Daniel Dessinger

Tag: personality type

  • Turns Out I’m an ENTP

    You know that post I wrote about how I’m back and forth between being an INFJ or an INTP? Well, scratch that. My indecision was predicated upon one simple misunderstanding: I am not an introvert. That’s right. Read it and weep, inner child.

    When it comes to personality types or medical diagnoses, it’s easy to misdiagnose when you’re not dealing with ideal circumstances. In my case, five years of ill-timed teenage peer rejection…

    “People with the ENTP personality type are unique in their ability to identify associations between anything, no matter how seemingly disparate those things are. They are at once analytical and clever, taking great pleasure in verbal jousting. This makes them formidable debaters and they’re often prone to switching sides of an issue for the sport of it. While many people profess to be able to multi-task various ideas, concepts, and assignments, few are more adept at doing so than ENTPs. They also find joy in provocative conversations with others and often have a sense of humor that some may consider slightly aberrant.

    Below, we’ll explore their tendency to prioritize people above all else. We’ll also describe why ENTP types’ thinking process is distinctive to their type and how their overall nature can impact their lives.

    Putting People First

    ENTP types are skilled at many things. However, they will set most priorities aside when given an opportunity to interact with other people. They have an extroverted personality that draws others to them. This, combined with an intrinsic capacity to understand the motives and feelings of others, makes them exciting to be around. They enjoy conversation for the simple pleasure of participating, yet also relish the chance to debate or argue a point. Their natural intuition allows them to quickly grasp issues and talk fluently about them almost immediately. ENTPs enjoy the company of others and will sacrifice much to have it.

    Relentlessly Cerebral

    One of the traits that people find attractive about people with ENTP traits is their ability to think clearly and quickly. They are both innovative and methodical with their approach to problems. As a result, they typically offer creative solutions to problems that others find baffling. Their tendency to apply logic and objectivity to a given situation usually produces the most appropriate response.

    Personality And Strengths

    ENTP personality types are inherently enthusiastic. They are brimming with new ideas and their excitement in sharing them can inspire others. They can easily adapt to the changing needs or dynamics of a situation, producing new ideas that cater to those changes. Because of their quick understanding of other people, ENTPs tend to establish relational bonds quickly. This can ingratiate them to others, paving the way for strong friendships.

    Potential Weaknesses

    While ENTPs have a number of favorable characteristics, their personality and temperament can also lead to potential pitfalls. For example, their cerebral nature is a strong influence in their lives and makes them excellent problem-solvers and conversationalists. However, it can also lead them to openly and aggressively dismiss those they find foolish, causing ire in their wake. Plus, while ENTPs are typically upbeat and hopeful, minor hurdles can cause them to become angry. And under extreme stress, they will often feel trapped, unable to logically devise a solution.

    ENTPs have remarkable potential and can achieve great success if given the opportunity to do so. But, they risk allowing influences that are outside their control to impact their lives.”

    ENTP Favored Careers

    dictator, computer consultant, international spy, tv producer, philosopher, comedian, music performer, it consultant, fighter pilot, politician, diplomat, entertainer, game designer, bar owner, freelance writer, creative director, strategist, news anchor, professional skateboarder, airline pilot, comic book artist, college professor, private detective, mechanical engineer, lecturer, ambassador, astronomer, research scientist, judge, web developer, scholar, fbi agent, cia agent, electrical engineer, assassin

    So I could be a dictator, international spy, assassin, or own a bar? Nice.

    ENTP Disfavored Careers

    personal assistant, wedding planner, travel agent, secretary, interior decorator, clerical employee, government employee, social worker, pre school teacher, copy editor, child care worker, hospitality worker, occupational therapist, home maker

    UPDATE

    So… several years later, I’ve come to acknowledge that I’m NOT an extrovert after all. Sometimes it seems like I am, but it’s a tricky thing. Read more of my thoughts on personality type here.

  • Personality Type Crisis: Am I INFJ or INTP?

    Five years ago, I took the Briggs and Myerson personality test inside the book, Do What You Are. At the time, I tested as an INTJ (Introspective, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging). Recently, a cute little Facebook quiz asked the question again, only this time I scored differently.

