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What might be a challenge for an INTJ?

What might be a challenge for an INTJ?

By Donna Dunning

Several people with preferences for INTJ have told me they experience tension between their internal process of building models and integrating multiple ideas and their external drive to complete projects and accomplish results.

This can be a challenge for them when they start to implement projects, as it can be frustrating to explain their complex thoughts and plans to others.

What you might not see

What people don’t usually see, is that INTJs generally take a comprehensive, broad, long-range view and want to create a thorough, all-encompassing plan. They can struggle with “scope creep” as they see how parts of a project could link to and impact other parts of a complex system.

They gather input, but often their idea generation and planning is completed using Introverted Intuition (Ni) – an internal process of reflecting on ideas and integrating information to build and hone their vision.

What you do see

However, at the same time, they also want to accomplish results effectively in a timely manner. So, once their plan is formulated they want to take charge and get it done.

This focus on the implementation phase is what they generally show to the rest of us.

At this point, they may be impatient with having to explain their multifaceted thought process and may brush aside questions and concerns. They know the plan is well thought-out and want to move forward, using Extraverted Thinking (Te) to direct others.

This may lead to push back or resistance from others.

What can INTJs do?

I’m sure many readers out there have ideas or have developed strategies for managing this dilemma. If you have experienced this as an INTJ or if you interact with an INTJ in your life, please let others readers know your solutions to this challenge.

Interested in learning more about how INTJs act and interact? Here are a few posts you might like.

Visionaries (INTJ and INFJ) Personality Type Preferences and Stress

Developing Your Type: INTJ

Narratives of Type: Visionaries (INTJs and INFJs)

Is there an INTJ in your Life?

Introduction to Type and Communication describes in detail how personality preferences influence communications.

If you live in the USA, Introduction to Type and Communication is now available on Kindle.

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This entry was posted on Friday, September 28th, 2012 at 10:32 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.

4 Responses to “What might be a challenge for an INTJ?”

  1. INTJ Systems says:

    As an INTJ I definitely have to balance the inner creative process with implementation. I think a lot of us are perfectionists and don’t want to get started until we have a comprehensive plan. Also we may not want to go ahead with a plan at all until we are very confident in it. I’ve had to develop some processes to help resolve these issues.

    One process that has helped a lot for project development for me is Appreciative Inquiry.

    I’ve written this page about Appreciative Inquiry.

  2. mdannelley says:

    This INTJ strategic planner has learned to: (1) set limits for my “planning” time – usually in the form of setting a date by which I will stop planning/researching and start implementing (or at least recruiting support) and (2) to adjust my communications plan to match my audience. For example, when working with conscientious ISTJs or others who feel the need to know the details of my R&D phase, I grit my teeth, develop stacks of handouts, and plan for several long meetings. By the time I get to the meetings, I have (more or less) talked myself into enjoying the team’s discovery of my ideas/plan. I have also set a targeted deadline for this phase to end, at which point I plan to carry on (much like an ENTJ) with whatever support I have managed to build by then. This helps me endure the explanation phase, because I know that it won’t last forever, that the plan will be implemented while it is still viable. And, much to my ongoing surprise, every single time that I have done this, the plan was improved by the process of explaining it to others who bring different perspectives and expertise to the table. I am particularly grateful for the input of SFs who inevitably think of the potential implications of my strategies on the team/relationships and smooth out those rough edges before I can do much damage through premature implementation.

  3. […] What might be a challenge for an INTJ? | Dunning Personality Type Experts From http://www.dunning.ca – Today, 11:31 AM People with INTJ preferences have told me they experience tension between their internal process of building models and their external drive to complete projects. […]

  4. SAM - INTJ says:

    As an INTJ you generally know your strengths and weaknesses really well. I personally found 2 great ways, depending of the subject, but they both required patience and communication.

    When you are directly in your fields of expertise, just endure the explaining phase long enough so that your coworker knows that you are an expert (at that point they give you the freedom you need to operate). But while you explain stay alert to their reaction just in case you miss something.

    When your are not in your field of expertise, gather more info to become an expert (INTP and ISTP are especialy good at this). This generally gives you the input you need for a true mastermind plan.

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