Myers-Briggs: An Overview of the Personality Types

This article will be about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test by diving into the subject of psychology, particularly the area of individual differences. With information on the traits of the sixteen personality types, find out your type at the end.

Analyst types

Analysts refer to the Intuitive (N) and Thinking (T) trait combinations. People within this group are rational, critical and strategic in their approach to things.

INTJ – The Architect

This type has the following combination of traits – Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Logical and analytical	Too much of a perfectionist
Quick and decisive	Arrogant or judgemental
Hardworking and determined	Intolerant
Open-minded and imaginative	Prone to overthinking
Extremely independent and confident	Insecure INTJs will manipulate and put others down

INTP – The Logician

This type has the following combination of traits – Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Flexible thinkers with a unique approach to life	Uncertainty of their ability and overthinking
Laid-back and easy-going but enthusiastic about their interests	Absent-mindedness
Values intellect over emotion	Sometimes brutal and impatient when driving their point home
Highly objective and logical	Tends to be judgemental and condescending
Quiet, reserved and considerate	Can become socially withdrawn

ENTJ – The Commander

This type has the following combination of traits – Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Decisive and proactive with no hesitation	Holds everyone to the same high standards as themselves
Motivated and organised	Can be impatient with self and others
Articulate, quick-witted and direct	They can come off as arrogant with their blunt remarks
Social with great leadership skills	Intolerant of differing opinions
Self-assured and assertive	Stubborn and overly dominant

ENTP – The Debater

This type has the following combination of traits – Extroverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Perceiving

Strengths	Weaknesses
Friendly, quick-witted excellent conversationalist	People pleaser
Confident, creative and eager to voice ideas	Insensitive
Analytical and craves knowledge	Unfocused
Independent and innovative	Doesn’t like to be controlled, dislikes routines
Enjoys debating	Argumentative

Diplomat types

This refers to combining Intuitive (N) and Feeling (F) traits. These people love to help and support others. They really do care for others, showing qualities such as altruism and compassion towards others – striving to make the world a better place.

INFJ – The Advocate

This type has the following combination of traits – Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Intellectual, organised and hardworking	They think they are superior
Compassionate with an idealistic and inspiring view of the world	Overly sensitive and prone to mood swings
Altruistic and passionate	Aren’t appreciated for who they are
Principled, humanist and logical	Very private and conflict-averse
Quiet, reserved and conscientious	A perfectionist who always needs to be busy – prone to burnout

INFP – The Mediator

This type has the following combination of traits – Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Logical, poetic and altruistic view of the world	Difficulty with failing and disappointments
Extremely empathetic, sensitive and caring nature	Neglects own wants and needs, bottles
Value inner peace and personal growth for themselves and others	Self-conscious, overthinkers
Ability to expertly and sincerely understand emotions	Vulnerable to manipulation (too compassionate)
Reserved and individualistic	Sometimes struggles to speak about themselves

ENFJ – The Protagonist

This type has the following combination of traits – Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Caring, patient and empathetic	Too sensitive
Charismatic and inspiring	Fluctuating self-esteem
An enthusiastic and idealistic view of the world	Too idealistic
Reliable and natural leaders	Sometimes struggles with the big decisions
Altruistic and selfless	Too selfless

ENFP – The Campaigner

This type has the following combination of traits – Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic	Poor practical skills
People-centred, caring and a friend to all	Cannot focus and struggle with following through
Big-picture thinkers	Overthinkers and sensitive to criticism, people pleasers
Flexible	Easily overwhelmed
Craves stability, security and creativity	Can overlook details

Sentinel types

Sentinels refer to the group of personalities with Sensing (S) and Judging (J) combination. These people are realistic, grounded and genuine team players. They are self-assured and are proud of their character and ability.

ISTJ – The Logistician

This type has the following combination of traits – Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging type.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Responsible, reserved and realistic	Shifts blame onto themselves or others
A practical and systematic approach to tasks	Prone to a toxic arrogance
Direct, honest and strong-willed	Can seem insensitive
Calm, orderly and lives in the present	Can be stubborn
Rule, law and tradition-orientated	Resistant to change

ISFJ – The Defender

This type has the following combination of traits – Introverted, Sensing, Feeling and Judging type.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Warm, considerate and gentle – true altruists	Too altruistic
Hardworking and excellent practical skills	Takes on too much work
Patient, loyal, supportive and honest	Neglect own needs
Enthusiastic	Resistant to change
Very observant	Sensitive to critisism

ESTJ – The Executive

This type has the following traits: Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking and Judging.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Outgoing, direct and strong-willed	Judgemental
Loyal, reliable and honest	Misunderstand others and can be misunderstood
Great leadership skills and high standards	Too focused on social status
Committed to rules, traditions and laws – love organisation	Uncomfortable with unconventional situations – inflexible and stubborn
Analytical, systematic and efficient in work	Difficulty expressing emotion and relaxing

ESFJ – The Consultant

This type has the following combination of traits – Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Judging type.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Friendly, outgoing and reliable	Too concerned about social status
A conscientious, organised and practical approach to life	Inflexible in routine and values
A powerful sense of duty with strong practical skills	Too altruistic
Excellent at connecting with people	Often too needy
Sensitive and warm	Vulnerable to criticism

Explorer types

Explorers refer to the trait combination of Sensing (S) and Perceiving (P). These people tend to be self-reliant and adaptable, mainly thriving in uncertain stressful situations, using their problem-solving skills and logic.

ISTP – The Virtuoso

This type has the following traits: Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Independent, spontaneous and action-orientated	Prone to risky behaviours
Logical and rational view on life	Stubborn
Excellent ability to prioritise	Reluctant to step out
Energetic and creative	Easily bored
Relaxed and living in the moment type	Dislikes commitment

ISFP – The Adventurer

These are the Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving types.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Caring, loyal and sensitive	Sensitive of others
Idealistic and perceptive view of life	Easily bored
Charming and passionate	Fluctuating self-esteem
Spontaneous but rational	Prone to stress
Flexible	Unpredictable

ESTP – The Entrepreneur

This type has the following traits: Extroverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.

Strengths	Weaknesses
Outgoing, energetic and confidence	Impatient
Analytical, practical and resourceful approach to life	Insensitive
Direct, bold and spontaneous nature	Prone to risk-taking
Flexibility	No routine
Sociable	Hates commitment

ESFP – The Entertainer

This is the Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving type

Strengths	Weaknesses
Friendly, active and enthusiastic	Sensitive
Bold, spontaneous and vibrant	Conflict-avoidant
Courageous and supportive	Always too busy
Great interpersonal skills and showmanship	Hates thinking long term
Good leaders	Easily bored

The next steps

Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Personality test here and find your Myers-Briggs personality type! Find out more about the scientists behind Myers-Briggs and the history of personality tests here. If you want to read a breakdown of the traits and format of the personality types, read here.

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