Finding Your Passion or What Makes a Job Right for You?
Rationals - Finding Knowledge and Competence
In this five-part series, we're examining each personality type and job fit.
Rationals may have a problem with the Boomer phrase, "Finding Your Passion."
Many Rationals are suspicious of strong emotion. For them, life satisfaction
equates to having Knowledge and Competence.
Many of our early Presidents
were Rationals, such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and
James Monroe. A common characteristic is a vision of the future and the ability to make
that vision come true.
Of all the Rationals, the most driven toward a leadership position is the
Fieldmarshal (ENTJ). David Keirsey said they cannot NOT lead. In business Fieldmarshals
are often found as top executives and senior managers as well as heads of sales and marketing.
Since they are driven toward reaching goals, they can be project managers, investment brokers,
financial planners, labor relations leaders. Their analytic abilities are of advantage in
positions such as business consulting, management consulting, stockbroker, and economic
analyst. Professional fields attract the Fieldmarshal so they can call their own shots.
If they enter the legal field, they may rise to the position of judge. Says Kent,
"I'm very goal driven and I expect everyone who works for me to be aiming
toward the same goal. If you focus your team, you can achieve what might once have seemed
impossible."
The Mastermind (INTJ) is very focused as well, but more on an internal vision.
They are good at solving problems and like to work on tough intellectual puzzles.
They are often led into technical positions such as scientific researcher, design
engineer, environmental planner. The developing field of genetics benefits from
their intensity as does the field of medicine. In education they are most often
found at the college and university level. In the professions, they may be a lawyer,
a business analyst, or strategic planner. Some have a strong artistic/creative bent
and may become an artist, inventor, or designer. Whatever they do, they do it with
intensity. Says Kim, "I am constantly teaching myself something new in order to solve
the problems that I encounter. My husband leaves me alone when he sees that I am caught
in what he calls my "Thinking Time." I'm unwinding knots even in my sleep."
Usually the most out-going of all the Rationals is the Inventor (ENTP). That's because
they love bouncing their ideas off other people and seeing their reactions. It is not
unusual to find this type in any job that requires new ideas and people contact.
You might find them in politics, in real estate development, in advertising, in
marketing, or in public relations. They could be a venture capitalist, a management
consult, or a sports agent. As long as they have the opportunity to invent a new
product or a new experience, they will shine. Says Donna, "We'd never tried landing
on Mars using air bags and bouncing, but we did it. We took the risk, then checked out
everything we could to limit the risk and we succeeded."
The most reserved of the Rationals is the Architect (INTP). They store huge amounts
of information in their heads and can analyze problems with great insight. They are often
drawn to professions where they can be their own bosses, such as optometrist, plastic
surgeon, neurologist, or scientist. They may become lawyers, architects, or financial
analysts. Many are found in the higher levels of academia in such fields as archeology,
chemistry, philosophy, or mathematics. They may show a strong creative bent as a musician,
inventor, or photographer. Some restore antiques or old cars. Says Don, "I like having my
own business as an optometrist. I am constantly reading about new advances in the field.
My work must be of the highest quality. My reputation has caused many patients to come to
me because they have problems that were not solved by other treatment professionals."
The drive towards constantly increasing their knowledge base and being highly competent
is what gives Rationals a sense of personal satisfaction.
People want to have a life that gives them a sense of personal satisfaction.
Here are links for the other three temperaments:
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