ADVOCATE PERSONALITY (INFJ, -A/-T)

INTRODUCTION
The Advocate personality type is very rare, making up less than one
percent of the population, but they nonetheless leave their mark on the
world. As members of the Diplomat Role group, Advocates have an
inborn sense of idealism and morality, but what sets them apart is that
they are not idle dreamers, but people capable of taking concrete steps
to realize their goals and make a lasting positive impact.

Advocates tend to see helping others as their purpose in life, but while
people with this personality type can be found engaging rescue efforts
and doing charity work, their real passion is to get to the heart of the
issue so that people need not be rescued at all.

HELP ME HELP YOU

Advocates indeed share a very unique combination of traits: though

soft-spoken, they have very strong opinions and will fight tirelessly for
an idea they believe in. They are decisive and strong-willed, but will
rarely use that energy for personal gain Advocates will act with
creativity, imagination, conviction and sensitivity not to create
advantage, but to create balance. Egalitarianism and karma are very
attractive ideas to Advocates, and they tend to believe that nothing
would help the world so much as using love and compassion to soften
the hearts of tyrants.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the
darkness of destructive selfishness.

Martin Luther King

Advocates find it easy to make connections with others, and have a

talent for warm, sensitive language, speaking in human terms, rather
than with pure logic and fact. It makes sense that their friends and
colleagues will come to think of them as quiet Extroverted types, but
they would all do well to remember that Advocates need time alone to
decompress and recharge, and to not become too alarmed when they
suddenly withdraw. Advocates take great care of others feelings, and
they expect the favor to be returned sometimes that means giving
them the space they need for a few days.

LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

Really though, it is most important for Advocates to remember to take

care of themselves. The passion of their convictions is perfectly
capable of carrying them past their breaking point and if their zeal gets
out of hand, they can find themselves exhausted, unhealthy and
stressed. This becomes especially apparent when Advocates find
themselves up against conflict and criticism their sensitivity forces
them to do everything they can to evade these seemingly personal
attacks, but when the circumstances are unavoidable, they can fight
back in highly irrational, unhelpful ways.

To Advocates, the world is a place full of inequity but it doesnt have

to be. No other personality type is better suited to create a movement
to right a wrong, no matter how big or small. Advocates just need to
remember that while theyre busy taking care of the world, they need to
take care of themselves, too.

ADVOCATE STRENGTHS AND

WEAKNESSES

ADVOCATE STRENGTHS
Creative Combining a vivid imagination with a strong sense of
compassion, Advocates use their creativity to resolve not technical
challenges, but human ones. People with the Advocate personality
type enjoy finding the perfect solution for someone they care about,
and this strength makes them excellent counselors and advisors.

Insightful Seeing through dishonesty and disingenuous

motives, Advocates step past manipulation and sales tactics and
into a more honest discussion. Advocates see how people and
events are connected, and are able to use that insight to get to the
heart of the matter.

Inspiring and Convincing Speaking in human terms, not

technical, Advocates have a fluid, inspirational writing style that
appeals to the inner idealist in their audience. Advocates can even
be astonishingly good orators, speaking with warmth and passion,
if they are proud of what they are speaking for.

Decisive Their creativity, insight and inspiration are able to

have a real impact on the world, as Advocates are able to follow
through on their ideas with conviction, willpower, and the planning
necessary to see complex projects through to the end. Advocates
dont just see the way things ought to be, they act on those
insights.

Determined and Passionate When Advocates come to

believe that something is important, they pursue that goal with a
conviction and energy that can catch even their friends and loved
ones off guard. Advocates will rock the boat if they have to,
 something not everyone likes to see, but their passion for their
chosen cause is an inseparable part of their personality.

Altruistic These strengths are used for good. Advocates have

strong beliefs and take the actions that they do not because they
are trying to advance themselves, but because they are trying to
advance an idea that they truly believe will make the world a better
place.

