Visionaries

[mkgal1]

This is a basic description I've seen:

Take great care to nurture their imagination and mind’s eye carefully.

Spend their lives following their dreams and seeking to bring them into reality.

Have the quality of strong conviction.

Open to new ideas.

Focus not on what is, but on what could be or what ought to be.

Are Persistent.

Are highly sensitive. (this sensitivity results in extra information being accessible to visionaries that others to not have access to. Thus, the mark of a true visionary is that they can often see what others cannot.)

Something that I found about the openness to new ideas:

Visionaries typically exercise a low degree of deference to convention, historical precedent, or authorities within their fields. While they seek to know as much as possible within their fields, they don’t defer to the judgments of the existing authorities within their fields.

By ignoring or purposeful violating norms with their respective disciplines, visionaries are able to experiment and try things that others overlook or aren’t willing to challenge. As a result of their willingness to experiment and try things, visionaries often are in the best position to make “breakthrough” creative discoveries or happy accidents.

Does this description fit any of you? Someone you know (even married to)?

One thing I've noticed---visionaries seem to create a clash with others that don't have these traits....and I wonder why? Is it a resistance to change? Moving outside of "how other people do things"? Or what?

 

[mkgal1]

I also found this:

NFs are introspective, intuitive and highly idealistic. They are subjective, compassionate "feeler" people that desire to contribute goodness and meaning to the lives of others. They are effective at doing this through their nurturing, insightful and encouraging nature. NFs despise conflict. They will do everything they can to make sure their loved ones get along with each other and are happy. NFs are imaginitive, creatively inclined and passionate about their choice causes.~http://www.mypersonality.info/personality-types/nf-temperament/

and this (I've heard people mention the different personality types....but this is all kind of new to me...it's interesting):

INFJs want to maintain harmony in their relationships and are highly motivated to resolve conflicts. They tend to be creative problem-solvers and look for the emotional core of an issue to create a meeting of the minds. Although they desire cooperation, they are not willing to go along with an idea that does not feel authentic to them. When it comes to their core values and ethics, they are unwilling to compromise.

INFJs want a high degree of intimacy and emotional engagement, and are happiest when they feel they are sharing their innermost thoughts and feelings with their mates. INFJs value a partner who respects their deeply held values and ethics, and one who appreciates their creativity and inspiration.



Read more: The INFJ Personality Type in Relationships | Truity http://www.truity.com/personality-type/infj/relationships#ixzz3Opi8FHDu
Follow us: @truitylabs on Twitter

Hmm.....that last link calls the ENTP the visionary. Now I'm confused--LOL.

Idealist. That seems to be the common term: http://www.keirsey.com/4temps/idealist_overview.asp

 

[Inkachu]

I'm an INFJ and it is extremely difficult to relate to others most of the time, or have them relate to me. It's an exhausting life lol.

I fit into most of the description of the "visionary", but not all. The "J" in INFJ stands for judging, which means we don't quickly dismiss existing rules or authorities as seems to be indicated in the "visionary" description. We're intuitive, so we follow our guts, but we place a lot of value on respecting authority and weighing between what's established and what's possible.

 

[Annessa3]

does categorizing folks really do any good?

 

[Inkachu]

It can be good or bad, I think. For those of us who feel like weird freaks, finding out that there was a name for my personality (INFJ) and that my personailty traits could be defined and understood, was a total breakthrough for me. It still is. Whenever I feel like a freak of nature, I can go back and read about INFJ's and remind myself that there are others like me, someone gets it, someone understands, I'm not a complete weirdo who makes no sense.

I think that's what we're all searching for in life; some more than others. A sense of belonging, of being validated, a reassurance that we're not just messed-up mistakes floating around the universe.

But at the same time, I see your point, Annessa. We ARE a label-obsessed culture as well. What our society considers "normal" is becoming more and more narrow, and allowing for less and less variation. I hate that.

 

[mkgal1]

does categorizing folks really do any good?

