The INFJ as an Entrepreneur

Vision and Insight

INFJs use introverted intuition as their dominant function. This cognitive function uses the information received through the senses to identify life’s patterns, and to predict the future based on those patterns. With the INFJ personality type, this pattern recognition is often directed towards people. INFJs have an uncanny knowledge of what people need, or what they will need in the future, and their entrepreneurship endeavors are usually based on this understanding. It gives INFJs a clear vision that drives their business, and it is this vision that inspires them and the people around them.

INFJs are naturally quiet people but they usually don’t have any trouble inspiring others to believe in and support their vision. This type is fairly social despite their quietness, and has the ability to connect with everyone, even strangers, on a nearly soul deep level. As a result, INFJs are usually pretty good at inspiring others when they try. They just have to get over their natural quietness and dislike of the spotlight in order to do it.

Emotional Strengths and Weaknesses

INFJs are extremely passionate people when it comes to their dreams and to their vision. This passion is born of the desire to help and the belief that they can make a positive difference in people’s lives, and it isn’t easily extinguished in this type. For INFJs, this passion is quieter than it is in other types, but no less powerful. It usually results in an astounding amount of dedication and perseverance that can result in great success for the INFJs business endeavors.

However, INFJs are also extremely sensitive and they need to be aware of this issue when they’re in business. This type always blames themselves when something goes wrong, particularly if that something affects other people’s lives in some negative way. As a result, if they hit a barrier or fail and other people are affected by it then the INFJ will take the loss very hard and perhaps even withdraw emotionally or even physically. When this happens, they probably won’t try again for a long time, and this would be a shame because the world needs more of the INFJs gifts.

Workplace Strengths

INFJs naturally draw other people to them and this is one of their greatest strengths in business. This type uses their secondary function, extraverted feeling, to sense the needs of the people around them and instinctively tries to meet those needs. As a result, they’re usually very popular in every aspect of their lives, and that applies to when they’re in their own business as well. As a boss or entrepreneur, the INFJ will be warm and well liked, the type of boss who nurtures everyone and is trusted by everyone. And this can be one of their greatest natural advantages in building their own business.

One potential drawback of this emotional sensitivity is the way the INFJ reacts to criticism. This type avoids conflict wherever possible, mostly because they take it so personally. When they’re criticized, INFJs will immediately blame themselves and feel deeply hurt, even if the criticism was based on their business rather than any personal qualities. It is a constant battle for this type to learn to separate constructive criticism from personal criticism and to use the first as a guide to growth and to ignore the rest in their business lives.

Social Skills and Networking

INFJs are usually very good at networking, but that doesn’t mean they always enjoy it. This type has a natural warmth and friendliness that others are drawn to and can be inspired by. And INFJs usually genuinely enjoy spending time with other people and getting to know them, learning how they can help them. However, this type can become burned out very quickly when in the company of other people. All introverts need time alone to recharge themselves after spending time with people, but this need is even greater with the INFJ type because of their sensitivity to emotion. INFJs often experience the emotions of the people around them at the same time they do, and empathy like this can be very wearying. As a result, they will sometimes struggle to keep up with the networking demands of entrepreneurship.

In the Planning Stages

Once they’ve made a decision to go through with a business idea, INFJs will follow through with an incredible amount of dedication and creativity. This type has the long term insight to plan every stage of their business and will follow through, usually without fail. Their dedication to this part of their business can actually be a disadvantage as well, as some INFJs can get too wrapped up in planning and getting things right. If they have a strong tendency for perfectionism, they may actually end up burning themselves out before they get their business up and running. When this situation occurs, they need to take a step back and remind themselves that perfection isn’t possible, and sometimes good enough is enough.

Building the Business

INFJs will have no problem setting up structures and routines for their business, but will also have enough flexibility to ensure that all of their workers are happy with the rules they set. INFJs are naturally sensitive to environment and the happiness of the people around them, and this will be their primary concern when they’re setting up their business. As a result, they’ll usually create a work culture that’s warm and flexible, with enough structures and rules to keep things running smoothing. They’re also extremely unlikely to set up traditional structures or environments because to an INFJ, this does nothing but smother natural creativity.

Final Thoughts

INFJs have the vision and the innate drive to do very well in entrepreneurship. They usually really enjoy the journey too as long as they choose a path that is congruent with their own deeply held beliefs and desire to make the world a better and kinder place.

References

1. 1. Storm, Susan. “The Magic and Mystery of Introverted Intuition“. Aug 10, 2015. (Retrieved May 2018).
2. 1. Storm, Susan. “ENFJs, INFJs and Empathy Burnout“. Dec 26, 2016. (Retrieved May 2018).
3. 1. Courter, Shawna. “Yes, There Is Such A Thing As An ‘Introvert’ Hangover“. Aug 11, 2016. (Retrieved May 2018).
4. “INFJ – The Counselor“.
5. “The INFJ Career Path“.
6. “The INFJ in the Workplace“.