ADVOCATE WEAKNESSES
Sensitive When someone challenges or criticizes Advocates
principles or values, they are likely to receive an alarmingly strong
response. People with the Advocate personality type are highly
vulnerable to criticism and conflict, and questioning their motives is
the quickest way to their bad side.

Extremely Private Advocates tend to present themselves as

the culmination of an idea. This is partly because they believe in
this idea, but also because Advocates are extremely private when it
comes to their personal lives, using this image to keep themselves
from having to truly open up, even to close friends. Trusting a new
friend can be even more challenging for Advocates.

Perfectionistic Advocates are all but defined by their pursuit of

ideals. While this is a wonderful quality in many ways, an ideal
situation is not always possible in politics, in business, in
romance and Advocates too often drop or ignore healthy and
productive situations and relationships, always believing there
might be a better option down the road.

Always Need to Have a Cause Advocates get so caught up in

the passion of their pursuits that any of the cumbersome
administrative or maintenance work that comes between them and
the ideal they see on the horizon is deeply unwelcome. Advocates
like to know that they are taking concrete steps towards their goals,
and if routine tasks feel like they are getting in the way, or worse
yet, there is no goal at all, they will feel restless and disappointed.

Can Burn Out Easily Their passion, poor patience for routine
maintenance, tendency to present themselves as an ideal, and
extreme privacy tend to leave Advocates with few options for letting
off steam. People with this personality type are likely to exhaust
 themselves in short order if they dont find a way to balance their
ideals with the realities of day-to-day living.

ADVOCATE RELATIONSHIPS
When it comes to romantic relationships, Advocates take the process
of finding a partner seriously. Not ones for casual encounters, people
with the Advocate personality type instead look for depth and meaning
in their relationships. Advocates will take the time necessary to find
someone they truly connect with once theyve found that someone,
their relationships will reach a level of depth and sincerity that most
people can only dream of.

Getting to that point can sometimes be a challenge for potential

partners, especially if they are the impatient type, as Advocates are
often perfectionistic and picky. People with this personality type arent
easily talked into something they dont want, and if someone doesnt
pick up on that, its a trespass that is unlikely to be forgiven, particularly
in the early stages of dating. Even worse is if a suitor tries to resort to
manipulation or lying, as Advocates will see right through it, and if
theres anything they have a poor tolerance for in a relationship, it is
inauthenticity.

IS THIS FOR REAL?

One of the things Advocates find most important is establishing

genuine, deep connections with the people they care about.

Advocates will go out of their way to seek out people who share their
desire for authenticity, and out of their way to avoid those who dont,
especially when looking for a partner. All that being said, Advocates
often have the advantage of desirability they are warm, friendly,
caring and insightful, seeing past facades and the obvious to
understand others thoughts and emotions.

Advocates are enthusiastic in their relationships, and there is a sense

of wisdom behind their spontaneity, allowing them to pleasantly
surprise their partners again and again. Advocates arent afraid to
show their love, and they feel it unconditionally, creating a depth to the
relationship that can hardly be described in conventional terms.
Relationships with Advocates are not for the uncommitted or the
shallow.

When it comes to intimacy, Advocates look for a connection that goes

beyond the physical, embracing the emotional and even spiritual
connection they have with their partner. People with the Advocate
personality type are passionate partners, and see intimacy as a way to
express their love and to make their partners happy. Advocates cherish
not just the act of being in a relationship, but what it means to become
one with another person, in mind, body and soul.

ADVOCATE FRIENDS
There is a running theme with Advocates, and that is a yearning for
authenticity and sincerity in their activities, their romantic
relationships, and their friendships. People with the Advocate
personality type are unlikely to go for friendships of circumstance, like
workplace social circles or chatting up their local baristas, where the
only thing they really have in common is a day-to-day familiarity.
Rather, Advocates seek out people who share their passions, interests
and ideologies, people with whom they can explore philosophies and
subjects that they believe are truly meaningful.

