.
ENTPs usually do not like directing others or ordering them around, and for this reason most
ENTPs are not natural managers. On balance, ENTPs tend to do much better in mentoring or
teaching roles where they can simply inform the student about the general principle and then
have the student take it from there.
Overall, ENTPs tend to make excellent communicators, and they are frequently able to
explain even complex academic ideas with ease and in simple terms that laymen can
understand. They are good at getting people excited, and they often try to entice them to
commit a bit more to the intellectual side of life. In general, ENTPs are very giving
intellectually, sharing freely of their thoughts and ideas without necessarily thinking about
how they will gain from it themselves. Like Prometheus from Greek mythology, they truly
cannot help but give fire to mankind.
"Everything I have not known before interests me more than everything I have seen in
my life."
ENTPs as They Typically Are

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ENTPs are conceptual, creative, and critical individuals who tend to restlessly question
everything. They thrive in environments where they are free to pursue their own ideas and
challenge commonly-held beliefs. They often see a multitude of opportunities and
possibilities in situations that are new to them. Their contributions are often brilliant in fields
where there is no established orthodoxy to weigh down the free play of their ideas.
ENTPs live for intellectual novelty and many feel stifled in situations where there is only one
accepted way of doing something or where you have to lock things in and pursue a given plan
for long periods of time. At heart, they tend to crave mental stimulation and are easily bored.
They enjoy the thrill of intellectual discovery or exploration. Their primary interest lies in the
intuitive exploration and rational mapping out of complex ideas. Even if their field is not
natural science, many ENTPs seem to come across as the "mad scientist" archetype:
Rambling, excitable, intellectual, and rational, but above all: Curious to the point of
scorching themselves on the brightness of their own ideas.
To others, ENTPs can often appear scatterbrained and "all over the place," seeming
unrealistic and too clever for their own good. Be that as it may, however, ENTPs are
nevertheless rational at heart and tend to structure their thought according to an internally
consistent system of principles that is not immediately evident to others. They tend to be
quite adept at analyzing information gleaned from others' research and can often discern the
underlying pattern of why the research comes out the way it does without having to drill
down and really immerse themselves in the data. They operate more on the basis of
intellectual hunches that very often turn out to be correct.
While this uncanny ability often strikes others as enviable and glamourous (and even causes
other types to misidentify as ENTP), most ENTPs are actually somewhat dissatisfied with
this ability being their principal claim to fame. All too often, such work will strike them as
boring, monotonous, and unimpressive. Some may even refuse to deploy their talents towards
working on those problems that are the most important to others, getting more and more
esoteric in their own interests and escaping into intellectual niche fields where they feel they
can really break new ground.
Whether they work on mainstream problems or their own obscure ideas, ENTPs generally
follow the pattern of intuitively exploring a great deal of information at a rapid pace, so as to
gain a quick outline of the field, and then rationally mapping what they have seen into
clusters of concepts and ideas that are held together by impartial logical principles in the
mind of the ENTP. They tend to leave their conceptual map of a field loose so that their
findings are easily accessible and open to further exploration and analysis.
Some ENTPs have a hard time relating to others in a normal fashion, and for this reason they
may purposefully strike a pose as tricksters, jokers, or larger-than-life "characters" who stand
beyond the drudgery of normal human existence. While these iconoclastic tendencies may
lend the ENTP an air of glamorous mischief, it also presents the danger of turning the ENTP
into a directionless rebel if it goes on for too long.
ENTPs will often seem mischievous and young at heart irrespective of their actual age. Their
connection to practical everyday reality is not the best, and even into old age, they cannot
help but daydream, imagine, and harp on all the new ideas and possibilities that spring from
their latest intellectual infatuation. They find it very hard to focus on details and to stay aware

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of the limitations of concrete reality. While they may be capable of noticing and applying
themselves to practical details for short periods of time, particularly when motivated to
address a perceived weakness, this concrete focus never lasts for long before the ENTP again
escapes into their intellectual world of principles and conceptual free play.
Overall, ENTPs tend to be highly creative and open individuals who investigate the nature of
the world around them by exploring as many new ideas as they can and extracting exciting
new possibilities from them. While they may seem chaotic and scatterbrained, the internal
thought patterns of the ENTP are in fact more principled and rational than most. They are
perhaps the most intellectually voracious and open-minded of all the types, finding
themselves questioning the accepted wisdom of every field that they pursue. While they can
sometimes seem cynical about people and society, they are strikingly often optimists when it
comes to drawing up the possibilities and opportunities that they see as inherent in their most
recent intellectual romance.

INTP
"To really understand something you've got to reduce it to its principles."
INTPs at a Glance
Logical, analytical, and well-reasoned.
Laid-back, independent, and dispassionate.
Intellectual problem solvers and systems analysts who trust principles rather than going case
by case.
Pensive theorists who are often more interested in pure understanding than in application.
Have a preference for theory and abstractions and may come across as distant or have a hard
time engaging others emotionally.
INTPs as They Typically Are
INTPs are logical-minded yet laid-back individuals. They tend to be very curious about the
world around them and prefer to observe and slowly learn as they approach a new topic.
INTPs like to categorize, define and systematize the information in their heads and, of all the
types, they are perhaps the most meticulous with regards to precise implications and analyses.
Nevertheless, INTPs tend to take a playful approach to learning where the end goal isn't as
important as what they learn and explore. They tend to dislike standardized testing and
oftentimes would prefer an individualized curriculum.
Since they are often highly logical, INTPs can sometimes be perceived as a bit pedantic. For
example, if someone says something that seems incorrect or inconsistent, INTPs will often
feel called upon to correct them or to engage them in conversation in order to try and get a
better sense of exactly what they mean. INTPs tend to like hearing the thoughts and ideas of
others, and they often have fun just freely talking, exploring and speculating on what could
be derived from a quaint idea that someone else voiced, or whether something quirky or
surprising could be made to work in the real world. While not emotive as such, most INTPs
are nevertheless sympathetic, and in almost any conversation they will engage out of a sense
of fun and bemusement, no matter how silly it may seem at times. They do so just to see

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where it goes and what kinds of ideas and interesting thoughts that will turn up and that they
themselves can come up with.
In social situations, INTPs often exhibit a sense of laid-back play and spontaneity, although
they tend to prefer more intellectually orientated activities at heart. This can make them seem
nerdy, and their laid-back, forgiving, and down-to-earth side is often just a persona that they
accept and flaunt to get along with others. Inwardly, they tend to spend a lot of time in their
own heads and can appear scattered or remote to others. Often they will tend to appear
forgetful with regards to everyday life and to be poor at scheduling.
INTPs tend to have diverse interests but, in general, to prefer the harder sciences as they like
to understand things which can inherently be systematized. On the other hand, however, it is
not unheard of for them to develop an avid interest in the arts. But here, once again, they tend
to take a theoretical approach to the subject where they are more interested in perceiving and
creating frameworks to understand it and systems to organize it rather than simply staying
with the sensory experience in full.
INTPs are often fans of speculative science or science fiction, and many take a theoretical
and open-ended look at scientific advancements that are currently in the pipeline to try and
understand how humanity will deal with things in the future and how technology will shape
the world to come.
INTPs tend to gravitate towards scientific or knowledge-based jobs where they like to
discover new frameworks of understanding and develop abstract models for what is occurring
around them. They tend to dislike detail work and are not naturally good leaders or managers.
They tend to be at their best when they work independently and they prefer it when others are
also able to work in this manner, that is, without needing a lot of guidance.
INTPs tend to be creatures of habit. They often like to explore and drift about a bit, but at the
end of the day, they tend to like predictability and will resent things which they feel are
imposing themselves on their private spheres or trying to make them conform to a different
way of doing things when they feel their way is better thought out or more logical. As a
result, they can be stubborn and withdrawing at times, when they tend to want to live and
organize life on their own terms.
While they have an accommodating demeanor, and can even be very expressive at times,
INTPs tend to have a hard time with emotions. With their highly logical nature they are often
somewhat dismissive of really emotional points of view, or are less likely to see emotion-
infused rhetoric as a valid way of arguing. They can have a hard time recognizing others'
emotional needs as valid, and at times they can stubbornly refuse to meet the needs that are
set before them or to conform to some standard if they do not personally agree with the
expressed reasoning behind it or find it logical. While normally laid-back, they often aren't
afraid of conflict in this manner. However, INTPs are rarely dictatorial: They don't seek to
change others or what they are doing. Instead they will just refuse, abstain, or make their
thoughts known and move on. In short, they will refuse to be part of what is going on.
INTPs tend to be better thinkers and problem solvers than communicators and can have a
hard time explaining their ideas to others as they tend to work in highly specialized fields and
to not always be aware of how they are coming across. They are often adept at coming up
with elegant solutions to analytical predicaments and solving complex problems. However,

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they often need a lot of time and space to do what they do and tend to dislike fast-paced or
rapidly changing environments.

ENTJ
"A project that is run by me has a strategic plan, discipline, and a bias for action. It is
structured to keep momentum."
ENTJs at a Glance
Hard-headed, objective, and methodical.
Goal-oriented, forceful, and decisive.
Data-crunching organizers who aim to align their conduct - and everything else within reach -
with objective data.
Factual and unbiased in their examination of the issues at hand and interested in applying
abstract theory to inform the situation.
Constantly seeking to turn problems into solutions and may come across as unfeeling and
overbearing in their eagerness to move forward.
ENTJs as They Typically Are
ENTJs are logical and pragmatic decision makers who are keenly aware of the theoretical
implications of their actions and ideas. They typically have a thorough understanding of the
facts and parameters involved in their decisions as well as the academic or scientific research
that pertains to their fields of expertise. ENTJs tend to be confident and effective working
with empirical information and complicated systems. Their primary interest lies in
reorganizing, manipulating, and optimizing the vast troves of objective knowledge that
society has hitherto produced in order to formulate solid conclusions and plans of action that
can be used to propel people and organizations towards ever greater goals. Over time, these
interests tend to grow into a veritable arsenal of impartial expert knowledge that the ENTJ
can use to operate effectively in the world.
As natural data crunchers, ENTJs are frequently skilled at predicting and working out the
consequences of a given plan of action. In doing so, they tend to be extremely methodical and
to base their assertions on impersonal and impartially verified data, and they are typically
tremendously objective when it comes to evaluating the merits of the various options and
plans that are currently in play: ENTJs rarely play favorites, and they rarely become
emotionally attached to one plan of action, the way INTJs sometimes do. Instead, an ENTJ
will typically allow every (sensible) plan to have its day in court by subjecting it to the same
criteria as every other plan and then they will put their support behind whatever plan seems
best according to the data.
Of the 16 types described in Jung's typology, the ENTJ is perhaps the most objective and
impersonal of them all. Younger ENTJs may therefore sometimes struggle to understand how
others can object to a conclusion that makes sense objectively without offering any kind of
analytical or data-driven pushback. ENTJs are not naturally attuned to the more emotional or
personally idiosyncratic reasons that others may have for opposing a plan, and they can

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sometimes get frustrated and annoyed – and perhaps even a bit dictatorial – if others fail to
couch their opposition to the ENTJ's ideas in logical terms.
As they mature, ENTJs have often been observed to grow a bit more lenient and mellow in
these kinds of situations. Not so much because they abandon their logical approach, but
because they come to factor in ‘human resistance' as a cost of doing business. That being
said, however, most ENTJs will always be keenly aware of the prospective consequences and
efficiency of a given course of action, and it will often be exceedingly difficult to dissuade
them, or lead them off course, when they have set their sights on an objective which they are
convinced is worthwhile.
Mature ENTJs are often very good at generating a multitude of possible analyses and listing
numerous possible outcomes or conclusions that could be derived from a particular premise.
But they rarely find much pleasure or gratification in engaging with this kind of thinking
unless in service of some larger goal or in order to help someone they care about.
Because they are so focused on honing their rigorous methodology and understanding expert
opinions and scientific investigations of their areas of interest, ENTJs tend to resist evaluating
their knowledge in a personalized way or occupying themselves with theoretical questions
that have little practical application and may very easily seem like "theory for theory's sake."
In their minds, it is often less important whether something makes sense on the human or
personal level, so long as it is obviously true within the scientific and data-driven frames of
reference that the ENTJ has set up for themselves and made the pivot point of their logical
thinking. However, ENTJs who are sufficiently motivated can frequently develop themselves
in these areas and become very skilled at performing these kinds of analyses. And ENTJs
who allow themselves to do so will generally find these alternative ways of evaluation very
useful when faced with contradictory or competing information from their normal spheres of
reference.
ENTJs generally have a hard time judging interpersonal interactions on the basis of societal
expectations of propriety and custom and they may at times find themselves unintentionally
giving offense. They cannot help but see and state the truth that their analysis of the data
suggests, even if others may find that truth inconvenient and unpleasant. Although they may,
with much determination, become more receptive to the emotions and peculiar beliefs of
others, it is not their natural strength. In general, they prefer to convince others using facts
and evidence to set out a case so clear and cogent that others cannot help but come to the
same conclusions.
With their ability to peruse expert knowledge in depth and to come up with solid, data-driven
solutions to tackle complex problems, ENTJs are ideally suited for positions of managerial
and executive responsibility, and even when they are not in a formal position of authority
they thrive when they are given the freedom to reorganize and reform the matters around
them to ensure greater efficiency as well as a greater outcome for everyone involved.
"To be successful, an organization must have a strong leader who's willing to make
choices and define the trade-offs."
ENTJs as They Typically Are

