The Portrait of the Mastermind (iNTj)

Copyrighted © 1996 Prometheus Nemesis Book Company.

Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition it is the contingency planning or entailment organizing role that reaches the
highest development in INTJs. Entailing or contingency planning is not an informative activity, rather it is a directive one in which
the planner tells others what to do and in what order to do it. As the organizing capabilities the INTJs increase so does their
inclination to take charge of whatever is going on.

It is in their abilities that INTJs differ from the other NTs, while in most of their attitudes they are just like the others. However
there is one attitude that sets them apart from other NTs: they tend to be much more self-confident than the rest, having, for
obscure reasons, developed a very strong will. They are rather rare, comprising no more than, say, one percent of the population.
Being very judicious, decisions come naturally to them; indeed, they can hardly rest until they have things settled, decided, and set.
They are the people who are able to formulate coherent and comprehensive contingency plans, hence contingency organizers or
"entailers."

INTJs will adopt ideas only if they are useful, which is to say if they work efficiently toward accomplishing the INTJ's well-defined
goals. Natural leaders, INTJs are not at all eager to take command of projects or groups, preferring to stay in the background until
others demonstrate their inability to lead. Once in charge, however, INTJs are the supreme pragmatists, seeing reality as a crucible
for refining their strategies for goal-directed action. In a sense, INTJs approach reality as they would a giant chess board, always
seeking strategies that have a high payoff, and always devising contingency plans in case of error or adversity. To the INTJ,
organizational structure and operational procedures are never arbitrary, never set in concrete, but are quite malleable and can be
changed, improved, streamlined. In their drive for efficient action, INTJs are the most open-minded of all the types. No idea is too
far-fetched to be entertained-if it is useful. INTJs are natural brainstormers, always open to new concepts and, in fact, aggressively
seeking them. They are also alert to the consequences of applying new ideas or positions. Theories which cannot be made to work
are quickly discarded by the INTJs. On the other hand, INTJs can be quite ruthless in implementing effective ideas, seldom
counting personal cost in terms of time and energy.

INTJ Learning Style

INTJs learn best by studying, reflecting and conceptualising.

To them, learning is a means to self-improvement and they actively seek to increase their understanding and knowledge.

They learn particularly well on their own or in small groups and prefer to learn in an orderly and self-paced manner, and thus
benefit from structured, well thought-out training programmes, self-teaching courses, or high quality coaching. Being set
(and achieving) regular targets ensures that they maintain interest and gives them the feedback they need to show them that
they are making steady progress. Loose unstructured teaching without clear outcomes or with a high degree of active
participation or ‘play’ does not appeal.

They enjoy learning theories and models, and need intellectual stimulation in order to maintain their interest. They ask many
questions and tend not to accept a teacher or a system’s authority at face value. Memorisation of facts, sequential exercises
and hands-on training are less useful to them than discussion, reflection, analysis and brainstorming.

As learners, INTJs:

are stimulated by ideas and impatient to understand them
ask searching questions
prefer to work towards a clear goal or end-product
enjoy systems, theories, concepts and abstract patterns
have a strong need for evidence or proof when learning new facts
are good at focusing and concentrating
are motivated by their drive towards competence, authority and expertise
may need encouragement to join in with group or team activities

INTJs are most comfortable learning when:

experiencing new problems or opportunities from which to learn
able to stand back from events and listen/observe, e.g. observing a group at work, taking a back seat in a meeting,
watching a video
allowed to think before acting, to assimilate before commenting, allowed time to prepare or do background reading
acquiring knowledge which is part of a system, model, concept, theory
given the chance to question and probe the basic methodology, assumptions or logic behind something, e.g. by taking
part in a question and answer session
intellectually stretched, i.e. by analysing a complex situation, being tested in a tutorial session, by being with high
calibre people who ask searching questions
finding themselves in structured situations with a clear purpose
listening to or reading about ideas and concepts that emphasise rationality or logic and are well argued
analysing and then generalising the reasons for success or failure
offered interesting ideas and concepts even though they are not immediately relevant
required to understand and participate in complex situations.
concentrating on important issues by drawing up action plans

INTJ’s are least comfortable when:

asked to repeat essentially the same activity over and over again
given precise instructions to follow with little room for manoeuvre
asked to attend to detail and tie up loose ends
involved in situations which require action without planning
asked to do something without a context or apparent purpose and to participate in situations emphasising emotions
and feelings
involved in unstructured activities where ambiguity and uncertainty are high, e.g. with open-ended problems
faced with a lot of alternative techniques without any being explored in depth

INTJ - Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging


Perfectionists. Original minds, insight, and vision, natural brainstormers. Can see the consequences of the application of new ideas.
Demanding of themselves and others. Not particularly bothered by indifference or criticism.

The most independent of all types, INTJs prefer to do things their way. They can conform to rules only when they can see them as
useful to their greater purpose.

INTJs may expect too much of themselves and others. They may lack an understanding of how their behaviour affects others.
They may need to learn to understand the seemingly "illogical" feelings of others. This will keep them from alienating and offending
those around them.

They may fail to recognize practical weaknesses in their ideas that make execution difficult. Gathering all the relevant and factual
data will help ensure that their ideas are workable. INTJs may need to simplify their often complicated ideas so they can
communicate them to others. Soliciting the input and suggestions of others may help them recognize an impractical idea earlier, or
help them make necessary changes and improvements earlier.

When INTJs make an effort to adopt a more accepting approach to life and their dealings with others, they will achieve more
balance and succeed at having more of their innovations accepted by the world.

INTJ - Introverted Intuition with Thinking

According to the Myers Briggs' Personality Test there are 16 basic personalities. The INTJ, whose characteristics include idea
orientation, stubbornness and independence is shared by just 1% of the population.

People with INTJ preferences are relentless innovators in thought as well as action. They trust their intuitive insights into the true
relationships and meanings of things, regardless of established authority or popularly accepted beliefs. Their faith in their inner
vision can move mountains. Problems only stimulate them - the impossible takes a little longer, but not much. They are the most
independent of all types, sometimes to the point of being stubborn. They place a high value on competence - their own and others'.

INTJs often value and use confidently their intuitive insights in fields such as science, engineering, invention, politics, or philosophy.
The boldness of their intuition may be of immense value in any field, and should not be smothered in a routine job.

INTJs - Usually have original minds and great drive for their own ideas and purposes. In fields that appeal to them, they have a fine
power to organize a job and carry it through with or without help. Skeptical, critical, independent, determined, sometimes
stubborn. Must learn to yield less important points in order to win the most important.

Some people might ask, how do you know if you are an INTJ type? The answer is by taking a series of tests with about 100
questions, that ask what your preferences are. A kind of personality test that asks what you like more, this, or that, where do you
feel more comfortable and draws on past experiences. There are 16 personality preferences, based on 8 different personality
types.
By comparing the different types grouped together, you can get an idea of what your personality type is. This can only give you an
idea, since you'll need to take a more extensive test to get more accurate information. The information I have here was found in the
booklet titled "Introduction to Type" by Isabel Briggs Myers, Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. ISBN: 0-935652-06-x.

The 16 personality types and percentages of people who are these types based on tests taken are: ISTJ(6%), ISTP(6%),
ESTP(13%), ESTJ(13%), ISFJ(6%), ISFP(6%), ESFP(13%), ESFJ(13%), INFJ(1%), INFP(1%), ENFP(5%), ENFJ(5%),
INTJ(1%), INTP(1%), ENTP(5%), and ENTJ(5%).

<Return>