Myers-Briggs Type Inventory

Type: INFP-T

Personality: Mediator

“Mediators are poetic, kind, and altruistic people,

always eager to help a good cause.”
Introduction:

Although they may seem quiet or unassuming, Mediators (INFPs) have vibrant, passionate inner
lives. Creative and imaginative, they happily lose themselves in daydreams, inventing all sorts of
stories and conversations in their minds. These personalities are known for their sensitivity –
Mediators can have profound emotional responses to music, art, nature, and the people around
them.

Idealistic and empathetic, Mediators long for deep, soulful relationships, and they feel called to
help others. But because this personality type makes up such a small portion of the population,
Mediators may sometimes feel lonely or invisible, adrift in a world that doesn’t seem to
appreciate the traits that make them unique.

Strengths:

 Empathetic – Mediators don’t just care about other people in an abstract sense. These
personalities can actually feel another person’s emotions, from joy and elation to sorrow
and regret. Because of this sensitivity, Mediators tend to be thoughtful and kindhearted,
and they hate the idea of hurting anyone, even unintentionally.

 Generous – Mediators rarely enjoy succeeding at other people’s expense. They feel
called to share the good things in their lives, give credit where it’s due, and uplift the
people around them. These personalities want to contribute to a world where every voice
is heard and no one’s needs go unmet.

 Open-Minded – Tolerant and accepting, Mediators try not to judge anyone else’s beliefs,
lifestyles, or decisions. This is a personality type that prefers compassion to fault-finding,
and many Mediators feel empathy even for those who have done wrong. Because they’re
so accepting, Mediators often become confidants for their friends and loved ones – and
occasionally for total strangers.

 Creative – Mediators love to see things from unconventional perspectives. Few things
give them more pleasure than allowing their minds to wander through all sorts of ideas
and possibilities and daydreams. It’s no wonder, then, that many Mediators are drawn to
creative pursuits – or that this personality type is well represented among writers and
artists.

 Passionate – When an idea or movement captures their imagination, Mediators want to

give their whole heart to it. People with this personality type may not always be
outspoken, but that doesn’t diminish their strong feelings for a cause that speaks to their
beliefs and convictions.
  Idealistic – Mediators strive to follow their conscience, even when doing the right thing
isn’t easy or convenient. They rarely lose sight of their desire to live a meaningful,
purpose-filled life – one that helps others and leaves the world a better place.

Weaknesses:

 Unrealistic – Nothing in this world is perfect – and that can be a difficult truth for
Mediators to accept. People with this personality type can be hopeless romantics, with
rose-colored visions of what their lives should be like. This can set Mediators up for
disappointment when reality inevitably falls short of their dreams.

 Self-Isolating – Mediators long to connect with others, but they don’t always know how.
Especially in new environments, Mediators may be reluctant to put themselves out there
in ways that would help them make new friends or become involved in a new
community. As a result, people with this personality type may sometimes feel lonely or
isolated.

 Unfocused – Mediators’ imaginative, introspective nature doesn’t always lend itself to

productivity. Many Mediators get frustrated by how difficult they find it to buckle down
and get things done. The problem isn’t that they are incapable – rather, it’s that they run
into problems when they become so caught up in different ideas and ideals that they fail
to commit to a course of action.

 Emotionally Vulnerable – The emotional attunement of these personalities is among

their greatest strengths. But unless Mediators establish boundaries, they can be at risk of
absorbing other people’s negative moods or attitudes.

 Desperate to Please – Conflict tends to be stressful for Mediators, who yearn for
harmony and acceptance. When someone dislikes or disapproves of them, these
personalities may become fixated on trying to clear the air and change that person’s
mind. Unfortunately, Mediators’ desire to please others can drain their energy, eclipsing
their inner wisdom and their awareness of their own needs.