This question made me have to stop to think, because I HATE categorizing people--so I wondered why I agreed with this personality typing (like Inka is saying---it is sort of relief ).

I think the difference is that the typical way of categorizing people is done based on external things without knowing much more than just a few facts (like...."he goes to that conservative church down the road"), but this is the other way around (it's getting to know specific things about an individual's personality). One way is taking a short cut (where lots is missed and wrongly assumed)....and the other is based on a person's own self-understanding.

I think.

From what I understand.....personality typing isn't to determine what a person will do (how they'll react), but just what their tendencies are.

 

[Inkachu]

Yeah, there are positive and negative ways to "categorize" people. Lumping folks into a stereotype isn't productive. But learning to understand various personalities can be.

 

[Annessa3]

but can reading these personality types help you 'understand' if you aren't in that category? I guess I think of it as like astrology, where you can look at your sign's horoscope and find things that are true for you (nevermind mind that each facet is true for everyone in some degree.....)
just seems like if someone takes that test and reveals their 'type', then you extrapolate lots ,ore of what you've read onto them.

 

[mkgal1]

I only really began reading about this certain way of personality typing yesterday (and only because I wanted to look up the traits of a "visionary/idealist"). I think there are others that know a LOT more about it than me (Inka, for example).....but, I don't think it's general enough to look at a certain type and see yourself in it (extrapolating what you want---if that's what you mean), if it's not truly your type (it's more specific than that). It's not cut & dry, either---it's more about tendencies. I liked how that one site has the basic category of "idealists" being a group of four personality types....this one: Keirsey Temperament Website - Portrait of the Idealist® (NF)

 

[ValleyGal]

Social categorization is necessary for a lot of reasons. Sociologists rely on categories. On a more individual level, we mentally (and partially subconsciously) categorize new people we meet. It's partly where stereotyping comes in (which is not in itself a bad thing, but can be bad if someone is mis-stereotyped). We need to do this in order to have some mental way of deciding who you want in your life and for what purpose.

At my job, they have used personality profiling as a way to create well-rounded teams using different personality types, and it is a good way to understand what kinds of jobs are good for certain personality types. Additionally, knowing personality profiling can be good to learn how to interact with someone whose personality type is different from yours, as well as why they do the things they do.

There is nothing inherently wrong with labels and categories, as long as they are correct and respectful and people do not define themselves by one certain label, diagnosis, or trait. Iow, my friend is not "a diabetic" (which suggests that is part of their identity), but rather has diabetes (is a person with a medical condition).

Let's face it. There are visionaries in the world. I would not tie them into any one personality though, because you can be a person who is structured, by the book, thrives on the tried and true, and whose motto is "if it's not broken, don't fix it" and they can still be very forward-thinking and visionary in other areas such as finding new ways to assist in the fight against homelessness, for example.

 

[Inkachu]

but can reading these personality types help you 'understand' if you aren't in that category? I guess I think of it as like astrology, where you can look at your sign's horoscope and find things that are true for you (nevermind mind that each facet is true for everyone in some degree.....)
just seems like if someone takes that test and reveals their 'type', then you extrapolate lots ,ore of what you've read onto them.

I definitely think it can help us understand each other. And if the description of the person is accurate, then you wouldn't be extrapolating inaccurate views onto them. Not sure if you've ever done the Meyers Briggs tests, but they're pretty detailed and reflective, it's not like the generalized nonsense of the bazillion "which ___ are you?" things you find on Facebook and stuff.

