Do you have a habit of always looking for the best in people? In your opinion, is the glass half-empty or half-full? Do you have the uncanny knack for always finding something positive in bad situations? And, do loved ones, friends, and co-workers call you a dreamy idealist? If you answered “Yes” to one or more of these questions, you probably have a “referee” personality. What is a “referee” personality?! Well, according to the Myers-Brigs Personality Indicator, it is an INFP personality type. So, what does that mean? Well, it means that others perceive you as calm, shy, and/or reserved. It also means that you are always searching for the good in the world, and that you value peace, equality, balance.
You truly have a gift helping others and restoring happiness and fairness in the world. One of your most unique qualities – you are guided not by logic, practicality, or stimulation, no, not you - you value principles like: beauty, integrity, honor, trustworthiness, and virtue. You are an all-around good person, who relies on the pureness of your heart, not the promise of material rewards or the fear of harsh consequences. At your best you are able to communicate with others on a deeper level, often using metaphors, symbols, and stories to help others understand your message. It is your goal to make sure that you understand your role in life.
You are probably also an expert when it comes to self-expression, relishing at the chance to share your knowledge and passion through stories, fables, and metaphors. You are especially good at focusing your attention on a couple of people at a time, rather than large masses of them, which is a good thing, because it you are overwhelmed, you will most likely run out of the energy you need to make a difference in someone’s life. When you feel as if you aren’t making a contributable difference in the lives of others, you have a tendency to become discouraged by all of the “bad” in the world that you simply can’t “fix.”
And, if you aren’t careful, you can lose yourself in your quest for “goodness.” How? Well, you can become so consumed for righting all the wrongs in the world, that you neglect your daily demands (i.e. taking a bath, resting, grooming, spending time with friends and loved ones, etc.). Thankfully, just like the warmth of spring, a INFPs creativity, optimism, selflessness, and affection always return, bringing along a heaping dose of compassion, kindness, love, and beauty.
What does the abbreviation INFP mean?
I - Introversion N - Intuition F - Feeling P - Perception
How common is this personality type?
INFPs only account for approximately 4% of the general population. Why? Well, because many times, others do not quite understand their encompassing passion for altruism and unconditional love. However, when INFPs find like-minded people, they experience harmony, peace, inspiration, and never-ending joy.
Do people with INFP personalities do well at work?
INFPs face a variety of challenges in the workplace. Why? Well, because they tend to take their work performances seriously and personally. To INFPs, if their work does not have a positive message or a beneficial purpose then it simply is not worth doing. This moral principle can be a detriment in the workplace, because it often colors how they see their bosses and the companies that they work for. Two are three things that INFPs value most in the workplace – they require both moral and emotional connections (with co-workers and supervisors) and they need to work in harmonious environments.
In addition, they cannot tolerate monotonous tasks – it bores them. In fact, these individuals would rather immerse themselves in a challenging independent project, or work with a small team, than to be commanded to complete a task with a large group of people within a certain timeframe. In other words, these individuals aren’t looking to go to work just to earn money to pay their bills, no, not these individuals, rather they want jobs that are meaningful and have a purpose.
More specifically, it is important for INFPs to have jobs that deliver a service that can “better” someone’s life, rather than focusing on how much profit the company made that term. If an INFP feels that he or she is serving a higher purpose, he or she will be an invaluable employee and co-worker. INFPs are dedicated and thoughtful workers. One area that INFPs do not always excel in is technology. Why? Well, in this area, one must be able to focus on facts, statistics and logic, instead of more creative, inspirational, and human activities.
Do people with INFP personalities have good relationships?
INFPs are idealists, who are always in the pursuit of the “perfect relationship.” In fact, they spend a considerable amount of time dreaming about their ideal soulmate, and replaying scenarios of what life will be like once they find the “right” person. With such high expectations, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to fill those shoes, so INFPs often stay single until they accept that no one and no relationship is “perfect.” Once INFPs realize that every relationship takes time, effort, commitment, compromise, and understanding, they are able to establish happy, long-term relationships with people. These individuals truly believe that two people can make each other happy forever, but as they become wiser they learn that it takes support, love, and a whole lot of effort to make this ideal a reality.
It is also important to note that INFPs are not in any rush to run down the marriage aisle, no, in fact, many times these individuals are either looking for a new partner, or trying to improve their current partners and relationships – they need to make sure they are truly compatible with potential partners – or at least that’s what they tell themselves. Once an INFP finds a “suitable” partner, he or she then starts to compare the actual person to the idealized image of what a partner should look like, talk like, dress like, believe, etc. And, if the partner does not measure up, well then, the relationship ends – quickly. And, what does the INFP say when the relationship does not work out, “Oh, it just wasn’t meant to be, I guess…”
But, when an INFP is in love, he or she is committed to the utmost degree. In fact, this person becomes a hopeless romantic, who is both passionate and respectful of his or her partner’s need for independence. The good thing about INFP personalities is that when they are invested in their partners and their relationships, they take the time to learn about their partners, while helping them “better” themselves at the same time. Unfortunately, most partners and friends, for that matter, become tired with the constant barrage of criticisms and requests for improvement, causing them to flee from the relationship. Why do friends and romantic partners flee? Well, because it makes them feel unworthy or simply “not good enough.”
And, while things may be rocky in the friendship and romance departments, when it comes to child-raising, INFPs have this down pact. INFP parents are loving, nurturing, supportive, and warm. They find complete happiness and joy watching their children take in the world for the first time. Moreover, INFP parents savor each and every developmental milestone their children complete, and they provide them with the freedom they need to explore, learn, and grow. The goal of an INFP parent is to teach their children to see good in all people and things, and to always help those need. These parents want their children to know that they can make a difference in this world, if they apply themselves.
What types of jobs are best suited for those with INFP personalities?
INFPs excel in areas that lend themselves to creativity, which means that many writers, singers, poets, actors, and painters have this personality type. In fact, almost all INFPs have dreamt about becoming an author at one time or another. In fact, these individuals truly enjoy helping others learn and develop, and express themselves through visualization and/or writing. They prefer work that has meaning and a purpose, so they are typically attracted to medical, counseling, research, and human development positions. They desperately want to make a worthwhile contribution to society.
Do any famous people have an INFP personality?
Yes! Listed below are respected INFP personalities:
William Shakespeare
J.R.R. Tolkien
Björk
Johnny Depp
Julia Roberts
Lisa Kudrow
Homer
Virgil
References:
16 Personalities. (2015). INFP Personality (“The Mediator”). Retrieved from http://www.16personalities.com/infp-personality OPP. (2015). INFP: MBTI® personality profile. Retrieved from https://www.opp.com/en/tools/MBTI/MBTI-personality-types/INFP The Myers-Briggs Foundation. (2015). The 16 MBTI® types. Retrieved from http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/the-16-mbti-types.htm
