ARCHITECT PERSONALITY (INTJ, -A/-T)

It’s lonely at the top, and being one of the rarest and most strategically capable
personality types, Architects know this all too well. Architects form just two
percent of the population, and women of this personality type are especially
rare, forming just 0.8% of the population – it is often a challenge for them to
find like-minded individuals who are able to keep up with their relentless
intellectualism and chess-like maneuvering. People with the Architect
personality type are imaginative yet decisive, ambitious yet private, amazingly
curious, but they do not squander their energy.

Nothing Can Stop the Right Attitude From Achieving Its

Goal
With a natural thirst for knowledge that shows itself early in life, Architects are
often given the title of “bookworm” as children. While this may be intended as
an insult by their peers, they more than likely identify with it and are even proud
of it, greatly enjoying their broad and deep body of knowledge. Architects enjoy
sharing what they know as well, confident in their mastery of their chosen
subjects, but they prefer to design and execute a brilliant plan within their field
rather than share opinions on “uninteresting” distractions like gossip.
“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled
to be ignorant.”
Harlan Ellison

A paradox to most observers, Architects are able to live by glaring

contradictions that nonetheless make perfect sense – at least from a purely
rational perspective. For example, Architects are simultaneously the most
starry-eyed idealists and the bitterest of cynics, a seemingly impossible conflict.
But this is because Architect personalities tend to believe that with effort,
intelligence and consideration, nothing is impossible, while at the same time
they believe that people are too lazy, short-sighted or self-serving to actually
achieve those fantastic results. Yet that cynical view of reality is unlikely to
stop an interested Architect from achieving a result they believe to be relevant.

In Matters Of Principle, Stand Like a Rock

Architects radiate self-confidence and an aura of mystery, and their insightful
observations, original ideas and formidable logic enable them to push change
through with sheer willpower and force of personality. At times it will seem
that Architects are bent on deconstructing and rebuilding every idea and system
they come into contact with, employing a sense of perfectionism and even
morality to this work. Anyone who doesn’t have the talent to keep up with
Architects’ processes, or worse yet, doesn’t see the point of them, is likely to
immediately and permanently lose their respect.

Rules, limitations and traditions are anathema to the Architect personality type
– everything should be open to questioning and reevaluation, and if they see a
way, Architects will often act unilaterally to enact their technically superior,
sometimes insensitive, and almost always unorthodox methods and ideas.
This isn’t to be misunderstood as impulsiveness – Architects will strive to
remain rational no matter how attractive the end goal may be, and every idea,
whether generated internally or soaked in from the outside world, must pass the
ruthless and ever-present “Is this going to work?” filter. This mechanism is
applied at all times, to all things and all people, and this is often where Architect
personalities run into trouble.

One Reflects More When Traveling Alone

Architects are brilliant and confident in bodies of knowledge they have taken
the time to understand, but unfortunately the social contract is unlikely to be
one of those subjects. White lies and small talk are hard enough as it is for a
type that craves truth and depth, but Architects may go so far as to see many
social conventions as downright stupid. Ironically, it is often best for them to
remain where they are comfortable – out of the spotlight – where the natural
confidence prevalent in Architects as they work with the familiar can serve as
its own beacon, attracting people, romantically or otherwise, of similar
temperament and interests.

Architects are defined by their tendency to move through life as though it were
a giant chess board, pieces constantly shifting with consideration and
intelligence, always assessing new tactics, strategies and contingency plans,
constantly outmaneuvering their peers in order to maintain control of a situation
while maximizing their freedom to move about. This isn’t meant to suggest that
Architects act without conscience, but to many other types, Architects’ distaste
for acting on emotion can make it seem that way, and it explains why many
fictional villains (and misunderstood heroes) are modeled on this personality
type.
ARCHITECT STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES
Architect Strengths
 Quick, Imaginative and Strategic Mind – Architects pride themselves
on their minds, taking every opportunity to improve their knowledge,
and this shows in the strength and flexibility of their strategic thinking.
Insatiably curious and always up for an intellectual challenge, Architects
can see things from many perspectives. Architects use their creativity
and imagination not so much for artistry, but for planning contingencies
and courses of action for all possible scenarios.
 High Self-Confidence – Architects trust their rationalism above all else,
so when they come to a conclusion, they have no reason to doubt their
findings. This creates an honest, direct style of communication that isn’t
held back by perceived social roles or expectations. When Architects are
right, they’re right, and no amount of politicking or hand-holding is
going to change that fact – whether it’s correcting a person, a process, or
themselves, they’d have it no other way.
 Independent and Decisive – This creativity, logic and confidence come
together to form individuals who stand on their own and take
responsibility for their own actions. Authority figures do not impress
Architects, nor do social conventions or tradition, and no matter how
popular something is, if they have a better idea, Architects will stand
against anyone they have to in a bid to have it changed. Either an idea is
the most rational or it’s wrong, and Architects will apply this to their
arguments as well as their own behavior, staying calm and detached from
these sometimes emotionally charged conflicts. Architects will only be
swayed by those who follow suit.
 Hard-working and determined – If something piques their interest,
Architects can be astonishingly dedicated to their work, putting in long
hours and intense effort to see an idea through. Architects are incredibly
efficient, and if tasks meet the criteria of furthering a goal, they will find
a way to consolidate and accomplish those tasks. However, this drive for
efficiency can also lead to a sort of elaborate laziness, wherein Architects
find ways to bypass seeming redundancies which don’t seem to require
a great deal of thought – this can be risky, as sometimes double-checking
one’s work is the standard for a reason.
 Open-minded – All this rationalism leads to a very intellectually
receptive personality type, as Architects stay open to new ideas,
supported by logic, even if (and sometimes especially if) they prove
Architects’ previous conceptions wrong. When presented with
unfamiliar territory, such as alternate lifestyles, Architects tend to apply
 their receptiveness and independence, and aversion to rules and
traditions, to these new ideas as well, resulting in fairly liberal social
senses.
 Jacks-of-all-Trades – Architects’ open-mindedness, determination,
independence, confidence and strategic abilities create individuals who
are capable of doing anything they set their minds to. Excelling at
analyzing anything life throws their way, Architects are able to reverse-
engineer the underlying methodology of almost any system and apply
the concepts that are exposed wherever needed. Architects tend to have
their pick of professions, from IT system designers to political
masterminds.

