If you ask someone who knows anything about MBTI personalities, "Who the smartest and
most complex personality type is", chances are you'll get the Architect or as the type
indicator calls them, the INTJ.
And they wouldn't be wrong, because apart from being Intuitive, and deep Thinkers in
their lives, INTJs are often called the most calculating, intelligent, and logical people
out there.
This is a direct result of their unique combined cognitive functions, which in order from most
dominant to least are introverted intuition, extraverted thinking, introverted feeling,
and extraverted sensing.
And something that comes with these is a tendency to not only like logical paradoxes but to
also be a paradox themselves.
So today I am going to be taking a look at 7 of the INTJ personality type's biggest paradoxes
and contradictions, to understand what makes them a walking paradox.
If you're interested in finding out more, watch the video till the end because it's
going to be a ride, and I bet more than 1 of these will surprise you.
Let’s get into it.
Welcome to success for breakfast where I’m serving up brain food, made simple.
Hit that Subscribe button to get the latest videos created to give you the tools to level
up your life.
To kick things off, and the number 7 trademark character paradox is:
They are a Mastermind and Yet Mentally Messy
You may be familiar with the story of how Sir Isaac Newton once boiled his stopwatch
and checked an egg the time when he was, quite clearly, supposed to do the exact opposite.
And yet he is also one of the most prominent and influential logicians of all time, with
a brain that solved theories and invented mathematical principles still used today.
And that tendency to be extremely intelligent and calculated in one thing, while being completely
absent-minded in another, is what defines one of the INTJ's biggest paradoxes.
The main reason for that is that while their dominant cognitive function is introverted
intuition, giving them exceptional thinking abilities, their extraverted sensing, the
function required to organize tasks and relate them to the real world is way, way down as
the least developed function.
You could be really good at planning things and keeping records and yet when the time
to actually use that record comes, you can't seem to find it because you didn't write it
in the correct place.
If you or someone you know goes through these extremes, then that is a great indicator you
belong to the INTJ tribe.
Number 6 on today’s list is INTJs are Extremely Caring and Yet Apathetic to People
Although many people would associate caring and emotional traits with the INF- side of
personalities, that does not mean that INTs, especially INTJs are not capable of being
caring.
Quite the opposite, INTJs are known to be some of the most dedicated and protective
people regarding their friends and loved ones and wouldn't hesitate to risk everything to
save them.
However, at the same time, their reputation for being cold isn't unearned because try
as they might, INTJs just can't empathize with strangers.
This can generally be attributed to the fact that introverted feeling, the so-called empathy
function only serves as their third function for INTJs.
Making them a lot less likely to empathize with anyone.
Where an INFP would be crying listening to the story of a mistreated child, for instance,
an INTJ might not be able to fully relate or even care at all.
And that fundamental contrast between extreme care for loved ones and coldness to the matters
of the general public and kindness is another reason why INTJs are considered to be paradoxes.
The number 5 INTJ paradox on today’s list is they are Planners While Simultaneously
Winging It
From the simple fact that they're called "Architects", it's not a far leap to assume the fact that
INTJs are something of the long-term planning type.
And wouldn't you know it, the assumptions hold true.
Be it a work project, an exam preparation, or just general life choices, INTJs have everything
covered.
They'll have a mental itinerary, a checklist of important items, and one or even multiple
backup plans in case things go sideways.
And yet, if you've ever been around an INTJ you'll know that there are many instances
when no matter how confident they act, they clearly have no idea what's going on.
The reason for it is that even though they are good at planning and prefer to do it themselves
if during the execution they find a better alternative, they won't hesitate to abandon
their original plan and try that instead.
Not only that but even when they do plan, they will always leave some things to solve
at the moment.
This all comes down to two of their most significant cognitive functions, the dominant introverted
intuition, which helps them plan ahead and be mindful.
And their secondary function of extraverted thinking, which makes them capable of quickly
handling suddenly arising problems with little to no effort.
If you have gotten some value from this video so far, please, show your appreciation and
hit that like button.
That signals YouTube that you think other people could benefit from this video too.
Next up and number 4 today is INTJs are Self-confident While Also Being Extreme Overthinkers
If you were to ask an INTJ if they could do something for you or how good they are at
a certain task, you'll probably be met by an extremely confident response along the
lines of "Of course, I can" or "I'm not exactly sure, but I will do it".
And while that might give you the idea that INTJs are just filled to the brim with self-confidence,
you would not be completely correct.
Because while they do feel confident in their ability to do almost anything, once they've
actually done something, it's really hard for an INTJ not to overthink its flaws.
This is a downside of their dominant function because while their extraverted thinking does
grant them confidence, the more dominant intuitive intuition will always second guess their choices
once they sit down to think about what they did.
Starting today’s top 3 INTJ paradoxes is they don’t Care About What People Think,
and Still Mind Their Own Business
INTJs are notorious for being socially blunt and just in general not being the most outwardly
friendly people out there.
And the reason for that is simply the fact that to them what matters most are the logical
implications of things, not the social implications.
Now that's good and all but often people mistake that for generally being a jerk when that
couldn't be further from the truth.
Because while an INTJ might be loose with social rules when it suits them, if the breaking
of the rule may cause friction with people, they will try to avoid that.
And again, their dominant and 3rd functions come into play here.
Because their feeling is introverted it allows them to ignore side glances, their intuition
is always there to stop them from going too far.
In the runner up spot is INTJs Feel Emotions Without Showing Them
As popular as it is to think that INTJs don't feel emotions, and yes they are less sensitive
than related personality types.
INTJs without a doubt feel emotions.
The real thing that makes an INTJ different is not how they feel emotions, but how they
deal with them.
Because, whereas a sad INFP will have no problem expressing their sadness, being sad and making
a show of it is, in general, not worth it for an INTJ.
And as a result, while they may appear more sober and composed at times like a funeral,
that absolutely does not mean that they don't feel the loss just as strongly.
As you can guess, here again, their introverted feeling allows them to be composed when others
may be more affected, and their intuition gives them another boost by making sense of
the situation.
Topping our list and the last paradox of the INTJ and typically the most prominent one
is:
They are the cockiest when they think they're right but will change in a second when proven
wrong
If you have an INTJ in your life, I am willing to bet that you've experienced the pain that
is arguing with them on a topic they know about, especially if they think what you're
saying is wrong.
That's because when an INTJ is an expert, no matter how strongly you insist, they will
never deter from their viewpoint.
And that can be and is quite annoying, but you must understand that INTJs are not pointless
debaters and will only talk when they're absolutely sure in their knowledge about the topic of
discussion.
However that does not mean that they are stubborn to no end, instead, true to their logical
nature, the same INTJ who would never listen to you will not take an extra second to change
their opinion IF you provide the right logic or source.
So the sheer contrast between how hard it is to convince them that they're wrong by
simply pleading and how easy it is with good logic might appear jarring to some.
But like all of the paradoxes of the INTJ, it all comes down to their functions, in this
case, their dominant introverted intuition and secondary extraverted thinking both working
together give plenty of support to counter-arguments and steer the conversation.
As an INTJ do you feel any of these paradoxes apply to you or an INTJ you know in your life?
Make sure to leave a comment and let me know.
You’ve got this.
Now go get it done.
Grab yourself some more brain food to help you level up your life & click on one of the
videos on your screen right now!