INFPs, the compassionate, idealistic, “healers” of the Myers and Briggs personality system, have many positive traits that make us great friends, employees, and colleagues. We’re good at tuning into others’ feelings and putting ourselves in their shoes. We pick up on subtle cues others miss, and we’re creative and imaginative.
Personality isn’t something we change; it’s something we embrace. It’s a tricky proposition though, if we let the stereotypes of others define us instead of using our own personal understanding of ourselves to remind us who we are.
Regardless of personality type, we all have a sixth sense that makes us do, feel or say something that we already know. It might be a physical sensation, like sweaty hands or a knot in the stomach that alerts us to some kind of danger. Or it might be a deep conviction that something is ‘right’, even if we’re not sure why it’s right or what led us to that conclusion.
How often have you heard someone say that body language makes up 90 percent of communication? The number may or may not be true, but we definitely know that our words are only one avenue of communication. Body language conveys information about thoughts, perceptions, moods, and emotions, which other people pick up on either consciously or subconsciously.
Are you shy and think this is a weakness? You may be looking at shyness the wrong way. According to the latest research, somewhere between 40 and 60 percent of all adults report being shy. And while it’s easy to get down on yourself when you are shy or socially anxious, there are times when it’s a trait of real strength.
Within our structured and fast-moving society, where organization and the ability to perform under pressure are prized, Thinker-Judgers excel. These are the quick-thinking, competitive, closure-seeking personalities of the 16-type system. They operate with the same efficiency as a Swiss watch.
ENFPs are known for their playful nature and emotional resilience. Life may drag them down, but these bubbly personalities nearly always bounce back to their natural optimistic state.
However, no personality type is cheerful around the clock. You might be surprised to learn that ENFPs experience darker emotions, like anger, just as intensely as they feel happiness.
The year 2020 is said to be the year of the zodiac, as renewed interest in zodiac signs continues to increase. Historically, there’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the difference between personality typing and zodiac signs, with strong opinions on both sides.
Personally, I think there’s an argument for using both systems in tandem to help us better understand what makes us tick. Both systems have the same goal, and that’s to help us interact better with the people around us.
Some of the best qualities of Feeler personalities -- the “Fs” of the Myers and Briggs personality system -- are their kindness, empathy, and their ability to think about others. Feeling personalities follow their instincts and trust their emotions to guide them in their professional and personal lives. That’s one of the reasons why they have such beautiful, lasting relationships.
In the world of improvisation, there is one foundational principle that all improv actors live by, and that is the concept of “Yes, And...”
The idea behind this is that when two performers walk out on stage together for an improv scene, the first to speak may say something like, “Wow, the waves sure are getting choppy, Captain.” This gets the audience to start envisioning a pirate ship on rough waters.
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