15 Most Common INTJ Weaknesses

INTJ Weaknesses blog cover

So you’re an INTJ personality type, and you’re looking to learn more about INTJ weaknesses? You’ve come to the right place.

If you’ve read descriptions about the INTJ personality type, you’ll have heard many times that you’re strategic, analytical, and independent. While all of that is true, every personality type has its weaknesses. No one is strategic, ambitious, and dedicated all of the time!

Instead of trying to hide or gloss over these weaknesses, it’s better to acknowledge them and learn how to work with them. So, let’s do just that and take a look at the 15 most common weaknesses of the INTJ personality type.

If you’re taking the time to read this blog post, you’re likely very self-aware, which is a great starting point.

15 most common INTJ weaknesses

Right, let’s get stuck in. And just to warn you, we’re not going to hold back on this one…

1. Impatient.

INTJs hate to waste time. This can sometimes make them seem impatient. They can find it difficult to wait for things to happen, and they are always thinking about the opportunity cost of their time. In addition, they can struggle to wait their turn. This can be frustrating for people who prefer a more relaxed pace of life. INTJs need to remember that not everyone is as focused on efficiency as they are and that not having to make the most of every minute can be joyful.

2. Blunt.

INTJs can sometimes be too blunt. They’re often very direct, and they don’t have much patience for beating around the bush. They’re more focused on logic and working out how to get from A to B rather than on emotional nuances. This means that INTJs can sometimes unintentionally hurt people’s feelings or say things that are offensive. It’s important for INTJs to remember that not everyone appreciates directness in the same way that they do. They need to be careful that they don’t say something that might hurt someone’s feelings. Sometimes, it’s better to sugarcoat things a little bit.

3. Arrogant.

INTJs can sometimes come across as arrogant because of their confidence in their own intelligence. This can be off-putting for others and make it difficult for them to build relationships with people. If an INTJ doesn’t respect someone, they can be dismissive and even condescending. This is because they place a lot of value on intelligence and may not take other people’s opinions seriously if they don’t see clear reasoning behind them. However, if you want to build a connection with someone, it helps to be open-minded and humble.

4.  Pessimistic.

INTJs often heavily focus on the negatives. This is because they tend to analyze every situation and can often foresee potential hurdles or issues. While this can be a great asset in some ways, there are situations where it can be beneficial to progress and work out these issues as you go along. INTJs tend to be risk averse because they imagine all the things that could go wrong, but this can hold them back as they’re too scared to take risks or try new things. While you don’t want to be reckless, a little positivity and optimism can go a long way and help you to make the most out of life.

5. Overly Critical.

INTJs can be quite critical and can get frustrated when people don’t meet their standards. These high standards, combined with their direct communication style, can make them come across as harsh and critical. In general, they aren’t afraid to voice their opinions when they think that someone hasn’t done a good job. INTJs are pretty open when it comes to giving honest feedback. However, criticizing people all the time isn’t helpful, and it can make people feel bad about themselves. It’s necessary in some situations, but too much of it will make it difficult, or even impossible, to create a supportive, motivating environment. INTJs also tend to be highly critical of themselves.

6. Ruthless.   

Ruthlessness is another weakness that you sometimes see in INTJs. This is because they are highly logical, and they tend to take a rational approach when it comes to making decisions – this means that people’s feelings aren’t always prioritized. While this can be beneficial for getting things done, it can also make people feel like they’re disposable and not valued. Ultimately, when an INTJ chooses a seemingly ruthless decision over not hurting someone’s feelings, they’re prioritizing their goal over their personal relationship with that person. Usually, this is a well-thought-out decision, but it can make them seem uncaring.

7. Judgmental.

INTJs can sometimes be judgmental. They often have a very clear idea in their heads of how people should be and how things should be done. This can make them quick to judge others who don’t meet their standards or take a similar approach to them. It’s important for INTJs to remember that not everyone is the same. People have different values and tackle projects in different ways. This is one of the things that make the world such a fascinating place to live in. Different people have different values and priorities in life, so there’s no one ‘right’ path that suits everyone.

Judgmental people

8. Struggle with details.

While INTJs are very efficient and strategic, they can struggle with details. They often prefer to focus on the big picture and don’t enjoy getting bogged down in the minutiae. INTJs are exceptionally talented at working out how to get from A to B, but they often prefer to spend time thinking and analyzing data that are relevant to the overall strategy. However, the specific everyday details of how you reach a goal are important, too. This is why it can be beneficial for INTJs to be comfortable getting their hands dirty sometimes. 

