What skills does an intj need to fit in a normal workplace?

[intj5784]

is it even a wise move to be another type or will i end up changing careers eventually into something more intj? have any of you tried this btw?

[Trivani]

Moving to another type is probably unrealistic. If you can develop the extroverted-feeling function you will do a lot better. People will like you as a person and also admire you for your INTJ strengths.

[brad]

if you can find something that appeals to your natural intj interests, and can communicate with coworkers as necessary via non-INTJ skills, you should be all set.

I often find myself playing the role of another personality type in order to get certain goals accomplished. Sometimes it's important to let other people know that such communication is unnatural to you, but you're trying. They might appreciate it, and your individuality, all the more.

[rokxal]

the ability to compromise with others, the patience to explain your ideas, and the need to make concessions to "workplace norms" while not appearing condescending

[murkrow]

compromise?

maybe I'm not an INTJ...

[Lilo]

In my opinion, changing careers into something more INTJ is the way to go.

[Monte314]

Choice 1: "To thine own self be true."
Choice 2: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
Choice 3: (Choice 1 + Choice 2)/2

[SoupNazi]

Just fake it.. practice makes perfect!

Interpersonal skills are worth working on (to differing degrees depending on your interests/priorities).

ok.. maybe it won't make perfect.. not for us anyway.. but I agree that people will admire your INTJ strengths if you can manage to not come off as an ass..

and you're probably not an ass, you just know your shit and don't like to have your time wasted. So I suggest you try to remember to smile at people, and pretend you don't mind when they talk to you. Don't think of it as putting up with something.. if you are putting in the effort, then without knowing it they are helping you to work on your interpersonal skills.. which I suspect you'll find useful in a variety of future undertakings.

[fivespeedg]

Perhaps one of the biggest threats in a populated workplace is the I in INTJ. If you don't talk, people won't automatically think you're introverted -- instead, they'll think you're stuck up, arrogant, or too good to talk to people.

The ability to engage people, make small talk -- as painful as it is -- use humor, etc will be really important, esp at higher levels.

The perceived INTJ condescending/arrogance factor is also another one to really use sparingly. The work-world seems to move at glacial speed, at least in my experience, and so do many employees. Lots of explanation, lots of communication, and a LOT of patience is needed.

[Zadoc]

is it even a wise move to be another type or will i end up changing careers eventually into something more intj? have any of you tried this btw?

To answer the question, if you are willing to work on developing the "E" part of personality and have the ability to market your skills, then you can move up.

[mind_wander]

if you can find something that appeals to your natural intj interests, and can communicate with coworkers as necessary via non-INTJ skills, you should be all set.

I often find myself playing the role of another personality type in order to get certain goals accomplished. Sometimes it's important to let other people know that such communication is unnatural to you, but you're trying. They might appreciate it, and your individuality, all the more.

Sometimes, you can try to mimic another personality type only for a short period of time. Why is that? Because you know its like lying to yourself of who you are? It does helps break the tension for others to get an idea what you are all about?

[PRBori]

Learn to be an Extrovert in a work environment... that's if you have strong sense for achieving your goals in the long term.

I know because at work I literally turn into an ENTJ... I talk to everyone and make friends quickly from day one... that's necessary in order to excel on my career goals. I let nothing get on my way.... I return to being an INTJ in my home environment and personal life.

The only recomendation is Plan your steps carefully and learn to deal with others. No matter where you are you will need interaction with others... even if you become a programmer which I believe will be the less boring option for an INTJ which would allow you to be in your natural habitat to some extend.

[Mercury]

In my experience as an INTJ we need to develop communication skills and interpersonal skills. Learn how to interpret body language. Learn patience as other personality types use frivolous behavior such as inane jokes, lots of small talk, etc as coping skills. Try to be less direct in your communication as other personality types often interpret this as rudeness. For example, when asked a Yes or No question, give a brief reason why then say Yes or No. If you just say Yes or No in response other personality types will see you as brusque. Learn not to take things personally...other personality types can seem attacking to you when constantly questioning you about stuff but mostly they are impressed and intrigued by you and just want to get close to you. Whereas you just want to cut the chase, get the work done and go home.

