INTP Personality profile: The Engineer

The INTP personality type is intellectually curious and enjoys the more complex and theoretical problems, often for their own sake.

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INTPs are extremely independent, of thought and action, and will value trait that in others. They can play the team game, but then prefer to go and get on with it, working in sporadic bursts of energy. Although quite deep and private, the INTP can at times seem totally outspoken because of their directness of communication and economy of words. The INTP is blunt, to the point and would not be easily side-tracked. Other people may assume that the INTP says very little, but this is only when there is nothing to say. General chitchat or conversations with no purpose will bore them so they prefer to speak only about areas that interest them, things they consider important. There is an expedient side to the INTP character, and this means they will focus on their own interests and will immerse themselves in such activities. Their boredom threshold is low and once the activity becomes mundane, maintenance or about follow-through, the INTP will once again disappear into their own world of ideas, possibilities and the complex.

They do however dislike sloppy work or sloppy thinking or illogical arguments or poor enunciation. They are flexible, do not like to be fenced in but have very high standards. INTPs are cynical individuals, (they prefer to call themselves ‘realists!’), intensely logical, analytical and detached, they believe solely in the power of logic, finding it difficult to express or even to ‘do’ emotions. Rarely intimidated the INTP will work through even the most apparently momentous problems with the same logical demeanour and furrowed brow that they would display when doing Sudoku. Any problem is simply a problem and it will have a logical answer. Try and flatter an INTP and they will become very suspicious. Give an INTP a compliment and they’ll think, ‘what’s s/he after!’ They are very good at evaluating, seeing the flaws in any argument or the downside in any situation and their cup is always half empty, never half full.

INTPs are thoughtful, analytical characters. They may disappear so deeply into thought as to seem detached, and often actually are oblivious to the world around them, and the people in it. Precise, formal and proper, INTPs will often correct others should any shade of meaning be even slightly ambiguous. They may not want to do ‘it,’ but if it must be done then it should, indeed must, be done properly, according to agreed protocols, the INTP protocols.

The INTP is so independent of thought and in vehemently arguing a point they may very well be trying to convince themselves as much as the opposition. Getting to the heart of 'the truth' is extremely important to the INTP but will be as far as they will probably want to take it. Knowing ‘the truth,’ knowing they can back it up with logic is enough for them and they do not feel any need to prove it or to go further and demonstrate it to other people, indeed that would not be the INTP way.

Knowing they are right is all the INTP needs and then they can turn their thoughts privately to other logical, and interesting, activities. One INTP friend will only have lunch if it means sitting down with a ‘proper’ knife and fork, with ‘proper’ being the key word for him, obsessed with the ‘right’ ways of doing things and ‘right’ can be defined as what the INTP has concluded after much logical deliberation.

At work with INTP

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Communication and collaboration

INTPs are deep, private and independent, rarely forthcoming, especially emotionally as they don’t really ‘get’ emotions as they are just so logical, and emotions don’t really compute. Getting close to an INTP would take a little time, as although they’re friendly enough, they are quite formal and too much people time, especially if that is small talk or chitchat, would irritate them and they will withdraw. INTPs also love immersing themselves in complex problems, thinking things fully through and coming up with innovative solutions and so in those times, they will rarely surface and may even get annoyed if anyone, as they would see it, ‘intrudes’ on their space and they will close it down. So, this makes INTPs difficult to know, especially initially, as they will relate in sporadic bursts. They certainly won’t relate at a more emotional level and will value rational argument and evidence and dismiss feelings as a bit woolly.

INTPs tend to be full on or full off in that if they’re interested in something they will engage and actually become talkative and animated, often surprising those who have had experienced their minimalistic approach. Debate and discussion, on topics that are of interest will stimulate them, but if it’s more tedious issues they’ll withdraw. They are quite formal and, although they will break rules, that will be other peoples’ rules and they will have a deep set of personal values which if crossed would bring out a very sharp response. They are blunt to the point of being bone-jarringly direct but this is not for its own sake but because they prefer, and demand, absolute clarity and if you ask their opinion, you’ll get it, raw and unvarnished, in the most ‘economic’ way possible, short and to the point.

INTPs like to think things through and chew them over, so if you demand an immediate answer it may well be “no!” They love complexity and seeing patterns in things and will come up with some genuinely ground-breaking innovations. But it all needs to be thought-through and that takes time, and quiet private time at that so any noise or distractions or chatter would interfere with that process would be dealt with, swiftly. They have immense powers of concentration if they are interested in something. Once they have arrived at a decision it will usually be the right one as a great deal of thought will have gone into it. Those less close to the INTP may well see a decision as a snap decision as they won’t have experienced all the effort that has gone into it. It’s like when we learn Math at school and we get the answer right, but the teacher wants to see how we got there, all the workings out, and that’s what you won’t get with the deep thinking, private INTP, but boy when they decide, they decide and get on with it.

INTPs quite like a bit of conflict, not for its own sake but because it clears the air more quickly and means they can get on again, but in private. The idea of endless conversation or skirting round an issue would incense the INTP who doesn’t have time for, as they’d see it, “such niceties,” get it said in the fastest time frame possible and get on. So, is an INTP overly blunt, well, yes, but not to harm anyone or to cause upset, though they wouldn’t really mind if they did as they don’t tune into feelings, that would be a bit of an alien concept to the INTP, it is more about keeping chat to a minimum and not getting distracted. INTPs are also a little sceptical, some say cynical, and too much chat or hanging around would make them think: “what are they after?”

Contribution at work

In a work setting the INTP will use their love and store of knowledge to bring a clear explanation of how and why things happen, using empirical data and evidence, hypotheses and rational thinking. The INTP may not be the most vocal, but when the discussions enter the arena that holds their interest, they will become quite outspoken and very clear thinking. The INTP will be the one who points out the downside, the one who protects the team from self-deception, and the one who can see the follies of ideas quickly and focus the group on a new direction. The INTP is a great critic, and will be blunt in the assessment. Typical pessimists a major concern for the INTP is the scary sense of potential failure and so they are excellent at seeing the potential pitfalls in any plan.

The INTP personality type is superb at analysing problems and evaluating ideas and suggestions so the team is better placed to make balanced decisions, given their serious, unemotional and prudent nature. They have great judgement, discretion and hard headedness. They also see, and are happy to point out, the downside and so protect the team from omissions, errors and heading off in the wrong direction.

High critical thinking ability and a capacity for shrewd judgements that take all factors into account means the INTP is seldom wrong. They are best suited to analysing problems and evaluating ideas and suggestions and weighing up the pro’s and con’s of options. Others may see the INTP as a little dry and over-critical but the INTPs capacity for seeing the flaws can be invaluable to the team.

INTPs need those around them to be proactive and not keep coming to them with questions. They like arguments and actions to be well thought through and will excel at ensuring this is the case.

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