What Are Some INFJ Strengths and Weaknesses at Work?

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Like all people, INFJs have their strengths and weaknesses. And they manifest themselves differently in different environments. In this post, I’ll talk about INFJ strengths and weaknesses in the workplace. Let’s start with weaknesses.

4 INFJ Weaknesses at Work

1. They can be shy.

   Not all INFJs are shy. In fact, they’re often referred to as extroverted introverts because they can do well making conversation in a group setting. But many of them are shy and even those who aren’t can find themselves in situations that bring out their timidity.
   
   This can be the result of being in a room with too may strangers, having to make small talk with people they’ll only know briefly or superficially, or any number of other situations. In any work setting where shyness is not an asset, this can be a problem for INFJs.
   
   INFJs definitely shouldn’t avoid jobs that involve working with people. INFJs love people and they love working with them. That’s why they make such great counselors and therapists. But I think INFJs should avoid jobs that require a lot of small talk that doesn’t lead anywhere, unless that’s a skill they earnestly seek to improve.
   
   It’s one thing if you’re a counselor getting to know a client through small talk. It’s something else if you have to make small talk with, say, a research participant you may never see again.
   
   Ideally, INFJs should choose jobs where they can talk about their passion all day long or devote themselves wholly to a cause that aligns with their values.That’s when they will truly shine.

2. They have trouble making their needs known.

   If an INFJ doesn’t know how to do something, instead of asking for help, they may ask someone else to do it for them.
   
   Or if an INFJ is stuck in a small office with someone playing music so grating to their ears that it makes them want to punch the wall, they won’t say anything. They’ll just endure it quietly, maybe trying to drown it out with music of their own rather than asking the other person to wear headphones.
   
   I think it’s because INFJs don’t like to bother people that they have trouble asking for help or peace or whatever they need at a given moment.
   
   It’s easier for someone else to do something they already know how to do than for them to teach you. And it’s easier to endure an irritation or find a way around it than to ask the person causing it to stop.
   
   Obviously, this can be a problem. What happens if there’s no one around when you need to do this thing you’ve never learned to do? Or what happens if you take your built-up frustration out on clients, customers, or other coworkers?
   
   INFJs need to get better at speaking up when they need something. Not doing this is an unsafe and inefficient way to function in a work environment.

3. They dislike public recognition.

   When you ask an INFJ who has not been prepared in advance to stand in front of group so you can offer them an award or recognize them for some achievement, this is when you will most likely see them at their most self-conscious.
   
   This is when you’ll see the weird faces and awkward smiles. This is when you’ll hear the incoherent speeches. This is when they’ll most want to seek refuge under their desk or wish they had called in sick that day—and this will be perceptible and most likely uncomfortable to all.
   
   I know our society delights in honoring people in very public ways. But INFJs don’t do what they do to be in the spotlight. They do it because they feel compelled to do it—they feel called to do it. They’re doing it to fulfill their purpose. They don’t feel the need to be recognized for that, publicly or otherwise.
   
   It would be better for workplaces who like to recognize people publicly to consider asking honorees whether they would prefer their recognition in private.
   
   And if that’s not an option, I would ask that they at least let honorees know about the ceremony in advance. Having time to prepare can mean the difference between an awkward smile and a comfortable grin.

4. They don’t take criticism well.

   I cried after receiving my first evaluation at an internship in a research lab in college. My boss claimed that I was being “shy and awkward” around the research participants.
   
   I knew none of them was going to invite me to lunch afterward so they could hear more of my exciting banter or funny stories, but I didn’t think I was doing that badly. And I definitely didn’t think that criticism was warranted considering how hard I tried to be personable.
   
   What I think most bosses don’t understand about INFJs is that we’re already trying our best. We don’t know how to do things halfway. I’ll admit that I was terrible at small talk at first, unaware that it was implicitly required since there was a five-to-ten-minute walk from the parking lot where I met those participants to the lab.
   
   I was very unused to having to make so much small talk with complete strangers, so I’m sure I didn’t look or sound comfortable. And that discomfort did not relax when I had to interact with those participants in the lab.
   
   But, really, I would have preferred to stay in the lab all day, coding or calling new participants. (Can you imagine an INFJ preferring to call someone over doing something else? That’s serious.)
   