Architect Weaknesses
 Arrogant – Architects are perfectly capable of carrying their confidence
too far, falsely believing that they’ve resolved all the pertinent issues of
a matter and closing themselves off to the opinions of those they believe
to be intellectually inferior. Combined with their irreverence for social
conventions, Architects can be brutally insensitive in making their
opinions of others all too clear.
 Judgmental – Architects tend to have complete confidence in their
thought process, because rational arguments are almost by definition
correct – at least in theory. In practice, emotional considerations and
history are hugely influential, and a weak point for Architects is that they
brand these factors and those who embrace them as illogical, dismissing
them and considering their proponents to be stuck in some baser mode
of thought, making it all but impossible to be heard.
 Overly analytical – A recurring theme with Architects is their analytical
prowess, but this strength can fall painfully short where logic doesn’t
rule – such as with human relationships. When their critical minds and
sometimes neurotic level of perfectionism (often the case with Turbulent
Architects) are applied to other people, all but the steadiest of friends will
likely need to make some distance, too often permanently.
 Loathe highly structured environments – Blindly following
precedents and rules without understanding them is distasteful to
Architects, and they disdain even more authority figures who blindly
uphold those laws and rules without understanding their intent. Anyone
who prefers the status quo for its own sake, or who values stability and
safety over self-determination, is likely to clash with Architect
personality types. Whether it’s the law of the land or simple social
convention, this aversion applies equally, often making life more
difficult than it needs to be.
 Clueless in romance – This antipathy to rules and tendency to over-
analyze and be judgmental, even arrogant, all adds up to a personality
 type that is often clueless in dating. Having a new relationship last long
enough for Architects to apply the full force of their analysis on their
potential partner’s thought processes and behaviors can be challenging.
Trying harder in the ways that Architects know best can only make things
worse, and it’s unfortunately common for them to simply give up the
search. Ironically, this is when they’re at their best, and most likely to
attract a partner.

ARCHITECT PERSONALITY AND

EMOTIONS
Architects are defined by their confidence, logic, and exceptional decision-
making, but all of this hides a turbulent underbelly – their emotions. The very
notion of emotional expression is synonymous with irrationality and weakness
to many Architects, a display of poor self-governance and fleeting opinion that
can hardly stand up to the enduring light of factual truth.

This mistrust of emotions is understandable, as Feeling (F) is the most weakly

developed trait for Architects – like any complex tool, skilled hands can use it
to remarkable effect, while untrained hands make clumsy and dangerous work.
People with the Architect personality type take pride in remaining rational and
logical at all times, considering honesty and straightforward information to be
paramount to euphemisms and platitudes in almost all circumstances. In many
ways though, these qualities of coolness and detachment aren’t the weapons of
truth that they appear to be, but are instead shields designed to protect the inner
emotions that Architects feel. In fact, because their emotions are such an
underdeveloped tool, Architects often feel them more strongly than many
overtly emotional types because they simply haven’t learned how to control
them effectively.

There Is Not a Truth Existing Which I Fear

This is a challenging paradigm for Architects to manage, especially younger
and more Turbulent types who are already less confident than they would like
to appear. These feelings are contrary to Architects’ idea of themselves as
paragons of logic and knowledge, and they may go so far as to claim they have
no emotions at all. This does not mean that people with the Architect personality
type should be seen as, nor should they aspire to be, cold-blooded and
insensitive geniuses living by the mantra that emotions are for the weak.
Architects must understand that this isn’t the case, and isn’t ever going to be.

More mature and Assertive Architects find more useful ways to manage their
feelings. While they will never be comfortable with a truly public display of
emotions, Architects can learn to use them, to channel them alongside their
logic to help them achieve their goals. While seemingly contradictory, this can
be done in several ways.

Firstly, Architects are goal-oriented, with long-term ideas founded on sound

logic. When something does cause an emotional reaction, good or bad, that
energy can be used to further those goals, aiding rational and pre-determined
plans. Secondly, emotions are figurative canaries in the coal mine, indicating
that something is off even though logic can’t see it yet. These feelings can help
Architects to use their logic to ask questions they may not have thought to ask.
“This is upsetting. Why? What can be done to resolve it?”

Question With Boldness

In this way, emotions are not Architects’ way of addressing a decision, but
rather an indication that a decision needs to be addressed. Architect
personalities’ Thinking (T) trait acts as a protective big brother to their Feeling
(F) trait – seeing that something has upset the less able sibling, it steps in to take
action, letting logic do the talking and resolving the condition rather than
complaining about its consequences.

There comes a time though, when logic is simply the wrong tool for the job,
when there just isn’t a rational solution to a problem, and it is in these situations
that Architects must use their Feeling (F) trait most clearly. Architects would
do well to practice this from time to time, or at least be aware of it, because
however they may try, it is impossible to truly separate emotion from the
decision-making process. The fact is that Architects do feel, and deeply, and
this makes them better, not worse.