CLOSED BOOK AND SPEED READER

From the start, it can be a challenge to get to know Advocates, as they

are very private, even enigmatic. Advocates dont readily share their
thoughts and feelings, not unless they are comfortable, and since
those thoughts and feelings are the basis for Advocate friendships, it
can take time and persistence to get to know them. Meanwhile,
Advocates are very insightful and have a particular knack for seeing
beyond others facades, interpreting intent and compatibility quickly
and easily, and weeding out those who dont share the depth of their
idealism.

In friendship it is as though Advocates are searching for a soul mate,

someone who shares every facet of their passions and imagination.
Advocates are often perfectionistic, looking for ultimate compatibility,
and yet also look for someone with whom they can grow and improve
in tandem. Needless to say, this is a tall order, and Advocates should
try to remember that they are a particularly rare personality type, and
even if they find someone compatible in that sense, the odds that they
will also share every interest are slim. If they dont learn to meet others
halfway and recognize that the kind of self-improvement and depth
they demand is simply exhausting for many types, Advocates are likely
end up abandoning healthy friendships in their infancy, in search of
more perfect compatibilities.

LIKE FINDING A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK

Further complicating things are Advocates eloquence and

persuasiveness, which lead to a lot of (unwanted) attention and
popularity. Their quiet, determined idealism and imaginative expression
naturally draw influence, and if theres anything Advocates avoid, its
the accumulation of power over others and the people who are
drawn to that type of power. Advocates will find themselves more
sought after than theyd ever care to be, making it even more difficult
for them to find someone they truly have an affinity with. Really the
only way to be counted among Advocates true friends is to be
authentic, and to have that authenticity naturally reflect their own.

Once a common thread is found though, people with the Advocate

personality type make loyal and supportive companions, encouraging
growth and life-enriching experiences with warmth, excitement and
care. As trust grows, Advocates will share more of what lies beneath
the surface, and if those ideas and motives are mutual, its the sort of
friendship that will transcend time and distance, lasting a lifetime.
Advocates dont require a great deal of day-to-day attention for them,
quality trumps quantity every time, and over the years they will likely
end up with just a few true friendships, built on a richness of mutual
understanding that forges an indelible link between them.

ADVOCATE PARENTS
As parents Advocates, much as in their friendships, will tend to look at
their relationships with their children as opportunities to learn and grow
with someone they care about, while working to achieve a distinctly
separate but important goal raising someone to be an independent,
responsible and principled adult. People with the Advocate personality
type are unflinching in their devotion to their children, willing to grin and
bear any burden without hesitation. While warm and compassionate
throughout the parenting relationship, what Advocates are really
looking forward to is being able to communicate and relate to the
person they helped to raise, as equals.

BE UNIQUE, JUST LIKE ME

As their children grow, Advocates will likely try to project a great deal of
their own qualities onto them, demanding the same sort of idealism
and honesty that they demand from themselves, and maybe even
manipulating them into this in their weaker moments. Despite this,
Advocates will also push their children to think independently, make
their own choices and establish their own beliefs.

The highest goal for Advocate parents is for their childs choices and
beliefs to culminate in a cause that they are able to act on, contributing
to the world around them.

If all this independence is taken to heart, it can cause some trouble for
Advocate parents though, as their children move into the naturally
rebellious phase of adolescence. If Advocates children take a
contrarian approach, adopting beliefs that violate their parents own
well-developed principles, Advocates are likely to feel like their children
are pointing out their flaws by following another path, a hurtful thing to
such a sensitive personality type.

A JOB WELL DONE

Ultimately though, Advocate parents will realize that these conflicting

beliefs arent a sign of their failure, but of their success in raising
someone who did indeed learn to form their own ideals. As they
mature, Advocates children will also come to appreciate the
combination of independence and personal responsibility they were
raised with. So long as their child grows up with a firm understanding
of the difference between right and wrong and is able to fight for a
cause they believe in, striving to be the best they can be, Advocate
parents will be satisfied with what theyve accomplished together with
their child.

