The concept of leadership brings to mind ideas of extroverted, charismatic people instructing others on how to get the job done. But contrary to what many people think, different personality types can be successful leaders. The INFP personality is often a reluctant leader, but they can excel in certain leadership roles. What is the leadership style of this Myers-Briggs introverted personality type?

INFPs usually employ a democratic or laissez-faire type of leadership strategy. They lead by inspiration and treat their followers with warmth, compassion, and respect. They are often reluctant to take leadership roles. Still, They will do so when they are passionate about the mission that needs a captain.

INFPs are also called Mediators, Healers, and Thoughtful Idealists. They are not typically outgoing or assertive, and almost 40% say they don’t seek leadership roles. When they find themselves in these roles, they seldom fit the profile of a traditional leader. They are idealistic, gentle, imaginative, empathetic, and committed, an unusual combination of leadership traits.

A Comprehensive Explanation Of The INFP Leadership Style

To understand any personality type’s leadership style or any other role they may play in society, you need to get into their heads to understand their thinking, emotions, and the lens they use to view the world. So, what makes an INFP tick?

An INFP’s personality traits fall into these four major MBTI types: Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

Introverts recharge their emotional batteries by spending time alone. The N refers to intuition, meaning they focus more on concepts and ideas than on facts or details. INFPs base their decisions on their feelings and values. The P represents perceiving, which tells us they prefer spontaneity and flexibility over planning and organization.

They tend to be quiet, have vivid imaginations, and are open-minded. What they do, they approach with a creative and caring attitude.

INFPs are non-judgemental and willing to listen to others’ stories and opinions. They are empathetic, always wanting to make the world a better place, and desire deep, meaningful relationships in all their environments or spheres of influence. They’re well-tuned into their own emotions and thoughts and have a deep longing to understand why others behave the way they do.

INFPs find their sense of purpose and direction when they have the opportunity to help and uplift others. They operate with a quiet belief in always doing the right thing, which inspires those around them with similar values to get alongside them in their missions.

The INFP Communication Style

INFPs communicate in a quiet, gentle, and encouraging way. They are typically good listeners and try to communicate in the same style as the person they’re conversing with to achieve maximum relatability. They love to play with different ideas and options and are talented at developing flexible and creative solutions to problems.

INFPs appreciate others sharing their ideas and are happy to collaborate. However, they may be reserved in sharing their own ideas and values if they don’t know people very well.

The INFP Leadership Model

Now that we understand more about the INFP’s character traits, their leadership styles will make more sense. The way we live our lives and everything we say and do wells up from who we are inside.

Facets Of INFP Leadership

A broad overview of different facets of an INFP leadership style can be summarized as follows:

  • INFPs lead by giving suggestions about what needs to be done.
  • They provide thoughts and insights about people, principles, and values and are committed and compassionate.
  • INFPs value harmony, vision, collaboration, adaptability, and creativity in a leadership position.
  • They make decisions based on the human aspects of situations and their relationship with others.
  • INFPs project a leadership style that is facilitative, calm, observant, empathetic, inspired, and value-driven.
  • They find satisfaction in creative communication.
  • INFPs place a high value on affirming others and allowing them to grow to their full potential.
  • They try to minimize conflict by paying close attention to what others say and think.

What INFPs Show First In A New Leadership Role

INFPs have a great desire for good relationships, so when they enter a new leadership role, they immediately indicate their concern and support for others in the group. They help them see their potential and find opportunities to use their talents for future growth.

INFP Leadership In The Workplace

INFPs are the least likely of all leaders to behave as if they are in charge. They value and treat their employees as human beings, not just minions. When it comes to decision-making, Mediators ask for their employees’ ideas and opinions.

INFPs don’t believe in micromanaging. They keep their eyes on the end goal and view their responsibility as playing a supporting role to the workers rather than telling them what to do and how to go about it. They aim to encourage their employees to be creative and use their judgment. They are open-minded and flexible and equip their people to do the job autonomously.

Because Mediators are so people-oriented, they are very diplomatic, always try to be fair, and solve problems quickly and positively.

INFPs are usually good at finding imaginative solutions to interpersonal issues. They desire harmonious relationships and always try to compromise or get their employees to compromise and accommodate others. However, they often find it difficult to confront people and ignore the problem, hoping it will disappear.

INFPs are not typically considered logical. But they are quite logical when it comes to understanding why an employee behaves in a specific way and finding the best way to deal with it.

INFPs are unstoppable leaders when they are passionate about something. They are value- and principle-driven individuals. Their desire for and fulfillment in a leadership role has nothing to do with wealth, fame, or status. Instead, their payoff comes when they can help people and make the world, their workplace, or the lives of others a better place.

When they work for a cause close to their hearts, they add a quiet determination to their principal role. INFP leaders are successful when they lead a team of like-minded people with the same vision and values who are committed to the same end goals. They lead by inspiration, encouraging their team and envisioning them.

