The INTP in the Workplace

General Overview

INTPs require very specific workplace conditions to thrive and do their best work. They require a lot of freedom, the ability to find unusual solutions for problems, as well as constant intellectual stimulation. This type uses introverted thinking as their dominant function, which demands this kind of constant influx of information and facts, and without it the INTP will quickly become disconnected and discontent. They also really don’t like to be micromanaged, or managed at all really. INTPs do their best work when they’re allowed to be alone with their thoughts and follow them to their ultimate conclusion.

Once an INTP finds the kind of workplace that offers those benefits, they’ll usually remain on the edge of the social life of their workplace. To this type, work comes first and always, and they don’t enjoy social interactions as much as some other types. INTPs have a strong preference for intellectual conversations as well as little tolerance for social conversations. They’re just not that interested in the details of other people’s everyday life, and this usually results in them being outside of their workplaces social groups. And a workplace that allows for that kind of distance is precisely what most INTPs are looking for.

Company and Society

INTPS need freedom in their workplace. Their auxiliary function is extraverted intuition, which explores the external world to understand its patterns and tendencies. This function absolutely demands a lot of freedom and autonomy. INTPs who find themselves in a traditional or highly structured workplace will feel stifled and over controlled, unable to do their best work because they can’t work according to their own rhythms and ideas. And for an INTP, this is often enough to make them bitter and withdrawn, unwilling to even try to do their best work while others are controlling them so tightly.

INTPs are surprisingly open to new environments and change and are flexible enough to do well wherever they end up. This type usually moves through a variety of workplaces and careers as they search for something that suits their needs, and are often at their most innovative when they have this type of constant change in their working life. In fact, if they find themselves in a workplace that doesn’t change, or has a lot of routine or mundane tasks, the INTP will quickly become restless and dissatisfied.

Abuse in the Workplace

INTPs can be very sharp. This type doesn’t tolerate mistakes, errors in thinking or over emotionality well, and will say so. Sharply and very precisely and without concern for how those comments can land. They’re also perfectionists who have very high standards for themselves and for the people around them, and people who don’t meet these standards will usually suffer under the INTPs sharp tongue. This type of criticism can result in other people feeling bullied or even abused by the INTP, even if they do mean well with their criticisms, and can result in the INTP becoming more isolated than ever before.

INTPs are unlikely to be the target of bullying themselves. INTPs don’t rely on other people very much. In fact, they usually look at their fellow workmates and interactions with them as barriers to getting their work done rather than as a source or support or social affirmation. INTPs don’t usually need others’ approval to feel good or confident, so their disapproval is usually little more than a mild inconvenience rather than something that can cause the INTP pain.

Workplace Strengths

INTPs are extremely rational people in the way they think and act and they spend a lot of their time using their introverted thinking dominant to improve this internal rationality. This dedication to logical thinking and self-improvement is one of their greatest strengths in the workplace. Most INTPs will be naturally drawn to the types of jobs which require a lot of abstract thinking and analysis, and they’ll work in peaceful solitude towards solutions to problems that have bothered people forever. As long as they’re given that space and freedom to work to their own schedules and routines, they’ll be veritable powerhouses in the workplace.

Workplace Weaknesses

INTPs often struggle to understand and be understood by their workmates. INTPs are very logical and rational and focus on data and information to an astonishing degree. This makes them veritable storehouses of information, but it doesn’t help their people skills. This can make it difficult for INTPs to feel connected to and interact with their workmates. They often try quite hard at this, but struggle to understand more emotional types as well as people who aren’t as rational as they are. And there are not very many personality types that can match an INTPs rationality. INTPs are also introverts, which just adds to the problem. They like a lot of time alone, thinking and mining through data, and will quickly become exhausted if they’re in the company of other people, particularly people they don’t know well, for long periods of time. As a result, INTPs can feel quite disconnected from their workmates and have no real idea how to overcome this problem. This isn’t always obvious on the surface either, INTPs can learn to be charming and personable with practice, but this can’t make up for a deeper emotional connection and it’s this lack that sometimes bothers this type.

INTPs can be quite sharp and blunt when they talk. They rely on pure data rather than emotion, so they often speak quickly and precisely. To them, this is an efficient way to interact with others, but it can cause a lot of misunderstandings with other types who rely more on emotions. Because of their style of talking, INTPs can easily insult or offend other people and make their already strained working relationships even more complicated and difficult.

Final Thoughts

INTPs are usually one of the smartest people in their workplace in terms of how much information they can take in and understand, but this doesn’t always help with their working relationships. This type usually struggles to connect with their workmates, and sometimes spend their working life isolated and wondering how they can overcome this barrier and interact on a warmer level with the people around them.

References

1. Dr. Drenth, A. J. “How INTPs & INFPs Can Use Extraverted Intuition (Ne) to Cultivate More Meaningful Lives“. (Retrieved Apr 2018).
2. Dr. Drenth, A. J. “Introverted Thinking (Ti) vs Extraverted Thinking (Te): INTP vs INTJ“. (Retrieved Apr 2018).
3. “INTP – The Scientist“.
4. “The INTP Career Path“.
5. “The INTP as an Entrepreneur“.
6. “Best Jobs For Your Personality“.