Personally I have struggled in the workplace a great deal. I find it much easier to be my own boss even though I have to work longer hours. If you can, go for jobs/careers that are a natural fit for your strengths as an INTJ, primarily where you can work bulk of time alone and/or in control of your work duties.

[PDP11]

Moving to another type is same as asking someone to become someone else. Not an option, at least in the short run.

Assuming that one is not yet considering or it is not required to change his/her work profile, consider compensating to requiring to stay alone by writing frequent and longer emails.

As Mercury has also said, avoid being terse.

[Chisos]

In my experience as an INTJ we need to develop communication skills and interpersonal skills. Learn how to interpret body language. Learn patience as other personality types use frivolous behavior such as inane jokes, lots of small talk, etc as coping skills. Try to be less direct in your communication as other personality types often interpret this as rudeness. For example, when asked a Yes or No question, give a brief reason why then say Yes or No. If you just say Yes or No in response other personality types will see you as brusque. Learn not to take things personally...other personality types can seem attacking to you when constantly questioning you about stuff but mostly they are impressed and intrigued by you and just want to get close to you. Whereas you just want to cut the chase, get the work done and go home.

Personally I have struggled in the workplace a great deal. I find it much easier to be my own boss even though I have to work longer hours. If you can, go for jobs/careers that are a natural fit for your strengths as an INTJ, primarily where you can work bulk of time alone and/or in control of your work duties.

Spot on, Mercury!

Re: Body Language, a couple of years ago I finally realized how deficient I was with this sense--which is something many folks find intuitive. I began studying this through a couple of books that looked helpful. Here's another idea--find an ENFP, and pick their brain on body language.

Also, intj5784, I've found it helpful in recent years to learn how the other folks perceive and process things can be quite helpful--such as Keirsey's Please Understand Me. You get down the road in the "non-body language" stuff.

I wish I'd known about both of these 25 years ago

Perhaps there are some legitimate seminars that can help an INTJ develop the insight into these things that I've learned are so critical in dealing with the other 99% of the world (and that, bit by bit, I'm getting better at--I still have a long way to go.). I'd just be cautious in making sure it was legit.

Under no circumstances would I even try to change my type, or would I suggest you try, either. However, you can develop those parts of your personality that are not as prominent as others (and, in the process, being cognizant that it may be like strenuous excercise--you may become spent sooner than others who are "naturals" at those things.).

And, yes, intj5784, you may end up changing careers into something that is "more INTJ." And it may take a while to determine what career is "truly INTJ." I was told that law is, and I now totally disagree with that "experts" advice. So I am in the middle of trying to find that INTJ career right now--months from being 50.

Good luck.

Chisos.

[tichila]

For me, I have to be more extrovert, be more patient and try to understand others' idea.
However, I quit my last job becuase I don't fit the org cultures. It's Asian company. They prefer conservative and unassertive people, particularly for female staffs.

[Iscariot]

Changing who you are is a ridiculous idea, you can't change who you are. What you can do is learn social skills, it's not that hard, just observe how ''normal'' people behave in social situations. It makes communication easier. Just don't take what you learn and try to change your own behaviour with it in the sense of becoming more like the fun, cheery normal people.

I have found that being myself actually makes people like me, they appreciate my directness, honesty and sarcasm. Sometimes the more E and F types of people say i'm weird and mean, I've learned to not give a damn about what they say since people can't stay angry with me for longer than a day.

(by the way: this is my second post, the links and pictures are mine!)

[Marcus]

I've just seen this in a job advertisement:

Beneficial Skills:
Experience with gcc, MSDev, Perforce, Python.
(...)
Intelligence, knowledge, self-reliance but without arrogance.