ARCHITECT RELATIONSHIPS
In romance, people with the Architect personality type approach things the way
they do with most situations: they compose a series of calculated actions with
a predicted and desirable end goal – a healthy long-term relationship. Rather
than falling head over heels in a whirlwind of passion and romance, Architects
identify potential partners who meet a certain range of pre-determined criteria,
break the dating process down into a series of measurable milestones, then
proceed to execute the plan with clinical precision.
In a purely rational world, this is a fool-proof methodology – but in reality, it
ignores significant details that Architects are likely to dismiss prematurely, such
as human nature. Architects are brilliantly intellectual, developing a world in
their heads that is more perfect than reality. People entering this world need to
fit this fantasy, and it can be incredibly difficult for Architects to find someone
up to the task. Needless to say, finding a compatible partner is the most
significant challenge most Architects will face in life.

Politeness Is Artificial Good Humor

Sentiment, tradition, and emotion are Architects’ Achilles Heel. Social
standards like chivalry are viewed by Architects as silly, even demeaning. The
problem is, these standards have developed as a means of smoothing
introductions and developing rapport, of managing expectations, the basis of
personal relationships. Architects’ propensity for frank honesty in word and
action tends to violate this social contract, making dating especially difficult for
them.

As they mature, Architects will come to recognize these factors as relevant,

incorporating pace and emotional availability into their plans. But the meantime
can be dangerous, especially for more Turbulent Architects – if they are shot
down too many times they may come to the conclusion that everyone else is
simply too irrational, or simply beneath them intellectually. If cynicism takes
hold, Architects may end up falling into the trap of intentionally displaying
intellectual arrogance, making solitude their choice rather than happenstance.

Always Remain Cool

The positive side of Architects’ “giving up” is that they are most attractive when
they aren’t trying to be attractive, working in a familiar environment where their
confidence and intelligence can be seen in action. Allowing others to come to
them is often Architects’ best strategy, and if they perceive a potential to the
relationship, they will spare no effort in developing and maintaining stability
and long-term satisfaction.

As their relationships develop, Architects’ partners will find an imaginative and

enthusiastic companion, who will share their world and at the same time grant
a huge degree of independence and trust. While Architects may never be fully
comfortable expressing their feelings, and may spend more time theorizing
about intimacy than engaging in it, they can always be relied upon to think out
a mutually beneficial solution to any situation.
Architects seek strong, deep relationships, and trust their knowledge and logic
to ensure that their partner is satisfied, both intellectually and physically.
But when it comes to emotional satisfaction, Architects are simply out of their
element. Not every partner has the sort of fun Architects do in addressing
conflicts and emotional needs as puzzles to be analyzed and solved. Sometimes
emotions need to be expressed for their own sake, and putting every outburst
under the microscope isn’t always helpful. If this becomes habit, or Architects
think it may, they are capable of simply ending the relationship, rather than
dragging things out.

Truth and Morality

Architects are bewilderingly deep and intelligent people, bringing stability and
insight into their romantic relationships. They prize honest, open
communication, and all factors of the relationship are open to discussion and
change, but this must be reciprocated. Architects do what they think is right,
and sometimes that comes across as cold – it’s important to know that
Architects don’t make these decisions lightly. They spend a tremendous amount
of time and energy trying to understand why and how things go wrong,
especially if they’ve devoted themselves to the relationship, and they certainly
hurt deeply when things fall apart.

The challenge is finding partners who share those same values – though
Intuitive (N) types are uncommon, they may be a must for many Architects, as
sharing this trait creates an immediate sense of mutual belonging. Having one
or two balancing traits, such as Extraversion (E), Feeling (F), or Prospecting
(P) can help to keep a relationship dynamic and growth-oriented by keeping
Architects involved with other people, in touch with their emotions, and open
to alternate potentials.

ARCHITECT FRIENDS
People with the Architect personality type tend to have more success in
developing friendships than they do with romantic relationships, but they none-
the-less suffer from many of the same setbacks, substituting rational processes
for emotional availability. This intellectual distance tends to go both ways,
making Architects notoriously difficult to read and get to know, and making
Architects not want to bother reading anyone they think isn’t on their level.
Overcoming these hurdles is often all but impossible without the sort of instant
connection made possible by sharing the Intuitive (N) trait.
No Person Will Complain for Want of Time Who Never
Loses Any
Architects tend to have set opinions about what works, what doesn’t, what
they’re looking for, and what they’re not. These discriminating tastes can come
across as arrogant, but Architects would simply argue that it’s a basic filtering
mechanism that allows them to direct their attentions where they will do the
most good. The fact is that in friendship, Architects are looking for more of an
intellectual soul mate than anything else, and those that aren’t prepared for that
kind of relationship are simply boring. Architects need to share ideas – a self-
feeding circle of gossip about mutual friends is no kind of social life for them.

Architects will keep up with just a few good friends, eschewing larger circles
of acquaintances in favor of depth and quality.
Further, having more than just a few friends would compromise Architects’
sense of independence and self-sufficiency – they gladly give up social
validation to ensure this freedom. Architects embrace this idea even with those
who do fit into their social construct, requiring little attention or maintenance
to remain on good terms, and encouraging that same independence in their
friends.

When it comes to emotional support, Architects are far from being a bastion of
comfort. They actively suppress their own emotions with shields of rationality
and logic, and expect their friends to do the same. When emotionally charged
situations do come about, Architects may literally have no clue how to handle
them appropriately, a glaring contrast from their usual capacity for decisive
self-direction and composure.

