Cool, calm, and calculating – that’s the cliché image of the INTJ personality type. These strategic thinkers are known for their straight forward, no nonsense approach to life. Often, the INTJ will harness their sharp intellect and focused way of thinking into high positions and have a great impact on those around them. Yet, with such a dignified disposition, they remain one of the rarest of all of the personality types. If you’re curious to see whether or not you fit into this niche category, there are a few unmistakable tell tale signs.
10
You always calculate you decisions
If there’s one thing INTJ personalities are known for above all else, it’s their ability to calculate and strategise. INTJs possess a highly logical way of thinking and go about the decision making process in a highly strategic manner. Any decision they find themselves having will lead to them doing a whole lot of background research to make sure they have all the information they need.
INTJs are not one to make impulsive decisions or commit to anything before they feel that they have all the necessary facts. To the outside, this can sometimes earn the INTJ a reputation as being overly calculated, leaving little room for spontaneity. While it is usually true that INTJs prefer to make a decision based on careful consideration, this is not to say that they can’t be fun and carefree. Rather, they just prefer their fun to be rooted in the knowledge that they know exactly what they are doing and why they are doing it.
9
You possess encyclopaedic knowledge
The calculating, logical nature of the INTJ can also be seen in their love for consuming information. The INTJ loves nothing more than finding a topic they love and diving deep into it. They are known for being highly thorough when it comes to researching a subject that fascinates them. The high intellect of the INTJ also causes them to possess a strong ability to retain high quantities of facts and information.
To the people around them, INTJs often develop a reputation as walking encyclopedias who are able to regurgitate facts with an ease that others find impressive. The encyclopaedic knowledge of the INTJ means they more often than not become experts in their passion of choice, and can often be seen working in highly specialised fields of expertise. Many of the most respected professors, scientists, and researchers of the world would fall in to the category of the INTJ personality type.
8
You can be highly sceptical
Part of the INTJ’s logically minded nature is the habit of questioning everything around them. The INTJ likes to be sure that they understand the facts of their environment, and is not one to believe a fact without evidence. They are often sceptics and have no issues when it comes to engaging in debate to prove their scepticism. An INTJ would rather debate and have their scepticism proven wrong rather than blindly believe what they are told.
Although INTJs are often known for being rather quiet types in a lot of social situations, a debate setting is one of the few instances in which this becomes far from the truth. In fact, there are few situations an INTJ finds more invigorating than engaging in a good debate and introducing a healthy dose of scepticism to those around them. This is something that will often be well acknowledged by their peers, as saying it can be difficult to reach an upper hand against an INTJ in a battle of logic is something of an understatement!
7
You hold high expectations – for yourself and for others
The logically minded aspect of the INTJ personality type leads to them possessing a high set of standards for both their own behaviour and that of those around them. It is their tendency to carefully think through their actions before actually acting that builds in to them the expectation for others to do the same. The INTJ will rarely act out of impulsiveness or emotionality, and this can lead them to be confused and disappointed when those around them act in a way that they deem to be irrational or poorly thought through.
In some scenarios, this can lead to those around an INTJ to view them as judgemental or disapproving. In reality, however, the INTJ simply would rather live in a way that allows them to be confident in their actions and has trouble understanding why others wouldn’t want the same.
6
You possess an inner sensitivity
We’ve spent considerable time in this post discussing the logical and calculating aspects of the INTJ personality type, but that is not to say they are without emotions or sensitivity. In fact, the INTJ possesses a strong inner sensitivity. They can often be especially sensitive when it comes to rejection or failure, as to them it can feel like a harsh example of their careful planning and thoughtfulness going wrong in some way.
INTJs understand that displaying too much emotion and sensitivity can lead to unstable and unpredictable scenarios between people, and this is reflected in how they display their emotions. The INTJ will often put considerable effort in to making sure their emotions are well contained and tend to only share their inner feelings with those that they truly trust and are comfortable letting in. INTJs place a lot of value on loyalty from their peers, and typically, only those that have demonstrated this loyalty can expect to be shown the inner emotions of an INTJ.
5
You always plan ahead
To an INTJ, one of life’s greatest peeves is being caught off guard or unprepared. INTJs take pride in a logical and planned approach to life, and like to be prepared for any eventuality. INTJs put extra effort into research and planning, and this makes them invaluable members of any team when taking a project from plan to reality. The INTJ gets a special kick out of carefully planning and preparing, and for this reason are often fans of hobbies such as camping, hiking, and mountaineering.
When life does end up throwing a curve ball to the INTJ, they may become more frustrated than most, as their careful planning is undermined – they are not known for their flexibility. Any INTJ will be familiar with the particularly annoying sensation that accompanies a perfectly well-designed plan going to waste.
4
You don’t do half measures
When an INTJ sets about getting something done, they intend to do it to the best of their ability. Incredibly thorough in nature, the INTJ often earns themselves a reputation for being somewhat of a perfectionist. To this highly rational personality type, it simply doesn’t make sense to spend time on a task if it’s not going to be done properly.
In fact, there are few things an INTJ hates more than having to work alongside a team of people who aren’t giving their all. In these scenarios, the INTJ’s introverted nature emerges, and they would much rather complete their work by themselves rather than rely on the half hearted work of others. For this trait, the INTJ has developed a particularly strong reputation for being highly effective in their work. They are often prized employees, and are known for producing well thought out and well executed solutions to any problem that arises.
3
You’re famously stubborn
INTJs are not known for their flexibility, and indeed rarely change their minds. This is not a product of senseless stubbornness, however. Rather it is a consequence of the fact that the INTJ generally possesses a great degree of confidence in the reasoning that has produced their opinions. The INTJ is slow to change their mind because they are slow to make up their mind in the first place. It takes a great deal of effort to undo the careful reasoning and consideration that they have put into forming their opinions.
That being said, the thorough minded nature of an INTJ means that they are always willing to listen and consider other perspectives, and will never say no to a fresh point of view. Despite their stubborn reputation, if an opposing view point is backed up with strong logic and facts, an INTJ will be more than happy to adjust their previously held beliefs to accommodate this.
2
You leave others confused
The introverted yet intuitive nature of the INTJ can often leave those around them scratching their heads. This personality type is known for possessing a unique way of thinking, which is something that most INTJs will notice about themselves from a young age. They often find it difficult to understand why others around them act the way they do and prefer to come up with their own way of doing things rather than follow the crowd.
The introversion of the INTJ means they rarely feel the need to explain themselves, and are quite content to go through life on their own terms without excusing themselves to others. Feeling misunderstood is a common complaint voiced by those with the INTJ personality type, as those around them can interpret their logical introversion as cold, and their self-assuredness as stubbornness. Only those closest to the INTJ tend to understand their true nature and see past their somewhat elusive exterior.
1
You prize self control
Thinking things through to their fullest, and carefully planning their actions comes as second nature to the INTJ. As a result, they tend to prize self control and restraint, both in themselves and others. Many INTJs have a preference for activities that require high levels of dedication and focus, such as going to the gym, mastering an art or a craft, or working on long term projects. To those around them, INTJ personalities are noteworthy for their ability to dedicate themselves to a single task or skill until they have reached a level of mastery that they are satisfied with.
For this reason, INTJs often make great captains and coaches, despite their naturally introverted nature, as their dedication and solution oriented minds make for great leaders in specialised fields. A high degree of self control is one of the most distinct characteristics that can be used to spot an INTJ.
These ten traits are extremely common among the rare INTJ personality type. If you find yourself identifying with many or even all of these traits, it’s an incredibly strong indicator that you may in fact be of this rare personality type.