   But since the job required me to meet some of the research participants at the parking lot and interact with them, that’s what I did. And I tried to make small talk, getting better over time.
   
   But I would have loved for that to have been acknowledged—in private, of course. I would have loved for my efforts to push myself outside my comfort zone to be acknowledged. I might have been able to handle that criticism better if that had been recognized. But it wasn’t. And so, that criticism stung.
   
   I think we INFJs could benefit from trying not to take criticism too personally. We often take it as a criticism of ourselves as opposed to our behavior. But, even so, I think bosses should also do better at asking first how their employees or interns feel they’re doing. And they should acknowledge their efforts even if they aren’t always successful.
   
   And if they’re going to give criticism, bosses should also offer suggestions on how to improve. It’s not enough to call someone out on a weakness—that’s easy. Anyone can do that. But it would be nice for someone offering this criticism to suggest how the person can do better.

And now onto the strengths.

4 INFJ Strengths at Work

1. They work hard and are usually self-directed.

   INFJs aren’t known to be slackers. They’re not the type to do their work only when the boss is watching. When they’re given a task to do, they do it to the best of their ability—their perfectionistic nature won’t allow anything less.
   
   And they don’t need to be closely supervised. Once they’re aware of their day-to-day tasks, they can direct themselves and make sure their work gets done on time.
   
   Because of these characteristics, they may be annoyed by others who don’t share their focus, commitment, or drive. They may also get annoyed by excessive scrutiny. This is why many INFJs thrive when they work for themselves.
   
   Being their own boss allows them to set their own schedule, move at their own pace, and delegate any jobs they would prefer to avoid. (I haven’t yet met an INFJ who enjoys making phone calls.)

2. They make excellent counselors.

   INFJs may choose to become counselors or therapists because of their compassion, empathy, and sincere desire to help people become their best selves. But even when INFJs are in a role that doesn’t explicitly call for these skills, they may still find themselves becoming a counselor for their boss or coworkers.
   
   If someone is having a bad day or a hard time at home or with a relationship, an INFJ will commonly be called upon for their listening ear. They may also find themselves in the role of peacemaker when there’s an argument or a conflict in the workplace. Their ability to hear all sides while remaining neutral serves well in this position.
   
   True, none of this may be in the INFJ’s job description. But a workplace where people with an issue feel they can be heard without judgment will often be more peaceful and efficient. At the end of the day, heard people are happier people and happier people make better and more productive employees.

3. They have an eye for making improvements.

   When I interned in that research lab I mentioned above, I noticed that, when we went to meet the research participants so we could escort them to the lab, we just stood near the parking lot where they parked, waiting for them. We assumed that they knew anyone standing there was the person they were supposed to meet.
   
   After a few times of doing this, I started to think that if I were them, I would want to see some sort of sign so there was no awkward “Are you the research lab person?” moment. And so, I made a sign. And all that awkwardness was gone.
   
   (Of course, there was still the matter of awkward small talk on the way to the lab, but that’s a separate issue—one that isn’t unique to INFJs, as this article from Introvert Spring explains.)
   
   INFJs want things to run as smoothly as possible and we’re always anticipating other people’s needs. So, we’re good people to have around in any organization that seeks to improve the way it does business—though I imagine startups in particular could benefit from this skill.

4. When they’re passionate about something, many of their weaknesses become unnoticeable.

   Those closest to INFJs will often be surprised at the things they do when they’re involved in a cause they’re passionate about. Then any shyness they have will all but vanish. Then they’ll pick up the phone to call whoever they need to call.
   
   Then they don’t mind making mind-numbing small talk if it will help them get one step closer to accomplishing their goal. Then they might go places and do things that even the bravest amongst us would prefer to avoid.
   
   INFJs may not be the loudest or most assertive presence in the room, but when passion is thrown into the mix, they can become unrecognizable. (But, INFJs, self-care is important even when you’re passionate about something. Take steps to avoid burnout when you find your cause. Too many people are counting on you.)

INFJs are powerful people. Too often we find ourselves in roles where our power isn’t appreciated because we’re judged by criteria that don’t gauge our strengths. It’s important that we INFJs don’t settle until we find ourselves doing what we were created to do. Only then will others see us for the powerful people we are.

Now it’s your turn. What do you find are some INFJ strengths and weaknesses in the workplace?

~ Ashley C.

Last updated: June 23, 2022