But Friendship Is Precious

When they are in their comfort zone though, among people they know and
respect, Architects have no trouble relaxing and enjoying themselves. Their
sarcasm and dark humor are not for the faint of heart, nor for those who struggle
to read between the lines, but they make for fantastic story-telling among those
who can keep up. This more or less limits their pool of friends to fellow
Analysts and Diplomat types, as Observant (S) types’ preference for more
grounded and straightforward communication often simply leaves both parties
frustrated.

It’s not easy to become good friends with Architects. Rather than traditional
rules of social conduct or shared routine, Architects have exacting expectations
for intellectual prowess, uncompromising honesty and a mutual desire to grow
and learn as sovereign individuals. Architects are gifted, bright and
development-oriented, and expect and encourage their friends to share this
attitude. Anyone falling short of this will be labeled a bore – anyone meeting
these expectations will appreciate them of their own accord, forming a powerful
and stimulating friendship that will stand the test of time.

ARCHITECT PARENTS
Parenting, like so many other person-to-person relationships, is a significant
challenge for Architects. Being so heavily invested in rational thought, logic,
and analyzing cause and effect, Architects are often unprepared for dealing with
someone who hasn’t developed these same abilities who they can’t simply walk
away from. Luckily, Architects are uniquely capable of committing to a long-
term project, especially one as meaningful as parenthood, with all the
intellectual vigor they can muster.

I Hope Our Wisdom Will Grow With Our Power...

First and foremost, Architect parents will likely never be able to deliver the sort
of warmth and coddling that stereotypes say they should. Architects are
rational, perfectionistic, often insensitive, and certainly not prone to overt
displays of physical affection – it will take a clear and conscious effort on their
part to curb and adapt these qualities to their children’s needs, especially in the
younger years. If they have an especially sensitive child, Architects risk
inadvertently trampling those sensitivities or coming across as cold and
uncaring.

Even less sensitive children will need emotional support from time to time,
especially as they approach adolescence – Architects, even more so than other
Analyst types, struggle to manage their own emotions in a healthy way, let alone
others’. As a result, Architects tend to avoid “unproductive” emotional support,
instead taking a solutions-based approach to resolving issues. This is where
Architects are strongest – assessing a dilemma to find the underlying cause and
developing a plan to solve the problem at its source.

Architect parents don’t just tell their children what to do, though – they prompt
them, make them use their own minds so they arrive at the same conclusions,
or better ones still.
Architects also recognize that life is often the best teacher, and they will tend to
be fairly liberal, allowing their children to have their own adventures and make
their own decisions, further developing these critical thinking skills. This isn’t
to say that Architects parents are lenient – far from it – rather, they expect their
children to use their freedom responsibly, and often enough the weight of this
expectation alone is enough to lay out understood ground rules. When they need
to though, Architect parents will communicate openly and honestly with their
children, believing that knowing the truth is better than not knowing, or worse
yet, simply being wrong.

...And Teach Us That the Less We Use Our Power, the

Greater It Will Be
If their children are receptive to this approach, Architect parents will find
themselves respected and trusted. Architects are excellent communicators when
they want to be, and will frame problems as opportunities for personal growth,
helping their children to establish their own brand of rational thinking and
independent problem-solving skills to be applied to more and more complex
situations as they grow, building their confidence as they make their own way.
Architects’ ultimate goal as a parent is to ensure that their children are prepared
to deal with whatever life throws their way.

All this is the exertion of Architects’ core philosophy of intelligent self-

direction, and in this way they try to mold their children in their own image,
working to create capable adults who can go on to use their own minds, solve
their own problems, and help their own children in the same way when the time
comes. Architects understand that this can’t happen if they shield their children
from every source of ill and harm, but believe that if they give their children the
right tools, they won’t have to.

ARCHITECT CAREERS
Professional competence is often the area in which Architects shine most
brilliantly. Their capacity for digesting difficult and complex theories and
principles and converting them into clear and actionable ideas and strategies is
unmatched by any other type. Architects are able to filter out the noise of a
situation, identifying the core thread that needs to be pulled in order to unravel
others’ messes so that they can be rewoven into something at once beautifully
intricate and stunningly simple in its function.

The real challenge for Architects is that in order for their innovative (and to less
insightful individuals, seemingly counter-intuitive) ideas to be heard, they need
to have a friendly ear to bend, and developing an amiable rapport with authority
figures is not exactly in Architects’ list of core strengths. In their early careers,
Architects will often have to suffer through menial tasks and repeated rejections
as they develop their abilities into a skillset that speaks for itself.

Architects will often find ways to automate routine and mind-numbing tasks,
and as they progress, their natural confidence, dedication, and creative
intelligence will open the doors to the increased complexity and freedom they
crave.

Where’s My Drawing Board?

Architects tend to prefer to work alone, or at most in small groups, where they
can maximize their creativity and focus without repeated interruptions from
questioning colleagues and meetings-happy supervisors. For this reason
Architects are unlikely to be found in strictly administrative roles or anything
that requires constant dialogue and heavy teamwork. Rather, Architects prefer
more “lone wolf” positions as mechanical or software engineers, lawyers or
freelance consultants, only accepting competent leadership that helps in these
goals, and rejecting the authority of those who hold them back.

Their independent attitude and tireless demand for competence mean that
Architects absolutely loathe those who get ahead by seemingly less meritocratic
means like social prowess and political connections. Architects have
exceptionally high standards, and if they view a colleague or supervisor as
incompetent or ineffective, respect will be lost instantly and permanently.
Architects value personal initiative, determination, insight and dedication, and
believe that everyone should complete their work to the highest possible
standards – if a schmoozing shill breezes through without carrying their own
weight, they may find Architects’ inventiveness and determination used in a
whole new capacity as the winds turn against them.