[Jaxx]

Learn to be an Extrovert in a work environment... that's if you have strong sense for achieving your goals in the long term.

I know because at work I literally turn into an ENTJ... I talk to everyone and make friends quickly from day one... that's necessary in order to excel on my career goals. I let nothing get on my way.... I return to being an INTJ in my home environment and personal life.

The only recommendation is plan your steps carefully and learn to deal with others. No matter where you are you will need interaction with others... even if you become a programmer which I believe will be the less boring option for an INTJ which would allow you to be in your natural habitat to some extend.

I second this. I've gotten it to the point where the higher ups who oversee everything turn a blind eye if I'm doing something against the rules. It makes my day go much smoother.

[intj5784]

thanks! great help all of you!

[Lupin]

Chisos, you inspire me.

Thank you so much for your posts on your experiences in the legal profession and for your insights on how to progress through your career by making directional choices in closer alignment with your INTJness.

It's really informative and practical advice.

[Shakyamuni]

As many here have already stated, develop the E.

I try to be an ENTJ at work, and an INTJ at home. Be a leader at work. Take charge of situations and use your maturity to boss people around. If you are civil and respectful (mature), people will be more likely to listen to you. You can then accomplish more and start ordering people around (in a nice manner of course). Sometimes I just get fed up and stop talking to people at work though. I feel more comfortable but then people start thinking something is wrong....

Originally Posted by PRBori View Post
Learn to be an Extrovert in a work environment... that's if you have strong sense for achieving your goals in the long term.

I know because at work I literally turn into an ENTJ... I talk to everyone and make friends quickly from day one... that's necessary in order to excel on my career goals. I let nothing get on my way.... I return to being an INTJ in my home environment and personal life.

The only recommendation is plan your steps carefully and learn to deal with others. No matter where you are you will need interaction with others... even if you become a programmer which I believe will be the less boring option for an INTJ which would allow you to be in your natural habitat to some extend

Hahaha. I posted before reading this. Basically the same thing I was thinking.

[NonChris]

Why do we INTJs need to work on our communication skills? Do the other types try to change themselves? No. Just because we are no good at being social, which is much more noticeable then someone being inefficient or lazy, doesn't mean we must pretend to be something we are not. Just do your thing, be yourself, and you will get exactly what you want, a nice quiet work area, where you have your space, and no slacker extroverts try to talk to you about the weather for 15 minutes. They may think your arrogant, but who cares what they think? You are comfortable.

-Chris.

[Grant]

To answer the question, if you are willing to work on developing the "E" part of personality and have the ability to market your skills, then you can move up.

Careful though that what youre "moving up" to doesnt drive you nuts. If you get a promotion based on "faking it" then you could wind up in a job that is totally draining. My "faking it" is way more about trying to convince people that I am not stuck up. Im careful not to overdo it because I might just get new responsibilities that depend on skills I dont really have - and sooner or later people will realize Im not as good at my job as the others who arent faking it.

[Monte314]

It's important to remember that, for almost all of us, the "I vs. E" thing is not a physical law; it's a preference. Learning how to operating succesfully outside of your preferences as needed can (and should) be learned.

[kb0tnv]

Good Day to everyone and hope this all goes well. This is my first INTJ forum post! Glad I could finally find a "outlet" with other INTJs. Here I go....

I find that like "Tai Chi" it is a "balance" of energy. "I" makes me feel more centered but I know that "E" is required of my in different situations. I get a small jolt of "energy" when I act like an "E" but it is usually when there is little pressure (just social - joking etc.) When it comes to making decisions or really having to work with others towards a goal it is much more "taxing". I think the reason why I enjoy the bicycle commuting is because I get 2 hours with myself (to / from work). Plus more time in the morning preparing to leave. My energy is increased and I focus on things internally and externally outside of me. There are only little "slices" of interaction. A car passes me. I interact with motorists at an interesection. I get a wave to go. I see / hear the birds. Clear glass of the trail for other cyclists to not contend with. I alert the dog walkers that I will be passing. It takes much more energy for me to intereact on a one on one and gets multiplied by the number of individuals. You can increase the energy drain as you add individuals who I don't know. I will enter the "J" as being heavy since I tend to use it and almost "see through" the person. I just do and sometimes it almost seems like I am a type of super hero with "x-ray" vision (sounds weird but that is how I feel). If you list A, B, C, D. I can go from A to D really quickly in a process. I am trying to lay out some thoughts here I have learned as well as try to address this topic. I appreciate everyones time with reading this and hope that I can be of help to others. From what I have read our type (INTJ) is like 1% of the population and is a challenge in this "E" world.

