They're focused on the big picture. As dominant intuitive types, INFJs are focused on the big picture. This preference for the abstract can cause them to miss the obvious realities in front of them. With Introverted Intuition as their leading function, INFJs prefer the world of concepts and ideas.
People with the INTP personality type think about the big picture rather than focusing on every tiny detail. INTPs like to keep their options open and feel limited by structure and planning.
#2 – INFJs See the World Differently Than Others
INFJs understand the world through a complex process called Introverted Intuition, or “Ni” for short. This process focuses on the unseen, intangible things of this world. INFJs are drawn to ideas, concepts, theories, and hidden meanings.
INFJs search for meaning and purpose in their lives and in the outer world. They tend to have an immense interest in deeply understanding culture, society, and the universe as a whole. INFJs naturally see how every thought or action could potentially have important consequences, either positive or negative.
The big picture people tend to be creative, strategic, and visionary… but they can also be messy, disorganized, and forgetful. On the other hand, the details people are conscientious, planful, and exacting… but can lack perspective or fail to prioritize.
The INTP personality type (commonly called “The Thinker”) describes people with Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving traits. INTPs are imaginative, analytical people who enjoy learning about abstract concepts.
INFJs ranked as having low dominance according to the CPI™ tool. Since the traits linked with low-dominance were being quiet, cautious, or hesitant to take action, this makes sense. INFJs tend to be on the quiet side, and they also tend to be extremely independent.
INFJs are not easy to read, but they can easily read others. INFJs pick up on other people's moods, energy or intentions and can read them like a book. But they hide their own feelings behind a poker face, so it's tough for others to read them.
As one of the rarest personality types, they have a difficult time meeting someone like them in their careers, families, or other social groups. INFJs carry a burden few others will ever share. They often feel like they don't fit in, can't be “seen,” or aren't accepted as they truly are.
The INFJ. Upon first meeting, people often find you calm yet focused. There's a warmth and friendliness to your demeanor that helps put people at ease and encourages them to speak freely. Yet you also give people their space and are not prone to long bouts of chit-chat or small-talk.
INFP is the type most commonly mistaken for INFJ, and they use Ne as their co-pilot process. If Signs 1 and 5 are both sound true for you there's a very good chance you're an INFP. ENFPs lead with Ne and have Fi as their co-pilot.
As dominant intuitive types, INFJs are focused on the big picture. This preference for the abstract can cause them to miss the obvious realities in front of them. With Introverted Intuition as their leading function, INFJs prefer the world of concepts and ideas.
INFP and INFJ: The Overthinkers
We start off with INFPs and INFJs: two Introverted personalities that often experience bouts of anxiety. When it comes to these types, their anxiety can stem from an inclination to overthinking.
The ENTP – Sugarcoating
You pride yourself on being rational and thick-skinned, so it irritates you when you realize someone is glossing over something to spare your feelings.
As sensitive, intuitive people, INFJs have a sixth sense about others. Our finely tuned empathy means we can feel others' feelings and we know when they're not telling the truth. We have this ability to see through people's outward persona to the real person underneath.
Are INFJs “Psychic”? As far as being psychic, the INFJ can't read minds or literally see into someone's future. They rely on their advanced intuition to scan through loads of sensory information and grasp patterns and connections that give them clues about what may happen in the future.
Intuition (N), Talkativeness & Talk Therapy
Because both INFJs and INTJs employ intuition, or more specifically, Introverted Intuition (Ni), as their dominant function, they can be quite loquacious, especially when discussing topics that interest them.
INFJs seek someone who is open-minded and willing to explore different ways of looking at the world. That's what really turns them on. INFJs want to be able to express their thoughts and feelings freely without being judged, but also have a partner who is willing to listen to them and consider different perspectives.
Because they are often reserved, high-achieving individuals with high expectations of both themselves and others, INFJs can be intimidating to other personality types. Since INFJs are also the rarest personality type, many people misunderstand them.
INFJs tend to be guarded about their physical space, except for when it comes to family and VERY close friends. If they're finding excuses to touch your hand, bump up against you, or hug you, then it probably means they have feelings for you.
Leaders and entrepreneurs need big picture thinking to innovate and create something new, while detail-oriented thinking is essential for professionals who need to ensure precision and accuracy in their work. Both types of thinking are valuable and necessary for achieving success in any field.
For example, a big-picture thinker at an automotive company might think about ensuring a finished vehicle's crash test results meet company safety standards. In comparison, a detail-oriented thinker may focus on conducting crash tests and collecting the results.
Individuals with autism may have difficulty seeing the 'bigger picture'. Frith (1989) suggested that the theory of weak central coherence may help explain some aspects of this within autism i.e. how children and young people with autism process information.