Timid Men Prefer the Calm

As their careers progress further and their reputation grows, so will the
complexity of Architects’ tasks and projects. Architects demand progress and
evolution, new challenges and theories, and they often accomplish this by
pushing into more active strategic positions. While they don’t care for the
spotlight, Architects do enjoy controlling their ideas, and will often expand into
low-profile but influential roles as project managers, system engineers,
marketing strategists, systems analysts, and military strategists.

But really, Architects’ vision, creativity, and competence in executing their

plans make them viable in just about any career that requires them to think about
what they’re doing. While some careers, such as low-level sales and human
resources, clearly do not play to their strengths, Architects are able to build a
niche into just about any institution, including their own, that they put their
minds to.
ARCHITECTS IN THE WORKPLACE
Above all else, Architects want to be able to tackle intellectually interesting
work with minimal outside interference, no more, no less. Time-consuming
management techniques like trust-building getaways, progress meetings, and
drawn-out, sandwiched criticisms are only going to annoy Architects – all they
need, be they subordinate, colleague, or manager, is to meet their goals with the
highest standard of technical excellence and to be surrounded by, if anyone at
all, people who share those values.

On paper this makes them appear to be exemplary employees, and in many

ways they are, but there are many personality types who will find a work (or
any other) relationship with Architects extremely challenging. Architects have
a fairly strict code of conduct when it comes to their work, and if they see
coworkers valuing social activities and “good enough” workmanship over
absolute excellence, it will be a turbulent environment. For this reason,
Architects tend to prefer to work in tight, like-minded groups – a group of one,
if necessary.

Architect Subordinates
Architects are independent people, and they quickly become frustrated if they
find themselves pushed into tightly defined roles that limit their freedom. With
the direction of a properly liberal manager, Architects will establish themselves
in a position of expertise, completing their work not with the ambition of
managerial promotion, but for its own intrinsic merit. Architects require and
appreciate firm, logical managers who are able to direct efforts with
competence, deliver criticism when necessary, and back up those decisions with
sound reason.

Note that it is Architects’ expectations of their managers that are being defined
here, and not the other way around, as with some other personality types. Titles
mean little to Architects – trust and respect are earned, and Architects expect
this to be a two way street, receiving and delivering advice, criticisms and
results. Architects expect their managers to be intelligent enough and strong
enough to be able to handle this paradigm. A silent Architect conveys a lack of
respect better than all their challenges ever will.

Architect Colleagues
Active teamwork is not ideal for people with the Architect personality type.
Fiercely independent and private, Architects use their nimble minds and insight
to deflect personal talk, avoid workplace tension, and create situations where
they aren’t slowed down by those less intelligent, less capable, or less adaptable
to more efficient methods. Instead, they will likely poke fun by forcing them to
read between the lines and making them deal alone with work that could have
been easier if they’d only taken Architects’ suggestions.

Architects are brilliant analysts, and will likely gather a small handful of trusted
colleagues to involve in their brainstorming sessions, excluding those who get
too hung up on details, or who otherwise have yet to earn their respect. But
more likely, Architects will simply take the initiative alone – Architects love
embracing challenges and their consequent responsibilities, and their
perfectionism and determination usually mean that the work comes out clean
and effective, affording Architects the twin joys of solitude and victory.

Architect Managers
Though they may be surprised to hear it, Architects make natural leaders, and
this shows in their management style. Architects value innovation and
effectiveness more than just about any other quality, and they will gladly cast
aside hierarchy, protocol and even their own beliefs if they are presented with
rational arguments about why things should change. Architects promote
freedom and flexibility in the workplace, preferring to engage their
subordinates as equals, respecting and rewarding initiative and adopting an
attitude of “to the best mind go the responsibilities”, directing strategy while
more capable hands manage the day-to-day tactics.

But this sort of freedom isn’t just granted, it’s required – those who are
accustomed to just being told what to do, who are unable to direct themselves
and challenge existing notions, will have a hard time meeting Architects’
extremely high standards. Efficiency and results are king to Architects, and
behaviors that undermine these conditions are quashed mercilessly. If
subordinates try to compensate for their weakness in these areas by trying to
build a social relationship with their Architect managers, on their heads be it –
office gossip and schmoozing are not the way into Architects’ hearts – only
bold competence will do.
ARCHITECT PERSONALITY –
CONCLUSION
Armed with a powerful intellect and strategic thinking, Architects can
overcome or outmaneuver obstacles that seem unbeatable to most. At the same
time, their many quirks, such as often unconstrained rationalism, lead to many
misunderstandings. Those misunderstandings end here. What you have read so
far is just an introduction – we have a great deal more to tell you about the
Architect personality type.

At some point in reading through your results, you probably hit a tipping point.
You went from trademark Architect skepticism to “huh...” to “wait, what?” You
may even be a little uncomfortable because you are really not used to being
understood, even by the people you’re closest to.

Chances are, you’ve accepted that as part of who you are, and maybe even
grown proud of it. But embracing that disconnection isn’t a requirement for
Architects. It’s a misused defense mechanism, leading you down a lonely,
inefficient path – gaining insight into yourself and others is so much more
rewarding.

