Myers-Briggs® INFP Personality Types and Communication in The Workplace

Communication has an enormous impact on the modern workplace. Not only do people communicate through a variety of media (texts, email, voice mails, phone, and more!) but they also can vary widely in style of communication. Some people are more direct and assertive in expressing themselves, while others are more diplomatic. At times, these differences can cause challenges in the workplace. Dunning (2003) helps teams and individuals streamline workplace communication by drawing connections between Myers-Briggs® personality types and communication styles. Her insights make it easier than ever to anticipate how you can work more effectively and efficiently with others and foster a positive workplace for your team.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If you are an MBTI® INFP—Introverted-Intuitive-Feeing-Perceiving—personality type, then you are what Dunning (2003) calls an “insightful enhancer.” You tend to focus inwards rather than outward, and tend to be highly reflective and sensitive of others’ emotions. When you communicate with others, you are driven by kindness and seeing not just who people are, but also their best attributes. In other words, you tend to see the potential in others. INFPs tend to be flexible, but compassionate problem-solvers who value harmony in the workplace above being “right” per se. On the surface, they may seem quiet or even reserved, but they are constantly taking in the world and especially the people around them. They value long-term, sustainable solutions that will benefit all stake-holders in their own way.  INFPs are sensitive and appreciative of individual differences, and try to meet every person on their own level.

INFPs find it particularly easy to connect with inspirational stories or emotions, and they need one-on-one communication in order to feel truly connected to others. For this reason, making the time to have informal conversations about personal or “real life” topics can go a long way, since they value establishing personal relationships. This can sometimes feel disconcerting to thinking personality types, but the investment is well worth the payoff! INFPs are highly adaptable, catering interactions to each individual. They also have incredible standards for behavior, but lack a large social circle. As a result, they tend to value the relationships that they do have, and to work hard to maintain them in and beyond the workplace.

When they are giving feedback, INFPs tend to give more positive feedback than constructive criticism. They often take critical feedback personally themselves, and therefore find it difficult to impose those feelings on others. In some cases, they may seem overly indirect or even “wishy-washy” – however, they respond fairly well to explicit requests for more information or for more precise instructions. Perhaps the defining feature of INFPs is their tendency to value individual needs and feelings over the success or failure of a task at hand, so when working with them, try to maintain a harmonious environment and be aware that they will work hard to do the same.

Individuals vary widely in their communication style strengths and challenges. Learning these different characteristics allow teams, leaders, and organizations to transform potential stumbling blocks into a valuable stepping stone to improve speed, accuracy, and efficiency for their organization.

Learn to communicate more efficiently by understanding how your personality type best interacts with others with the MBTI test below:

Learn about your conflict-resolution style to help you resolve problems and issues as effectively as possible with the TKI test below:

Reference

1. Introduction to Type and Communication. (Dunning, D. CPP, 2003)

Learn More About the MBTI INFP Personality Type

• Explore our MBTI INFP Personality Type Page

INFP Careers

Click on one of these corresponding popular INFP Careers for detailed information including Career Stats, Income Stats, Daily Tasks and Required Education: Audiovisual Specialist, Broadcast Technician, Craft Artist, Film or Video Editor, Fine Artist, Food Preparation Worker, Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, Occupational Therapist, Proofreader or Copyeditor,Technical Writer.

Explore Our Other INFP Blog Pages:

• Myers-Briggs test INFP Personality Type and Project Management Styles Blog
• Myers-Briggs test INFP Personality Type Emotional Intelligence Blog
• Myers-Briggs test INFP Personality Type and Innovation Blog
• Myers-Briggs test INFP Personality Type and Leadership Blog
• Myers-Briggs test INFP Personality Type and Learning Styles Blog
• Myers-Briggs test INFP Personality Type and Decision-Making Blog

Click On Your Personality Type in The Graph Below & Read About Your Communication Style

Click on a link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types