 Self-Critical – Mediators believe in their unique potential, and they desperately want to
live up to it. But this can cause them to have unrealistic expectations for themselves.
When Mediators fail to live up to these visions, they may accuse themselves of being
useless or selfish or woefully inadequate. Taken too far, this self-criticism can discourage
Mediators, leading them to give up on even their dearest dreams.
Careers:
Many Mediators (INFPs) long for a career that doesn’t just take care of the bills but also feels
fulfilling. They want to spend their days doing something they genuinely love, preferably
without too much stress or drama.
Ever the idealists, Mediators might struggle to find a profession that meets their practical
needs and fulfills their dreams. These personalities may drift in frustration, waiting for the
perfect job to present itself and eventually feeling stuck or worried that they’re not living up to
their potential.
Alas, there’s no such thing as a perfect job, and the question of whether to settle for a less-than-
ideal position can weigh heavily on people with this personality type. Fortunately, Mediators’
creativity, independence, and sincere desire to connect with and help others can help them shine
– and find fulfillment – in nearly any line of work.
Certain careers and vocations seem to hold a special allure for these personalities. With their
curiosity and their love of self-expression, many Mediators dream of becoming writers. They
might write novels, seek out interesting freelance niches, or even find themselves doing
communications in a corporate field or for a nonprofit organization. Richly imaginative,
Mediators can infuse even the driest of fundraising or marketing materials with new life.
Although this personality type isn’t known for seeking the spotlight, other Mediators find their
life purpose in the performing arts. These Mediators can draw from their inner depths to pull out
exquisite interpretations of a creator’s work. They may also create their own works as
playwrights, composers, or choreographers.
Whatever they do, Mediators want to feel that their work is helping others. It’s not surprising,
then, that many people with this personality type choose careers that are focused on service, such
as counseling, psychology, teaching, health care, social work, massage therapy, or physical
rehabilitation. For these caring, supportive personalities, few things are more meaningful than
seeing their work help change someone’s life for the better. Mediators are adaptable, but they
may find it demotivating to work in high-stress, bureaucratic, or hectic environments. They can
also become frustrated by workplaces that are highly critical or competitive. Workplaces that
reward independence tend to be a good fit for Mediators, although they may appreciate some
structure and oversight to help them avoid procrastinating and getting lost in thought.
That said, Mediators don’t need ideal conditions to thrive professionally. These personalities
want to live in tune with their values, in their careers as much as in any other aspect of their
lives. They can put up with – and overcome – any number of challenges as they pursue a sense of
mission in their work.
Workplace Habits:
Mediators (INFPs) want to feel a sense of purpose in their work. Wherever they find themselves
on the job ladder, they try to cultivate an emotional and moral connection to what they do –
looking for reassurance that their day-to-day efforts are helping other people in some shape or
form. This desire to be of service colors how Mediator personalities respond to authority in the
workplace as well as how they express it.
As employees, Mediators tend to be loyal, upbeat, and considerate. They take pride in being
honest and doing the right thing in all circumstances. People with this personality type also feel
gratified by pleasing others, from their bosses to their customers. Mediators feel most motivated
when they’re thinking up ways to help others, not worrying about checklists or bottom lines.
This explains why praise and positive feedback can make them light up. On the flip side,
criticism can lead these personalities to shut down. When faced with punishing expectations or a
highly negative boss, they may find it hard to get things done. Add the distraction of a constantly
ringing phone or an overflowing inbox, and you have a recipe for a seriously stressed out
Mediator.
Mediator employees enjoy having freedom and latitude. Their creativity and insight enable them
to shake up old, ineffective ways of doing things – as long as they’re given the chance to speak
up and make changes. That said, they tend to benefit from deadlines and clear expectations to
keep them on track. Otherwise, people with this personality type might get caught up in
procrastination, bouncing from one idea to another rather than settling down and crossing tasks
off their to-do list.
Mediators value equality and fairness, so it’s no surprise that they can feel stifled by workplace
hierarchies. They prefer professional environments where everyone feels valued and is
encouraged to share their ideas – no matter their job title. As colleagues, Mediators do what they
can to make this ideal a reality.
In their quiet way, Mediators can become the glue that holds their workplace together. Although
their voice might not be the loudest, they are often admired for their insight, with coworkers
routinely coming to them for advice. Pleasant and kindhearted, Mediators don’t like conflict,
drama, or workplace politics. Instead, they try to act in ways that foster harmony and
cooperation. When someone needs help, Mediators tend to pitch in without any expectation of
praise or recognition.
As managers, Mediators are among the personality types least likely to act as if they’re in charge.
They respect their employees as full-fledged human beings, not just as workers. Rather than
make all the decisions themselves, Mediators often ask to hear their employees’ thoughts and
opinions.
In general, people with this personality type don’t micromanage. Instead, they keep their eyes on
the big picture. They see it as their responsibility to support their employees, not to tell them
exactly what to do and how to do it. Whenever possible, they encourage the people who work for
them to develop their own ideas and use their own best judgment.
There is a downside to this management style. Sometimes Mediators may struggle to set
boundaries, drill down on inefficiencies, or offer criticism, even when it’s necessary. This can
slow down their team and create needless stress, both for Mediators and for their employees. At
times, managers with this personality type may need to be strict for the good of their team – and
the workplace as a whole.
Conclusion:
Few personality types are as poetic and kindhearted as Mediators (INFPs). With their unique
gifts, Mediators can overcome all sorts of challenges and obstacles – and brighten the lives of
those around them in the process.
Yet Mediators can be tripped up in areas where idealism and altruism are more of a liability than
an asset. When it comes to finding (or keeping) a partner, making friends, pursuing a meaningful
career, or planning for the future, people with this personality type may need to consciously
develop their weaker traits and gain new skills – even as they draw on their many strengths.