So you’re an INTP personality type, and you’re looking to learn more about INTP weaknesses? You’ve come to the right place.
If you’ve read descriptions about the INTP personality type, you’ll have heard many times that you’re intellectual, logical, and adaptable. While all of that is true, every personality type has its weaknesses. No one is intellectual, logical, and adaptable 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 INTP 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 INTP weaknesses
Right, let’s get stuck in. And just to warn you, we’re not going to hold back on this one…
1. Aloof.
INTPs can sometimes come across as aloof or uninterested. This is because they’re not always emotionally expressive, and they can find it hard to engage in topics that they aren’t interested in. At times, this can make social situations difficult for them. They need to be careful that they don’t seem rude or dismissive. Sometimes, it can be helpful for INTPs to engage in conversations, even if it’s not their favorite topic. It might feel unnatural and difficult at first, and it’s not something they want to be doing all the time. But it can help to build relationships and social connections.
2. Argumentative.
INTPs love a good debate. Even though they are naturally more reserved, when they feel strongly about a topic, they aren’t afraid to speak their mind and share their thoughts. In fact, they often enjoy a good debate. This can sometimes make them seem argumentative or combative, especially when they’re passionate about a subject. However, INTPs need to be careful that their debating doesn’t come across as aggressive or hostile. In particular, more sensitive personality types (hello INFJs!) can sometimes find the argumentative nature of an INTP too much.
3. Disorganized.
INTPs are known for being spontaneous and adaptable, but they can also be disorganized and scattered. They’re not always great at planning ahead or sticking to a strict schedule. It’s just not how their minds work. For INTPs, it’s more important to maintain a sense of freedom, go with the flow, and see what happens. This can be frustrating for people who prefer more structure and order in their lives.
4. Lack of follow-through.
INTPs can sometimes start projects or initiatives but then fail to follow through on them. They can start something with energy and enthusiasm but then quickly lose interest or get sidetracked by something else. In fact, INTPs are one of the most easily distracted personality types. It’s important for them to be aware of this tendency and make an effort to see things through to completion.
5. Easily bored.
INTPs can get bored easily. They have quick minds, and they need a lot of intellectual stimulation to stay interested. This means that they often struggle to sit still for long periods of time. They can find it difficult to focus, particularly on tasks that are repetitive or detail-oriented in nature. It’s important for INTPs to find ways to keep themselves occupied and engaged. Otherwise, they quickly become restless and irritable.
6. Reject rules and authority.
INTPs can have a quietly rebellious streak. They don’t like being told what to do, and they often reject rules and authority. This can sometimes make them seem uncooperative or disruptive. It’s important for INTPs to remember that there are sometimes good reasons for rules and authority figures. They need to be careful that they aren’t rebelling for the sake of it and that they’ve carefully considered the consequences of their actions.
7. Commitment-phobic.
INTPs can sometimes have a hard time committing. They like to keep their options open and can have trouble settling on one thing, whether this is choosing a travel destination, which video game to play next, or their life partner! This can make them seem indecisive or even flaky. It’s important for INTPs to remember that if you don’t commit, you can end up missing out or losing someone special. Sometimes, it’s better to just go for it and see where things take you.
8. Blunt.
INTPs can sometimes be too blunt. They’re often very direct, and they don’t have much patience for people who can’t keep up with them. This can make them seem insensitive or even rude. It’s important for INTPs to remember that not everyone views 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.
9. Difficulty dealing with emotions.
INTPs can find it difficult to deal with emotions 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 INTPs 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 the people around you.
10. Obsessive.
INTPs can sometimes be obsessive. They can become very focused on certain topics, goals, or people. When they have a new interest, it can take up all of their time and energy. This can lead them to ignore other important things in their life. It’s important for INTPs to learn not to become too obsessed and to be able to take a step back from things if necessary.
11. Arrogant.
INTPs can sometimes come across as arrogant or condescending. They sometimes view themselves as intellectually superior, which means they can look down on others who they view as less intelligent. If you think this may be a weakness of yours, make an effort to listen to other people’s opinions. You’re not always right, and it’s good to keep an open mind! It’s also essential to remember that different traits are valuable in different ways – it’s not all about intelligence.
12. Very private.
INTPs can be very private people. They don’t often share much about themselves with others, and they can be difficult to get to know. This can make them seem mysterious or even untrustworthy. It can also mean that they have difficulty building close relationships. Opening up and showing vulnerability are two important factors when it comes to building deep, intimate connections. Sharing is one of the best ways to connect with others, so being very private can hinder INTPs in some cases.
13. Struggle to read people.
INTPs can sometimes have difficulty understanding other people. They’re often very logical and they like to take things at face value. This can make it difficult for them to see things from other people’s perspectives. They might not be able to understand why someone is feeling specific emotions or behaving in a certain way. In addition, they can sometimes find it hard to identify other people’s needs. It’s important for them to remember that not everyone thinks as they do. Everyone has their own unique way of perceiving the world.
14. Difficulty maintaining relationships.
INTPs might find it difficult to maintain long-term relationships. This is because they can be very independent and they often need a lot of space. They’re not always the best at communication and they can sometimes be insensitive. In addition, as we discussed, they aren’t always able to handle intense emotions very well. Lasting relationships require effort. They also require compromise, which doesn’t always come naturally to INTPs who value their freedom. All of these things can make it difficult, but certainly not impossible, for ISTPs to maintain close, intimate relationships.
15. Perfectionist tendencies.
INTPs can be perfectionists about certain things. For example, they might spend a significant amount of time working on a project, striving for perfection, and justifying every decision that they make. This can be both a blessing and a curse since their fixation on perfecting something can end up hindering their progress. In fact, they can become overly focused on finding the ‘perfect’ solution for something even when there isn’t a clear, practical use case for it. There is often a trade-off to be made between efficiency and perfection. It’s important for INTPs to remember the concept of diminishing returns and not get too caught up in the details.
Final thoughts on INTP weaknesses
So there you have it, the 15 most common INTP weaknesses wrapped up nicely into one little blog post for you. You might also enjoy our post about ENTP weaknesses.
We hope you found this helpful and that you can use this knowledge to become even more self-aware and work on yourself. INTPs are amazing people with a lot to offer, but like everyone, they’re not perfect.
Just remember that not all INTPs will show all of these weaknesses. These are just general tendencies that are common among INTPs. So don’t worry if you don’t identify with all of them – it doesn’t mean that you’re not an INTP.
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.