This is no date-of-birth gimmick, and no, we did not spy on you – rather, we’ve
spent years studying Architects’ life stories, experiences, and patterns in
hundreds of our surveys. Step by step, insight by insight, we discovered how
those who share your qualities and outlook have overcome the challenges
they’ve faced. You are a unique individual, but you are not alone in this. It’s
wise to learn from others’ experiences – and we’d really like to share those
insights with you.

As you move forward into the e-books and interactive courses we offer, we go
much deeper into the Architect mind. We answer not just “what”, but “why?”,
“how?” and “what if?” Why do you act the way you do? How do you find
motivation and inspiration? What if you moved beyond fear to pursue what you
secretly want to achieve in life?

We can show you how to use your strengths to unlock your exceptional
potential and avoid common pitfalls, while also staying true to who you are –
after all, that’s the point. To see how you can grow to be the person you know
you’re capable of being, in ways that finally feel right – read on, Architect.
ROLES: ANALYSTS
Shared traits: Intuitive and Thinking

The personality types in the Analyst Role – Architects, Logicians, Commanders,

and Debaters– embrace rationality, excelling in intellectual and technological pursuits.
The Thinking trait makes Analysts exacting, and the Intuitive trait lets them apply their
minds to almost anything, with their imaginations aiding calculated, strategic thinking, or
seeing just how far the rabbit hole goes with a crazy scheme or thought experiment.

These personalities are driven to understand and create, and have no problem switching
between speculative musing and frank, solutions-oriented approaches to whatever
problems are at hand. Broad, intelligent vision gives Analysts an ingenious air, but they
can become overwhelmed and scattered if they don’t learn to hone these abilities and use
them to advance a worthwhile cause or project.

The biggest pitfall is that their intellect can give them a false sense of accomplishment.
They tend to prefer the world of ideas to the sober reality of follow-through, and by
assuming the role of critic instead of participant, Analysts sometimes risk being
functionally outpaced by those who simply sit down and do the work. They can earn
themselves the unsavory title of “armchair analysts” while those with more real-world
experience continue to create real results. Analyst personality types can lack a proper
respect for those of simpler vision and expression, whatever their background, and it can
hold them back.
Analysts value their intellect above all else, and it can be a challenge convincing them
it’s worth checking their many hypotheses with an experiment or proper evidence to be
sure. To many Analysts, if something makes sense in their minds, that’s as good as
proved, and a great deal faster. Analysts can be brilliant, but they’re still human; under
the influence of ego, these personality types can get in the habit of advancing clever
opinions instead of objective facts.

Analysts’ positive self-identity stems largely from their formidable drive to learn, and
their clever and sharply witty banter can make them excellent debate partners. Often
insatiable readers as well, Analysts can be found stockpiling books, questioning teachers,
and driving conversations in forums across the world wide web. These types prefer their
own processes and pace, and are energized by exercising their minds on their own time.

Analysts are also relentless self-improvers. Once they’ve recognized a flaw, they apply
all of this cold rationality, honest reflection, imagination, and desire for results to make it
right. Analysts’ forceful, imaginative vision, when trained and focused, enables these
personalities to conceive and accomplish things most thought impossible.

STRATEGIES: CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT

Shared traits: Introverted and Turbulent

Constant Improvers are sensitive and contemplative individuals who enjoy having their
own space and freedom. They are often deep and creative individuals, though often tense
and more comfortable on their own than mixed up in the judgment of the real world. With
the two personality traits most representative of a sensitivity to their environment –
Introversion and Turbulence – they are reserved when dealing with strangers or new
situations, often turning inwards or focusing on peacekeeping instead.

These personalities’ caution in the face of unfamiliar challenges can sometimes look like
a lack of motivation, but this is usually just self-doubt – Constant Improvers have a strong
drive, but it comes paired with a strong fear of failure. They invest a great deal of their
identity in their successes, and even a minor misstep or embarrassment can be crushing.

The vigilance learned from a lifetime of ups and downs gives these personality types a
knack for sensing trouble. This is a strategic wariness that can be quite useful in situations
that need to balance risk and reward, whether a financial investment or a romantic
opportunity. Though they can seem frustratingly over-cautious to others, Constant
Improvers would rather not face calamity, so they excel at avoiding it with preventive
insights.

Since they aren’t always comfortable with energetic exchanges with other people,
Constant Improvers often direct their attention elsewhere, striving to master hobbies,
careers, bodies of knowledge, or new means of self-expression. Their restless drive, self-
doubt, and solitary mentality can combine to create impressive, beautiful results.

High-achieving and perfectionistic, Constant Improvers generally try to do their best in

their endeavors, dedicating tremendous time and energy. These personalities can put so
much pressure on themselves that they diminish their own impressive accomplishments
by fixating on the slightest flaws or dismissing successes as luck rather than skill or
dedication.

Taken too far, this perfectionism can also drive endless rumination – an unhealthy
obsession with perfection will reveal flaws in the best plans, and Constant Improvers
often feel forced to abandon a course of action because something doesn’t line up right.
Whether working feverishly or picking at the threads of an idea though, Constant
Improvers can be intense about their goals, and progress towards internal balance can lead
them to amazing personal accomplishments.

Alongside their personal efforts, these personality types also care a great deal what others
think of them. This can be very useful, but they can take this to a fault: fixating on others’
expectations can sour social efforts into awkwardness. Constant Improvers are easily
thrown off-balance by conflict, and may communicate timidly, or not at all, for fear of
hurting people’s feelings, provoking a confrontation, or looking the fool.

Sometimes it takes peer approval and active encouragement for this Strategy group to
recognize their own virtues. These personalities often benefit from friends and colleagues
patient enough to get to know them and who give them a chance to speak their minds.
When treated considerately, these types become devoted partners and begin to reveal their
kindness, insights, heartfelt support, and the complexities of their approach to the world,
from sometimes (oddly specific) plans for obscure situations to starry-eyed ambitions.

