INFP personality type: What it means to be the Mediator

What motivates you? 

A commonly asked question in job interviews, perhaps you felt your answer was something you were in control of — like caring more about financial security than free time. But as much as you might feel in control of your motivators, your personality partially determines what moves you to contribute meaningfully. 

If you’re an introvert, you likely yearn for quiet moments to develop your thoughts. And extroverts might prefer to bounce ideas around with teammates. Neither of these preferences is right or wrong — but your unique personality likely determines what you prefer.

Using personality tests to identify your motivators is a helpful strategy for becoming a more productive professional. Self-knowledge encourages success because the more you understand what makes you tick, the better you can choose work environments that empower you to be your best self. 

For example, INFP personality types (introverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceptive) are generous, open-minded, and led by their values, so they might want to find jobs that align with their worldview and empower their curiosity.

INFP: The Mediator personality type

INFP is a Myers-Briggs personality type that’s part of the categorization system Katherine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers developed. According to the Myers-Briggs official site, the mother-daughter duo were American researchers and authors whose system is now one of the most widely used worldwide.

Their personality assessment identifies 16 personality types based on where individuals sit on the spectrums between these eight characteristics:

• Introversion (I) versus Extroversion (E): Where you sit between these two extremes determines whether you gain more of your energy from social interactions (E) versus alone time (I). 
• Sensing (S) versus Intuition (N): This defines how you take in information. 
• Thinking (T) versus Feeling (F): This category covers how you come to conclusions and make decisions. 
• Judging (J) versus Perceiving (P): Where you sit between these two extremes determines how you approach the outside world. 

An INFP personality type leans closer toward introversion, intuition, feeling, and perceiving. And if you identify with this category, you’re in good company. Some famous INFP people include William Shakespeare, Princess Diana, and John Lennon — all known for their creativity and dedication to self-expression. 

A common name for this personality type is “The Mediator,” since you want to ensure nobody has to compromise their values. You’re also deeply loyal and dedicated to seeking a professional life that aligns with your ideals. To you, there’s no work life and personal life. How you show up to every aspect of your life is inseparable. 

As an introvert, spending time alone reduces stress levels and re-energizes you. But, while you may need time to yourself or prefer small groups, you’re as loyal to the people you care about as you are to yourself. Because you care, you’re curious about and adaptable to other people, using your perceptive nature to foster deep connections. 

INFP types sit opposite to the “Executive” personality type: ESTJ (extroverted, sensing, thinking, judging), a type-A personality that’s more pragmatic and interested in the here and now. 

Common INFP personality traits

INFP individuals tend to be introspective daydreamers that are thoughtful and deliberate when they act. Here are a few more common characteristics, as noted by SimplyPsychology and BetterHelp:

• Enjoy spending time alone
• Big picture thinkers
• Loyal and dedicated to significant friendships
• Excel in solo work
• Empathetic to others’ needs
• Generous with their time and knowledge
• Open-minded to new people, hobbies, and experiences
• Develop ideas and make decisions based on intuitive, emotion-focused thinking
• Protective of their personal values

4 improvement areas for more personal growth

The dominant cognitive function of an INFP personality type is introversion, meaning you may isolate yourself from others or get stuck in your ways. And you could overlook details or feel overwhelmed when making decisions. 

Here are four improvement areas for combatting INFP personality weaknesses.

1. Don’t let your idealism get the best of you 

Your biggest driver in life is being faithful to your core values. While believing in something fills you with a sense of belonging and purpose, you may feel easily disappointed or distressed when reality doesn’t meet your expectations. 

Practice grounding yourself in reality, using a regular journaling practice, guided meditation, or mindfulness exercises to notice and embrace life’s imperfections. Accepting that your day-to-day life won’t always align with your strong values lets you balance your idealist thinking with practicality, helping you achieve your lofty goals — eventually. 

2. Pay attention to the little things

You’re a dreamer and feeler, which means your emotions guide you through life. Trusting your gut is an incredible soft skill, but it may cloud your ability to pay attention to important details that don’t align with your intuition. 

Let’s say you dream up an innovative project idea, starting on fun task work right away before considering valuable market research or compliance restraints. You might need a manager or partner to slow you down, reminding you to check on the practical details first before kick-starting the project. 