Best Regards,

kb0tnv

[m00n1]

It was interesting to see the focus on I vs E. One of my biggest problems isn't in that area.

What I've faced is:

Intuition - I'm a strong I and so can very easily "just see" the answers to things. I have to understand that most people can't, and so need things spelt out to them. I learnt this the hard way when rolling out a project to a few dozen people and saw them all stumble.

The other is that INTJs generally are perfectionists, and most people aren't. I trusted co-workers to hold themselves to similar standards I do. My trust was betrayed :) I forget this one all the time :(

[Tulula]

I was happy in my career doing administrative type work (thinking/analyzing/creating/reporting, etc.), and I had developed a pretty strong ability to communicate well with others due to the fact that I was happy with what I did because it gave me plenty of time to concentrate and resolve problems, etc. Also, it did not hurt that I worked one on one with "The Big Boss", however, once I decided to move into a sales position that forced me to become an EXTROVERT (which apparently everyone thought I was), I was never more miserable.

I found that I had to be "ON" at all times, and never had time to think, analyze, create, etc. -- just act and react constantly -- while my clients loved me (always took care of their needs, never made mistakes, very thorough when dealing with their accounts, etc.,), the coworkers seemed to be put off by me -- probably because I just didn't have the time, energy or desire to be "ON" with them.

Don't get me wrong, I was always nice, but I just never really fit in -- I felt it was a waste of time to sit around and talk about what I did this week-end when I had a desk full of work to be done -- in my opinion -- every moment I wasted dealing with them would mean my making up that moment at the end of the day -- however, I didn't realize what the breakdown was until I became unemployed recently -- as I have analyzed the situation "to death" I realize that even though I have learned how to be an "Extroverted/Introvert" I am ultimately an Introvert whose personality deceives others into "thinking" that I am like them, when I am really not (I am also a true southern belle, with southern hospitality instilled in my bones which is also misleading)-- this breakdown in perceptions becomes very evident when I am too busy to think about what I say or how I express my opinions -- my thoughts are -- "I'm getting paid to do a job hear, not to listen to you whine about your husband, kids, etc. -- if I liked you enough, I would become friends with you and then we could discuss that crap at lunch, or on our breaks, etc."

I think learning to be an extroverted/introvert is wonderful -- but do not fool yourself into believing that you can be "ON" all the time -- it just doesn't work and before you know it, you have NO personal social life because you are just too worn out at the end of the day to put yourself out there any further -- eventually you become a little bitter and angry and don't even understand why - and you probably won't unless you're forced to take some time off and then seek to literally "face you own personal demons" in at attempt to regain control of youself again.

Sorry, about the rambling, but this has been my recent experience and I have been doing quite a bit of soul searching lately -- and while I got fired for not being willing to sign and "Unreasonable" contract -- I am also not so stupid as to believe that they could have made the contract more reasonable -- I was their BEST -- but I was absolutely miserable to a degree that I didn't even realize until I stepped outside of the box -- right now, I am regaining myself and I have never been more excited or "at peace" with myself -- and while I am still unemployed, and very soon to become financially "broke", my spirit is whole again and I am looking forward to whatever comes next -- as long as I don't have to be "ON" more than 25% of my day :)

[phantasma]

is it even a wise move to be another type or will i end up changing careers eventually into something more intj? have any of you tried this btw?