 

[Inkachu]

I only really began reading about this certain way of personality typing yesterday (and only because I wanted to look up the traits of a "visionary/idealist"). I think there are others that know a LOT more about it than me (Inka, for example).....but, I don't think it's general enough to look at a certain type and see yourself in it (extrapolating what you want---if that's what you mean), if it's not truly your type (it's more specific than that). It's not cut & dry, either---it's more about tendencies. I liked how that one site has the basic category of "idealists" being a group of four personality types....this one: Keirsey Temperament Website - Portrait of the Idealist® (NF)

Agreed! For example, I'm an INFJ which falls into the "Counselor" slot, and the description is SO spot-on for me... it's like a breath of fresh air to know that I'm understandable Perhaps I value it so much because I'm in the rarest category, and my type is so frequently and easily misunderstood. We go through the world often feeling like the outsider, the black sheep, the oddball, the weirdo. So seeing it in black and white, where someone ELSE describes ME perfectly... it's amazing and so incredibly reassuring. Maybe it's not like that for other personality types.

Keirsey Temperament Website - Portrait of the Idealist® Counselor (INFJ)

 

[mkgal1]

I definitely think it can help us understand each other. And if the description of the person is accurate, then you wouldn't be extrapolating inaccurate views onto them. Not sure if you've ever done the Meyers Briggs tests, but they're pretty detailed and reflective, it's not like the generalized nonsense of the bazillion "which ___ are you?" things you find on Facebook and stuff.

Exactly! I don't think a person could even complete the tests without first taking the time to be reflective and truly get to know their own tendencies.

 

[mkgal1]

Agreed! For example, I'm an INFJ which falls into the "Counselor" slot, and the description is SO spot-on for me... it's like a breath of fresh air to know that I'm understandable Perhaps I value it so much because I'm in the rarest category, and my type is so frequently and easily misunderstood. We go through the world often feeling like the outsider, the black sheep, the oddball, the weirdo. So seeing it in black and white, where someone ELSE describes ME perfectly... it's amazing and so incredibly reassuring. Maybe it's not like that for other personality types.

Keirsey Temperament Website - Portrait of the Idealist® Counselor (INFJ)

I agree---I had the same reaction (breath of fresh air). I only know I'm one of the four NF personalities....but knowing that much explains a lot It also helps to see it described how other's tendencies---in order to understand them (I believe).

 

[DZoolander]

My personality type supposedly is ENTP.

 

[mkgal1]

That's the inventor. Did you see the description on the Keirsey site? This:

Inventors often have a lively circle of friends and are interested in their ideas and activities. They are usually easy-going, seldom critical or carping. Inventors can be engaging conversationalists, able to express their own complicated ideas and to follow the ideas of others. When arguing issues, however, they may deliberately employ debate skills to the serious disadvantage of their opponents.

Inventors are usually non-conformists in the workplace, and can succeed in many areas as long as the job does not involve too much humdrum routine. They make good leaders on pilot projects that test their ingenuity. And they are skilled at engineering human relationships and human systems, quickly grasping the politics of institutions and always wanting to understand the people within the system rather than tell them what to do. No matter what their occupation, however, Inventors display an extraordinary talent for rising to the demands of even the most impossible situations. "It can't be done" is a challenge to an Inventor and elicits a reaction of "I can do it."

 

[mkgal1]

but can reading these personality types help you 'understand' if you aren't in that category? I guess I think of it as like astrology, where you can look at your sign's horoscope and find things that are true for you (nevermind mind that each facet is true for everyone in some degree.....)
just seems like if someone takes that test and reveals their 'type', then you extrapolate lots ,ore of what you've read onto them.

I wanted to come back to this question. It's not just a process of reading the different types and deciding where you fit---there are quizzes/tests in order to come up with a conclusion. (Is that what you were asking?). The descriptions are so specific---I think you'd know if you didn't fit.

Our theory | 16Personalities

http://www.16personalities.com/infp-personality

I'm close to the middle in a few of the categories (which is something I don't like about stereotypes--they don't allow for that).

 

[Annessa3]

I am having trouble clarifying what I'm feeling/thinking here, but here goes:

both the astrology reference & the Kiersey, and more: Briggs-Myers, 16 Personalties and the Indigo children psychoburble and many more... all these niches of belief serve to make each person feel special about themselves. And to identify others within that rainbow and also special, and maybe connectable. When I read the quotes from the website you linked to, the same denomintor comes up 'I feel like no one understands me, until I read this....'