3. Learn to let people in

Because you’re more introverted, you might find beginning conversations and cultivating friendships overwhelming. But between your creativity, empathy, and emotional intelligence, you have so much to offer those around you. You can improve your interpersonal skills to make relationships easier by seeking out communities of people with similar interests. These similarities give you something to talk about right away to break the ice. 

4. Practice accepting criticism

Since your feelings guide your decisions and experiences, you may perceive constructive feedback as a personal attack, and coworkers might interpret your defensiveness as arrogance or closed-mindedness. But learning to give and receive feedback is essential to your growth, as diverse perspectives can pinpoint important details and issues you might’ve glossed over.

Adjusting more stubborn thought patterns and mental habits isn’t easy. To reframe your perspective on feedback, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “How does this input help me grow?” Over time, you’ll solidify the idea that others’ perspectives are valuable to your personal and professional development. 

5 productivity hacks for INFP personality types

Being a dreamer is one of your greatest strengths, but sometimes you might struggle to keep your feet on the ground. Here are five productivity tips to incorporate into your day-to-day routine: 

1. Focus on the process: You likely know exactly what you want but aren’t sure how to get there. Define SMART goals to break your big ideas into manageable processes, eliminating all the “What if?”s and gaining a better understanding of how to achieve your objectives.
2. Make to-do lists: As a daydreamer, fine-tuned organizational skills will keep you on track. Whether you prefer the Eisenhower Matrix or a simple checklist, prioritizing your tasks mitigates the urge to distract yourself with your next big idea. 
3. Eliminate distractions: Your personal space is your oasis, which means a clean workspace and limited distractions are crucial to staying focused. If you struggle to concentrate, focus apps or productivity methods like the Pomodoro Technique offer the structure you need to work more efficiently. 
4. Prioritize free time activities: You feel your best when you’ve made time for fulfilling activities that align with your values, so ensure you enjoy meaningful free time hobbies so you can bring your best self to work.
5. Schedule creativity: As you work to improve your scheduling and organizational skills, remember to make time for creative thinking. Perhaps you’ll listen to a podcast during your commute or enjoy an adult coloring book during your break. 

15 of the best INFP career paths

Finding a job that reflects your character speaks to your tendency to insert your values into every aspect of your life — and maybe you’re on to something. Studies show that aligning your career path with your character can increase your job satisfaction. 

Your creativity, independence, and desire for few-but-meaningful connections make you a competitive candidate for various roles, like these 15 excellent jobs for INFP individuals:

1. Counselor

2. Social worker

3. UX designer

4. Veterinarian

5. Teacher 

6. Non-profit organizer

7. Writer or editor

8. Museum curator or gallerist

9. Educational consultant

10. Environmental planner

11. Renewable energy engineer

12. Speech-language pathologist

13. Holistic health practitioner

14. Rehabilitation counselor

15. Occupational therapist

Tips for working with INFP personality types

If you think a coworker might be an INFP type, you’re in luck, as these teammates tend to improve a company’s culture. Here are a few ways to pull out their passion and creativity while navigating their weaknesses:

• Let them move at their own pace: Give them the time and space they need to open up. And when they share their thoughts and feelings, express gratitude to validate them and make them feel seen.
• Encourage self-reflection: Ask open-ended and clarifying questions to help make constructive feedback feel more gentle, giving them space to develop rather than defend their ideas.
• Respect their values: Show respect for their values — it’s what guides their identity, ideas, and decisions. And work to understand their thought process to foster trust and build rapport, even if you don’t see eye to eye on everything. 
• Respect their independence: Autonomy is an essential motivator that improves their creativity and work satisfaction. Allowing them to explore ideas and solutions independently will ensure they offer carefully developed and innovative thoughts.

Leverage your strengths to make an impact

INFP personality types possess valuable soft skills that the world needs, like generosity, devotion, and big-picture thinking. That’s why excellent jobs for INFP individuals cross various industries and involve diverse responsibilities. 

Your greatest strength is your ability to dream big. Now it’s time to tap into your natural knack for self-reflection to improve your organizational and task management skills and turn your dreams into reality. With a little bit of work, you’ll be unstoppable.