We are very independent, therefore we might not always appreciate authority. Personally, I don’t mind authority as long as their rules are logical and beneficial to me. If someone over me is forcing me to do something I think is pointless, harmful, or just not beneficial in any way, I get annoyed because someone else is holding me back from what I could be. That is when I can’t tolerate authority, however I think it is fine as long as they aren’t too controlling.
The only authority INTJs obey is logic and reasoning.
There’s no authority in the INTJ’s mind. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old, junior or senior in rank, doesn’t matter who you are.
We pay no attention to titles or authority. We do what’s honest and what we perceive to be the correct course of action. We have few qualms about challenging authority figures if we think their course of action is wrong. We question the utility of rules. If the rule results or will result in what we think is a good outcome, we’ll follow it. Otherwise… it would almost irk us to leave it unchallenged, the consequences of doing so be damned.
How does an INTJ deal with authority?
We INTJs are some of the best subordinates. We’re smart, observant, attentive, goal and system oriented, and usually very caring. We generally don’t like gossip or petty going-ons.
For competent authority, we’re usually a dream.
For incompetent authority, well, we’re either outta there, or we’ll help the figurehead or puppet destroy themselves with their own incompetence by just encouraging them to keep doing what they are doing x10 to speed up the process. We’ll take up the slack in the work they should be doing as a leader, but discreetly from behind the scenes. If an authority figure is incompetent, it’s best they keep other incompetent people around them so they can keep their head above water by bullying and convincingly pointing their finger at others around them to distract from the real issue coming from the top.
If you know how to lead though, an INTJ is quite possibly the Spock to your Kirk…your very best advocate and true blue friend (just never a yes-man).
I handle it just fine if it’s competent.
If it’s not competent or the rules are stupid, then there are … issues. I’m the sort to use the system against itself. I was the kid who worked the system in high school to make sure I was never in class but was always out of class on some kind of school activity or other. I got so good at it that there were some weeks I could avoid all but maybe a day and a half or so of actual class. I figured I didn’t need to be there so long as my grades stayed up.
I can do the same with incompetent leadership from people too if I have to.
But if I like the system and the people, I am perfectly happy to do what I’m directed.