By Paul Dunning
Over the years we have accumulated a large amount of data here on our web site about each of the sixteen types.
This series of articles summarizes responses by communication workshop participants previously posted in To Communicate With Me and Communication Highlights.
In each personality type summary we highlight themes and then rank those themes by organizing them from most to least common responses.
The bulleted points are statements on each of the 5 themes identified from INFP responses.
A person who prefers INFP wants you to:
Communicate on a personal level
• Appreciate (me) as an individual
• Share personal stories
• Don’t be afraid of being vulnerable
• Care about what we are both saying
• Communicate with (me) one-on-one in a personal way
• Use stories more than facts
• Share why you value a certain opinion
• Share your stories with me – what worked or didn’t work for you in the past
Be calm and respectful
• Be honest and sincere
• Do not yell
• Do not rush
• Be patient, or appear as such, if I don’t understand initially
• Let’s discuss – not compete
• Provide feedback gently
Use “big picture” thinking
• Start with the big picture and progress to details
• Write it
• Explain difficult to grasp concepts using analogies
• Allow (me the) freedom to set goals and complete tasks independently
Listen
• Pay attention when I am speaking to you
• Learn to listen (to me) intently
• Listen to me – my whole sentence/idea – before you jump in
Be open to my ideas
• Be open to different possibilities I might offer
• Don’t judge an idea right off as not feasible
• Allow me to come back and reopen a conversation after I have thought about it some more
What Does This Tell Us?
People with INFP preferences are most interested in communicating in a personal, calm, and respectful way. They encourage others to tell their stories, listening with patience. INFPs also want to be listened to, as well as appreciated for their efforts and contributions.
You can find more information on type interactions in Introduction to Type and Communication.