You are what you are. From what I understand, the MBTI shows you your original tendencies and comfort zones. While those things can change over time with maturity, I wouldn't recommend being something you're not. All you really need to do is be courteous and friendly, participate in work functions to a reasonable level if you want to or not, and obey your boss unless it's a matter of ethics. Just act like everyone else during work hours and maintain the status quo.

That being said, you should definitely work towards a job you like if you don't like your job.

I'm only a teenager so I don't have much experience with careers. However, it's been interesting to watch myself act how I'm demanded to act. I'm a cashier, so my job requires a good amount of extroversion. While it's not in my nature to cordially greet every customer that comes my way, I do just fine saying "Hi, how are you today?" over and over. Why? Because it's all an act. On the inside, I'm usually people watching. I've "met" a bunch of interesting people that way, everything from a guy that was cycling across the country to troubled women that confide in me and tell me their life story while I scan their groceries.

[mind_wander]

I must say that it's not that hard to fit in, if you know when to speak and not to speak. Very tricky I know, like a complex puzzle for you to solve. Before saying this, during the interview process I think the biggest flaw n the system is that our Intj type comes up unknown, like a spec of dust or is it? When things are seemingly helpless and falling apart, who are you going to call to fixed it?

Now, I was disputing this with my uncle who came recently last month, "Ok, let me get this straight, I know my flaws are my low-toned voice and communication is somewhat lacking." My question is in this world Extroverts is the most predominate? Everyone around me agreed on this and I am like this is messed up, so it seems that the job interview process is more toward extroverts and gives a lower chance for introverts; what are my chances in getting a job? From the extroverted point of view will not see the experiences first hand on what an introvert would experience? Now, how fair is that on the other side? They don't want to comment on that, however I did mentioned to my uncle, how many people do you really interacted among all your subordinates? [Note: If you want a smooth and flowing organization must communicated from all divisions of departments before big problems arises.] Since, I am in a business management major, this is very important for you needed to know all your subordinates underneath you; from the best of the best to the worst. It's up to you as the manager to know how to deal with the problems ahead of you before it's a big headache.

Most companies are using some of the traditional ways of doing business, while some other companies are using the hybrid structure by combining both traditional and non-traditional ways of doing business. If you don't know how to control your subordinates it is actually their flaw[manager's], which they don't want to admit. For an Intj, it's a big challenge; we'll we are up for the job on how to solve it successfully? It's the matter, if someone giving you the chance too.

Has anyone has been in these similar experiences? BTW, I do assisted my manager's from time to time because of these reasons which is embedded in me because it's important to see beyond the total crisis mode[when hell breaks loose] and think clearly on what things needed to be done and what's the manager expected from you? I do received positive than negative comments, if I do it successfully. Keep an opened-minded and see it from all angles at different points of view; Extroverts/Introverts, Intuitive/ Sensory, Thinker/Feeler, and Judgement/Perceiver.

[brainysmurf]

It's important to remember that, for almost all of us, the "I vs. E" thing is not a physical law; it's a preference. Learning how to operating succesfully outside of your preferences as needed can (and should) be learned.

True, I'm for instance more "I" in my private life and less "I" in the office.

[Fox]

Fitting in isn't too hard. You can almost be yourself. Some will even get used to you. If you're interested in going places at the workplace don't do your job. Engage in plenty of stupid small talk with your bosses. Plenty of incompetent people with authority. Talent and Skill are great but making friends is more important. If they like you. It is an easy ride. Till they find you are incompetent. They know I'm good at my job. I was a favorite of a VP who was well reguarded as being difficult. I just treated him like another coworker. I'm just not BFF with my direct manager.