MIND: INTROVERTED VS. EXTRAVERTED

It is safe to say that Extraversion and Introversion are probably the oldest notions in the
history of personality theories. It has long been observed that some people are expressive,
outgoing and comfortable in interacting with their surroundings – while others are
reserved, quiet and more comfortable alone. It is as if the former sincerely enjoy engaging
with the external world and recharge by communicating with other people, and the latter
prefer to rely on themselves and their own inner world instead of seeking stimulation
from the outside. We focus on these differences in our first scale, which we call Mind –
it determines how we see and approach the outside world, including people, objects and
activities within it.

While Introversion and Extraversion are often used in lieu of social aptitude, this scale
involves more than just being outgoing and social – although social skills form part of it.
In a broader way, the Mind scale determines the degree of interaction with the outer
world; how socially one behaves is just a part of that. In a sense, this scale is a contrast of
the quantity and intensity of an experience and its quality or depth.

People who are considered Extraverts (E) in our model are not as sensitive to outer stimuli
and need to seek them out in order to gain a kind of functional equilibrium and to perform
well. Introverts (I), on the other hand, are more sensitive and need to escape the same
stimuli in order to be more functional. Unlike Extraverts, Introverts can quickly exhaust
their mental energy reserves, and they will only tolerate such situations so long before
they yearn for solitude and quiet.

Let’s consider a couple of practical examples. Our research shows that Introverts are
significantly more likely to report being sensitive to noise and bright colors, and they also
strongly prefer simplicity and minimalism in their environment (especially if their
Introversion is coupled with the Thinking trait). Likewise, they do not seek or require
much external stimulation – while communicating with other people is the most obvious
example of such stimulation, this concept also extends to things like hobbies, political
attitudes and even eating or drinking habits. For instance, Introverts are more likely to
dislike coffee and energy drinks.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Extraverts are more interested in engaging the
environment – people and objects around them – and they need feedback as well. They
are more energetic and willing to take the lead in many situations, especially social ones,
and they enjoy pushing limits and challenging both themselves and those around them.
People with Extraverted personality types are also more likely to feel that they can handle
any challenges life throws their way. Obviously, whether that turns out to be true or not
depends on many other circumstances, but generally speaking, Extraverts tend to be much
more proactive in experiencing (and relying on) the world around them.

Finally, it is important to point out that the Mind scale does not determine how
introspective or reflective we are – even though it may be tempting to confuse the two.
There are introspective Extraverts and non-introspective Introverts. Ultimately, this scale
is about how much stimulation we require and can absorb from our environment, not
about what happens in our minds afterwards.

ENERGY: INTUITIVE VS. OBSERVANT

The second scale in our model is called Energy and it connects Intuitive and Observant
styles. In our opinion, this dichotomy is the most important – while the other four scales
determine how you interact with the world (Mind), make decisions (Nature), schedule
your activities (Tactics), or react to external feedback (Identity), the chasm between
Intuitive and Observant individuals is far more significant as it actually determines how
you see the world and what kind of information you focus on. It may seem like your
decisions are the most important, but a decision is only as good as the understanding that
backs it up.

With this in mind, all personality types can be divided into groups of those who favor the
Intuitive (N) energy style (visionary, more interested in ideas, focusing on novelty) and
those of the Observant (S) energy style (more interested in facts and observable things,
focusing on the tried and tested).

Individuals with the Intuitive trait prefer to rely on their imagination, ideas and
possibilities. They dream, fantasize and question why things happen the way they do,
always feeling slightly detached from the actual, concrete world. One could even say that
these individuals never actually feel as if they truly belong to this world. They may
observe other people and events, but their mind remains directed both inwards and
somewhere beyond – always questioning, wondering and making connections. When all
is said and done, Intuitive types believe in novelty, in the open mind, and in never-ending
improvement.

One of the best examples of such thinking that we can give is the results of a study of
ours where we asked people whether they wish to have been born in the Age of Discovery.
It quickly became clear that the Intuitive types would be much more willing to give up
the convenience, comfort and predictability of the modern age in return for excitement
brought by exploration, distant civilizations, and undiscovered mysteries of the New
World.

In contrast, individuals with the Observant trait focus on the actual world and things
happening around them. They enjoy seeing, touching, feeling and experiencing – and
leave theories and possibilities to others. They want to keep their feet on the ground and
focus on the present, instead of wondering why or when something might happen.
Consequently, people with this trait tend to be better at dealing with facts, tools and
concrete objects as opposed to brainstorming about possibilities or future events, handling
abstract theories, or exploring fantasy scenarios. Observant types are also significantly
better at focusing on just one thing at a time instead of bursting with energy and juggling
multiple activities.

These traits determine communication style as well – Intuitive individuals talk about ideas
and have no difficulties with allusions or reading between the lines, while Observant types
focus on clarity, facts and practical matters. This is why Intuitive types are likely to find
it quite challenging to understand someone with the Observant trait, and vice versa. The
former may even think that the latter is materialistic, unimaginative and simplistic, and
the latter may see their Intuitive conversation partner as impractical, naïve and absent-
minded. Both sets of assumptions can be quite damaging and it takes a mature person to
get past them – but statements like these are fairly common.

Finally, it is important to point out that this scale has nothing to do with how we absorb
information – Intuitive and Observant types use their five senses equally well – rather, it
shows whether we prefer to focus most of our energy on looking for
novel, intuitiveconnections or on observing and utilizing what we already see around us.
If you are familiar with the Big Five personality traits, we built this scale on a reworked
form of the Openness to experience concept, mostly focusing on preference for (and
tolerance of) novelty and ambiguity.