ADVOCATE CAREERS
Advocates are likely to find that most corporate career paths are not
designed for them, but for those focused on status and material gain.
This doesnt mean that people with the Advocate personality type
struggle to see viable options though. In fact, they are likely to face the
opposite problem many Advocates struggle to begin a career early
on because they see ten wildly different paths forward, each with its
own intrinsic rewards, alluring but also heartbreaking, because each
means abandoning so much else.

TRUTH, BEAUTY, PURPOSE

First and foremost, Advocates need to find meaning in their work, to

know that they are helping and connecting with people an Advocate
Ferrari salesperson is a non-sequitur. This desire to help and connect
makes careers in healthcare, especially the more holistic varieties,
very rewarding for Advocates roles as counselors, psychologists,
doctors, life coaches and spiritual guides are all attractive options.

Advocates needs dont end at meaning though any productive work

can be rationalized to be meaningful, as any productive work helps
someone, somewhere. Advocates crave creativity too, the ability to use
their insight to connect events and situations, effecting real change in
others lives personally.

For Advocates, money and Employee of the Month simply wont cut it
compared to living their values and principles.

TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A YELLOWED WOOD

These needs are hard to meet in a corporate structure, where

Advocates will be forced to manage someone elses policies alongside
their own. For this reason, people with the Advocate personality type
are more likely to, despite their aversion to controlling others, establish
their independence by either finding a leadership position, or simply
starting their own practice. As independents, sole proprietors in the
parlance of business, Advocates are free to follow their hearts,
applying their personal touch, creativity and altruism to everything they
do.

This is the most rewarding option for Advocates, as they will step out of
the overly humble supporting and noncompetitive roles they are often
drawn to, and into positions where they can grow and make a
difference. Advocates often pursue expressive careers such as writing,
elegant communicators that they are, and author many popular blogs,
stories and screenplays. Music, photography, design and art are viable
options too, and they all can focus on deeper themes of personal
growth, morality and spirituality.

Where Advocates fall flat is in work focusing on impersonal concerns,

mundanity, and high-profile conflict. Accounting and auditing, data
analysis and routine work will leave people with the Advocate
personality type fidgety and unfulfilled, and they will simply wilt under
the scrutiny, criticism and pressure of courtroom prosecution and
defense, corporate politics and cold-call sales. Advocates are clever,
and can function in any of these fields, but to be truly happy, they need
to be able to exercise their insightfulness and independence, learn and
grow alongside the people they are helping, and contribute to the well-
being of humanity on a personal level.

ADVOCATES IN THE WORKPLACE

Advocates have pretty tall demands when it comes to a satisfying work
environment. Not only does this personality type need to be able to
express their creativity and insight, Advocates need to know that what
they are doing has meaning, helps people, leads to personal growth
and, all the while, is in line with their values, principles and beliefs.

Oftentimes the best way for Advocates to achieve this is to not have to
answer to others rules at all to be their own boss, neither above nor
below anyone else, just directly interacting with the people and ideas
that are important to them. All that being said, Advocates are a clever
and inspired group, and with a few of the right conditions, most any
position can be made to work.

ADVOCATE SUBORDINATES

As subordinates, Advocates are likely to chafe under hardline rules,

formal hierarchies and routine tasks. People with the Advocate
personality type value diplomacy and sensitivity, and the more
democratic and personal their managers style is, and the more they
feel their independence and input are valued, the happier theyll be.
Advocates act on their convictions, so when they do something, its
something that has meaning to them if those actions come under
criticism, even justified complaints, but especially unwarranted ones,
their morale is likely to tank spectacularly.

A managers values need to be naturally aligned with their Advocate

subordinates for both parties to be most effective. Though usually
idealistic, if they feel in conflict, Advocates can lose touch with that
sense and end up all too bitter. But if its a balance they can handle,
with a little encouragement every now and then, Advocates will be
hardworking, trustworthy, and more than capable of handling their
responsibilities and professional relationships.