For me, that universal feeling that no one understands me..... and I think it is universal-- it will lead some to God and the peace of being understood. And accepted. And loved. and that's what 99.999999% of humankind want.

Each of us wants to be loved and accepted, so we bond with others who have a commonality- a member of the Red Sox Nation, a soocr fan, an American, a woman, a college graduate, an abuse survivor. That's human nature. That's why we frequent this very site.

Where I believe the danger is is the point where the 'our' commonalities exclude others-- and this is also human nature. To judge whether we ourselves are 'better' in some way than others. The caste system. Religious wars.

That's why I was concerned about categorizing others. It is, by nature, exclusionary.

 

[Inkachu]

I don't see it as "indigo children psychoburble" (whatever that is? lol).

It didn't make me feel "special about myself", either.

I'm not looking to bond with others who are also INFJ's, either. I bond with whoever I bond with. I certainly don't give them a personality test before I decide if I like them or not lol.

I definitely don't think I'm better than anyone else based on my test results. And I certainly don't exclude anyone from my circle of friends or acquaintances based on that. I hardly know anyone's Meyers Briggs type anyway. And since mine is the rarest type, if I were only willing to befriend other INFJ's, I'd be leading one seriously lonely, isolated existence.

This is why I think it's different for other personality types. They don't experience that "black sheep oddball" thing nearly as keenly. When you've felt relatively "normal" all your life, you don't really understand the torment of going through the world wondering if your existence is some kind of cosmic mistake because you simply do not fit in.

 

[mkgal1]

I am having trouble clarifying what I'm feeling/thinking here, but here goes:

both the astrology reference & the Kiersey, and more: Briggs-Myers, 16 Personalties and the Indigo children psychoburble and many more... all these niches of belief serve to make each person feel special about themselves. And to identify others within that rainbow and also special, and maybe connectable. When I read the quotes from the website you linked to, the same denomintor comes up 'I feel like no one understands me, until I read this....'

For me, that universal feeling that no one understands me..... and I think it is universal-- it will lead some to God and the peace of being understood. And accepted. And loved. and that's what 99.999999% of humankind want.

Each of us wants to be loved and accepted, so we bond with others who have a commonality- a member of the Red Sox Nation, a soocr fan, an American, a woman, a college graduate, an abuse survivor. That's human nature. That's why we frequent this very site.

Where I believe the danger is is the point where the 'our' commonalities exclude others-- and this is also human nature. To judge whether we ourselves are 'better' in some way than others. The caste system. Religious wars.

That's why I was concerned about categorizing others. It is, by nature, exclusionary.

I think I understand what you're saying about our longing for God (and how our feeling "misunderstood" can lead us to Him).....but I don't really see this as displacing all that. It's not a substitute for God's love and comfort (it may even allow a person to come to a place of peace and acceptance about how God created them uniquely---and see the value in that).

I think it was actually Inka that mentioned a while back about how so many churches have this set mold for how women in the church are supposed to be and what they like. The activities are then based all around that set pattern ("come join us for scrap booking night" or whatever). That's exclusionary. I'm not naturally organized---and often because of that---people (especially women that have the organization gene) can't understand why I don't see organizing my cupboards as "fun" and "fulfilling". It's not that I'm lazy.....undisciplined.....or even need to work on changing that. I just value other things more (it's part of my personality). Having this to explain that is reassuring. It's not that I feel superior in my ways....because (like you mentioned) all of these personalities cause each person to feel "special" (isn't that a good thing? Not "superior"....but valuable....just the way they are). I think it also allows for us to see the value in the other personalities. None of the 16 types are even written as if one is more superior than the other (I think that's what's great about it---the *lack* of exclusion or superiority/competition). There's value in all unique categories.

We *should* strive to bond with people of all types....and I really think this helps to understand how others may think/prioritize/react differently than we do.