Because their standards are so high, INFPs have a hard time forgiving themselves when they fail to meet their own expectations. They may also become indecisive and fall into a perfectionism so extreme that it cuts off their flow of creativity and makes it impossible for them to excel and achieve.
Because they are naturally reserved, INFPs often have a hard time sharing about themselves, which can affect how they seek help for problems, talk up their accomplishments in interviews, or allow new people to get to know them.
Being Overly Idealistic. Idealism lies at the very heart of the INFP personality type, but unhealthy INFPs' lives revolve around their idealized vision of the world. Unhealthy INFPs are loyal to their ideals and values—to a fault.
While any personality type can succeed in any environment, INFPs may want to avoid open office environments found in many corporations. INFPs tend to thrive in influential, creative individual contributor roles. They prefer working behind the scenes, rather than as the face of an organization.
Where the INFP's dominant function, “Fi” is concerned with internal morals and feelings, INFP's weakest function, “Ti” is concerned with internal logical reasoning.
INFP Weaknesses
INFPs who venture enthusiastically out into the world can end up retreating into lethargy and depression when they discover their idealism isn't always shared or respected by others, and their incredible talents can go completely to waste when they become too discouraged to continue. Impracticality.
INFPs are sometimes referred to as “the Mediator,” “the Idealist,” “the Healer,” or “the Dreamer.” ESTJ is the opposite personality type of INFP.
ESTJ and INFP Compatibility. Out of all personality types, ESTJs are by far the least compatible with INFPs, and it isn't difficult to see why. They're simply too different!
Driven to meet the needs of others, INFPs tend to choose creative or human service-oriented careers that allow them to use their instinctive sense of empathy and remarkable communication skills. INFPs represent 4.4 percent of the U.S. population.
Those interested in the arts may be drawn to music, theater/drama, visual arts, healing arts, graphic design, interior design, and the like. Others may opt to study creative writing, poetry, or literature, perhaps even at the graduate level. INFPs can make excellent poets and creative writers.
Under extreme stress, though, the laidback and caring INFP becomes inflexible, rigid and efficiency-driven. Instead of being open-minded and compassionate, they may become harshly critical of themselves and those around them. They may fixate on accomplishing tasks and lose touch with their creative streak.
INFPs are very trusting, to begin with. However, when they have been repeatedly hurt, it is the opposite – they become hypervigilant, paranoid, and have difficulty trusting anyone. They may become extremely suspicious of the world in order to protect themselves from being hurt again.
For mature INFPs, they are compassionate toward other people's flaws because they have meditated on their own darkness. They have known the dependence of light upon the shadow. They have suffered as others have suffered. They care for others because they are interconnected to who they are, because they are them.
INFPs are often deep thinkers who need quiet time alone to reflect on things that happened throughout the day. They can also be very sensitive to other people's emotions, so when someone is struggling, it might make an INFP stressed out and cause them to want space from that person for a while.
Although Mediators are warm and accepting, they don't always find it easy to make friends. This may be because superficial, casual relationships can leave these personalities feeling a bit empty.
Individualistic and nonjudgmental, INFPs believe that each person must find their own path. They enjoy spending time exploring their own ideas and values, and are gently encouraging to others to do the same. INFPs are creative and often artistic; they enjoy finding new outlets for self-expression.
Who are INFPs most compatible with? INFPs are most compatible with the other Intuitive-Feeling types—ENFJ, ENFP, and INFJ—as well as ESFJs.
Many INFPs pursue careers in human resources because they get to help job seekers find fulfilling careers and help organizations find great employees. Their desire to be of service and make an impact makes human resources an excellent INFP career choice.
The INFP. Your rich imagination and mysterious, complex nature are deeply attractive. We wish that you could invite us into the world inside your mind so we could explore its beauty and ingenuity. You see meaning in everything around you and you challenge us to be our authentic selves.
Being in social situations can drain their energy, and they prefer interacting with a select group of close friends. While they like to be alone, this should not necessarily be confused with shyness.2 Instead, it simply means that INFPs gain energy from spending time alone.
Much of the time, an INFP may seem completely happy with their own company, almost to the point of appearing antisocial. But INFPs, though definitely Introverts, do have a greater-than-average need for meaningful human connection.
Rest assured, any type is compatible with the INFP in a relationship — or with any other type.
Pisces: INFP, ENFP
Still, as free-flowing personalities, Pisces can sometimes use their empathy to tune into other people's problems so they don't have to tackle their own.
While most INFPs are deeply individualistic, INFP Twos will be more other-centered – finding ways to connect with others and see what everyone has in common.
INFPs are very sensitive to interpersonal tension and tend to avoid conflict. They have trouble letting go of hurts and often hold grudges. Because they see only the good in those they care about, they run the risk of being disillusioned and disappointed easily.