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ENTJs are directional and assertive individuals who value achievement, accomplishment, and
rationality. They tend to be very self-directed and are often good at isolating profitable
standards and goals which they are able to present objectively, as "the thing that needs to be
done," in a way that seems cogent and authoritative to others.
Many ENTJs like to have things well organized and for this reason ENTJs tend to be good
organizers and managers - especially when it comes to complex and high-level challenges.
They can often surprise others by the ease with which they reduce even difficult structural
problems to essentials and then effortlessly rearrange them into a logical sequence that will
achieve a particular goal.
ENTJs are often very future-oriented and many can't help but find themselves always
thinking ahead. As opposed to the other three NT types, who might also be very future-
oriented, the ENTJ does not look to the future in a dreamy or non-literal way, but rather in a
profoundly logical one where the structures that are already present in reality are rationally
extrapolated to reach into the future. Instead of flying cars and Mars colonies, they see how
holdings could be expanded, businesses grown, and projects scaled in scope. They are, in
other words, the most factual and realistic of all the NT types.
Many ENTJs are ambitious in nature and blessed with the ability to organize and lead. They
tend to be interpersonally impartial and to give even outsiders a fair and open-minded hearing
if they feel they can contribute to the task at hand. However, only rarely do they give others
an easy pass; they tend to see individual merit as something that has to be proven, and it
typically takes quite a while to earn their respect. Still, they often win the respect of others, as
they are not inclined to play favorites, but tend to view everything and everyone from an
impersonal standpoint where people are judged on the basis of their actions and the results
that they produce.
Younger ENTJs may not always know what they wish to be known for in life or how they
will earn their money, but even in early life, most are aware they want to own something,
reform something, and be seen as a bit of a mover and shaker within their field. Later in life,
many ENTJs develop a fondness for luxuries or articles of consumption that are associated
with high status. They tend to enjoy them as the symbols of a life well spent; the rewards
afforded by having applied one's talents to the full.
In their personal lives, ENTJs can sometimes be perceived as curt and businesslike - as if
even their social and leisurely activities are also handled with a bit of a professional mindset.
ENTJs tend to dislike small talk and trivialities, and they often feel a bit out of sync in chit-
chatty conversations, where there are no clear objectives to be accomplished. On the other
hand, some ENTJs have a provocative sense of humor where they enjoy ribbing people, often
to see what they are made of, and what kind of reaction they can get from them.
Many ENTJs are confrontational in nature, and only rarely do they shy away from argument,
debate, or competitive interaction in general. Even if they do not articulate this belief in full,
many ENTJs instinctively believe that competition is the main mechanism of progress – an
indispensable driver that serves to sort the wheat from the chaff and determine who should be
at the top.
ENTJs tend to excel at instilling a sense of narrative, purpose and vision concerning whatever
project they are involved with. In many cases, it is as if an air of authority comes naturally to

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them, with their words and instructions being felt as especially compelling by others, as if the
ENTJ is not just voicing their opinion, but authoritatively pointing out what needs to be done.
ENTJs tend to be empirically minded, and most prefer to base their decisions on hard fact and
evidence. They tend to be unsympathetic towards emotional arguments, and for this reason,
they can sometimes come across as unforgiving and harsh. In actual fact, however, many
ENTJs are not as rigid as they may appear. While they may appear decisive in their
utterances and deeds, ENTJs are often much more flexible in their thinking than others
perceive them. They understand that institutions, people and systems are prone to error and
ossification and are almost always in need of optimization, repurposing, clearing out, and
revitalizing.
While not emotionally expressive as such, ENTJs are often deeply principled people. Many
care deeply about individual rights and value policies in an intense way where they can
almost seem a bit religious or romantic about it. Regardless of political orientation, they tend
to dislike collectivist or overly controlling styles of governance and would rather provide
people with an opportunity to realize their talents than smother them in well-meaning but
inflexible bureaucracy. They would rather create a world where every person can rise to be
the master of their own destiny, and where each person is truly the ruler of their own life.

INTJ
"Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways. The point is to change
it."
INTJs at a Glance
Confident, iconoclastic, and determined.
Independent, strong-willed, and intense.
Individualists who devise extensive schemes in their own minds and take great confidence in
them.
Maintain a critical attitude with little need to state the good, retaining a constant focus on
how things could be improved.
Pursue their goals with a tunnel-vision drive that may come across as neglectful of other
people's feelings and views.
INTJs as They Typically Are
INTJs are hard-headed and critical visionaries who live for the implementation of schemes
and ideas of their own making. Unlike INTPs, who are often interested in knowledge for its
own sake, INTJs tend to discern a singular goal - "a change that needs to happen" - and then
push for that goal in an intense and monomaniac way that may be off-putting to others.
Once a worthwhile goal has been distinguished in the mind of an INTJ, he or she will often
be extremely persistent in pushing for its fruition. Again, unlike the INTP and ENTP types
(and even unlike the ENTJ), the INTJ tends to single out one idea - their best idea - and then
give it their all. Once the consciousness of an INTJ has set its sights upon a scheme that has
acquired this kind of meaning to them, the INTJ will happily pursue their goal with the

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greatest tenacity, brewing, musing, refining, and sitting on it for years until so much has gone
into it that this one idea appears as practically irrefutable once presented to the world.
It is not just in their presentation of knowledge but also in their collection of it that the INTJ
will be seen to be different from other types: For those long swatches of time, which might be
termed the "incubation period" where the INTJ is refining their idea, they might, on the face
of it, resemble any other NT type. However, even during those periods of latency, another
characteristic of the INTJ is that they tend to collect information in such a way that anything
that is pertinent to their overall goal is considered relevant while anything that falls beside the
goal is summarily dismissed. As C.G. Jung has said of them, INTJs keep circling their
vision, amplifying its cognitive connotations in their minds until they have formed a complete
mental picture of its significance.
This mental picture functions not just as a roadmap for change, but also as a source of
certitude to the INTJ. Hence their dogged conviction on the one hand, and their famous
dismissiveness on the other. In their minds they have perceived a very possible version of the
future and it is exactly this vision that they are committed to bringing to fruition. Others may
contribute in ways that aid the idea towards its realization, of course, but to an INTJ, their
vision is their own: The moment others start tampering with the idea, as opposed to merely
assisting by working toward its conclusion, they should jump in a lake and get lost.
More so than any other type, INTJs tend to have a high drive for independence and
autonomy. For this reason they can often clash with the wishes of others, or come across as
insensitive while in pursuit of their goal. To others, the specifics concerning a given goal may
be up for debate - part of the polite give and take of social life, no less. But to an INTJ, their
self-esteem is often bound up with their ingenuity - they want to know that they were the
ones who conceived the change and that it was effectuated in the way that they envisaged it.
Start mending the idea too much according to the wishes of others, and this is likely to
provoke a forceful response from the INTJ - they must be true to the vision as they saw it.
Thus, while INTJs can often be blunt with people who seek to modify or contradict their
opinions, they are rarely as judgmental as they may first appear. Their intensity and one-
sidedness tends to pertain to just those areas for which they have an intuitive vision,
reflecting their personal desire to turn that vision into reality in accordance with the manner
in which it came to them. In other areas of life, an INTJ may be surprisingly laid-back and
humorous, reveling in paradox and satire (indeed even self-satire when in the company of an
intimate few).
However, at the end of the day, INTJs are still hard-headed, resolute, and decisively
businesslike when it comes to the matters that interest them. They tend to think in terms of
dichotomies and ultimatums, and they are frustrated by inanity and ivory-tower type of
thinking that is weighted down by too many qualifications and 'maybes,' reflecting their own
need to arrive at definite and clear-cut solutions.
Overall, INTJs are truly seminal thinkers with an ability to grasp at the root of a problem and
re-think the 'givens' that were hitherto thought insurmountable or settled. They set impressive
goals for themselves, and they commit to these goals and plan for their execution with a
vehemence and forcefulness that may seem slightly eerie or off-putting to other types. For the
INTJ, however, the execution of their plans is not so often a matter of pleasantry or its

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opposite, as it is a matter of inner psychological necessity. Of lofty-minded visions that truly
have the power to change the world.
"If ever a man is to achieve anything like dignity, it can happen only if superior men are
given absolute freedom to think what they want to think and say what they want to
say."
INTJs as They Typically Are
Detached pragmatists, INTJs are systematic and often visionary problem solvers. They
approach problems in a methodical manner. While often slow to act, they are unconsciously
observant and analytical, slowly noting how the parts of the whole fit together before taking
decisive action. When they do so, they typically seek to arrange things to suit their needs or
to achieve a particular goal or vision.
Outwardly INTJs often appear distant and, for the most part, inexpressive. They can come
across as cold or even harsh, but are more or less just detached. They do not easily get caught
up in their emotions, the emotions of others even less.
Despite their somewhat stiff appearance, INTJs tend to have a rich inner life and will have an
eclectic set of interests that tend to run very deep. Their interests are often geared towards
abstract and theoretical subjects that should, nevertheless, be able to be benchmarked by
objective metrics. Whatever their interests are, they tend to pursue them with an almost
obsessional intensity where they will let their curiosity lead them as it will. Some INTJs tend
to be perfectionistic in nature where even in their more relaxed and less abstract hobbies, they
play in order to win, that is, to become very practiced and skilled.
While often not the greatest with people, whom they can have a hard time appreciating or
understanding emotionally, and whom they find exhausting at times, INTJs nevertheless
often find themselves in leadership positions due to their ability to devise systems that help
facilitate work in a rational and efficient manner. INTJs tend to be good at this, since they
usually have a greater overall vision of how things can and should function. They tend to be
academically oriented and a good fit for higher education where they often pick more science
or technology orientated fields. Degrees in which they can learn theoretical topics that have a
basis in real world application tend to appeal more to INTJs than purely theoretical fields
such as philosophy or literary theory.
INTJs tend to have a high drive for autonomy. Perhaps the highest among all the types and
they will plan extensively and many years into the future to achieve what they want and to
build the kind of environment they want to live and work in. Generally unsentimental and
with no particular regard for the status quo, they can often clash with others in trying to
implement the changes they desire in order to bring change to the overall system. They tend
to take a top-down approach where they will first work out an overall plan before going down
a layer to further refine its implementation and only then - finally - will they address all the
details. They can often seem somewhat arrogant and they will work ruthlessly towards their
goals, applying the criterion 'does it work' while having little regard or remorse for what has
proven not to work. INTJs generally dislike dealing with procedures and states that are not
optimized, and seek to change or refine them and to push their ideas forward in order to
build, create, and innovate.

11
While they can seem harsh, INTJs are often far more tolerant then they appear. While they do
tend to ruthlessly question everything, they'll usually question themselves and their own ideas
even more than those of others.
They are not hesitant or doubtful in trying to figure out what they want to do. In fact, INTJs
tend to have a strong intrinsic motivation towards evaluating both their own ideas and those
of others and to determine whether they are valid or invalid. To this end, while often very
blunt, INTJs aren't as judgmental as they may appear and consider a great many things, such
as feelings, ideas, thoughts, plans, to be separate entities from those exterior objects or people
who formed them. They may express criticism towards an idea without necessarily realizing
that to others it will seem as if they are also criticizing the person.
With regards to emotion and feeling, in spite of appearances INTJs are often deeply
emotional in a very raw sense but are just as deeply loath to express such emotions to others.
Often seeing human nature as unavoidably repetitive, most "good" causes and ideals are
something that they remain largely indifferent to. They can, however, be idealistic towards
certain virtues or ideas in a quite impassioned way that stands apart from the usual
conceptions of right and wrong. Some also have a deep love of aesthetics and art and will
become enamored with certain expressions of the human spirit in art which they can use to
analyze and explore their feelings by letting their thoughts take shape around said
expressions.
INTJs tend to have few relationships as they will often desire quality over quantity and seek
to form deep bonds with people so they can utterly be themselves and explore ideas without
having to worry about how they are perceived. INTJs often simply seek to be understood in
their friendships and relationships due to their difficulty relating to people and society. INTJs
tend to see very little value in flirting or expressive body language and often tend to be very
direct in communication and dislike small talk. While more than happy to help friends, they
are not the best at anticipating others' emotional needs. They tend to be strong verbal
communicators and to require strong verbal communication in return.
While they can often ramble when excited, hopping from idea to idea, INTJs will often use
remarkably concrete words when talking about ideas, as if they are all but given physical
form by the INTJ's exploration of them. They can be inventive with language at times when
trying to discuss a new idea, but in general they seek to discuss specifics about ideas (where
NTP types are more prone to discuss generalities). They will do so since they dislike endless
speculation that cannot be settled either way, and in this sense, INTJs will often remain silent
on such topics and only speak if they feel they have relevant information or insight regarding
it.

ENFP
"In my work, I hope to find the truth of the tale, the imagination of the heart."
ENFPs at a Glance
Idealistic, spontaneous, and enthusiastic.
Free-spirited, idiosyncratic, and excitable.
Adaptable mavericks good at thinking on their feet.

