What does INTP mean?
What does INTP mean?
The INTP is the MBTI personality type that has a preference for:
- Introversion (I)
- Intuition (N)
- Thinking (T)
- Perceiving (P)
Key characteristics of the INTP
What are the common characteristics of INTPs?
How does the INTP analyse information?
Very early in life, the INTP develops their Dominant Function, Introverted Thinking (Ti).
They analyse information in a logical way.
They make decisions by reasoning rationally.
They have a strong need to understand the world they live in and to build their own internal logic.
Tiago *
Introverted Thinking (
Ti)
How does the INTP process information?
During adolescence, the INTP develops their Auxiliary Function, Extraverted Intuition (Ne).
They process information in a global way.
Their perception operates through the association of ideas.
They are creative and imaginative.
Their language is abstract, visual and metaphorical.
Nelly *
Extraverted Intuition (
Ne)
* The characters representing Extraverted Intuition (Ne) and Introverted Thinking (Ti) are taken from our book on personality types: You Are Unique, and are protected by copyright.
How does an INTP function?
Their global perception and logical mind make them comfortable with theoretical discussions. They have a strong interest in intellectually complex topics and can very easily connect pieces of information to form an overall picture.
When receiving information, they may connect it to memories, consider future implications, or immerse themselves in the present moment. They move naturally from past to present to future.
The INTP makes decisions through logical and independent reasoning, seeking consistency with their own internal logical system. Subjective arguments tend to have little impact on them.
The INTP generally comes across as calm and composed.
Moving out of reflection and into action is not necessarily easy for an INTP.
Strengths and potential challenges
What are the strengths and potential difficulties of the INTP?
The strengths and potential difficulties of the INTP stem from their ability to be both creative and logical, as well as from the excesses this combination can sometimes lead to. This is what INTPs discover during MBTI training.
What are the strengths of the INTP?
The INTP often has an excellent ability to analyse a problem logically and to understand it very quickly. This is particularly true in theoretical fields or when dealing with complex issues.
They easily connect disparate pieces of information, quickly form an overall view, and rapidly identify inconsistencies or flaws in reasoning.
They are generally creative and innovative.
They are usually able to express their point of view in an objective and direct manner.
What are the potential difficulties of the INTP?
The INTP does not generally stand out for their empathy, or for their ability to understand that others may not be able to follow their reasoning.
They may find it difficult to accept that they could be wrong.
Expressing their emotions and feelings, and dealing with emotionally demanding situations, is not easy for an INTP.
They may struggle to move from theory to practice and to take action.
They dislike routine and may have difficulty remembering details.
When an INTP makes a decision, they like to ensure it is the best possible one. As they tend to continually imagine new options, their decision-making process can sometimes be significantly delayed.
Figure: the strengths and potential difficulties of the INTP.
Suitable work environment
What kind of work environment suits an INTP?
What does an INTP look for in their work?
The INTP enjoys working on complex problems.
They like to operate in an organisational culture that encourages autonomy and flexibility, and that values intellectual reflection.
They need to be allowed to think things through independently and to have their intellectual freedom respected.
What type of work environment or job does not suit an INTP?
The INTP does not enjoy working in noisy environments or with highly emotional people.
An administrative, routine role, without intellectual stimulation, is unlikely to be fulfilling or motivating for them.
An excessive focus on operational details or deadlines is also unlikely to suit them.
The INTP enjoys working in an environment where they are intellectually stimulated and where their logic is respected.
Leadership style
What is the INTP’s leadership style?
The INTP belongs to the Rational temperament.
They may struggle to respect a manager whom they do not consider sufficiently intelligent or expert.
They value work that gives them the opportunity to think through problems independently, preferably complex ones.
They have a strong need to be allowed to think for themselves and not to have rules imposed on them that they perceive as illogical or absurd.
As part of a leadership training programme, the INTP will need to develop:
- Their empathy;
- Their ability to accept that others may think differently from them or may not understand them;
- Their commitment to creating structure, predictability and “repeatability” in order to manage other MBTI profiles, including SJs.
By nature, a manager with an INTP profile may feel uncomfortable in emotional situations.
Communication style
What is the INTP’s communication style?
The INTP communicates in an imaginative, metaphorical way. They may tend to talk about fairly complex or abstract topics.
They very frequently make connections between ideas and can move very easily from one subject to another.
They approach information in a global way, starting with an overall synthesis.
They try to persuade others by inviting them to engage with and agree with their logical reasoning.
They may feel surprised or disappointed when their interlocutors are unable to understand them.
An INTP type tends not to communicate their decisions once their point of view is clear.
Change management
The ENTP’s Change Management Style
An INTP’s first reaction when faced with change projects is to ensure that they are consistent with their logical view of the world.
When this is the case, they can become a very constructive contributor.
When it is not, they may appear rather stubborn, especially if their point of view is not taken into account, or if there is an attempt to force their reasoning or impose another opinion on them.
An INTP can be highly creative and bring forward innovative ideas, particularly when it comes to solving complex problems.
The INTP can easily develop an overall perspective and organise projects into categories and domains, making them easier to understand and supporting a global and strategic vision.
