Myers-Briggs personalities 5-8

Diplomats (Those Who Seek an Identity)

5. Advocate Personality (INFJ)

The Advocate is a rare personality type, making up about 2.3% of the population, yet Advocates leave their mark on the world. They have an innate sense of idealism and morality, but they are not idle dreamers: they are able to take concrete steps to achieve their goals and to make a lasting positive difference.

Key INFJ characteristics

• With strong intuition and emotional insight, INFJs can be soft-spoken and empathetic. This does not make them pushovers: they hold deep beliefs and can act decisively to get what they want.
• Although they are introverted by nature, INFJs can build strong, meaningful bonds with other people. They enjoy helping others, but they also need time and space to recharge.
• Their idealism does not mean that they see the world through rose-tinted glasses. They understand the world, with both its good and its bad, and hope to make it better.
• When they decide, they give more weight to personal concerns than to objective facts. They also like to keep control by planning, organising and deciding as early as possible.

Pros:

• Sensitive to the needs of others.
• Reserved.
• Very creative and artistic.
• Focused on the future.
• Value deep, close relationships.
• Enjoy thinking about the meaning of life.
• Idealistic.

Cons:

• Can be overly sensitive.
• Sometimes hard to get to know.
• Can set expectations too high.
• Stubborn.
• Dislike confrontation.

6. Mediator Personality (INFP)

The Mediator (INFP) combines four traits: Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving. Mediators make up about 6.4% of the population. They tend to be quiet, open-minded and imaginative, and they bring a caring and creative approach to everything they do.

Key INFP characteristics

• INFPs tend to be introverted, quiet and reserved. Social situations drain their energy, and they prefer a small circle of close friends. Liking to be alone should not be confused with shyness: it simply means that INFPs recharge by spending time alone, while social situations cost them energy.
• INFPs typically rely on intuition and focus on the bigger picture rather than on small details. They can be meticulous about things they care about or projects they are working on, but they tend to ignore mundane or boring details.
• INFPs give great importance to personal feelings, and their decisions are influenced more by these than by objective information.
• When it comes to decisions, INFPs like to keep their options open. They often delay important choices in case the situation changes. When they do decide, they usually rely on personal values rather than logic.

Pros:

• Loyal and devoted.
• Attentive to other people’s feelings.
• Caring and interested in others.
• Work well alone.
• Value close relationships.
• Good at seeing the big picture.

Cons:

• Can be overly idealistic.
• Tend to take everything personally.
• Hard to get to know.
• Sometimes lose sight of the little things.
• Overlook details.

7. Protagonist Personality (ENFJ)

Protagonists are born leaders, full of passion and charisma. They make up about 2.2% of the population and are often found among politicians, coaches and teachers, where they reach out to others and inspire them to achieve more and do good. Their natural confidence gives them influence, and they take great pride and joy in helping people work together to improve themselves and their community.

Key ENFJ characteristics

• ENFJs are strong extraverts who sincerely enjoy spending time with other people. They have great people skills and are often described as warm, affectionate and supportive. They are very good at encouraging others and find personal satisfaction in helping them.
• ENFJs can devote so much time to others that they neglect their own needs. They also tend to be too hard on themselves, blaming themselves when things go wrong and giving themselves too little credit when things go well. For this reason, it is important for them to set aside time regularly to take care of their own needs.
• They are also good at building consensus among very different people. This makes them outstanding leaders who bring enthusiasm to a group, motivating and inspiring it.
• A common myth is that ENFJs are always sociable. They love people, but they also need time alone to absorb and organise their thoughts.

Pros:

• Outgoing and warm-hearted.
• Empathetic.
• Wide social circle.
• Encouraging.
• Organised.

Cons:

• Approval-seeking.
• Overly sensitive.
• Indecisive.
• Self-sacrificing.

8. Campaigner Personality (ENFP)

The Campaigner is a true free spirit. Campaigners are often the life of the party, but unlike the types in the Explorers group, they care less about the thrill of the moment than about the social and emotional connections they build with others.

Charming, independent, energetic and compassionate, they make up about 8.2% of the population, and their presence is felt in any crowd.

Key ENFP characteristics

• ENFPs have excellent people skills. Besides plenty of enthusiasm, they genuinely care about others and are good at understanding what other people feel. With their zeal, charisma and creativity, they can also be great leaders.
• They strongly dislike routine and prefer to focus on the future. They are great at generating new ideas, but they sometimes put off important tasks until the last minute. A common problem is dreaming up ideas and not seeing them through.
• ENFPs can also be easily distracted, especially when working on something that seems boring or uninspiring.
• ENFPs are flexible and like to keep their options open. They can be spontaneous and adapt very well to change. They may also struggle with disorganisation and procrastination.

Pros:

• Warm and enthusiastic.
• Empathetic and caring.
• Strong people skills.
• Good communicators.
• Fun and spontaneous.
• Highly creative.

Cons:

• Need approval from others.
• Disorganised.
• Tend to get stressed easily.
• Can be overly emotional.
• Overthink.
• Struggle to follow rules.

Source of the population percentages: The Myers-Briggs Company.