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Are passionate about their causes and beliefs, tending to express them through verbal
originality and unconventional quirks.
Are energized by exploring ideas through human contact and may often take center stage in a
conversation.
ENFPs as They Typically Are
ENFPs are spontaneous individuals who tend to approach things with a sense of excitement
and glee. They are attuned to what is going on around them and see the potential for things to
develop in unexpected and exciting ways. They tend to be very adaptable in their thinking
and are often good at getting others on board with issues and causes, and getting them to
contribute to these in any way that they can.
However, they tend to be better at motivating others rather than rallying, leading, or
instructing them. This is because ENFPs usually dislike currying favor for the sake of
currying favor or having to express emotion appropriately or as a facade.
ENFPs tend to be more sensitive than they appear. They can often seem excitable and
passionate but underneath, they like to keep how they are really feeling to themselves. They
are somewhat private about their emotions and can get defensive at times if they feel like
somebody is intruding on them or being insensitive to their values or something they care
deeply about.
ENFPs are often idealistic and care deeply about the world and people, and they will often
undertake a crusade in order to help the marginalized or the underdogs in society. The ENFP
will naturally see things from the point of view of the outsiders and seek to champion their
cause. ENFPs tend to be incredibly accepting of people, even accepting of those who may
have drastically different stances on things than they do. This tolerance tends to be a result of
their 'live and let live' attitude where they just want everyone to get along and lend a helping
hand to the unfortunate. They aren't as interested in social structures as they are in
community, that is to say, in making sure everyone feels like they are a unique individual
who is appreciated and has something valuable to offer.
With all of the energy ENFPs tend to spend on motivating others, they often need time to
themselves where they need to withdraw. While they very much are social people, they can
get tired of dealing with people, dealing with their needs, their demands, and the different
formalities that others expect. If things get too structured, ENFPs will typically begin to feel
constricted, that is, they will feel like they don't have the time and space to be themselves and
to be free. They tend to like taking things as they come, and can find repetition and pre-
planned structures very tedious and boring.
ENFPs tend to be intellectually oriented and the subject that tends to interest them the most is
people. They typically find the world to be a fascinating place and the people who fill it even
more fascinating. As a consequence, ENFPs tend to gravitate towards fields such as
psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other related fields. They are intrigued by the
diversity of humanity in both its ideas and how they are expressed across space and time;
about what connects us and also what makes us different. They tend to see multiplicity in
everything, where there is no one true way to live, love, or solve a given problem.

13
In the personal realm ENFPs tend to have a very engaging demeanor where they often make
good conversationalists, bouncing around from subject to subject, joking and laughing. They
enjoy conversing with others in order to learn what they think, what they are doing, how they
feel about some issue, and what is important to them. They will often be highly playful in
conversation, coming up with all kinds of wacky ideas and off-the-wall things to do and say,
and they may often impress others with how quickly they think.
ENFPs are often restless in life and they tend to not like the thought of settling down or doing
anything for too long. They like jobs that challenge them mentally and introduce them to new
people whom they tend to see as the carriers of new ideas. They tend to like being the
harbingers of meaningful change and often feel an urge to be free to go wherever their fancy
takes them.
ENFPs generally make excellent communicators where they excel at an enthusiastic
diplomacy. They tend to seem scattered and excitable, but at the same time to come across as
bubbly, accepting, and relatable. They are often adept at provoking enthusiastic and heartfelt
responses in others, and it is often in this manner that they make for indispensable motivators
who are able to get others mobilized and to start paying attention to a problem, while the
ENFP creatively adds their own ideas. They get people involved and feeling like they have a
stake in what is going on, where their work is valued, and everyone is working towards the
realization of a better world.
"There's nothing I know for sure, because I know for sure that things change."
ENFPs as They Typically Are
Creative, inspiring, and idealistic, ENFPs are quirky and unorthodox people persons who
cherish unconventional social interplay and dynamics. They often feel that their own
potential, as well as that of others, can only truly be realized through the joint exploration of
talents, ideals, and frames of mind. Their cognition tends to revolve around possibilities, not
just in a purely intellectual way like with their ENTP counterpart, but around possibilities in
the social realm; of people making a difference and living the lives they want to live. Many
ENFPs have a gift for searching out and uncovering the deeper aspirations and desires of
others. Similarly, many ENFPs are good at motivating others to go beyond the limitations
that they had hitherto set for themselves.
Lifestyles and courses of action that others find curious or odd are often imbued with a
special sense of meaning and significance to the ENFP. As fact would have it, they are
extremely unconventional, freedom-loving and imaginative. Being extroverts of a somewhat
cerebral bent, many ENFPs also find a particular sense of enjoyment in investigating and
probing the ideas of others and the novel possibilities that may arise in exchanges with others.
They genuinely enjoy learning about the endless idiosyncrasies and variations of human
nature - the quirkier the better. Consequently, they tend to see diversity as a strength and
often think that everyone should be able to share who they are and express what makes them
unique.
While the excitability and imagination of ENFPs may easily lead them to undertake new
projects, their highly agile minds and penchant for novelty also mean that they have an easy
time running out of steam once the initial demands of a project are met. Once the project
requirements move from the brainstorming of broad and abstract lines to the more nitty-gritty

14
managerial concerns of everyday planning, the ENFP may find themselves zapped for energy
and ready to move on to other projects that still hold the promise of novelty and excitement.
Consequently, many ENFPs are often saved by more practical and down-to-earth types
around them whom they have initially motivated and inspired to get on board with their ideas
and who may be more suited to actually following through and putting them into practice.
ENFPs are starters, inspirers and idea people much more than they are stabilizers and
maintainers. They tend to work better in collaborative open-ended settings than in hierarchies
with strict chains of command.
Open-minded and unprejudiced, ENFPs tend to be very easygoing with people, and they tend
to be good at creating a tolerant and lighthearted atmosphere at work as well as in life.
Accordingly, they are at their best in professional and social settings where their enthusiasm
for ideas and unconventional contributions to the social interplay can be allowed to come to
the fore. Jobs which require a combination of interpersonal openness and a passion for new
ideas are therefore the ones in which the ENFP may really shine.
Many ENFPs maintain a youthful attitude at heart irrespective of their actual age. Versatile,
innovative and dynamic, it is not uncommon for ENFPs to be beset by a sense of wanderlust
throughout their lives, or to always experience a sense of wide-eyed enchantment at the
promise contained in their latest new idea. Expressive and appreciative, the passion and
enthusiasm of ENFPs often means that they will chase after whatever stimulates their fancy
or appeals to their idealism. This can sometimes make them seem naïve in the eyes of others,
since they can be so enamored with their latest new idea that they apparently fail to take stock
of the obvious limitations or challenges that their idea will face, or to address how they will
tend to the day-to-day demands of everyday life while simultaneously putting their all into
this latest new idea.
As they mature and grow, however, most ENFPs will eventually come to better know
themselves and what they are capable of, seeing that not everything in life is about pure
conceptual or idealistic inspiration, but that grit and attention to detail must inevitably go into
a project in order to make it successful. The projects of such ENFPs are not only inspiring to
others, but far more likely to leave a lasting impact on the world as well.
Charming and sensitive, ENFPs are usually blessed with broad intellects and capabilities and
talents in a wide range of fields. They have a deep-seated need to be independent and a
natural instinct to rebel against those who seek to control or define others in ways they do not
wish to be defined. ENFPs take their personal values and ideals very seriously, and they
usually extend a great deal of tolerance to others. They are exceedingly unlikely to believe
that good things will come out of hierarchies and control. They have many gifts which they
use to make a genuine difference to those around them, believing as they do that if people
would only dare to be themselves and allow others to be themselves too then we would be
living in a better world.

INFP
"My heart is at once haughty and tender and my character effeminate, yet invincible."
INFPs at a Glance
Idealistic, mild-mannered, and curious.

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Eccentric, free-spirited, and unconventional.
Imaginative dreamers, who pursue meaning and harmony on the basis of their own frames of
reference.
Open-minded listeners who seek to understand others without judging them.
Are passionate about their own values and ideals, to the point of finding them impossible to
reconcile with the world as it exists.
INFPs as They Typically Are
INFPs are idealistic and free-spirited individuals who stalwartly follow their own hearts in
spite of what "society" expects of them. Soft-spoken, they tend to naturally orient themselves
towards their own inner world of sensitivities and dearly-held beliefs. They often have a rich
inner world of sympathies, feelings, poetic images, and values - perhaps the most evocative
inner life of all the types.
INFPs tend to be interested in observing the world and its people; to notice what is unique
about others and to place what they have observed in relation to their own value system. This
disposition can in turn lead some INFPs to become political or social activists, where they
faithfully attempt to apply their high-minded ideals to the world, becoming very interested in
helping people and causes to overcome their problems and in seeking change for the better.
Often their deeds and actions serve as an example or inspiration for others who might also
harbor such ideals, but who had hitherto not dared to believe in them, or known how they
could give a voice to them in life.
Whether they are activists or not, INFPs are often deeply touched by suffering, and many will
gladly rush to the aid of the downtrodden. On the interpersonal level, INFPs are often
unreservedly accepting and tolerant and they tend to be good listeners to boot. When they
have decided to truly engage with someone, INFPs will often listen extremely carefully to
people’s concerns and perspectives in order to really get to know them in all their
individuality.
Like ESFJ types, INFPs tend to dislike seeing others trapped in social awkwardness.
However, where the ESFJ is more likely to try and meet the awkwardness head-on,
addressing the concerns of others directly and meeting them with warmth, INFPs are more
inclined to defuse the situation by becoming bubbly and innocently teasing. They try to bring
some life, emotion, and light-heartedness into the conversation, instead of believing that
everyone can eventually be made to agree on everything.
Many INFPs revel in spontaneity and wonder and are naturally inclined to see the events of
the world as an adventure (if at times a dark one at that). They can often appear to retain a
childlike innocence where, even in adulthood, they look at the world with a vividness and
sense of wonder that is usually lost to others as they grow up. But however childlike they
may seem, INFPs should not be mistaken for simpletons or immature individuals: In truth,
they're often deeply reflective and sensitive personalities, and many find themselves adopting
this childlike and wonder-prone pose as a way to shield their inner sensitivity from the
coarseness and evil of the outer world.

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Despite their Feeling-oriented nature, expressing extreme emotion can often feel
uncomfortable to INFPs. They tend to be very private people and may often feel a vivid
distinction between their public and private lives. That is, INFPs are usually prone to
distinguish sharply between friends and mere acquaintances, as if they have a deeper layer of
their personality which is only hinted at with acquaintances and which only truly comes out
to play when they are surrounded by their friends.
INFPs tend to be good conversationalists. Their chief quality in this respect is often their
ability to really be present with others in a non-judgmental manner, where the INFP appears
completely open to what the other party is trying to say. Not necessarily by adopting an
analytical focus on what the other person is feeling or going through, but by noticing what is
unique about the other person’s perspective and then augmenting and appreciating that.
INFPs tend to be very good at appreciating how others relate to themselves and the world
through stories and events, and for this reason, many INFPs may find themselves providing a
form of low-key narrative therapy to their friends and loved ones without even meaning to. In
this way, INFPs often end up conveying a crucial yet subtle sense of inspiration to those
around them, where they are able to create a sense of purpose and bring a sense of
individuality and expression to whatever they are involved with.

ENFJ
"If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to
be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."
ENFJs at a Glance
Empathic, encouraging, and inspiring.
Warm, expressive, and supportive.
Assertive and compelling communicators who appeal to the best in others.
Natural diplomats and counselors who "get" where others are coming from.
Are intensely attuned to others and may over-extend their commitments and engagement in
other people.
ENFJs as They Typically Are
ENFJs are warm and empathic individuals who see the best in others and who have the
enthusiasm and charisma to inspire their fellow man to take action on behalf of what they
know is right. ENFJs tend to have clear ideas about how things should be, but rather than
leading by command, as the ENTJ might do, the ENFJ tends to lead by motivating others to
live up to and accomplish the common goals.
An ENFJ will frequently have a delightful enthusiasm by which he moves and compels others
to align their motives with those of the ENFJ. Perhaps more than any other type, the ENFJ
understands the importance of carving out a positive vision for the future which everyone
around them can share in. As opposed to the ENTP, who tends to spur others to action
through criticism and detached evaluation, the ENFJ prefers to lead by empowerment and
inspiration, seizing upon whatever positive qualities and commitments that are already

17
present in the other person in order to magnify them and strengthen them in service of the
common goal.
While it would be easy to regard the ENFJ as exclusively a "people person," those who are
intimately acquainted with an ENFJ will also notice that the ENFJ tends to have an
intellectual, even scholarly, side which they use to delve into abstract problems concerning
the whole of society, if not the world. In truth, most ENFJs are quite comfortable juggling
complex facts and challenging situations that require a firm grasp of the theory involved, as
well as a good measure of structure and planning, which the ENFJ is happy to bring to the
table.
These two sides of the ENFJ (the social side and the intellectual side) can often come
together to make the ENFJ the natural leader of discussions or groups and to spearhead
movements that aim to introduce social change to the public. And while
the ESTJ and ENTJ types might rival the ENFJ in their role as group leader, these ETJ types
tend to organize the groups that they lead on exclusively rational premises. Here the ENFJ
has an additional leg to stand on, besides the purely rational one, as the ENFJ does not merely
assign jobs on the basis of which members of the group would do what most effectively, but
also acts with an awareness of whether the job at hand would be stimulating for the
subordinate to grapple with.
Just like an ENFJ can inspire others with his vision of a common goal, so the ENFJ can
himself be inspired by the responsiveness and receptivity of his followers. A well-developed
ENFJ is attuned to other people's opportunities for growth and self-development. He picks up
on their convictions, values, and world-views as if it was second nature to him. It is by this
fortuitous combination of instinctive empathy and intellectual acuity that the ENFJ unite the
people in service of a higher ideal.
ENFJs live in a world of people. They are at their best when they can act the diplomat,
counselor, and teacher to others, and they can sometimes lose enthusiasm when stuck in
situations where there is no opportunity to bond or interact with others. ENFJs tend to
consider people their highest priority, and like the INFJ, new intellectual realizations are
sometimes made through the medium of people. For example, an ENFJ may use his
scholarly side to study some field from afar, but the true realization of the field's full
importance is not reached until the ENFJ can relate that knowledge to some specific person
or human need in his life.
Because ENFJs are so intensely attuned to other people, they may at times become over-
involved in the problems of others, finding themselves unable to turn down requests for
counseling and support. An ENFJ will frequently give of himself, willingly and sincerely,
until he is down to the last drops of energy and desperately needs some time alone to
replenish. Indeed, for many ENFJs, it is a lifelong challenge to learn to balance the fulfilment
of others' needs with the fulfilment of their own.
With their empathy, caring, and excellent communication skills, the presence of an ENFJ is a
boon to almost any group or organization. Not only does the ENFJ contribute a natural
diplomatic ability to find common ground and foster mutual respect among people, he also
maintains a positive and empowering vision for the organization as a whole.

