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Many people have tried to put human personality into specific categories but none of the methods have been satisfactory. Human personality has always been a mystery and many professionals have tried to solve this puzzle. One of the most reliable and well-known personality theories is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator MBTI.
The Mediator Personality
Mediator or INFP is among the 16 personality types suggested by MBTI. Their temperament falls under the NF empathy spectrum. Gentle nature and loyalty are their dominant traits and they have a lot of depth. Their energy flows inwards and they are independent people.
Meaning of INFP
The abbreviation of INFP stands for:
- Introversion=I
- Intuition=N
- Feeling=F
- Perceiving=P
Each letter represents the four preferences and unique dimensions of the personality. The unique dimensions are based on a concept offered by Carl Jung.
Meaning of INFP preferences
The preference to focus on the inner world characterizes introversion. INFP people enjoy alone time rather than sitting and talking with other people. Large gatherings drain their energy because for them the depth of a relationship is more valuable than the number. They are excellent listeners and never speak without thinking.
Individuals possessed with intuition can find possibilities in everything. They can process information using impressions and patterns. The depth of their thinking allows them to read between the lines. They always incline towards deep and meaningful metaphors, ideas, and concepts.
INFP individuals are subjective as they fall under the category of feeling people. Whatever they decide they base it on their values and beliefs. They are called mediators because they prefer empathy and harmony. They aim to get appreciation by pleasing other people.
Term perceiving is used to refer to INFPs’ ability to adapt. They are flexible and don’t have trouble adjusting to different situations. Their random thinking allows them to keep their options open as they tend to thrive in unexpected situations. They are excellent multitaskers. INFPs love starting new projects although they do have trouble when it comes to finishing them.
Cognitive Functions of INFP
A person uses eight cognitive functions to interact with the world. The level of each cognitive function can vary from individual to individual. Each function can either be extroverted or introverted.
Knowing the function stack of a personality is important. Here is what makes up INFP personalities.
Introverted feeling: dominant function
Introverted feeling is a dominant function among INFPs. They use their hunches and emotions to make decisions. Mediators can see through masks and identify the true nature of a person. Their internal radar is pretty strong and accurate. Their acquaintances include people of the same mindset and beliefs.
Extroverted intuition: auxiliary function
This function is also used a lot by INFP personalities. They use possibilities, meaning, and impressions to process new information. The wide vision of INFPs allows them to see various paths ahead of them and avail the best opportunities. Their unique perspective enables them to see things from a different angle.
Introverted sensing: tertiary sensing
This function is not used a lot by INFP people. INFP individuals use their five senses to understand and process data. It allows them to remember even the smallest details and also compare them with new information.
Extroverted thinking: inferior function
This is the least used function by INFP people. With the help of extroverted thinking, INFPs categorize their arguments and thoughts. They can see the logical consequences of their actions and can make sensible decisions.
Strengths and Weaknesses
To get the full picture of mediator personality, it’s essential to take a look at their common traits and characteristics. The characteristics of a personality include both strengths and weaknesses. You can take a reliable personality test on our website to find out your dominant and unique personality traits. Our test results are swift and reliable.
Strengths of INFPs
INFP individuals worry about other people because of their caring nature. They are considerate and sensitive towards others’ feelings. It’s easy for them to adjust their behavior if anyone finds it hurtful or unpleasant. They have a soft heart and it’s appreciated a lot by people around them.
They are passionate people. They are responsible people and guarantee the best results because they are committed to doing their best. They have a strong resolve and when they choose to do something, they do it till the end. Sometimes they do get too involved in the task and in their passion end up forgetting practical matters.
INFPs are idealists and they want to make the world around them perfect. They can go to extreme lengths to fulfill their ideals and are even willing to do self-sacrifice. They believe that human beings have unlimited potential when it comes to achieving greatness. They try to transfer their inspiration to others as well and motivate them to do their best also.
INFP people are very sincere towards their values and beliefs. They are not confused by the ambiguity of things. It’s not easy for them to stay firm on their principles but they don’t deviate from them no matter what. They have a flexible nature but they make sure that the changes they are making in their life are aligned with their values and beliefs.
Weaknesses of INFPs
INFPs set very high standards and often have unrealistic expectations and when they fail to meet them they become discouraged. They have a lot of trust in their abilities and if they fail to get the desired results they tend to blame themselves. Too much blaming can put extra stress on them and result in deterioration of mental health and motivation.
They are reserved people and it’s not easy to get to know them. Their self-conscious nature makes it hard to crack the surface and get to know their real self. They like to have personal space because being alone gives them energy. However, their need to have some personal time can make them feel guilty about not spending time with people close and dear to them.
The deep and sensitive nature of INFP people allows them to establish interpersonal connections but it can also be disappointing when their enthusiasm is not shared by others. They become demotivated when their values are not respected by other people.
Workplace Behavior
Mediators have a habit of cultivating a moral and emotional connection to whatever work they are doing. Getting reassurance from people around them about the impact of their work keeps them motivated. They are energized by the fact their work is helping people and contributing to the success of the organization.
INFPs as employees
Mediators make excellent employees because they are considerate, sincere, upbeat, and loyal. Their honesty is a source of pride and joy for them. Making other people happy gives them satisfaction. They get motivated by helping others and they don’t worry about bottom lines and checklists.
Getting positive feedback for their efforts always lights up their mood and they start to work even harder. They can take criticism pretty hard and can often completely shut down. They find it hard to perform best when dealing with a negative or extra strict employer.
INFPs do their best work when given latitude and freedom. It nurtures their creativity and enables their insight to come up with better and improved solutions for their tasks. Clear expectations and deadlines are good for them as they encourage them to finish one project before moving on to another. Without deadlines, they tend to procrastinate and keep moving from one idea to another without finishing anything.
INFPs as colleagues
Fairness and equality are important for a mediator, and that’s why they don’t find workplace hierarchies pleasant. They like working in a professional environment where good and sincere work is valued and everyone is encouraged to share their ideas and suggestions.
Mediators are an essential part of a team as they often act as the glue that keeps everyone together and ensures that all the team members can work together. They are not loud but because of their impressive personality, their insight is valued and admired by their team members.
They don’t like conflict and always try to ensure that there is cooperation in the workplace. They tend to create a harmonious environment. They are ready to help their colleagues and do not expect anything in return.
INFPs as managers
Mediators have a lot of respect for their employees and they don’t act as if they are in charge. They never make decisions on their own and always prefer to take in suggestions and opinions of others before deciding anything. The thoughts and opinions of their employees are valuable to them.
As managers, INFP personalities don’t micromanage their subordinates. They focus on the big picture and consider it their responsibility to offer support to their employees. With their managing style, it can become difficult to set boundaries or offer criticism. It’s not in their nature to be strict and it can become a hurdle in achieving professional efficiency. It can create unnecessary stress for the manager as well as the employees.
Sam Najar, MBA
MBA from the Australian Institute of business. Over a decade working for IBM Australia and Oracle Europe and the Middle East. Worked on Artificial Intelligence technology for many years and believes that technology can help everyone better understand his/her personality and find the job they deserve.
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