This question was anonymously pulled from the catacombs of Quora and dropped into my request box.
Let’s give it some thought. From a functional sense, only 2 MBTI types utilize introverted intuition as their primary attribute. INFJ has extroverted feeling as the their outward means of expression, whereas an INTJ relies on extroverted thinking.
To dive a little deeper into the structure that conspires to create an INTJs uniqueness, introverted feeling and extraverted sensing both influence and support the higher tier of personality traits.
Sometimes they all work together, sometimes they are no so in synch.
Both of these qualities bring out special characteristics that INTJs exhibit that all of the other types can only dream of ever fully understanding.
When an INTJ has a moment of revelation and the pattern, or message, or answer emerges from the fog they have been putting a lot of mental effort into clearing? They lock on to it and accept that as some kind of self-defining purpose. Doesn’t matter if anybody else understands it. Doesn’t matter if anybody else agrees with it. Doesn’t matter if it goes against everything that matters to anybody. Doesn’t matter how anybody else feels about it. All that matters is that the dots were all connected and something with undeniable substance has emerged.. The INTJ has found a purpose. Something to plan. Something to work towards. Something to believe in. And, that is what motivates their every thought or action. The vision that comes from within is what drives them. In their minds, while humanity skates along distracted, confused, and wasting their time on trivial persuits, internally the INTJ believes they understand things to the greatest of depths and clarity. They know the pieces fit. They see the picture. They know both, what they are doing, and why they are doing it.
And, this can also be a huge problem. The INTJ can be very dismissive of those who don’t get it. They can be extremely absorbed within their own heads to the point that all the world sees is narcissism and a cynical nature. To stop and cater to the petty insecurities of others would be a waste of time! A distraction. Inefficient. I have things to do. Problems to solve. Connections to make. Not my fault you don’t get it! Just trust me.. I know exactly what I am doing. You will thank me for it. No.. I’m not going to explain it.. no time for that. And, this mentality only makes things worse.
All of that pride and stubborn independence is perceived as a selfish agenda. But, what can’t be seen, or is never said.. is that what truly motivates the INTJ to be the demanding, cold, distant, robotic overachiever that they come across as being. Their pursuits are the outward expression of the warmth of their heart. They so vehemently want to make the world a better place for the few that matter to them, and, yes.. even for the benefit of the endless multitudes of confused, distracted, and aimlessly wandering people that it often pains them acknowledge.
INTJs are forward thinkers (problem solvers), guided by an internal drive to accomplish great things for those they care about, in ways that only matter to them, for reasons only the INTJ can rationally make any sense of. They measure their worth by their ability to provide stability (in a physical sense). No fluffy emotions. No false platitudes. No manipulation games. No wasted time second guessing everything. No distractions by being pulled in any direction away from where their intuition leads and their core beliefs guide. Extraverted thinking is communicating the plan. Extraverted sensing is keeping things on track.
And, if you don’t get it, that’s fine. Just don’t be upset when I step around you. In my mind, I have things to accomplish. If you can gain my trust, I will put you on my shoulders and we can get there together. After all, I need somebody on my team who can vouch for my sanity!
INTJs are very difficult to distract. They know what they want. They know what makes sense to themselves. They know what they are doing. They are pretty decent at updating and modifying plans as things change, or new information is added, or efficiency is gained by cutting cords to anchors.
The true gift is.. a mature and healthy INTJ knows how to recognize a dead end road when they see it, and they don’t ever make the same mistake twice. They wont even be tempted. They don’t waste time on things that don’t matter.