18
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are
powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us."
ENFJs as They Typically Are
ENFJs are warm, gracious, and accommodating souls. Kind-hearted and friendly, they
typically like to engage with others and converse with them in ways that leave both parties
feeling emotionally connected and validated. Getting others to open up about their personal
problems, or giving them a space where they can really air the big questions in their lives, are
often the ENFJ's preferred means towards this end.
ENFJs tend to be quite capable at interacting and engaging with people in this manner.
Regardless of their energy level in general, they typically do not expend as much fuel as
others have to in order to engage, spar, converse, and relate to people.
Many ENFJs are naturally well-organized and will often find themselves being the ones who
facilitate social get-togethers or events in their social circles. They tend to be very good at
reading the emotional vibe of a room; that is, sensing if there is tension, who feels awkward,
what the different energy levels of the people in the room are, and so on. When they feel
inclined to do so, most ENFJs are effortlessly capable of knowing just where and how to add
their social competencies to the mix in a way that helps lift others up and makes them feel
comfortable. In this way, ENFJs can often seem to hover a bit above the normal socializing
that goes on among people, coming at the whole activity of social interaction from another
and more exalted angle altogether.
ENFJs tend to value harmony - both intellectually and in their personal affairs. Even when
they disagree with someone, they tend to listen actively, and if they must criticize, they
usually do it in an amiable and non-threatening way that leaves the other person with a
shining path via which they may abandon their former position and update their beliefs to
join ranks with the ENFJ without losing face.
In part, ENFJs also tend to understand their own positions by the effect they have on other
people. When a perspective gives others hope and lifts their spirits, these reactions are likely
to be mirrored in the psyche of the ENFJ, even if that perspective is not new to the ENFJ (or
even if that perspective is actually of the ENFJ's own making). They see everyone as
connected and part of a large community, where the strongest asset of the individual is their
connection to other people. An intuitive assumption with them is often that if everyone could
overcome their social anxieties and inhibitions, we could all be significantly happier, indeed,
the world could be a radically better place.
ENFJs tend to be quite visionary in this manner. With their strong sense of direction, and
strongly defined inner vision of how things could be, they can often be quite inspiring in their
advocacy of a principle or cause. Even when they don't want to, many ENFJs tend to
gravitate towards positions of leadership on account of their social intelligence and inner
impetus to plot a course for long-term transformation.
While not all ENFJs are intellectual or academically minded, almost all ENFJs do well in
school since they tend to be very well-suited to navigate the complex social webs and
numerous rules and plans that are required in such an environment. But school can also
present a problem for them, as many schools are perfectly happy to instill the notion that

19
children can excel by being congenial and simply mimicking the adults. While ENFJs tend to
be very good at this while in school, older ENFJs who succeeded in this manner may often
struggle a bit to find their own path and to forge their own identity later in life.
Since people so often come to ENFJs for guidance and advice, it can be hard for ENFJs to
find the time to really reflect on their own needs and identity and what they wish to be like as
people, independently of what their surroundings need from them. Thus ENFJs are at their
best when they are surrounded by people who understand that while the ENFJ is often happy
to put the other person at the center of the exchange, drawing too much on the goodwill of the
ENFJ may sometimes come at the expense of the ENFJ's own self-reflection.
Paradoxically, becoming clearer about their own identity can also make ENFJs more
insightful in their understanding of others. ENFJs who are able to stand freely and simply be
themselves are often able to look at people without bias and operate as a stepping stone for
the other person's change and growth. They see people as highly layered and complex, and
with their superior social skills they tend to be adept at picking up on patterns of emotional
behavior. ENFJs use these insights to gently guide a person towards realizing their own
psychological challenges and frustrations and to help them come to terms with what they
need to do about them in order to progress. They tend to make excellent communicators in
this manner, where they are frequently able to broach personal topics in a way that makes the
other person feel they are being supported rather than criticized.
Overall, ENFJs tend to see life as a process of change and growth. They tend to be future-
oriented, and most enjoy being exposed to different ideas, cultures, thoughts, emotions and
transformative experiences. While many possess natural leadership qualities, ENFJs rarely
succumb to the "boss" role where they end up telling others what to do. Instead, they prefer to
help and guide others, so that they are leading by inspiration rather than by authority. In this
manner, they are truly able to act as great transformative guides - both in a large-scale
visionary sense and on the level of the individual.

INFJ
"We must strive to harmonize our position as spectators and actors in the great drama
of existence."
INFJs at a Glance
Empathic, considerate, and courteous.
Contemplative, holistic, and insightful.
Natural counselors who take the time to understand others in depth and help them grow in an
individualized way.
Are at pains to unite their idealistic visions of how things could be with the accommodation
of others here and now.
Have a hard time adapting to the world and may isolate themselves or come across as aloof.
INFJs as They Typically Are

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INFJs are warm and considerate individuals who exude a gentle idealism that is frequently
inspiring to others. While INFJs typically have lofty-minded and ingenious ideas about how
things should be, they nevertheless tend to prefer working with individuals in a one-on-one
setting as opposed to rallying crowds or groups. In this way, INFJs are often different
from ENFJs who are better suited to effect social change on a mass scale by influencing not
the opinions of specific individuals, but the opinions of society as a whole.
In conversation, INFJs tend to be somewhat reticent and slow to open up around people who
are not yet their intimates. On the other hand, they are very good at getting other people to
open up and can even make them feel comfortable enough to confide sentiments to the INFJ
that they hardly knew they had, and for this reason many people in the INFJ's life come to
view them as an enigmatic and kind presence.
However, once an INFJ has accepted someone as a genuine conversation partner, and feels
secure in their presence, the INFJ will tend to talk at length and with a passionate enthusiasm
about the subjects that interest them. While INFJs may normally appear reserved (and even a
bit aloof) in conversation, it is when these prerequisites are in place that the INFJ starts to
share their innermost thoughts. It is typically in such situations that the INFJ will reveal their
sensitive and personable nature, becoming enthusiastic and animated in their presentation and
revealing a holistic approach to the subject matter that is unlike that of NT types.
More often than not, INFJs will have an intellectual side, and their reasoning tends to be well-
developed. However, INFJs are rarely interested in understanding logical relations and the
mechanical properties of objects in a vacuum: They prefer to know that what they do is
meaningful to others – if not to specific individuals in a concrete way, then at least to
humanity in the abstract.
INFJs can become deeply devoted to their intellectual pursuits and meanderings. Often they
will seek to immerse themselves completely in their topic of interest, convinced that there is a
higher unity to be found between seemingly dichotomous entities such as observation and
action, subject and object, free will and determinism, and humanity and nature, and that it is
the discernment of this unity that will hold the key to understanding the subject in full.
As a consequence of this disposition, INFJs can often become philosophers or ethical or
spiritual leaders where they are concerned with a higher vision for themselves and others and
the growth of individuals according to the principles and value systems that the INFJ holds
dear. Because their enthusiasm is genuine, the INFJ will often have an easy time inspiring
others to get behind their vision and to join forces with the INFJ in their pursuit of common
goals.
However, in spite of the fact that INFJs will often have their own ideas about how things
should be, they nevertheless also feel called upon to empathize with the feelings of others and
to accommodate them in the interest of furthering interpersonal harmony. Oftentimes, the
INFJ will feel torn and pulled in opposing directions because of this inner conflict: On the
one hand, they genuinely want to help others, to understand them and make them grow. But
on the other hand, they also long to turn their own ideas into reality, even if those ideas may
go against the immediate and short-term wishes of others.
Because of their inclination to accommodate others, INFJs can sometimes be overwhelmed
by their social obligations or by coming face to face with the needs of others. INFJs are

21
contemplative introverts; they need time by themselves to reflect, plan, and think through
their course of action on a given matter. If they are deprived of such opportunities, INFJs may
all too easily end up sacrificing themselves in order to accommodate the needs of the group.
While INFJs tend to like socializing, and often take a sincere interest in other people, they
can nevertheless come to feel drained if they are taking in too much of the wishes of others
without paying an equal amount of attention to their own needs. In this manner, INFJs will
often work well in roles such as counselor, guide, or advisor where they can naturally balance
the time spent with others with time spent catering to their own ideas.
Overall, INFJs tend to be both excellent problem solvers and indispensable aides to others.
They tend to dislike confrontation and are often uniquely receptive to how stalemates or
impasses can be avoided by adding up opposing positions to form a greater whole. They take
a sincere interest in others and are good at speaking to them in such a way as to bring out the
best in them and help them see the things that connect us all - not just to one another, but
ultimately to the world.
"At every moment the truth comes to light; the truth of life and death, of solitude and
bonds with the world, of freedom and of servitude. We must accept our fundamental
ambiguity."
INFJs as They Typically Are
INFJs at their best are contemplative and empathic individuals who use their understanding
of human relationships and archetypes to peer deeply into reality and the futures they
envision. As a rule, INFJs are acutely aware of the common emotional and intellectual tropes
of the people around them, and many feel called upon to align their personal outlook and
sympathies with the needs of the people around them. Many INFJs also tend to find
themselves in the role of mediator or counsellor, where they attempt to reconcile the different
feelings, emotions, and viewpoints of the people around them, frequently attempting to fuse
them all into a greater whole.
While in their social mode, many INFJs will typically strike others as enthusiastic and
affirming listeners, but in private, their temperament tends to be more pensive and
introspective, perhaps even brooding, as they relentlessly question the 'givens' of reality,
continually seeking a "deeper meaning" behind the veil of superficial appearances.
INFJs tend to be very perceptive of the implications of people's words and actions. They tend
to be good psychologists and counsellors, and many have a somewhat easy time peering into
the psyche of others. They tend to believe that the best way to truly reach others is to affirm
the commonalities they have seen between the other person and society at large, so as to
lessen the other person's anxiety and sense of being alone. Once the other person has lowered
their guard and is open to genuine transformation, many INFJs will then follow up with a
style of inquiry where the INFJ appreciatively develops the ideas and possibilities he or she
has seen in the other person's psyche.
In questions of philosophy or matters of principle, the INFJ tends to be the most abstract-
minded of all the 16 types. INFJs frequently believe that the resolution to an impasse lies in
the middle, between the two opposing sides of an argument (since the INFJ can usually see
elements of truth in the positions of both sides, as well as the limitations that prevent each

22
side from transcending their own argument). This type of conciliation can certainly be helpful
in making feuding parties reach agreement, or in making each side feel understood, but if the
INFJ is not careful, this approach can also come at the cost of a sort of moral ambiguity
where the INFJ loses sight of who is culpable and why: The truth isn't always to be found
between two opposing arguments – sometimes, one party is simply wrong and the other right,
and everyone would be helped by the straightforward acknowledgement of this fact.
Mature INFJs tend to be very good at cross-referencing the particular human stances that
confront them with impartial moral principles. With age, many can also learn to evaluate the
moral worth of actions and deeds on their own terms, as opposed to seeing them as bundled
up with the basic humanity of the person who voiced them (and as such, deserving of
respect). While in this impartial appraising mode, the INFJ will typically be much more
balanced, and have an easier time evaluating whether people are right to do the things they do
and subscribe to whatever standpoint they are defending. Despite their occasional
nervousness when it comes to outright contradicting or rejecting other people's opinions, it is
actually the INFJs who learn to master this type of assertiveness who tend to possess the most
highly developed social skills among those of their type. For they have developed the skills
needed to empathize with others and win respect on the one hand, but also to communicate
solutions and value judgments directly on the other. These INFJs help others change, not just
in the direction they would like to, but in the direction of the best possible expression of
themselves – reasonable, fair-minded, and moral.
To summarize, INFJs are diplomatic, empathetic, and visionary individuals who seek to
synthesize their own understanding with the feelings and viewpoints of those around them.
They tend to be big picture thinkers who constantly strive to relate whatever they are doing to
some grand sense of meaning where they can't help but see abstract archetypical meaning in
even everyday occurrences, believing as they do that the two are complimentary; that "the
greater is contained in the lesser" and vice versa. They tend to be very good at interpreting
the implications and connections contained in metaphors and symbols, as their way of
thinking is naturally at home among such devices. When they balance their empathetic and
abstract-minded receptivity with a critical eye for impersonal analysis, INFJs can truly be
forces to be reckoned with, inspiring new depths of understanding of the human condition as
well as important changes to it.