[annaelizabeth]

This is really interesting. I have had to learn to be more extroverted at work, simply because I have had no choice. I am the go to person on customer, employee and vendor issues and disputes. It has taken me quite some time to develop this skill, and at times I do feel like I'm putting on a show, since inside I'm really not interested in talking to any of them, but I do what is necessary to get the resolution I need. After a while, it does become easier believe it or not. However, it is still draining and fortunately my entire day isn't consumed by talking to people. If I did this all day long, I would be exhausted. I have had people tell me that they couldn't do what I do, in dealing with the public and coming to the resolutions I need. It has been a learning process, but it's a skill that I'm glad I have developed as I feel it will be useful in any job I take. It has also helped me in social situations, parties, gatherings, etc... I just sort of turn on that part of myself to fit the situation. It's easier to do for short durations. I would never take a job where this was the main part of my day, like sales for instance. I would be the world's worst salesperson!





annaelizabeth added to this post, 3 minutes and 54 seconds later...

I was happy in my career doing administrative type work (thinking/analyzing/creating/reporting, etc.), and I had developed a pretty strong ability to communicate well with others due to the fact that I was happy with what I did because it gave me plenty of time to concentrate and resolve problems, etc. Also, it did not hurt that I worked one on one with "The Big Boss", however, once I decided to move into a sales position that forced me to become an EXTROVERT (which apparently everyone thought I was), I was never more miserable.

I found that I had to be "ON" at all times, and never had time to think, analyze, create, etc. -- just act and react constantly -- while my clients loved me (always took care of their needs, never made mistakes, very thorough when dealing with their accounts, etc.,), the coworkers seemed to be put off by me -- probably because I just didn't have the time, energy or desire to be "ON" with them.

Don't get me wrong, I was always nice, but I just never really fit in -- I felt it was a waste of time to sit around and talk about what I did this week-end when I had a desk full of work to be done -- in my opinion -- every moment I wasted dealing with them would mean my making up that moment at the end of the day -- however, I didn't realize what the breakdown was until I became unemployed recently -- as I have analyzed the situation "to death" I realize that even though I have learned how to be an "Extroverted/Introvert" I am ultimately an Introvert whose personality deceives others into "thinking" that I am like them, when I am really not (I am also a true southern belle, with southern hospitality instilled in my bones which is also misleading)-- this breakdown in perceptions becomes very evident when I am too busy to think about what I say or how I express my opinions -- my thoughts are -- "I'm getting paid to do a job hear, not to listen to you whine about your husband, kids, etc. -- if I liked you enough, I would become friends with you and then we could discuss that crap at lunch, or on our breaks, etc."

I think learning to be an extroverted/introvert is wonderful -- but do not fool yourself into believing that you can be "ON" all the time -- it just doesn't work and before you know it, you have NO personal social life because you are just too worn out at the end of the day to put yourself out there any further -- eventually you become a little bitter and angry and don't even understand why - and you probably won't unless you're forced to take some time off and then seek to literally "face you own personal demons" in at attempt to regain control of youself again.

Sorry, about the rambling, but this has been my recent experience and I have been doing quite a bit of soul searching lately -- and while I got fired for not being willing to sign and "Unreasonable" contract -- I am also not so stupid as to believe that they could have made the contract more reasonable -- I was their BEST -- but I was absolutely miserable to a degree that I didn't even realize until I stepped outside of the box -- right now, I am regaining myself and I have never been more excited or "at peace" with myself -- and while I am still unemployed, and very soon to become financially "broke", my spirit is whole again and I am looking forward to whatever comes next -- as long as I don't have to be "ON" more than 25% of my day :)


I can relate to a lot of your experiences at work. Very similar to mine in fact. I feel like the 25% percentage is accurate for me too.

[Chain]

To answer the question, if you are willing to work on developing the "E" part of personality and have the ability to market your skills, then you can move up.

The better answer is to become more "well rounded." Corporations LOVE our problem solving abilities and work ethics. However, they'd rather someone have them that was more extroverted, good with and sensitive toward people (F), and remembered deadlines, was good at estimating time, etc. (s).

Personally, I've picked up the E, but not enough of the others. I'm notoriously bad at telling someone how long it'll take to do something and dealing with people. Luckily, I work in an engineering department so being good with people isn't really expected; just give answers they understand and don't tick them off.

