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Developing Your Type – INTP

Developing Your Type – INTP

By Donna Dunning

INTP Insightful Analyzer: Examine and Evaluate

Get the picture?

3.3% of the population

Type Dynamics for the INTP

Dominant (Ti): Inwardly evaluating ideas analytically and objectively.

Auxiliary (Ne): Outwardly focused on possibilities for enhancing systems.

Tertiary (S): As they mature, consider facts and current realities as well as possibilities.

Inferior (Fe): Developmental challenge is showing empathy and making personal connections.

My previous blogs – Understanding Type Dynamics: Dominant Functions, Understanding Type Dynamics: Auxiliary Functions, and Taking Personality Type Beyond Your Preferences have more information on type dynamics.

The INTP Preferred Mode

Insightful Analyzers use Introverted Thinking (Ti) as their core approach to work and living. INTPs usually take a calm, objective, logical, approach. They tend to enjoy investigating and analyzing complex ideas and theories.

Insightful Analyzers thrive in situations where they can spot flaws and figure out solutions to problems. They often want to work independently.  If you are an Insightful Analyzer, you are likely at your best when you are logically evaluating ideas.

Adding a Secondary Approach

To gather more information, Insightful Analyzers tend to explore and play with new ideas. This open-ended approach to the world provides input for a more accurate and thorough analysis. Others usually see the INTP using this secondary, flexible approach. They may glimpse the more private, examining side of the INTP by observing their somewhat detached interactions or their sometimes cynical or sarcastic humor.

Development Pathway

INTPs will likely be convinced to develop their non-preferred preferences when they can see how using these parts of their personality can provide them with the independence they want to examine situations.

As Insightful Analyzers develop, they learn to look more at the facts and details when deciding. For example, a young INTP may be interested in conceptually analyzing ideas and not as concerned about finding practical applications for the ideas.  A more mature INTP will want ideas to be applied in a useful way. Insightful Analyzers will be motivated to develop this realistic side when doing so seems reasonable and logical.

Over time Insightful Analyzers can also learn to place more emphasis on how individuals fit into theories or are affected by situations. They will be motivated to do this when it serves their preferred mode of operating. For example, an INTP can be convinced to use a more personal approach when they know this mode of examining data will make their analysis more accurate and thorough. Using a practical, personal approach can also serve the Insightful Analyzer by providing ways to more effectively relate to others.

Developmental Tips for the Insightful Analyzer

  • When examining situations collect and analyze factual as well as conceptual data. This additional data will lead to a better analysis.
  • When coming up with a solution to a situation look for practical implementation problems. Work on following through and putting solutions into action.
  • Once you have completed a logical evaluation of an idea or situation take time to also consider who is involved in the situation and imagine how the situation might affect them personally.
  • Notice and offer appreciation when others do something to help you.
  • Learn to develop rapport with others by figuring out their preferences. Use small talk and share some personal information to build relationships when it’s appropriate.

You will find an overview of the two types of Analyzers, their career success stories and strategies, and occupations that attract them on the Analyzer main page.

What’s Your Type of Career? includes a section on career and life development strategies for Analyzers.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011 at 8:45 am and is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Developing Your Type – INTP”

  1. gwalter says:

    Very helpful. As an INTP (sometimes J), I’ve been struggling lately with two issues: a) not being understood – probably coming across as too conceptual and not very practical or concrete. b) I also seem to be too quick to point out the mistakes of others – with the misunderstood motive of just wanting to make things better.

    I’m going to have to introspect on this some more.

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