ESTJ
"If you want to be a leader what I want to know about you is this: Will you take
decisions, accepting full responsibility?"
ESTJs at a Glance
Organized, logical, and decisive.
Tough-minded, realistic, and direct.
Self-confident, efficient and driven to reach their goals.
Often find themselves taking charge - they see what needs to be done and do it.
Have a no-nonsense attitude with little patience for sob stories and incompetence.

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ESTJs as They Typically Are
Direct, objective, humorous and observant, ESTJs tend to be methodical organizers who are
good at making sure that everything is running smoothly and according to plan. They tend to
be logical and strategic and to have an excellent grasp of logistics, being able to quickly
quantify operations and plans, knowing just where adjustments are required and where
additional attention is needed the most. For the same reason, ESTJs often make good
managers, directors, and leaders. Not only are they task-oriented thinkers with an eye for the
bottom line: They also tend to enjoy dealing with people and figuring out how to best marshal
and organize them. They tend to understand the external world through analyzing it logically
and organizing it.
Even though ESTJs are extroverts, they can often be a bit more reserved than the other E
types. They tend to enjoy talking and engaging others, but can oftentimes struggle with
situations where there are no logical parameters to grab hold of, or where emotional self-
expression is expected of them. Because of their discomfort at being made to deal with
emotions, ESTJs also tend to dislike sob stories or people who don't deliver on their promises
- it messes up the logical structure and organization through which they understand the world.
They tend to view everything in an impersonal manner, even themselves to some extent.
ESTJs tend to be orientated towards clear decisions and actions. They tend to dislike
ambiguity and unresolved states that drag on for too long, and can at times evince a
preference for simply committing to some decision or applying whatever solution that's on
hand now instead of waiting indefinitely for a slightly better one. In this way, more sensitive
natures can sometimes experience the ESTJ as a bit frightening and forceful. Generally
though, as long as they are still thinking or talking through a problem, ESTJs are actually
quite open to better suggestions, no matter how forcefully they may express themselves at
times. That is to say, their strong demeanor and conclusions can sometimes make them seem
more inflexible than they really are. The irony is that most ESTJs actually appreciate it when
someone drills down with them to discover the best solution. In their minds, it is reasonable
to expect that if someone is sitting on a better solution, he or she should speak up and push
back a little and not just sit there holding their tongue. If someone has gleaned part of the
truth, they should stand up for it, in order to help whittle away bad ideas and help get us all
closer to the core of what actually is.
ESTJs are often endowed with a superior eye for detail and they tend to be diligent and
ambitious. Like the ISTJ type, they often take pride in their ability to execute their tasks
efficiently and professionally. ESTJs tend to have high expectations of themselves and others,
and they can sometimes get annoyed with people who act as if they're qualified to hold a
certain position on account of their social connections or charm - what should matter, first
and foremost, is the person's professional qualifications.
While some ESTJs may seem strait-laced at times, most ESTJs tend to balance their sense of
efficiency and eye for the bottom line with a playful sense of humor. They don't mind a good
prank or tease now and then, and they are often good with humorous and ironic remarks that
develop a sense of camaraderie through (mock) competition and banter.
ESTJs often have a dry and cutting sense of humor, where they make an art form out of
stating the plain truth in an exacting, yet tongue-in-cheek way. Deep down, most ESTJs know

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that they are more logical and objective than most and that forcing others to live up to their
own high standards would very often just end in tears. As a result, they use their humor to
laugh at the world, rather than getting frustrated with it, and to build rapport with others,
rather than getting upset with them. Since they tend to use their humor as a tool to navigate
their social relations (as opposed to it being a direct expression of their present mood), ESTJs
can also often be counted on to break the ice or alleviate tensions in awkward situations. In
their own way, they can often be very socially robust.
While sometimes stereotyped as overly harsh, most ESTJs are in fact principled rather than
harsh: They tend to care deeply that everyone should be judged by the same standards, and
consequently, they are often very fair in their judgments. However, their standards tend to
revolve around qualities such as competent actions, strength of character, and loyalty over
time. It can sometimes be daunting for others to feel that they have to evince these qualities
around the ESTJ, but on the other hand, many of those same people will often feel a sense of
reassurance with an ESTJ at the helm of whatever they are doing. With their staunch
commitment to sensible policy and reliable execution, ESTJs are in many ways the natural
protectors and leaders of our world.

ISTJ
"There are people who do not do anything as it ought to be done. These people are
really no better than children."
ISTJs at a Glance
Serious, responsible, and thorough.
Prudent, factual, and logical.
Take responsibility and carry it especially well.
Are extremely thorough and notice slips and oversights that are not obvious to others.
Have a preference for the long term and may look down on fads and fashions.
ISTJs as They Typically Are
ISTJs are methodical and conscientious thinkers who care tremendously about quality and
examining things in depth. They tend to critically observe and inspect the things in their
environment in order to see whether things and facts add up. When they don’t, ISTJs are
often able to put their finger on exactly where and why something is fishy in a way that is not
entirely unlike that of a master detective or examiner. For this reason, ISTJs frequently end
up in positions of leadership, where they tend to pay special attention to long-term goals,
quality control, proper procedures, and accountability.
ISTJs typically excel at keeping track of large amounts of real-world information, and many
do well in politics, business, finance or empirical science. They tend to make sure that each
piece of information that has been admitted into their internal data library has been cross-
checked and scrutinized in depth, so that their analyses will be all the better for it.
For the same reason, they are perhaps the least hasty of all the types when it comes to
flinging out loose thoughts and associations about the world. ISTJs tend to prefer the sure and

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steady approach, building up to the larger analysis by adding data piece by piece, so that as
much information as possible has been taken into account before the final conjecture is
voiced.
ISTJs rarely set out to become experts within their field. Rather, they tend to set about
studying it in order to acquire a full understanding of it themselves and then inadvertently
become experts – sometimes much to their own surprise – when it turns out that their
standards required them to attain a greater degree of mastery than almost everyone else
within their field. They can often be quite humble in this manner, not bragging or being
outspoken about their abilities, but preferring simply to let them shine through in their
actions.
In their personal lives, ISTJs may sometimes be perceived as a bit unemotional and reserved
by others. Even when they are not to conduct a professional analysis, ISTJs nevertheless tend
to find that their attention naturally gravitates towards the provable facts of a matter, while
regarding plausible-but-airy ideas about the matter, or people’s emotions concerning it, as
being secondary in importance. They prefer to be straight about the facts of the matter
straight before moving on to less verifiable aspects of it.
Since ISTJs tend to be more serious and task-oriented than most other types, they can
sometimes feel a bit unsure about how they should relate to others. They often try to small-
talk with others about everyday events in an attempt to appear personable, but at the end of
the day, they are often more interested in turning knowledge about events into tasks and
challenges that can be solved for long-term gain. Many ISTJs therefore find it easier to relate
to people in work or professional contexts, where there is a job to be done, than just
socializing or "hanging out," where the rules are more unclear. On the other hand, once an
ISTJ knows that the other person doesn’t need them to act in a certain way, they can more
often relax and let their enthusiasm and very personal sense of humor guide them in their
relations. When this happens, they can frequently make quite interesting and unique
conversationalists.
While ISTJs also tend to have a more feeling-oriented and emotional side, they tend to keep
this side of themselves under wraps while around most people, and to only express it
indirectly, for example, through working to preserve an inner sense of harmony between their
own values and the people closest to them. Maintaining loyalty and order in their social circle
is thus not just a matter of efficiency or logic, but also a way for them to express commitment
to their values and loved ones. They may find it a struggle to express what they are feeling at
times, and they don’t particularly like doing so, but their knack for picking up on and
remembering facts often serves them well in anticipating and understanding the needs of
others. While not people persons as such, they can nevertheless be very loyal and committed
in this manner, when their friends and loved ones are going through a rough patch.
"What you need is the temperament to control the urges that get other people into
trouble."
ISTJs as They Typically Are
ISTJs at their best are dedicated and pragmatic individuals who understand what it takes to
get the job done and put their best effort into the tasks they choose to undertake. They are
extremely knowledgeable about the inner workings of systems and procedures in the world,

26
in large part because they take the time to truly learn how to do things and observe how
everything works and fits together. They often seem to have an amazing memory to others
and are often skilled at making connections between present and past experiences, or events
that others miss. Their primary interest lies in developing a mental “owner’s manual” for the
world, indexing every necessary piece of information in order to become as efficient and
effective as possible.
ISTJs tend to believe that the best way to understand the world is to observe the collection of
objective facts that humanity has accumulated over time, relying on these as trustworthy
pieces of information. They do not trust whims and fashions, but prefer to find out what
works and what’s true based on the body of scientific and practical knowledge that already
exists in the world.
However, it is also important for ISTJs to spend time on their own desires and beliefs and the
values they hold dear. While predominantly logical, most ISTJs also have a sentimental side,
which they tend to keep to themselves and only explore in private. It is this side, among other
things, that allows them to find personal meaning in their work.
Well-developed ISTJs are often very flexible with regards to considering their options, and
understanding the world not merely as a fixed entity, but also as a malleable object that,
through their own acumen and expertise, can be shifted and adjusted to their will.
ISTJs tend to be more reliable and effective than other types, making sure that things get
done in the right way, or that the people who are making judgments and decisions are doing
so based on the best information possible. For the same reason, ISTJs rarely allow themselves
to get sidetracked by passing whims, and they are not easy to distract from the bottom line or
the essential task at hand.
ISTJs tend to be very good at taking objective facts and analyzing and evaluating them in
order to predict the long-term, real-world possibilities they allow for. If a thing doesn’t make
sense to them, there is a good chance that thing is somehow overhyped and will never be able
to work in the real world. Hence, for this reason, many ISTJs make good investors, bankers
and venture capitalists.
ISTJs do not enjoy navigating the world of human interaction, and will often find themselves
annoyed with people’s emotional irrationalities or willingness to chase after the latest fad.
Although they may, in situations where they really put their mind to it, make allowances for
the imprudence of others, and learn to work around them, this mode of functioning is rarely
preferred by the ISTJ. In general, they prefer to work with information and parameters which
can be proven to be objective and correct and which allow for clear ways of keeping score of
failure or success.
To summarize, ISTJs are grounded, effective and rational individuals who seek to understand
the in-depth workings of whatever they chose to engage with. They often value effectiveness
and logic and they typically have high professional standards. They can often be meticulous
with regard to the quality of a piece of work or performance, though they are not as much
perfectionists as they are simply rationalists, purposefully drilling down to understand how a
given performance can be improved in depth. When they balance their very high standards
with a nod towards their personal sentiments and values, ISTJs can become extraordinarily

27
successful individuals, performing great feats of accomplishment through sheer determination
that leave the rest of the world marvelling in awe.

ESFJ
"I like to do things for the other fellow and think of his troubles instead of my own."
ESFJs at a Glance
Warm-hearted, well-liked, and loyal.
Caring, respectful, and socially inclusive.
Display a tactful and constructive attitude that encourages people to work together.
Natural "people persons" who excel at eliciting goodwill and commitment from others.
Prize social harmony and dislike negative criticism that ruins the mood.
ESFJs as They Typically Are
ESFJs are lively, yet diplomatic and gracious individuals. They tend to take a very sincere
interest in people, to find people fascinating and to seek to harmonize greatly with others as a
way of getting to know them. People are their medium and they tend to learn much about the
world and its affairs through the people that they know and through understanding what is
important to them. ESFJs gain a sense of energy from experiencing the emotional states of
others and being involved in their lives. The world around them feels like a living, breathing
organism, a play unfolding all at once.
ESFJs often seek out harmony by aligning themselves so as to become emotionally in tune
with others. They tend to place a premium on contributing to meaningful projects and
meeting others’ expectations of them. In fact, many ESFJs tend to get a kick out of over-
delivering on their promises and obligations when engaged in activities that they truly find
worthwhile.
ESFJs tend to enjoy structure and organization as these things grant them a means of
understanding the world and the people that fill it. They will often take the time to really try
and understand the various communities and cultures that they are surrounded by in depth,
and they will often feel uneasy giving an opinion or formulating thoughts that will affect the
various groups before having come to a point where they really understand what the members
of each group are thinking and what is really important to them.
ESFJs are often adept at learning and remembering facts surrounding people: What they do,
who they are married to, who their family is, when their birthday is, what role they play in
society, what they are good at, and what they wish to do. Their natural awareness of the
social networks that exist between people very often lead the ESFJ to form a set of inner
values and expectations concerning how we should all do more to cooperate and care for one
another. Everyone should take care to behave in a way where they avoid hurting others, and
each person should ideally have a part to play in the social whole so that society doesn’t leave
anybody behind. It is the obligation of the individual to help the community just as much as it
is the obligation of the community to make sure that the individual has a place in it. Everyone
must help each other out.