Why do we INTJs need to work on our communication skills? Do the other types try to change themselves? No. Just because we are no good at being social, which is much more noticeable then someone being inefficient or lazy, doesn't mean we must pretend to be something we are not. Just do your thing, be yourself, and you will get exactly what you want, a nice quiet work area, where you have your space, and no slacker extroverts try to talk to you about the weather for 15 minutes. They may think your arrogant, but who cares what they think? You are comfortable.

-Chris.

Part of the Natural Order of the Universe is that you can't change other people. When you figure out how to circumvent that and change the world to suit you, let us know.

[putupon]

I’m as E as I have to be to accomplish my goals. I work in technology, mostly voice/data infrastructure and systems integration. The more say I want to have in how things get done, the more people I have to deal with, which means meetings, conference calls, etc. with many different types. Since I’m driven by a belief in my abilities and a desire to see things implemented in what I feel is the best way, I engage in much more personal interaction than I’d otherwise be inclined to. So I’ve had to develop my interpersonal skills over the years.

In the end though, it’s our choice, yes? How bad do I want something? There’s a limit to how much I can handle before it becomes too much. I’m fortunate to have an ENTJ boss, he loves to talk and deal with the corporate types all day long; I couldn’t do that. I’d rather work on the problem and fix things and build things and direct and work with the fixers and builders.

[Mozzes]

Definitely ninja skillz. Moving undetected, silently and efficiently removing those in your way, etc.

[Chain]

I’m as E as I have to be to accomplish my goals. I work in technology, mostly voice/data infrastructure and systems integration. The more say I want to have in how things get done, the more people I have to deal with, which means meetings, conference calls, etc. with many different types. Since I’m driven by a belief in my abilities and a desire to see things implemented in what I feel is the best way, I engage in much more personal interaction than I’d otherwise be inclined to. So I’ve had to develop my interpersonal skills over the years.

In the end though, it’s our choice, yes? How bad do I want something? There’s a limit to how much I can handle before it becomes too much. I’m fortunate to have an ENTJ boss, he loves to talk and deal with the corporate types all day long; I couldn’t do that. I’d rather work on the problem and fix things and build things and direct and work with the fixers and builders.

I can relate to that. The EE I work for is an ENFJ. He goes on and on about wanting to go back to doing "real engineering," but honestly, he's more at home dealing with the "people end of things." Until we took on more work than we could handle and team grew exponentially, we had the perfect arrangement: He dealt with people and I got the work done.

I've also found that people tend to mistake me for an extrovert. I talk as much as I do, often about inane things, not because I like to; but because I know I need to. If you want people to take you, your work, your competence and your accomplishments seriously, you need to draw attention to yourself. Also, talking makes people more inclined to like you. In and of itself, that's irrelevant, but people liking you makes them more inclined to work with you, listen to what you say, overlook your quirks and provide information.

[mind_wander]

I can relate to that. The EE I work for is an ENFJ. He goes on and on about wanting to go back to doing "real engineering," but honestly, he's more at home dealing with the "people end of things." Until we took on more work than we could handle and team grew exponentially, we had the perfect arrangement: He dealt with people and I got the work done.

I've also found that people tend to mistake me for an extrovert. I talk as much as I do, often about inane things, not because I like to; but because I know I need to. If you want people to take you, your work, your competence and your accomplishments seriously, you need to draw attention to yourself. Also, talking makes people more inclined to like you. In and of itself, that's irrelevant, but people liking you makes them more inclined to work with you, listen to what you say, overlook your quirks and provide information.

I do preceived, as one sometimes. In most cases, I'm more introverted because I try not to talk, as much besides finishing people's sentences. Hey, I can't help it just my nature. It does annoy people drawing negative attention and the weird quirks. What I want to show people just others, for who they are?

I worked with an Enfj before, so its a tough to accept all that kind of information.