A Comparison of Styles

Donna Dunning's book, What's Your Type of Career?, describes leadership characteristics for all the types.

Here is a comparison of INFJ vs. INFP characteristics:

INFJs INFPs
  • Advocate for developing human potential
  • Focus on interpersonal relationships
  • Integrate all perspectives
  • Motivate and validate others
  • Work hard to create harmonious and functional work groups
  • Avoid using power and authority
  • Lead by example
  • Accommodate and cooperate rather than command
  • Connect with others on a personal and individual basis
  • Encourage others to do their best
  • See leadership as an ethical role that requires authenticity
  • Do not enjoy politics or respect positions of power
  • Do not command or direct others
  • Are supportive

Donna also describes Team Member characteristics for all the types.

Here is a comparison of INFJ vs. INFP characteristics:

INFJs INFPs
  • Are warm
  • Are actively supportive
  • Take on and complete more than their share of duties
  • Are careful to validate and appreciate others
  • Have difficulty accepting critical feedback presented logically
  • Struggle to not react strongly if others seem uncaring or cold
  • Are accommodating and positive
  • Do not work well in an environment of personal conflict
  • See situations from multiple perspectives
  • Are good at linking people and finding common ground
  • Often play the role of mediator or conciliator
  • Are supportive of team members
  • Appreciate others by listening carefully
  • Create a positive team environment
  • Expect the best from others
  • Are positive, optimistic, and somewhat idealistic
  • May avoid interpersonal conflict
  • Strive to maintain harmony
  • Can personalize feedback

I can't help noticing how the list for INFJs is significantly longer than the list for INFPs.  I'm not sure how to interpret the meaning of that.  Please don't blame me -- I just copied it verbatim from Donna's book.  I almost censored it and didn't include it for that reason, but that didn't feel right either.  So there it is.

In spite of that anomaly, I really love Donna's work.  I think this is my favorite Type book for looking at careers, and she's written a number of other Type books that are noteworthy.  So please don't judge her solely on the basis of this.

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