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While sometimes unfairly stereotyped as stick-in-the-muds, ESFJs also have an inquisitive
and adventuresome side, where they enjoy acquainting themselves with unusual lifestyles,
foreign cultures and unfamiliar belief systems. They use this knowledge to broaden their
understanding of how humans function, and to cast new light on the predicaments and
challenges facing their own culture. Becoming acquainted with atypical social mores can
often fulfill the same function for ESFJs as purely analytical knowledge can fulfill for the
ENTP and INTP types.
ESFJs are social creatures and social cues and gestures tend to mean a lot to them. They are
often very good at picking up on the social and emotional cues of others as if, to them, the
emotions we express to each other and the ways in which we do so is a language in and of
itself. They tend to care deeply that everyone should feel at home in their presence, feel
accepted, and that they are treated with dignity and an open-faced welcome. They seek to be
part of a community through words and actions that show they are cognizant of the needs of
others and seek to strengthen the bonds that exist between individuals.
At heart, ESFJs truly want to help people – to smooth over awkward situations and minimize
social tensions within the group. They often take care to help others come to a place where
they can voice the issues that they may be struggling with, and where they feel it’s okay to
talk about them with others without being socially excluded or rejected because of it. ESFJs
tend to believe that when people feel supported by others and are allowed to grow and
prosper, then that well-being will benefit not just that specific individual but also, in turn, the
group as a whole. For this reason, they often serve as natural liaisons or consolers to others,
intuitively picking up on what others are trying to say, even if these others cannot find the
right words to express their meaning. This often has them coming across as supportive rather
than interrogative, and genuinely interested in helping the other person arrive at a conclusion
that is genuinely their own, but which nevertheless helps them feel reassured through having
achieved a sense of wholeness through their complementarity and connection with others.

ISFJ
"We need to be organized to work together. A readiness to cooperate is one of the
factors that give us all hope."
ISFJs at a Glance
Quiet, cordial, and conscientious.
Nurturing, patient, and considerate.
Humble and understated cooperators, who prefer to let the facts speak for themselves.
Intent on kindness and cooperation, showing respect for other people's feelings and views.
Draw on an inner world of rich nonverbal impressions, frequently "just knowing" that
something is right.
ISFJs as They Typically Are
ISFJs are warm and reassuring individuals who facilitate cooperation between people and
appeal to what is best in others. While their outer lives are usually focused on kindness,
considerate action, and the welfare of others, the inner life of an ISFJ tends to revolve around

29
a private repository of deeply-internalized personal experience and rich nonverbal
impressions. It is through this combination of inner and outer processes that the ISFJ
develops their unique and commendable strengths of civility, conscientiousness, and a
practical respect for the facts.
ISFJs tend to place an emphasis on kindness in their everyday lives. They tend to be sensitive
and alert to division and discord amongst those close to them, which they feel especially
strongly, and ISFJs are often willing to go to great lengths to heal the rifts in their
community. When engaged in the peacekeeper mode, an ISFJ will put a considerable amount
of effort, and perhaps even a jot of self-sacrifice, into reaching the goal of social conciliation
and harmony in their environment. And more often than not, the ISFJ will undertake these
labors without expecting others to do the same in return.
As a consequence of their valiant efforts, others tend to appreciate the ISFJ, not just for the
friendliness of their character, but also for the warmth and safety of the environment they
provide. And for their part, ISFJs also tend to experience a sense of fulfillment at seeing the
fruits of their labor: A harmonious and well-functioning social environment marked by
human flourishing and people making the most of their individual qualities and gifts -
qualities that might never have emerged if not for the ISFJ's efforts to prepare the ground
with their thoughtfulness and consideration. In both their private and professional lives, ISFJs
tend to enjoy helping others and seeing them flourish as a consequence of the kindness,
assistance, and opportunity that was extended to them.
Because ISFJs tend to seem unassuming and approachable, and because they tend to be quick
to align their own interests with those of others, people may sometimes think that they have
figured out the ISFJ and that they know what makes them tick. In reality, however, this is
unlikely to be correct: In their inner lives, ISFJs are governed by a private repository of
personal impressions and experiences that remain unshared with others. With them,
impressions register especially deeply and, of all the types, the ISFJ is perhaps the type that
listens to these inner impressions the most. This inner receptivity allows the ISFJ to
experience the world in a highly aesthetic and impressionistic style. For example, an ISFJ
may be walking down the street and suddenly be overwhelmed by the deep symbolic
meaning of even everyday objects (such as a flower in a shop window), or they may laugh
very hard at something that others do not necessarily see the humor in. It is also this
impressionistic mode of perception that gives many an ISFJ a sort of "sixth sense" about
other people, allowing them, for example, to "just know" what they think about the
trustworthiness or moral character of someone they have just met.
These personalized impressions are, however, exceedingly hard (if not impossible) to
translate from the medium of the original impression into the type of sustained verbal
argument that is often demanded as a means of justification in contemporary society. For this
reason, and because the ISFJ is not wont to be overstated or confrontational, others may find
it easy to dismiss or devalue the input of the ISFJ. Unfortunately, the types that are the most
likely to dismiss the ISFJ's input out of hand are also precisely the types that tend to be the
most unreceptive to the kind of observations that form the basis of the ISFJ's reasoning.
Hence they dismiss the input of the ISFJ at their own peril, and in doing so, their analysis will
become all the more one-sided for it.

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With their warmth, kindness, and seriousness of purpose, the presence of an ISFJ is likely to
be a boon to almost any group, organization, or social setting. They are compassionate and
devoted, and often blessed with great realism and follow-through. Though others are not
always aware of it, ISFJs are also frequently good at foretelling the practicality of a plan or
the inner moral character of someone they have just met. While they may sometimes be
thought remote or reserved by people who do not know them too well, this facade is never
one of indifference or coldness, but rather of earnestness and serious attention to the task at
hand. With their care and consideration, and preference for leading by example, rather than
by ornate speeches, ISFJs are truly among the most quiet and understated heroes of our
world.
"The small individual contributors of caring, friendship, forgiveness, and love from
each of us can form a phalanx, an army, with great capability."
ISFJs as They Typically Are
Warm-hearted and congenial, ISFJs are quiet - and sometimes overlooked - individuals who
genuinely like getting to know other people and helping them. They often enjoy conversing
with others and learning all the details of their lives, such as who they are, who they are
married to, where they work, whether they have children, and where they grew up. They tend
to be very accepting and forgiving of people and they like to get a firm grasp of the identities
of others, so that they have a solid idea of what the person is like. They tend to easily pick up
on the emotional states of others and are often quite skilled at soothing them and smoothing
over awkward situations.
ISFJs generally carry themselves with a sense of social etiquette. Often they will seem to
know exactly how to act in order to come across as friendly and constructive so that both
parties will get the most out of the social situation.
In their personal lives, they tend to enjoy keeping an orderly environment where they can feel
that they are in control. They can be somewhat fastidious at times, diligently spending long
hours making sure that everything is just right and set up the way they like it. Forward-
thinking, ISFJs are known to double-check things and carefully review information to make
sure that they are on top of things, that they haven’t missed anything, and that no mistakes
can be found in their work. Yet because they are not as one-sidedly object-focused as
their ISTJ counterparts, but are intensely attuned to people as well, this can sometimes mean
that they have a hard time reconciling their own high standards with the messiness of having
to coordinate the different emotions, values, and approaches of the various people around
them. They don't want to come down on anyone, but at the same time, they often see what
could go wrong with a given arrangement before others do.
When encountering a new situation, or entering into a new workplace, ISFJs are usually
respectful of authority and keep a low profile. To them, attaining mastery of something is a
long and studious process, and they are not apt to set themselves up as big reformers or
know-it-alls until they have made sure that they know all the intricacies of the situation at
hand. They also generally prefer to stay in the background, leading through their example
rather than through their words. When they do speak up, it is usually the result of a long
process of thoughtful study whereby they have come to be absolutely sure that they know

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what they are talking about and after having ascertained for themselves that nobody else is
going to step up to effect the desired improvements.
ISFJs tend to value social harmony. To them, solidarity and community are not merely values
in themselves, but devices that help arrange the qualities of everyone involved so that the
whole is stronger than the sum of its parts. As mentioned, ISFJs do not jump the gun as soon
as they have seen that something could be improved. They attempt to factor in the wishes and
feelings of others too, and at times, this can lead ISFJs to feel conflicted between asserting
the better solutions they have seen on the one hand, and reaching out to accommodate the
feelings of people on the other.
ISFJs tend to form strong and deep attachments to the people in their lives whom they
consider especially important. They find strength in the bonds that they have created and
these bonds are often a source of identity and pride for them. Consequently, ISFJs are often
capable of great feats of loyalty and dedication whenever a person in their inner circle needs
their help in some way.
They genuinely enjoy supporting others and with their talent for planning and organizing,
they tend to make good managers and to excel in all types of roles that require them to use
their combination of people skills and attention to detail in order to make sure that everything
is running smoothly. While they do not like calling attention to themselves, or causing too
much of a stir, they tend to be very focused on the requirements of the task at hand.
Consequently, some ISFJs may end up in situations where they're really the glue holding
everything together, but where other more blusterous natures are hogging the credit for their
work.
ISFJs tend to pay great attention to detail and to hold a special regard for others who have
proven themselves to be masters of what they do. While such mastery may sometimes seem
mundane to others ("Well, of course he's good at his job, duh!"), ISFJs tend to hold a special
appreciation for the fact that just because someone has a given position, that doesn't
necessarily mean that they are managing that position conscientiously. In this way, the
presence of an ISFJ is often a good litmus test of who is walking the walk and not just talking
the talk, and many would do well to listen to their soft-spoken, yet carefully researched
opinions.

ESTP
"There is nothing impossible to him who will try."
ESTPs at a Glance
Fast, flexible, and resourceful.
Pragmatic, observant, and engaging.
Focused on the bottom line, quick to act and quick to get results.
Persuasive and competitive realists who don't mind taking charge.
Have a preference for action and dislike theoretical hair-splitting.
ESTPs as They Typically Are

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ESTPs are big-thinking, action-oriented entrepreneurs - bold go-getters who go for what they
want with great confidence in themselves. They have an uncanny ability to size up a situation
and either leave it or get what they want from it. Flexible and pragmatic, ESTPs typically see
little need to do things "by the book" - especially not if doing things "outside of the book"
will get greater results. Unconventional, alert, and extremely adaptable, ESTPs are good at
thinking on their feet and even better at convincing others to get behind their solution to a
problem. In situations where others have to sit down and think to come up with a solution, the
ESTP can often shake out an answer by simply looking at the problem.
Of all the 16 types, ESTPs are perhaps the most observant and discerning realists. As first
movers with an eye for innovation, they are frequently attuned to what the "next big thing"
will be before others have even noticed it. For this reason, ESTPs may sometimes seem as if
they have an eerie ability to always be in the right place at the right time. When a golden
opportunity arises, the ESTPs of this world are usually among the first to notice it, seize it,
and to make use of it for their own ends.
ESTPs are at their best when they have the freedom to call their own shots. Their creativity
and ability to make the most of a new situation is wasted in menial and routine jobs, where
they are stifled by bureaucratic procedures that only serve to curb their boldness and hamper
their ingenuity. ESTPs want bold new things to happen in the world, while bureaucratic
managers are often more concerned with consolidating what they already have.
ESTPs tend to have a relaxed and open attitude and they often have a strong charisma. They
tend to have a way with people where they are extremely shrewd at connecting with them and
convincing them of their plans. One can often find an ESTP at the center of a large network
of friends and business connections, which the ESTP can draw on for making his latest plan
come true. And like the ESTJ, the ESTP is often acutely realistic with regards to sizing up
the capabilities and possible contributions of the people around them - knowing in advance
what they can and cannot do.
When propositioning others to get in on their ideas, ESTPs are naturally gifted with the
ability to think in win-win scenarios. They promptly see where both parties stand to gain and
they naturally emphasize that. Their directness and ease of expression makes them appear
self-confident and convincing in the eyes of others. Colorful and compelling, ESTPs are in
many ways equipped with that extra savvy which allows them to do well in business as well
as in life. They are ambitious adventurers who are resilient and unlikely to be knocked out by
a setback - if one avenue of success doesn't work out, another one will.
Underneath their charming exterior, ESTPs are usually tough-minded and coolly pragmatic.
When making a decision about whether to include someone in a given opportunity or scheme
they will lucidly weigh the pros and cons of that person's abilities with respect to their own
objectives. Ever the pragmatists, ESTPs will typically not see the need to inform people of
their slights and most of the people around them are therefore bound to be unaware that they
are being weighed and measured in this manner. Telling people about their faults rarely
accomplishes anything anyway, and what most ESTPs care about is bringing people together
to innovate and create real-world results on a grand scale - not to play therapist and counselor
to one another.