    I was disappointed to not be an INTJ. I actually wanted to be a specific type, mostly for the exclusivity. But truth be told, I’m not so logical that I don’t frequently live by intuition and feelings. If anything, I’m always a confusing blend of logic, emotion, and intuition.

    After the Facebook quiz, I went online and looked at the traits and characteristics of various personality types, and I’ve narrowed it down to two possibilities – INFJ or INTP. According to one source, these two types belong to different groups: Intellectuals and Visionaries.

    Intellectuals (NT)
    • ENTJ – Chief
    • ENTP – Originator
    • INTJ – Strategist
    • INTP – Engineer

    Visionaries (NF)
    • ENFJ – Mentor
    • ENFP – Advocate
    • INFJ – Confidant
    • INFP – Dreamer

    Oddly enough, I don’t feel like either an Engineer or a Confidant, but more like a Strategist or a Dreamer. Sheesh. Whatever.

    Let’s take a look at some of the primary INFJ traits and see how I score:

    INFJs generally have the following traits:

    • Intuitively understand people and situations? Yes
    • Idealistic?     Yes
    • Highly principled?     Yes
    • Complex and deep?     Yes
    • Natural leaders?     Yes
    • Sensitive and compassionate towards people?     50/50
    • Service-oriented?     No
    • Future-oriented?     Yes
    • Value deep, authentic relationships?     Yes
    • Reserved about expressing their true selves?     50/50
    • Dislike dealing with details unless they enhance or promote their vision?     Yes
    • Constantly seeking meaning and purpose in everything?     Yes
    • Creative and visionary?     Yes
    • Intense and tightly-wound?     50/50
    • Can work logically and rationally – use their intuition to understand the goal and work backwards towards it?     Uncertain

    11.5 Checks
    2.5 Nos
    1 Uncertain

    Seems pretty definitive. Let’s see how I do with the traits of an INTP:

    INTPs generally have the following traits:

    • Love theory and abstract ideas? Yes
    • Truth Seekers – they want to understand things by analyzing underlying principles and structures? Yes
    • Value knowledge and competence above all else?     No. Not necessarily
    • Have very high standards for performance, which they apply to themselves? 50/50
    • Independent and original, possibly eccentric?     50/50
    • Work best alone, and value autonomy?     Yes
    • Have no desire to lead or follow?     No
    • Dislike mundane detail?     Yes
    • Not particularly interested in the practical application of their work?     Yes
    • Creative and insightful?     Yes
    • Future-oriented?     Yes
    • Usually brilliant and ingenius?     Debatable
    • Trust their own insights and opinions above others?     Yes
    • Live primarily inside their own minds, and may appear to be detached and uninvolved with other people?     50/50

    9.5 Yes
    3.5 No
    1 Uncertain

    So there you have it. I have no clue. I know I’m definitely not an INTJ or an INFP based on the descriptions, but INFJ and INTP seem to overlap for me. Given the need to choose, I’d say I feel most solidarity towards INFJ, because there are elements described that feel more true or more core to me than those of any other type.

    Turns Out I’m Neither

    Since I first wrote this post, I’ve consistently tested as an INFP. Here’s the breakdown…

    INFPs generally have the following traits:

    • Strong value systems? Yes
    • Warmly interested in people? Yes
    • Service-oriented, usually putting the needs of others above their own? As a parent, definitely. Otherwise, nah.
    • Loyal and devoted to people and causes? Yes
    • Future-oriented? Yes
    • Growth-oriented; always want to be growing in a positive direction? Yes
    • Creative and inspirational? Yes
    • Flexible and laid-back, unless a ruling principle is violated? Yes
    • Sensitive and complex? Yes
    • Dislike dealing with details and routine work? Yes
    • Original and individualistic – “out of the mainstream”? Definitely
    • Excellent written communication skills? Yes
    • Prefer to work alone, and may have problems working on teams? Yes
    • Want to be seen and appreciated for who they are? Yes

    What about you? Which type are you? Are you definitively one type, or like me where you could be several? Would love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

    Sources:

    INFJ
    INFJ Careers
    INTP
    INTP Careers