EJ - Myers-Briggs, INTJ

 

1244Re: INTJ personality type (me, probably)

 

Mar. 2, 2003

http://www.advisorteam.com/temp_rational.html

All Rationals (NTs) share the following core characteristics:
Rationals tend to be pragmatic, skeptical, self-contained, and
focused on problem-solving and systems analysis.
Rationals pride themselves on being ingenious, independent, and
strong willed.
Rationals make reasonable mates, individualizing parents, and
strategic leaders.
Rationals are even-tempered, they trust logic, yearn for achievement,
seek knowledge, prize technology, and dream of understanding how the
world works.

Rationals are the problem solving temperament, particularly if the
problem has to do with the many complex systems that make up the
world around us. Rationals might tackle problems in organic systems
such as plants and animals, or in mechanical systems such as
railroads and computers, or in social systems such as families and
companies and governments. But whatever systems fire their curiosity,
Rationals will analyze them to understand how they work, so they can
figure out how to make them work better.

In working with problems, Rationals try to find solutions that have
application in the real world, but they are even more interested in
the abstract concepts involved, the fundamental principles or natural
laws that underlie the particular case. And they are completely
pragmatic about their ways and means of achieving their ends.
Rationals don't care about being politically correct. They are
interested in the most efficient solutions possible, and will listen
to anyone who has something useful to teach them, while disregarding
any authority or customary procedure that wastes time and resources.

Rationals have an insatiable hunger to accomplish their goals and
will work tirelessly on any project they have set their mind to. They
are rigorously logical and fiercely independent in their thinking--
are indeed skeptical of all ideas, even their own--and they believe
they can overcome any obstacle with their will power. Often they are
seen as cold and distant, but this is really the absorbed
concentration they give to whatever problem they're working on.
Whether designing a skyscraper or an experiment, developing a theory
or a prototype technology, building an aircraft, a corporation, or a
strategic alliance, Rationals value intelligence, in themselves and
others, and they pride themselves on the ingenuity they bring to
their problem solving.

Rationals are very scarce, comprising as little as 5 to 7 percent of
the population. But because of their drive to unlock the secrets of
nature, and to develop new technologies, they have done much to shape
our world.

The four types of Rationals are:


Architects | Fieldmarshals | Inventors | Masterminds

 

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1245Re: INTJ personality type (me, probably)

 

Mar. 2, 2003

http://www.advisorteam.com/temp_rational_mastermind.html

All Rationals are good at planning operations, but Masterminds are
head and shoulders above all the rest in contingency planning.
Complex operations involve many steps or stages, one following
another in a necessary progression, and Masterminds are naturally
able to grasp how each one leads to the next, and to prepare
alternatives for difficulties that are likely to arise any step of
the way. Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never
set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but
they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be.

Masterminds are rare, comprising no more than, say, one percent of
the population, and they are rarely encountered outside their office,
factory, school, or laboratory. Although they are highly capable
leaders, Masterminds are not at all eager to take command, preferring
to stay in the background until others demonstrate their inability to
lead. Once they take charge, however, they are thoroughgoing
pragmatists. Masterminds are certain that efficiency is indispensable
in a well-run organization, and if they encounter inefficiency-any
waste of human and material resources-they are quick to realign
operations and reassign personnel. Masterminds do not feel bound by
established rules and procedures, and traditional authority does not
impress them, nor do slogans or catchwords. Only ideas that make
sense to them are adopted; those that don't, aren't, no matter who
thought of them. Remember, their aim is always maximum efficiency.

In their careers, Masterminds usually rise to positions of
responsibility, for they work long and hard and are dedicated in
their pursuit of goals, sparing neither their own time and effort nor
that of their colleagues and employees. Problem-solving is highly
stimulating to Masterminds, who love responding to tangled systems
that require careful sorting out. Ordinarily, they verbalize the
positive and avoid comments of a negative nature; they are more
interested in moving an organization forward than dwelling on
mistakes of the past.

Masterminds tend to be much more definite and self-confident than
other Rationals, having usually developed a very strong will.
Decisions come easily to them; in fact, they can hardly rest until
they have things settled and decided. But before they decide
anything, they must do the research. Masterminds are highly
theoretical, but they insist on looking at all available data before
they embrace an idea, and they are suspicious of any statement that
is based on shoddy research, or that is not checked against reality