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ESTPs usually don't have a lot of time for moralizing and they tend to turn a deaf ear to
people who lecture them on their "responsibilities." For this reason, ESTPs are sometimes
seen as opportunistic and cynical by others. In reality, though, most ESTPs are both
principled and loyal, but they tend to approach their responsibilities differently than other
types: If a commitment is to be genuine on their part, they must be free to assume it entirely
of their own accord and not be pressured or persuaded into doing it. If an ESTP is going to
assume such responsibilities, it is going to be because he wants to, not because he has to. If
others try to pressure them into commitment, ESTPs will often feel justified in taking
whatever countermeasures that they deem appropriate to escape these attempts at constricting
them and reigning them in.
With their undaunted attitude, supreme realism, and eye for the bottom line, ESTPs are in
many ways natural leaders of men. They have an effortless understanding of what others
want and they have a tendency to work with people rather than against them, as the INTJ
and ENTJ types are sometimes wont to do. Unlike the NTJ types, ESTPs have a nimble and
flexible attitude that keeps things moving and they don't get locked down in confrontation.
ESTPs think in win-win scenarios where they do not have to have everything their own way -
if major results can be achieved by glossing over a few disagreements and making a
compromise here and there then so be it - what matters are the results.
"Believe in the argument you're advancing. If you don't, the other person will sense that
something is lacking, and no amount of reasoning will win your case for you."
ESTPs as They Typically Are
Energetic, lively and active, ESTPs typically have a keen sense of presence and physical
awareness of everything that goes on around them. They tend to come across as very
animated and dynamic, often getting excited at seeing a new opening and playfully getting
others on board with pursuing the possibilities inherent in that opening. Many ESTPs are
natural leaders and centers of attention, and they are often seen as a confident and vibrant
force that others look to for cues.
ESTPs tend to have a sense of excitement about them - that is to say, one often feels that big
things are going to happen in their presence and they will rarely be boring to be around. And
with their intense awareness of what is going on around them and uncanny ability to spot an
opportunity and make the most of it, the expectations of others are rarely disappointed.
ESTPs tend to be oriented towards the real world and the bottom line and many dislike sitting
still or just staying at home. They wish to engage with the world to the fullest possible extent;
to go out and create and chase opportunities that further the lot of themselves as well as
everyone around them. Out of all the 16 types, ESTPs are usually the ultimate negotiators and
win-win thinkers.
Many ESTPs enjoy talking to people and scanning their social network for talents and
resources that others may possess, but which have not yet been put to their fullest use.
Spirited, impressive, and perhaps slightly intimidating conversationalists, they will often talk
with anybody about anything in order to try and figure out what people are made of, what
their talents are, who they know, and so on. On the basis of this information, the ESTP can
build a loose network of talented people over time so that, when they next see a golden new
opportunity, they can assemble the ideal team to make the most of it.

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Most ESTPs perceive the world and its people as being constantly in flux. They tend to see
talent, opportunities, and resources as the 'raw stuff' of reality and are likely to regard things
that fall outside these focal points (such as social hierarchies, organizational structures,
traditional forms of address or academic discussions that never lead anywhere) as needlessly
imposing and rigid. Well-developed ESTPs are very much mavericks; unorthodox forces of
nature who make the most of life and follow their fancies into whatever uncharted territories
they may lead.
Many ESTPs come across as socially confident and fluid. They're good at thinking on the
spot and usually don't mind a little repartee or confrontation that allows them to see what
others are made of. Some ESTPs don't always remember that not everyone can match their
confidence and swagger and so they may take this confrontational element too far and can
run the risk of seeming a bit abrasive to others at times. Such ESTPs can sometimes hurt the
feelings of others without even meaning to - that is to say, not because they enjoy putting
others down, but because they get carried away by the spirit of competition and the thrill of
the game.
ESTPs tend to enjoy debate and open argument. Besides merely presenting an analytical
argument, many are also adept at pitching and presenting their points in such a way that the
points - like the ESTP themselves - seem not just like arguments, but like unswerving forces
of nature that others would be silly to try and resist. Besides their gift for rhetoric and
argumentation, many ESTPs are also uncannily good at reading the body language and
physical cues of others, even while in the midst of a complex conversation. This ability
equips the ESTP with a truly multifaceted approach to social interaction, which allows them
to square whatever is happening on the verbal level with whether they've hit on a touchy or
thorny issue, where they stand with others, the other party's degree of certitude in the claims
he is making, and so on.
To many ESTPs, how someone says something and the emotions and energy they convey
while doing so is very much a part of the point they're trying to make. Unlike
the ENTP and INTP types, who often try to separate how something is said from the point
being made - to look at utterances as naked analytical propositions in a vacuum, as it were -
most ESTPs know that how something is said and the point that is being made cannot truly be
separated like that. Though logical themselves, ESTPs understand that humans communicate
on many levels besides the merely rational one. They understand that if you fail to get people
excited, your ideas may never be heard, no matter how incisive your points may be. Because
of their unique blend of communication skills and awareness of the importance of
presentation and delivery, many ESTPs find that they have an easy time excelling as self-help
and motivational speakers.
Bodily aware, many ESTPs tend to be active in sports and enjoy exercise and physical
activities. They tend to be very competitive about their engagement in such things, where
many are driven by a love of winning and coming out as number one. Many also enjoy the
thrill of extreme sports and the rushes that come with these ostensibly dangerous activities.
Younger ESTPs may struggle with turning their energy level down at times. As said, many
ESTPs are highly sociable and many have a quick pace of thinking and conversation. This
may lead them to drown others out at times, or to forget to make room for the other party to
leave their mark on the conversation. As they learn and grow, however, most ESTPs learn to

35
strike more of a balance in social interactions, realizing that the greatest impact on others can
often be achieved by giving them an active stake in the conversation, rather than simply
treating them as inactive bystanders to impress or passive objects to be acted upon.
Overall, ESTPs tend to take an exploratory approach to life, where they seek to follow their
impulses and capitalize on opportunities that they come across. This can make them seem
hedonistic at times, as if they're just chasing thrills, but if one really studies their actions over
time, one is likely to find that ESTPs have an ability to consistently deploy their energy,
intensity, and ability to get things done in novel high-risk, high-reward situations. The
combination of this undaunted approach with their sense of fluidity and play means that many
ESTPs make good entrepreneurs who are able to add a sense of momentum to everything
they do and that - though they are flexible and spontaneous - they really do innovate and
make the most of things with the sky as the limit.

ISTP
"If the work is good, what you say about it is usually irrelevant."
ISTPs at a Glance
Factual, realistic, and impersonal.
Cool-headed, perceptive, and independent.
Quiet and observing, but audacious at the decisive moment.
Not afraid to go one-on-one with challenges that would intimidate others.
Detached towards others with little interest in directing or dominating them.
ISTPs as They Typically Are
ISTPs are cool-headed problem-solvers who improvise and don't mind taking risks. They're
realistic and factual and often exhibit an enviable calm in an emergency. ISTPs often excel at
meeting challenges head-on and overcoming them. They are usually independent and they
don't mind going their own way. In fact, they often crave the freedom to follow their own
rules rather than going along with the rules of "the system." When faced with a problem, they
cut straight to the chase, and if they don't understand why a given rule is there, or what
purpose it serves, they are likely to disregard it as they see fit. In the eyes of others, ISTPs
may simply appear dismissive of such rules, but inwardly there is a process of logical
analysis that has determined which of the rules are superfluous and which are needed.
However, because their method of separating the wheat from the chaff is more bare-boned
and logical than most, their judgment about which rules that are unneeded tends to be more
extensive than most.
ISTPs tend to have interests that are oriented towards real-world tangibles and factual results.
They care about results in the real world and they typically do not see the point of fluffy talk
for its own sake. Many ISTPs are curious about technology and mechanical equipment and
they will not rest until they understand how something works. ISTPs tend to enjoy physically
interacting with the world, using their problem-solving skills to manipulate objects and
master them. ISTPs tend to have little patience for theoretical foppery "that never leads
anywhere." ISTPs who are academically inclined will therefore tend to go for subjects

36
that also have a practical application (such as medicine and finance) while avoiding subjects
that dabble in theory for theory's sake without producing many real-world results (such as
philosophy or literary theory). Economical with their words and realistic to a fault, ISTPs
tend to have little patience with pompous words and subjective observations that in the end
are backed up by nothing more than more pompous words and more subjective observations.
They tend to believe that the work should be able to speak for itself.
ISTPs have a utilitarian mindset and are often mercilessly realistic about what works and
what doesn't. As such, ISTPs can be said to be more clear-headed than other types: If a thing
doesn't work, they adapt and make it work. The ISTPs of this world are not to be found
among those starry-eyed dreamers who keep pushing the same boulder up the hill only to
have it roll down again as soon as they let go. To an ISTP, a project that failed and is
accompanied by a long and detailed explanation of why it should have worked is often no
better than a project that simply failed.
ISTPs prize freedom and independence - especially their own. But they also tend to respect
the sovereignty of others and they generally dislike imposing themselves on others, meddling
in other people's affairs, or telling them what to do. Indeed, as one ISTP once noted, "the
most important thing in life is not to interfere with somebody else's life." Hence ISTPs tend
to resist attempts to control them, just as they usually refrain from trying to control others.
This zest for independence lends the ISTP a charisma that is imbued with aloofness and self-
sufficiency, yes, perhaps even of perceived unfriendliness. The ISTP's drive for self-
governance also means that in the role of leader, an ISTP will usually have an easy time
being hands-off and empowering their subordinates with the level of freedom and flexibility
that they need to get the job done. With regards to leadership, an ISTP is truly the type of
leader that exposes himself to fire along with his men - the leader who leads by example
rather than by giving long and flowery speeches from the safety of the back seat.
ISTPs are logical and unsentimental. Along with the ESTP, they are the type that is the most
free of illusions about how the world works. They tend to hang back, quietly observing what
is going on around them. While in this mode they also have a keen eye for opportunities, and
when one presents itself, they seize the moment and pounce. Hence it has often been
observed how ISTPs almost seem to have two different personalities: One that is analytical
and quiet, hanging back and going over things in his own head. And then another, which is
more action-oriented, adventurous and risk-taking; a cool-headed problem solver that springs
to action when others are lost.
ISTPs are naturally focused on the bottom line and the real-world consequences of the matter
at hand. Cool-headed and logical, they're well-equipped to handle conflict and criticism, but
also somewhat private and impersonal and may at times appear aloof to others. However, this
aloofness rarely stems from arrogance, but rather follows from their clear-headed focus on
the facts and their preference for cutting straight to the chase. The ISTPs of this world are
usually the first to call a fraud when they see one and the last to be suckered into a project
whose meaning is unclear.
"Expect the unexpected. And whenever possible, be the unexpected."
ISTPs as They Typically Are

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Tolerant, flexible, and observant, ISTPs tend to take an easy-going approach to life. They will
often engage people in a slightly confrontational manner, delighting in the reactions they can
provoke. ISTPs can often gain a sense of energy and excitement through interacting
physically with their environment. They tend to like activities that can give them a bit of an
adrenaline rush or which are somewhat competitive in nature such as games or sports. They
tend to have a well-developed spatial intelligence and a sense of presence where there is an
immediacy to them and what they do. They appear very active yet self-contained to others,
and tend to be very good at noticing and reacting to what is around them.
In social situations ISTPs can sometimes feel awkward and may respond to these feelings of
awkwardness by adopting a self-image as a simple-natured person who dislikes drama and
who doesn't see the value in a lot of social rituals and etiquette. They tend to prefer to just let
people be and often strive for independence. Most ISTPs dislike having to rely on others or
being entangled in social commitments where other people rely on them. The ISTP's
inclination for independence at times can clash with the responsibilities they may have
accumulated due to their life decisions. In their minds, many ISTPs see social responsibilities
as tentative, and for this reason they may not always realize the lasting and unalterable nature
of some of the obligations they are taking on.
ISTPs tend to value personal freedom and many are loath to accept changes and
developments that may diminish their own. In this manner they can be quite stubborn and
contrarian when they feel they are being unfairly restricted by busybodies and touchy-feely
people who can't control their expectations and emotions.
ISTPs like to be free to experiment, change course, and do their own thing. Many find that
enmeshing themselves too much in the advice, criticisms, and expectations of others merely
hampers their ability to improvise and experiment and figure things out for themselves. While
overall most ISTPs are easy-going and good company, their need for freedom and
independence can often become a point of contention between them and others.
ISTPs tend to enjoy solving problems and tinkering with physical objects in depth. They
often have a naturally scientific and logical mindset where they see the logical principles
governing why a given process unfolds as it does or which parts of a process or object are
essential and which are superfluous. As well as being scientific, ISTPs tend to be naturally
technically minded in their thinking, and many enjoy honing in specific problems and tasks
that are not working as well as they should in order to come up with a relentlessly clear-cut
diagnosis of where the problem lies and what should be improved.
While many ISTPs are very intelligent and tend to think in terms of principles, ISTPs do not
share the excessive fondness for abstractions so often found among INTP and ENTPtypes.
They may understand the abstractions full well, but to ISTPs, abstractions are only valuable
insofar as they further a more direct understanding of the problem at hand. In other words,
most ISTPs tend to believe that abstractions must prove their own worth by being useful. Dry,
repetitive, or overly academic situations may easily bore them and cause them to become
agitated or fidgety. In the same way, hierarchies and work routines that specify a lot of
formulaic procedures that the ISTP must adhere to before actually getting an opportunity to
engage with the problem are likely to leave them frustrated. They tend to work better with
projects where there is not too much distance between talking about the problem and
actually solving the problem.

