INFP
On A Team

The following is adapted from Linda V. Berens, Linda K. Ernst and Melissa Smith, Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types and Teams (Telos Publications, 2005) *Used with permission.

Search & Apply to New Jobs

How INFPs Build Relationships
For them, team relationships are about making space for others to participate fully. They like to help others accept themselves and believe in themselves. They have a talent for reading between the lines, hearing what hasn’t been said, and getting a sense of what needs to be said and done. They want others to have a sense of purpose and ethics and to be congruent with these in their behavior. Knowing people’s intentions helps them feel comfortable with their relationships on the team. They honor and accept as valid the communication or feeling teammates express when sharing something that is important to them—and expect others to do the same. They often relate through stories and metaphors, bridging differences by emphasizing and building on similarities and providing gentle encouragement. Sharing beliefs is important to them, yet it is sometimes difficult for them to put into words the things that really matter to them. They tend to do a lot of mental rehearsal in problem solving so may appear quiet and withdrawn in team meetings.

How INFPs Deal with Conflict
Their first response to conflict is usually to wait and see what is involved. Then they will go with the flow of what is happening, working to bring out all sides of an issue and resolve deeper issues that are likely at the root of the conflict. The worst kind of conflict to them occurs when their values are challenged as not worthy or when they feel a sense of betrayal. They want people, themselves included, to be listened to with respect and openness.

To Forge Better Relationships with INFPs…
Provide a team environment that holds a sense of integrity and opportunities for fostering wholeness, harmony, mental health, and growth in others. Be sure to validate and affirm them as individuals. Give them the flexibility to capitalize on bursts of energy and not be berated for the lulls in between. Recognize the value in their impressions rather than force them to be explicit. Let them work alone as they need to, yet provide them with opportunities to meaningfully connect with others. Most of all, help them find personal meaning in the team project.

Search & Apply to New Jobs

How INFPs Approach Doing Work
They have a tendency to go with the flow until they have enough information to integrate into a complete picture. They like to play with a lot of ideas. If they get a sense that things are not going in the right direction, they will make suggestions to try to turn the situation around. Their usually gentle informing style is amazingly powerful. When they are dedicated to a purpose, they can be tireless in their search for supporting information and data.

How INFPs Make Decisions
They tend to make fast decisions about whether something or someone is congruent or not but may decide slowly about what actions to take and what direction to pursue. They want to be sure they’ve got all the information, and then once they get a clear sense that important values are not violated and actions will be congruent with those values, then they act quickly. Inaction may result if personal values conflict with the external demands for action or if many differing values have to be reconciled and unified in one decision.

How INFPs Respond to Change
When change is necessary, they tend to hold tight to a kind of artistic control, checking for congruity with values. They are open to change when they have some creative input into the process and they feel the change will increase the likelihood of an even higher quality outcome. They will want to be sure everyone’s voice is heard and consensus is reached wherever possible.

Did this description fit?
Tell THE WORLD -- Write a review

Search & Apply to New Jobs

The following is adapted from Linda V. Berens, Linda K. Ernst and Melissa Smith, Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types and Teams (Telos Publications, 2005) *Used with permission.