Running Head: An Analysis of the INBJ Personality 1

An Analysis of the INBJ Personality and

the “Country Club Management” Style of Leadership

Ean M. Hines

Colorado State University

An Analysis of the INBJ Personality 2

An Analysis of the INBJ Personality and

the “Country Club Management” Style of Leadership

It is of upmost importance for leaders to understand themselves, since the first

person that they lead is themselves. If one does not understand themselves, they are

more likely to put them into positions that they cannot handle, they will burn out faster,

and they will find themselves fighting their own nature. With this paper, it is my intention

to explain two of my personal ways of thinking and behaving, examine what makes

them strong and weak, and to bring forward what I need to do to improve from these

weaknesses.

The Strengths and Weaknesses of my Myers-Brigs Type Indicator

In this section, I will be writing about the INFJ personality, mainly as an analysis

of its strengths and weaknesses. INFJs, or Advocates as 16 Personalities (2018) calls

them, are more introverted, but with a love for people, using their energy to solve

“human problems.” Joseph Chris (2015) also cites INFJs as being highly altruistic and

driven to accomplishing tasks, with their drive coming from strong core values and will.

Finally, 16 Personalities (2018) states that INFJs are good at understanding the

innerworkings and interconnectedness of decisions and events. But, Joseph Chris

(2015) points out that INFJs are sensitive to attacks on their core values, as this is one

of the pillars of INFJs life. Meaning, if someone questions an INFPs motives, they are

likely to be hurt or made angry by this, even if it was well intentioned. 16 Personalities

(2018) also points out that this makes it hard for INFJs to take criticism for failures.

Finally, INFJs tend to “burn out.” Joseph Chris (2015) says that this comes from their
An Analysis of the INBJ Personality 3

desire to strive towards and be exemplary, as well as working from catabolic bursts of

energy as opposed to working with a schedule. These two make it hard for INFJ to

meaningfully rest and recharge and leads to them to working until they can no longer.

For me, this means that I need to be mindful of how I work, making it a priority set a

schedule, along with finding meaningful ways to relax and recharge myself. As well it is

important to realize that I am only human; reaching for perfection is not bad, but it is

acceptable to fail and to receive criticism and learn from mistakes.

Where I fall on the Managerial Grid and Why

In this section, I will be discussing the Country Club style of management, why I

fall there, and how I can push myself to the Team management section. The Managerial

grid is a tool for leaders to see how they lead people based on two variables: the

concern for people, and concern for the end task. I fall into the category known as

“Country Club Management.” The reason that I fall into this category is two-fold: One, I

have a high concern for people, as my energy when I am a leader is more focused on

understanding those under me than developing a plan to accomplish the end task. Two,

I personally believe that people mostly know what they are doing; a little guidance and a

push in the right direction is all anyone needs to accomplish a goal. This is comparable

to the Management-by-Exception method. The problem with my style of leadership is

that I am willing to yield to subordinates wishes, even if it goes against something that I

personally believe, or an order given to me. How I can move towards the “Team

Management” style of leadership is by keeping that same desire to understand and

grow people, but with the drive completing the task, as opposed to having the
An Analysis of the INBJ Personality 4

subordinates wants and desires being my focus. As well, I need to work on pushing

people outside their comfort zone to make subordinates better or to drive them to

complete the task at hand.

Conclusion

Bringing all of this together, I am interested by people and believe that they are the

problem and solution, not just part of a system. And while I have a desire to consul and

teach people, I need to keep in mind that as a leader, the mission comes first, and that

bending to subordinates’ desires is not a legitimate way to lead. I need to learn to take

initiative and that fighting for a better plan with subordinates, peers, and superiors is not

a bad thing.
An Analysis of the INBJ Personality 5

References

16 Personalities (2018). Advocate Strengths and Weaknesses. Retrieved from

https://www.16personalities.com/infj-strengths-and-weaknesses

Chris, Joseph (2015, September 2). 12 INFJ Strengths and Weaknesses. Retrieved

from http://www.josephchris.com/12-infj-strengths-and-weaknesses