Their generation of new ideas is abundant, although not all of them are realistic.
The main learning an INTP will gain from a change management training programme will be to:
- Take operational realities into account more effectively;
- Translate conceptual ideas more clearly into concrete actions;
- Show greater pedagogical skill when explaining their point of view.
An INTP may show strong resistance to change when it goes against their logical framework.
Conflict management
How does the INTP handle conflict?
An INTP’s natural approach in a conflict is to look for the logical causes behind it.
For them, saying things exactly as they think them is the only constructive attitude to adopt in a conflict, and they expect their counterpart to show the same level of frankness and objectivity.
This communication style may be perceived as harsh, cold, and lacking empathy; this can lead to quite a few difficulties with Feeling profiles, and particularly with Feeling–Judging types (ISFJ, INFJ, ESFJ and ENFJ).
By using the 4 Questions Model©, which we explain in our conflict management training, the INTP will develop greater sensitivity to feelings (their own and those of others) and a more solution-focused approach.
Avoiding hurting their counterpart is not a natural reflex for an INTP profile.
Stressors and reactions under stress
Understanding stress in INTPs
What causes stress for an INTP?
The main stressors for an INTP are:
- Having a way of thinking imposed on them that does not respect their logic.
- A lack of respect for their intellectual freedom; not being allowed to reason in a logical, independent way.
- Having to interact with people who lack logic or are overly emotional.
- Boring tasks or tasks that are not intellectually stimulating.
- Having to process too much factual or detailed information.
- Having too many deadlines to meet.
How does an INTP react under stress?
Under mild stress, an INTP tends to:
- Assert their own logic more strongly;
- Shut themselves off from other people’s ideas;
- Explain their point of view less;
- Be less willing to acknowledge that others may not have understood them.
Under severe stress, an INTP may:
- Become emotional;
- Experience and express negative emotions.
How can an INTP manage stress?
To reduce stress, an INTP needs to:
- Have moments of calm, and sometimes solitude;
- Avoid emotional situations;
- Not be confronted with excessive deadlines and operational details;
- Be able to let their imagination wander;
- Be in an environment where their freedom of thought is respected.
Under stress, an INTP may suddenly become very emotional. This sharp contrast with their usually rather reserved attitude is a sign that they are experiencing a high level of stress.
Type dynamics and development
What is the type dynamics of the INTP?
- The Dominant function of the INTP is Introverted Thinking – Ti
- Their Auxiliary function is Extraverted Intuition – Ne
- Their Tertiary function is Introverted Sensing – Si
- Their Inferior function is Extraverted Feeling – Fe
- Their Opposing function is Extraverted Thinking – Te
- Their Critical Parent function is Introverted Intuition – Ni
- Their Trickster function is Extraverted Sensing – Se
- Their Demonic function is Introverted Feeling – Fi
How can an INTP develop over the course of life?
The development of an INTP throughout life stems from the natural developmental dynamics of the type.
What kind of child is the INTP?
As a child, the INTP is rather solitary.
Very early in life, they seek to understand the world around them.
They need intellectual freedom and do not like being controlled.
How can the INTP develop during adolescence?
During adolescence, the INTP develops their extraverted side and engages more with others than they did in childhood.
They develop their imagination and an abstract way of thinking.
How can an INTP develop in adulthood (possible development in their thirties)?
In their thirties, the INTP may develop a more concrete, more “sensory” side.
They become less focused on theory and more interested in practical matters.
Meeting deadlines and handling detailed information become more accessible to them.
How can an INTP develop at midlife (possible development around 40 / 50 years old)?
At midlife, the INTP may become more sensitive to the feelings of others and to their own.
They become more empathic and more interested in personal relationships.
An INTP profile that has achieved Individuation can be both empathic and practical, while still relying on their natural ability to reason logically and to generate original ideas.
Coaching an INTP
How to coach an INTP?
INTP profiles are among those who experience the greatest difficulty with a linear coaching approach, such as the one proposed in models like GROW.
In differentiated coaching, the coach:
- Will conduct the coaching conversation in a less linear way;
- Will allow clarity around coaching objectives to emerge gradually;
- Will support the coachee in translating solution options into concrete terms...
Links with Process Com
What are the links between the INTP profile and Process Com® profiles?
The MBTI® and Process Com® are based on different frameworks:
- The MBTI® is an innate model:
We are born with natural preferences in the way we function, which influence how we perceive the world and make decisions.
- Process Com® is an acquired model:
The profile develops according to upbringing and life experiences, particularly very early in childhood.
There is a link between the two models; some Process Com® profiles are more likely to develop in certain MBTI® types, even though there is no automatic one-to-one correspondence.
During our Process Com training programmes®, we have encountered many Imaginer profiles in Process Com® among INTPs. Indeed, their dominant function, Introverted Thinking (Ti), leads them to turn inward in order to analyse and understand, while their auxiliary Extraverted Intuition (Ne) regularly prompts them to reflect whenever new information emerges.
The Empathic profile is probably less common among INTPs, for whom emotional connection is less natural.
Other MBTI types
The 16 personality types
FAQ on the INTP MBTI® profile