ADVOCATE COLLEAGUES

As colleagues, Advocates are likely to become quite popular, being

seen as positive, eloquent and capable friends, identifying others
motives and defusing conflicts and tension before anyone else even
senses a disturbance. Advocates are likely to prioritize harmony and
cooperation over ruthless efficiency, encouraging a good, hardworking
atmosphere and helping others when needed. While this is usually a
strength, there is a risk that others will take advantage of Advocates
commitment to their responsibilities by simply shifting their burdens
onto their more dedicated Advocate colleagues desks.

It should also be remembered that at the end of the day, Advocates are
still Introverts (I), and their popularity isnt always welcome they will
need to step back and act the lone wolf from time to time, pursuing
their own goals in their own ways. An unhealthy version of this
tendency may pop up if Advocates sense that their values are being
compromised by a more ethically relaxed colleague.

ADVOCATE MANAGERS

As managers, Advocates are often reluctant in exercising their

authority, preferring to see their subordinates as equals, coordinating
and supervising people, leaving the technical systems and factual
details to more capable hands, and working hard to inspire and
motivate, not to crack the whip. Thats not to say that people with the
Advocate personality type have lax standards far from it as
Advocates sense of equality means that they expect their subordinates
to be as competent, motivated and reliable as the Advocates
themselves.

Though sensitive, understanding, principled and just, able to

appreciate individual styles and to make accurate judgments about
others motivations, if a subordinates actions or attitude undermines
Advocates ethics or values, they will find little comfort in these
qualities. Advocates have no tolerance for lapses in reliability or
morality. But, so long as no such lapse occurs, Advocates will work
tirelessly to ensure that their subordinates feel valued and happy.

ADVOCATE PERSONALITY
CONCLUSION
Few personality types are as sensitive and mysterious as Advocates.
Your imagination and empathy make you someone who not only
cherishes their integrity and deeply held principles but, unlike many
other idealistic types, is also capable of turning those ideals into plans,
and executing them.

Yet, as an Advocate, you are likely to be easily tripped up in areas

where idealism and determination are more of a liability than an asset.
Whether it is navigating interpersonal conflicts, confronting unpleasant
facts, pursuing self-realization, or finding a career path that aligns well
with your intricate inner core, you may face numerous challenges that
at times can even make you question who you really are.
The sections you have read so far are just the introduction to each
chapter in our discussion about the complex enigma that is the
Advocate personality type. You may have muttered to yourself, wow,
this is so accurate its a little creepy or finally, someone understands
me! You may have even asked how do they know more about me
than the people Im closest to?

This was not a trick. You felt understood because you were. Weve
studied how Advocates think, what motivates and troubles them, and
what they need to reach their full potential. Many of the challenges
youve faced and will face in the future have been overcome by other
Advocates. We are all unique, but we can also learn from each others
experiences and use that knowledge to better understand ourselves.
Our comment sections are a great venue for that, giving you a unique
chance to be a part of this ongoing effort.

We explained how Advocates tend to behave in certain circumstances,

such as in parenthood and the workplace... Now wed like to go much
deeper into your personality type, answering questions about why
certain qualities express themselves more strongly, how to manage
personal and professional relationships with challenging personality
conflicts, and what happens if stress causes your shadow side to
emerge. Discovering the answers to these questions can truly make a
difference, not just in the way you view yourself, but in viewing the
challenges you and others with the Advocate personality type face
more constructively.

So, are you interested in finding out what really motivates and inspires
you? How to grow as an individual, with a clear purpose in your sights?
How to use your Advocate strengths and carve out a niche in a world
that sometimes seems to have been built by and for completely
different personality types while also staying true to who and what
you really are?

Our premium profiles provide a roadmap towards a more focused,

confident, and passionate YOU. They are not for everyone you need
to be willing and able to challenge yourself, to go beyond the obvious,
to imagine and follow your own path instead of just going with the flow.
This is not a blue pill or a quick-fix solution. Our goal is to help you
become the person you were meant to be, not simply give you a mask
to put on. If you wish to do this, simply go to the next section.