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ISTPs tend to be very improvisational in nature. They tend not to like planning too far ahead
and will prefer to use their skills to seize opportunities in the moment and figure things out on
the fly. In chaotic or high-pressure situations, ISTPs are often the first to seize the initiative
and act while others are still stifled and unsure of what to do. While ISTPs often come across
as relaxed in everyday situations, many also have a second personality where they are
capable of springing into action and addressing the problem at hand in bold and immediate
strokes.
Younger ISTPs can sometimes seem a bit directionless, but as they grow older, most ISTPs
tend to develop a strong internal sense of purpose which prompts them to realize that in order
to be able to adapt to any situation, they're going to have to commit to obligate themselves in
various ways, even if it means constricting themselves or definitively shutting certain
possibilities out of their lives. More mature ISTPs who have managed to commit in this way
may often evince a persistence, determination, and tenaciousness that their younger friends
would never have expected of them. They set audacious goals for themselves and work
persistently to achieve them.
Overall, ISTPs tend to be playful and curious people who have a keen resourcefulness and
drive. They excel at thinking on their feet and springing to action when others are caught off-
guard. Spirited and often sporty, they enjoy the thrill of the game and are not wont to shy
away from a competition or challenge. They tend to be rugged individualists who don't like
relying on people emotionally and who just want to do their own thing and let others
do theirown thing without interfering in each other's business.

ESFP
"Always try to give people a chance to live their dreams, to lift their spirits, and to bring
them together."
ESFPs at a Glance
Outgoing, friendly, and optimistic.
Free-spirited, spontaneous, and great with people.
Observant, engaging, and full of energy.
Skilled at finding the best in others and know how to work with people to get things done.
Have a preference for optimism and dislike negativity, conflict and fuss.
ESFPs as They Typically Are
ESFPs at their best are perceptive individuals who follow their own path. They are keenly
aware of their surroundings and are able to quickly identify and advantageously react to novel
stimuli. They jump on opportunities to participate actively in the world, readily absorbing
new experiences and approaching each situation with a receptive attitude. They do not miss
much, either, and will often notice changes or interesting details before others do. That said,
they do not tolerate boredom or tedium well, and will often attempt to find other ways to
entertain themselves. Their primary interest lies in seeking out all that life has to offer, and
exploring a multitude of adventures in search of mindfulness and self-expression.

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ESFPs tend to be people and imminence oriented, and they are often able to perceive much
more from body language and nonverbal expressions than others. Likewise, they are often
able to sense and respond to people's emotions in the moment, even if nothing was ever said
or done to express such emotions. They tend to be very good at seeing people for who they
actually are, rather than how they want to present themselves.
ESFPs tend to have a vivid awareness of the people that come into their life. They tend not to
take people for granted, and they often like to engage others in conversation, to try and get to
know them and what is important to them. When doing so, even when ESFPs are in positions
of authority, they often present themselves informally and tend not to care too much for
elaborate and ritualistic social etiquette. They would much rather have a heart-to-heart
conversation with someone to find out what makes them really tick.
ESFPs often have a straightforward and optimistic demeanor. This can sometimes make them
seem capricious or hedonistic in the eyes of others, but in fact they are generally quite
sensitive and idealistic at heart. They genuinely want people to enjoy themselves and will
often try to sweet-talk lonely and morose individuals into laying aside their morose thoughts
and actively engaging with the world. Not in a grand or sweeping way, as the ENFJ and INFJ
types are sometimes wont to do, but in an open-ended, down-to-earth manner where the
ESFP starts out by engaging people where they actually are here and now, and then use that
as a springboard to see how far they can go. This ability to engage with others, and to get
others to engage in turn, makes them quite skilled and passionate motivators.
Most ESFPs love to live vivaciously and will approach their tasks and hobbies in a
spontaneous and energetic manner where they see life as an adventure. They tend to be open-
minded and dislike authority that is seen as too controlling or draconian, and that would seek
to instill measures that might impose constraints on their free-spirited nature.
ESFPs tend to strike others as vibrant and animated. Even if they don’t enjoy being in the
spotlight, they nevertheless try to make an effort to be felt by others as a fluid and
approachable presence. They are generally quick to say what they think, believe, or feel.
Immediacy and quickness of response is often seen as honesty to them, and for this reason,
they can sometimes tease or address the pain points of others while nevertheless seeming
very innocent about it.
ESFPs seek to elicit emotional responses from others and many make natural entertainers
who are able to lift the mood of a room or develop an undercurrent of excitement through
their presence. Oftentimes, they find themselves the life of the party without even meaning
to, and many are well-equipped to be comfortable with the attention.
ESFPs tend to be interested in the arts and many have their own unique style and will dress in
a way that, while loud, nevertheless has a sense of coordination and a personal touch that lifts
their style beyond being purely an attention grabber or a mark of status. They often put a
good deal of passion into their clothing or their taste in the arts. Even if they appear
completely laid-back about it, not being too snobbish to sport some cut-off jeans and an old t-
shirt if that is where their mood takes them.
ESFPs generally have strong inner passions, and they tend to need to manifest their emotions
and values through acts rather than long and drawn-out discourses. To them, a person isn't the

40
sum of their abstract and academic beliefs, but the sum of their actions, that is to say, how
they behave in the moment.
ESFPs often embody an energy that is passionate and playful at the same time; as if imbued
with a raw life energy that is nevertheless deeply human. To them, they are just being who
they are, but to others, they can seem like larger than life figures. Able to lift spirits and grant
a sense of effortless momentum to the spontaneous actions taking place around them, the
ESFP makes people come together and gives a sense that everything will turn out all right if
one simply takes action.

ISFP
"The important thing is being honest about who you really are."
ISFPs at a Glance
Quiet, idealistic, and graceful.
Modest, dreamy, and sincere.
Individualists who need space and freedom to be who they really are.
Understanding listeners who give others space and accept them as they are.
Have intense sensitivity on the inside and tend to find self-expression difficult.
ISFPs as They Typically Are
ISFPs are soft-spoken idealists who are intensely in tune with the world around them. They
usually have deep aesthetic appreciation and a strong understanding of the visuals, shapes,
and sounds that affect the human heart. Even if not an artist or designer themselves, ISFPs are
still likely to have an extremely well-developed sense of what they like and don't like
(indeed, they often have a uniqueness of taste that others tend to envy). For this reason it is
especially important for the ISFP that they have the freedom to shape their personal
environment as they see fit. ISFPs should not be made to conform to some standardized
solution or routine.
ISFPs have a strong core of deep personal values and it is important to them that they are able
to live their lives in harmony with these values and their authentic selves. For ISFPs to be
happy in life, it is extremely important that they are allowed to live their lives in accordance
with what they feel is right. On the other hand, it is less important to them how others
perceive them. They prefer to do their own thing and let others be free to do their own thing;
ISFPs usually "live and let live" and shy away from "selling themselves". This lack of
pandering to others implies a certain self-containment, and for this reason ISFPs often
impress others as being "cool".
Because ISFPs live a life so in touch with their inner values, this also means that they tend to
have a profound respect for the values of others. Consequently, this respect and deference is a
two-way street for them: They do not wish to impose themselves upon the world, or to place
demands on others, but nor do they wish that others should impose themselves upon the inner
values and personal world of the ISFP.

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Because of their reserved and tolerant attitude, other types are likely to feel that the ISFP is
reticent and difficult to get to know. Indeed, ISFPs do have a tendency to hold back what they
really know and only to share their deepest ideas and opinions with those to who are close to
them. To the ISFP it will make a very great difference indeed whether someone is inside their
intimate sphere of caring or outside of it.
Each relation that the ISFP accepts as genuinely intimate to them will carry a special tone of
meaning and significance in the inner world of the ISFP. ISFPs will typically not demand
anything from their intimates, but love them as they are and never based on what they could
do for the ISFP. In such relations, ISFPs are extremely tolerant and understanding and they
will happily go the extra mile to help a partner or friend in need. To an ISFP that truly cares,
helping an intimate in need is really no different from helping oneself.
Of all the types, ISFPs are usually the least interested in developing a language of puffy and
eloquent words. Instead, they prefer to keep their language simple and brief and to let the
other aspects of their lives - their actions, their taste, and their arts - speak for them instead.
Words pale in comparison with the intensity of the inner sensitivity of the ISFP: Their
appreciation for the beautiful image and that deep-rooted feeling of rightness that comes from
following one's ideals runs far deeper in them than any stream of words ever could.
ISFPs are gentle souls who are committed in their pursuit of what is right and who wish for
lifelong and harmonious relations with their intimates. Because of their modesty and reserve,
ISFPs are often misunderstood or undervalued, but as C.G. Jung has said of them, their still
waters run deep. Unlike other types, ISFPs have little need for flattery, or to boast of their
achievements in life, and so more boorish souls looking only at the surface of things will be
likely to look right past the expertise and accomplishments of the ISFP.
As for their own part, ISFPs do not necessarily help setting things straight as they tend to be
self-effacing and also to understate their own affairs. They see no need to boast loudly about
all that they have done and all they can do. Nevertheless, ISFPs tend to excel at certain tasks
where other types will often come up short: Without their uncompromising sense of what
they like and don't like, the sum total of aesthetic expressions on which humanity could draw
would be severely diminished, and without their tolerance and non-judgmental understanding
of others, fewer hearts would dare open themselves to the world.
"There is no definition of beauty, but when you can see someone's spirit coming
through, something unexplainable, that's beautiful to me."
ISFPs as They Typically Are
Graceful, gentle, and soft-spoken, ISFPs are sensitive souls who very often have an artistic
inclination and temperament. Their way of meeting the world is a deeply personal and
genuine one, where they tend to see whatever crosses their path in terms of how it affects
them emotionally, and how it squares with their values and what is important to them.
Though ISFPs tend to be popular, tolerant, and receptive to where the people in their lives are
coming from, many ISFPs are nevertheless somewhat solitary and private in nature. To them,
ideals and personal values are often seen as an intensely private affair that cannot be summed
up in simple words or reduced to political jargon or slogans.

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Others often remark of ISFPs that (although they are quiet) they nevertheless tend to be quite
expressive in nature - expressive through their clothing, style, or creative pursuits on the one
hand, and in the unfeigned sincerity of their prose, diction, and demeanor on the other. As
mentioned, many ISFPs tend to have a bit of an artistic bent, and many are able to express
themselves in unique ways, not just through their creative pursuits, but through simple
everyday living as well.
They tend to see their own creativity not as a means to achieve something conceptual, to
build something better, or to convey a particular social message, but as a means to express an
aesthetic that they find interesting in and of itself and which has no other reason for being
brought into being besides itself. In many cases, ISFPs take a passionate interest in simply
exploring and deeply perceiving their own emotional reactions to the projects that they are
tinkering with. They carry on if it makes sense to their personal sentiments and are not likely
to be overly bothered if others do not immediately see the value or worth of what they are
doing. In this way, it may perhaps be said that ISFPs are the most pureblooded creatives of all
the 16 types.
Though ISFPs are introverts, most have a pretty active social life and find it easy to interact
with people and get to know them. Open and tolerant, they typically have friends or
acquaintances from all walks of life, and they often appreciate simply listening to others talk
about their life experiences. Though they are typically the last people to be pretentious about
it, most ISFPs tend to be genuinely accepting and to really value diversity, seeking to
understand how people's values and opinions are the product of their personal experiences –
experiences which are unique to them and therefore should not be judged according to some
pre-fabricated intellectual regimen.
Like their INFP cousin, the ISFP's intense sensitivity and deep sense of what is personally
important to them may predispose them towards social activism. However, unlike their INFP
cousin, ISFPs tend to be interested in the well-being of people in their lives first and foremost
and only secondly to be interested in nonconcrete social causes with no relation to their own
experience.
ISFPs are often resistant to authority or people whom they perceive as needlessly curtailing
the individualism and self-expression of others. They see creativity and soulfulness as
natural, valuable, and unavoidable elements of human existence, and may easily come to see
people who want to limit such expressiveness as misguided. Many ISFPs can almost be said
to be on a continuous quest for authentic self-expression where they see the simpler things
and serendipitous moments in life as the genuine expression of meaning and human nature.
With their focus on exploring inner sentiments and reactions, ISFPs may be perceived as
leading patchy and irregular lives at times where they seem to drift from one thing to another
without any overall plan or vision to it. As they mature and grow, however, most ISFPs tend
to gain a strong internal sense of what kind of journey they are on and what their life will be
about. While even in later years, it may be temping for more judgmental natures to dismiss
them as aimless, they can nevertheless be very good at really devoting the time and effort
needed to develop and hone their talents in depth. Though their lives may look chaotic to
others, they are in fact guided by an inner sensitivity that allows them to find great pleasure
and meaning in whatever they are presently pursuing. Often, how they will be seen by others,

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or how they will make money from what they are doing, will be of secondary importance in
the face of things that just intuitively feel right to them.
To many ISFPs, the world is a wondrous and interesting place. A realm so filled with
possibilities that there is no need to conform to conventional expectations of how one should
live one's life, or to invent a parallel intellectual world besides this one. ISFPs have intense
inner lives where they continually delve into themes to explore and express.
They do not seek to control every variable of their lives, nor that of others, and they do not
overcomplicate what they do or what they are about with considerations that are not an
earnest expression of where they are in life. Instead they'd rather work with the things and
themes that make sense to them in order to try to capture part of the human condition in an
honest and sincere way. In this manner they tend to capture highly personalized portraits of
reality itself, rather than trying to invent some grand idea that at the end of the day is not a
true testimony to who they are as people.

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