By Donna Dunning
Insightful Analyzer
People who have preferences for INTP tend to focus their attention in the inner world by conducting a logical analysis and deciding on the right thing to do, using Introverted Thinking (Ti) as their dominant function. They are most engaged when they are figuring out complex problems or analyzing their options. In their outer world, they tend to enjoy playing with ideas and possibilities, using Extraverted Intuition (Ne).
For more general information on type dynamics and motivation, please refer to the introductory post for this series, Find Your Motivation and Grow Your Career.
When they find opportunities to use this core approach at work, the result is usually a satisfying, meaningful career.
Building Your Skills
When learning and developing their competencies, INTPs need to hone their core approach as well as develop skills and knowledge outside of their preferences.
Some of the skills that may come naturally for INTPs include theorizing, systems thinking, conceptualizing, evaluating, designing or extrapolating. Careers that use these skills are often appealing to people with INTP preferences.
However, there are times when INTPs need to use and develop skills in their non-preferred functions. For the INTP, this might include demonstrating empathic responses, building rapport, considering how decisions may affect the people involved, and following routines and procedures (especially if these seem illogical).
I’m sure the INTPs out there can add to this list of non-preferred skills and activities.
Finding Your Motivation
INTPs will be most motivated to learn skills in their non-preferred functions “in service of the dominant function”. In other words, they need to see how the new learning provides them with new ideas or competencies to help them analyze situations, solve problems, or innovate.
One INTP told me about his struggle to follow through. As soon as he figured out a solution to a problem, he immediately lost interest and his mind moved on to a new problem.
He realized that he would not be allowed to work in the troubleshooting role for very long if he didn’t implement his solutions. This triggered him to develop non-preferred functions as he created and wrote down sequential steps for fixing the problem.
He is happiest when he can pass this list of steps onto someone else and move on to the next problem, but he also realizes that sometimes he needs to take the actions needed to follow through. He challenges himself to carry out this part of the work effectively.
Three INTPs have shared their stories about their motivation, strengths, and challenges on the Analyzer Career Success Stories and Strategies page on this site.
If you want to read more about INTPs on the website, here are a few posts to look at.
Occupations that Attract Analyzers
Resources
Want to learn more about personality type and how to use it to understand yourself and others?
Introduction to Type and Communication describes in detail how personality preferences influence communications.
If you live in the USA, Introduction to Type and Communication
Introduction to Type and Learning can help you find your motivation for learning and help you learn more effectively.
If you live in the USA, Introduction to Type and Learning
Looking for a practical resource to help you plan your ideal career? Check out my book, What’s Your Type of Career?: Find Your Perfect Career By Using Your Personality Type
Want to use your personality type to excel at your career? Check out 10 Career Essentials: Excel at Your Career by Using Your Personality Type