INFPs And Character Strengths

Each person has strengths and weaknesses which affect their everyday lives, including their leadership roles. Let’s look at the INFP’s character strengths:

  • INFPs are empathetic and can feel another person’s emotions, from joy to sorrow. Their sensitivity makes them mindful of hurting others, so they always try to be considerate and kindhearted.
  • Mediators are generous and don’t enjoy success at others’ expense. They believe in giving credit where it is deserved and do their best to uplift others around them.
  • INFPs are tolerant, accepting, and open-minded. They try not to judge others’ lifestyles and beliefs.
  • INFPs are creative, enjoy being innovative and unconventional when working at something, and tend to daydream.
  • Mediators can be passionate. When a cause captures their interest, they apply their entire being to bring it to fulfillment.
  • INFPs are idealistic. They always do the right thing and follow their conscience, no matter how difficult or inconvenient. Their aim is always to live a purpose-driven life for the benefit of others.

How Their Strengths Influence Their Leadership

INFPs establish an optimistic and warm working environment. They encourage and receive valuable feedback and constructive criticism. INFPs also inspire their employees or followers to support and encourage one another and others outside the team.

What Are The Weaknesses Of Mediators?

Sometimes the very things that are strengths in a person’s character have a flip side that can act as weaknesses in other situations. What are the INFP’s weaknesses?

  • INFPs can be unrealistic. As idealists, it is sometimes hard to accept that nothing and nobody is perfect and that situations don’t always work out the way they envision. This weakness also finds some of its roots because INFPs are daydreamers.
  • They are self-isolating. Although Mediators desire strong connections with others, as introverts, they can be socially awkward, not knowing how to do this in new environments. So their instinct is to withdraw, resulting in a certain amount of loneliness.
  • Mediators can be unfocused. Their introspective, creative minds don’t always facilitate productivity. They get so caught up in ideas and choices that they struggle to commit to a final plan.
  • INFPs can be emotionally vulnerable. Their empathy and care sometimes cause them to get bogged down by the problems and moods of others if they don’t set boundaries in relationships.
  • Mediators are people-pleasers. They hate conflict and long for peace and acceptance. When someone disapproves of them, they could become obsessed with trying to fix the problem. This can be very draining for them.
  • INFPs are usually their own harshest critics. They have exceptionally high expectations of themselves. When they don’t achieve these goals, they become very self-critical, believing they are totally inadequate. Sometimes they give up on their dreams due to these thoughts.

How Their Weaknesses Affect Their Leadership

Employees and followers love that their leaders appreciate and do their utmost to support them. It feels good when they all have their say and do things their own way. It builds rapport with the INFP leader too. Everybody loves a people-pleaser until it hinders the job that needs to be done.

INFPs’ superiors sometimes become unhappy when they allow too much flexibility regarding procedures and policies and don’t take action against rule-breakers. It can cause a lack of accountability and less-than-perfect tasks being submitted.

Mediators often fail to set boundaries, highlight mistakes and inefficiencies, or give constructive criticism where needed. This weakness can cause a lack of productivity and slow the team’s progress. It can also lead to frustration among team members, INFP leaders, and their superiors.

Ideal Career Paths For INFP Leaders

Most people want to succeed in their careers, although not everyone aspires to leadership. Unfortunately for such INFPs in the working world, progressing usually means accepting some leadership roles. As we’ve seen, INFPs have many good leadership qualities, but our Mediators will flourish more in some settings than others.

INFPs would suit leadership positions such as an art director, film director, lead animator in a film studio, head librarian, school principal, or lead scientific researcher. The field they work in is their passion, the position utilizes their creativity, and they motivate fellow creatives with the same vision towards their ultimate goals. Many INFPs work in helping professions or creative occupations.

There are many more fields and careers suited to INFPs, such as:

  • Arts, design, and communication field: Fine artist, graphic designer, fashion designer, editor, film editor, writer, PR specialist
  • Community and social services: Mental health counselor, school counselor, social worker, community service manager
  • Business and management: Human resources manager, training and development manager, fundraiser
  • Science and health care: Chiropractor, nutritionist, psychologist, genetic counselor, occupational therapist, veterinarian
  • Education and library: Archivist, curator, elementary school teacher, professor or college lecturer, special education teacher

Careers INFP Leaders Should Avoid

With their caring and empathetic natures, INFP leaders would not find fulfillment in the following career paths:

  • Military officer
  • Police officer
  • Sales manager
  • Dentist
  • Engineering technician
  • Financial manager
  • Auditor
  • Judge
  • An electrician or other tradesman

An Interesting Observation About INFPs

INFPs are open-minded, tolerant, and adaptable. Often they seem to just go with the flow. It is a quality that is sometimes criticized, especially in leaders, as people may believe that this personality type is easily manipulated.

But INFPs’ values and beliefs are rock-solid and also very in tune with other people’s thoughts and feelings, to the extent that they can easily see when others try to manipulate them. When they readily agree to do as others request, it is not because they have no minds of their own. Instead, the actual choice is of no consequence to them.

They don’t mind being influenced in small everyday matters, but they are immovable regarding things that violate their morals and values. So while it appears that they’re easily influenced, their cooperation is based on their own decisions about what is truly important. One could sum it up by saying they pick their battles.

Final Thoughts

INFPs are usually reluctant leaders, preferring to work on their own. However, they make great leaders in certain environments. Their love for people and passion for leading a group that makes the world a better space for others is their ultimate leadership position. The world might indeed be a better place if more INFPs took over its government.

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