Also, as discussed in our main theoretical article, there are other theories sharing these
type acronyms, many of which are based on concepts defined by Carl Jung in the
beginning of the 20th century. This scale is one of the most important differences between
them and our model. Even though the Jungian concepts of sensation and intuition are
likely to have some correlation with our Energy scale, these approaches are fundamentally
different and may not be compared directly.

NATURE: THINKING VS. FEELING

The Nature scale determines how we make decisions and cope with emotions. While we
all have feelings, there are significant differences in how we react to them and what role
those feelings play in our lives. This then influences a number of other areas, mostly
related to our interactions with other people.

People with the Thinking (T) trait seek logic and rational arguments, relying on their head
rather than their heart. They do their best to safeguard their emotions, shielding them from
the outside world and making sure that they are not clearly visible. “Whatever happens,
you must always keep a cool head” – this is the motto of Thinking types. However, this
does not mean that these types are cold-blooded and indifferent. People with the Thinking
trait are often just as emotional as those with the Feeling trait – but they tend to subdue
and override their feelings with their rational logic.

A good example here would be these groups’ attitudes toward charitable causes, which
we analyzed in several of our studies. Thinking types are significantly less likely to give
to charities or be touched by their emotional appeals – however, does this mean that they
are unwilling to help? Not necessarily – it turns out that Thinking personalities simply do
not believe that giving to charity is the best way to help. They may be just as willing to
help other people, but they may look for a different way – such as investing in education
for the disadvantaged, for instance.

In contrast, people with the Feeling (F) trait follow their hearts and emotions and care
little about hiding them. From their perspective, we should not be afraid to listen to our
innermost feelings and share them with the world – these individuals tend to be
compassionate, sensitive and highly emotional. They would rather cooperate than
compete, although it would be a big mistake to see Feeling types as naïve or easily swayed
– quite the contrary, they are likely to fight tooth and nail for what they believe in. For
many Feeling types, their principles and ideals are much more important than, say,
professional success. Or, to put it another way, this is a different kind of logic, one rooted
in assessments of the feelings of others – a decision that makes everyone happier is just
as valid as a decision that gets the job done fastest.

TACTICS: JUDGING VS. PROSPECTING

The Tactics scale determines how we approach planning and available options. However,
this affects more than just our calendars – at its core, this scale determines our attitude
toward certainty and structure in our lives, both at mental and physical levels.

People with the Judging (J) trait do not like to keep their options open – they would rather
come up with five different contingency plans than just go ahead and deal with the
challenges as they come. They prefer clarity and closure, always going with the plan
rather than the flow. It is as if Judging types always keep a mental checklist, and when
something is crossed off that list, it is done and not open to reassessment. This goes as
much for groceries (“What will that go with?”) as it does for life goals, like buying a
house.

Furthermore, Judging individuals tend to have a very strong work ethic, putting their
duties and responsibilities above everything else. Our research also indicates that Judging
types are much stricter when it comes to law and order. Of course, this does not mean that
the other group are lawbreakers, but if you see someone walk for five minutes so that they
could get to the other side of the street using a crosswalk, they are much more likely to
be a Judging type.

In contrast, Prospecting (P) individuals are much more flexible and relaxed when it comes
to dealing with both expected and unexpected challenges. They are always scanning for
opportunities and options, willing to jump at them at a moment’s notice. People with this
trait are perfectly aware that life is full of possibilities, and they are reluctant to commit
to something that might well prove to be an inferior option in the future.

Prospecting personality types are also likely to focus more on what makes them happy as
opposed to what their parents, employers, or teachers expect – if a specific task is not that
important or interesting, a Prospecting individual will always be able to come up with
something better to do.

IDENTITY: ASSERTIVE VS. TURBULENT

Our last scale, Identity, affects all others, showing how confident we are in our abilities
and decisions. In a way, it acts as an internal sensor, reacting to the input we get from the
environment – for instance, success or failure, feedback from other people, pressure
caused by unexpected events and so on. Mind and Identity scales are the alpha and the
omega of our model, acting like an external shell that we wear in all our interactions with
the outside world – we discuss all four possible combinations of these traits in the
“Strategies” section of our main theoretical article, but in this one, let’s take a look at
what the Identity scale looks like.

Assertive (-A) individuals are self-assured, even-tempered and resistant to stress. They
refuse to worry too much and do not push themselves too hard when it comes to achieving
goals. Similarly, they are unlikely to spend much time thinking about their past actions
or choices – according to Assertive types, what’s done is done and there is little point in
analyzing it. Not surprisingly, people with this trait report more satisfaction with their
lives and they also feel more confident in their abilities to handle challenging and
unexpected situations.

In contrast, individuals with Turbulent (-T) identity are self-conscious and sensitive to
stress. They experience a wide range of emotions and tend to be success-driven,
perfectionistic and eager to improve. They are also more willing to change jobs if they
feel stuck in their current one and to spend time thinking about the direction in which
their life is going.

However, while the Assertive variant may seem more positive on the surface, that is not
always the case – for instance, Turbulent individuals perform better in certain roles as
they push themselves to achieve superior results, while Assertive ones do not care about
the outcome that much. Always feeling the need to do more, to have more, and to be more,
Turbulent types often forget how exhausting that can be to both themselves and the people
around them – but it is entirely possible that this desire to always push themselves just a
little further helps many Turbulent types to achieve what they seek to achieve.