9. Uptight.

INTJs can be quite uptight. They feel a sense of security from knowing what’s going to happen next, and they can get stressed out when things don’t go according to plan. Ultimately, they don’t tend to handle unpredictability well, making them seem rigid. It’s important for INTJs to learn to go with the flow sometimes and to be okay with not having five backup plans. Taking a more easygoing approach at times can make life more enjoyable and less stressful. After all, trying to stay in control of every situation is exhausting and takes a lot of energy. 

10. Difficulty dealing with emotions.

INTJs can find it difficult to deal with emotions. This is because they’re more logical than emotional. They can struggle to process their own feelings, let alone those of others. Sometimes, they try to rationalize their emotions or bottle them up inside. This might make them feel better in the moment, but it’s not a healthy long-term strategy. It’s a good idea for INTJs to learn how to get in touch with their emotions and process them in a healthy way. This isn’t an easy undertaking, but it’s worth it. It’s beneficial for your mental health, and it helps you to better understand and connect with people around you.

11. Obsessive.

INTJs can sometimes be obsessive. They often become very focused on their goals, and it can take up all of their time and energy. This can lead to them becoming overly attached to the outcome of a goal or project, and they might not be willing to let go of it, even when it’s time. It’s important for ENTJs to learn not to become too attached and to be able to take a step back from a goal if necessary. They should be able to recognize when it’s time to take a break and when it’s time to give up. Not all ambitions result in healthy and positive behaviors.

12. Perfectionist tendencies.

Perfectionist architect

INTJs can have perfectionist tendencies. They often want everything to be just right, and they can get frustrated when things aren’t how they think they should be. This constant need for perfection can be exhausting. It’s important to remember that no one is perfect and that mistakes are part of life. In fact, making mistakes helps us to learn and grow as human beings. While there’s a time and a place for perfection, aiming for this in all areas of your life can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress, and it can make you miss out on enjoying the good things in life.

13. Unwilling to compromise.

INTJs can be very stubborn and unwilling to compromise. More than pretty much any other personality type, they are often convinced that they are right. This can mean that they’re not always open to meeting people halfway or working constructively to find a solution. This can lead to conflict and tension. While there is nothing wrong with standing firm in your beliefs, it’s also important to be able to understand the perspectives of those around you. It’s essential for INTJs to be willing to compromise in order to maintain healthy relationships and peace of mind.

14. Intolerant.

INTJs are intolerant of a number of things, including laziness and incompetence. They find all these characteristics frustrating, and they can find it hard to understand why people would act in such ways. Also, INTJs are intolerant of their time being wasted in any way. For example, having to wait in line, someone not getting to the point, and having to do administrative tasks. People of this type are very focused on efficiency and productivity, which is one of the reasons why they are intolerant. They don’t like to feel like their time is being wasted.

15. Inflexible.

INTJs can be inflexible in their thinking and how they live life on a daily basis. They like things done a certain way and can find it uncomfortable to deviate from their routine or plans. This inflexibility can cause disagreements with others. It can also make it difficult for them to adapt to new situations or change their minds about things. INTJs need to learn to go with the flow every once in a while and not always stick to their guns so rigidly. It can make life more fun and enjoyable, which is important. After all, life is too short to be so serious all the time.

Final thoughts on INTJ weaknesses

So there you have it: the 15 most common INTJ weaknesses wrapped up nicely into one little blog post for you. You might also enjoy our post about ENTJ weaknesses.

We hope you found this helpful and that you can use this knowledge to become even more self-aware and work on yourself. INTJs are amazing people with a lot to offer, but like everyone, they’re not perfect.

Just remember that not all INTJs will show all of these weaknesses. These are just general tendencies that are common among INTJs. So don’t worry if you don’t identify with all of them – it doesn’t mean that you’re not an INTJ.

Finally, don’t forget to share this post with your friends and followers – knowledge is power, and knowing your weaknesses can help you work on them and become even stronger.

“Matching people using personality types is such a simple and powerful concept. So Syncd helped us find love, even in this difficult time. You’ve really changed our lives. In fact, we’re now married! Thank you.”

– Ben (INFJ) about Indy (ENFJ)

Go to store Get your personality compatibility report