INTPs are like kaleidoscopes. Not simply for the inner beauty that can be found,
but for the fact that they are complicated inside; a mixture of all colors, thoughts, and ideas.
INTPs can get to know themselves better by reading books about their personality type
and talking with other INTPs about their personal experiences, to exchange best practices.
Journaling can be an effective tool for discovering individual patterns to work with.
INTPs need to be very clear about their priorities and persistent
in overcoming skill gaps if they wish to achieve their full potential.
Strengths: #3 Tireless and life-long conceptualist.
An INTP is a seeker of knowledge, trying to understand how the world works and how
everything is interconnected. They are driven by curiosity, studying for fun, and excelling
in all kinds of intellectual professions. #2 Broad knowledge lover and innovator.
They love developing new ideas, testing trends, and theories to figure out hidden
dynamics and find the unidentified ones. An INTP discovers novel theories and new
approaches. Understands the system and determines what needs to be improved immediately. Understands
how all components are interrelated and therefore can provide a unique insight on optimizing it.
#1 Logic driven debater. Very precise, conceptual, and sharp. An INTP is ready to win any debate.
They are driven by debates and often take debate classes or develop
challengers’ sets of skills naturally. This is not the same as communication,
unfortunately. Challengers always raise objections. A good communicator makes
deals and finds ways to get along. This is a potential area for improvement.
Weaknesses: #3 Choice-making. Their constant curiosity
makes making choices difficult. From choosing a time commitment to picking a major at university.
Making choices can be difficult, because for INTPs,
sometimes it feels like cutting off half of the universe, and missing unexplored opportunities.
INTPs lack a built-in feature to make decisions like that.
It is really difficult for them because there is no algorithm
or set of rules that exactly explains to them how this kind of choice can be made.
There is no data available upfront. They ask themselves:
“How can I cut off something that I don’t know yet? Something that I didn’t fully examine?”
And the INTP’s computer freezes; and this occurs regardless of how significant a choice is.
Choosing a career, a house or apartment, etc. The INTP must learn how to make decisions in
situations of ambiguity as others do. Otherwise, they may miss out on
opportunities in the future. #2 People relationships. INTPs are
often known for their passion for debate, lack of explanation for their behavior or motives,
and withdrawal when studying or daydreaming, which creates problems with intimate relationships.
At work, the INTP may appear distant, challenging, and sharp.
In most cases, the problem has to do with their communication skills. Communicating your motives
with close ones is important. Getting your message across by communicating your motives
at work is essential. The biggest mistake INTPs tend to do is they try to behave differently.
Instead, all they need to do is to open up the lines of communication
to reach agreements with people. INTPs tend to assume too much about others while talking is
much better when it comes to relationships. #1 Anger management. INTPs are prone to anger
outbursts and can get gloomy when stressed. Sometimes I am the first to initiate conversation,
especially when I feel others are left out of a group. But I don't want to spend too much time
chatting! I'm good at remaining neutral in discussions to keep a good discussion going
in a group. In one-on-one conversations I tend to take the opposite view even if I disagree with it,
just to see if the other person has considered all sides of the argument.
My weakness is staying focused and coherent when in conversation.
I always tell people that the longer they talk to me, the more rubbish I come out with. My attempt
at keeping the conversation going I guess? I'm very good at deconstructing theories,
arguments, and people’s new ideas. Others see this as not being positive,
nor willing to accept change. I just need to check that the new idea stands up to rigorous logic.
If there is too much structure or organization in work or life then I can become grumpy and
expressively resist to regain freedom. I need only a general idea of what you need from me,
I can deal with the rest of the details. I want the freedom to work how I want,
to change what I want, and to avoid structure imposed by others. I took a managerial position
so I can be a master of my work. Or that's what I thought anyway. Seems I'm having to manage people
more than working on what I want to. I actually feel more constrained as a manager to adopt
typical corporate practices. My strength I discovered is actually in a supportive role
if the person I am managed by is receptive to my criticisms and ideas.
I feel the weight of responsibility is lessened and get to show others my expertise.
My primary strength is thinking. Making something more efficient and organized. Digging deep into
concepts and theories to discover truths. My main weakness is sustained conversation,
networking, and getting heard in groups of people. Fitting in with group dynamics.
I'm happiest when independently reading, and working on a complex puzzle.
I enjoy the freedom of nature and become strangely childlike and excitable.
I'm sad when I have to shop with trend followers. Weddings - worst thing ever!
I have to wear certain things, be in certain places at certain times, observe traditions.
Then I have to pretend I am enjoying myself being sat at a table with people I don't know,
and I am expected to behave in a very free and open way at the after-party.
Any environment where it is overly structured and organized will bring out the worst in me.
The best way I got to know myself was through discovering my personality type’s descriptions.
Realizing I'm actually normal, just different to others;
others who have their own experience and observations
of the world. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses, not trying to be like others.
To reach my full potential I need to realize that I need to recharge
and to take time out from stressful environments. Rediscovering art, programming, and music.
To do meditative and physical exercise, preferably alone. Sometimes I just need to be left alone!