This blog post aims to answer the question, “Can an INFP be a lawyer?” and explore the dimensions of this Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to find 5 reasons why INFPs cannot become a lawyer.
Can an INFP be a lawyer?
No, an INFP cannot be a lawyer. INFPs are not suited for a career in law. INFPs need to be expressive and has to have empathy for others. Rather than following the law, they are led by their principles.
INFPs’ sensitivity, creativity, and loyalty to their values are traits that do not align with what lawyers usually do in their daily lives. INFPs’ sensitivity can also affect how they work with clients who have been victims of crimes or other traumas.
An INFP cannot become a lawyer because of the following 5 reasons –
- INFPs have strong morals and personal values.
- INFPs are too honest and ethical.
- INFPs are reserved.
- INFPs lack interpersonal skills.
- INFPs seek creativity.
These 5 reasons why INFPs cannot become a lawyer will be discussed in further detail below after exploring the various characteristics and behavioural tendencies of INFPs.
Who is an INFP?
The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.
Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type.
INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).
Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:
- The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
- The Mediator (16Personalities)
An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.
INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. They see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.
INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path.
They like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.
INFP Personality Type Characteristics.
- INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. They find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. They must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.
- INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. They can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.
- INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.
- INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. They frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.
Why can’t an INFP be a lawyer?
INFPs have strong morals and personal values.
INFPs have strong inner value systems. INFPs seek to pursue careers that are in line with their personal values and have a deeper meaning. For example, they’d prefer to work with minors in the community or design buildings that serve and protect both humanity and the environment.
INFPs’ characteristics namely openness, tolerance and lack of condemnation of others also are not suitable for that of a lawyer. INFPs, unlike skilled lawyers, never pay attention to the mistakes of others, and sometimes even are idealists.
INFPs are too honest and ethical.
INFP possess deep ethical values. While INFPs’ morale and propensity to fight for a case may point them towards a career as a lawyer, their inherent honesty will cause problems when asked to fight for reasons they personally disagree with.
INFPs are reserved.
Due to the low extroversion and awareness of INFPs, they may be reserved and difficult to read. Lawyers are expected to interact with many different types of people every day, which would be unnatural for an INFP.
INFPs may want to avoid the open office environment found in many businesses. They often find selling positions exhausting or stressful, and even areas such as law enforcement or speaking to large audiences can be difficult to get rid of.
INFPs lack interpersonal skills.
INFP’s interpersonal skills are never good for a career in which they have to face new faces every single day. Consequently, INFPs will never succeed in a career like that of a lawyer which is about exploration, practicality, traditional character, and tasks in order.
INFPs seek creativity.
INFPs want to use their gifts and creativity in ways that bring personal satisfaction and contribute to the common good. For example, they may need a job where they can directly help people (Fi) or where they can enjoy greater creative freedom (Fi-Ne).
They enjoy innovation and creativity and therefore work in the arts, poetry, writing and acting fields where they can express their thoughts and feelings through these channels.
INFPs may find the day-to-day routine of a lawyer too specific or practical (that is, too “realistic”), lacking the abstract and creative elements they crave. INFPs can become restless and impatient while doing the same job or studying the same subject for a long time.
Conclusion –
This blog post attempted to answer the question, “Can an INFP be a lawyer?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to determine 5 reasons why INFPs cannot pursue a career in law. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can an INFP be a lawyer?
What subjects are INFPs good at?
INFPs with Investigative-Social interests frequently pursue studies in the social sciences (history, economics, psychology, sociology, geography, anthropology, archeology, political science, etc.).
What personality does a lawyer need to have?
Successful corporate attorneys value trustworthiness, listening skills, emotional awareness, diplomacy, and other human relations talents. (Once again, strong judgement and managerial abilities are assumed for these roles.)
What type of person is best suited to be a lawyer?
Lawyers must be able to communicate well both orally and in writing, as well as be skilled listeners. Good public speaking abilities are required to argue persuasively in front of juries and judges in the courtroom.
What personality type is most likely to be a lawyer?
According to Larry Richard’s 1993 study, the most common personality types for attorneys are:
- ISTJ (17.8 per cent)
- INTJ (13.1 percent)
- ESTJ (10.3 percent)
- ENTP (9.7 percent)
- INTP (9.4 percent)
- ENTJ (9.0 percent)
Are INFP lazy?
The personality struggles with knowing when to make a commitment—and they’re eager to please and will bite off more than they can chew. 2. They can be quite indolent. They will never tidy their rooms, pile up dishes to the moon, or have their spouse or roommate handle all financial worries if they are not developed.
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