Advocates (INFJs) may be the rarest personality type of all, but they certainly leave

their mark on the world. Idealistic and principled, they aren’t content to coast through
life – they want to stand up and make a difference. For Advocate personalities,
success doesn’t come from money or status but from seeking fulfillment, helping
others, and being a force for good in the world.

While they have lofty goals and ambitions, Advocates shouldn’t be mistaken for idle
dreamers. People with this personality type care about integrity, and they’re rarely
satisfied until they’ve done what they know to be right. Conscientious to the core, they
move through life with a clear sense of their values, and they aim never to lose sight
of what truly matters – not according to other people or society at large, but according
to their own wisdom and intuition.

Seeking Purpose
Perhaps because their personality type is so uncommon, Advocates tend to carry
around a sense – whether conscious or not – of being different from most people. With
their rich inner lives and their deep, abiding desire to find their life purpose, they don’t
always fit in with those around them. This isn’t to say that Advocates can’t enjoy social
acceptance or close relationships – only that they sometimes feel misunderstood or at
odds with the world.

Fortunately, this sense of being out of step doesn’t diminish Advocates’ commitment
to making the world a better place. Advocates are troubled by injustice, and they
typically care more about altruism than personal gain. They often feel called to use
their strengths – including creativity, imagination, and sensitivity – to uplift others and
spread compassion.

Nothing lights up Advocates like changing someone else’s life for the better.
Many Advocates see helping others as their mission in life, and they’re always looking
for ways to step in and speak up for what is right. People with this personality type
also aspire to fix society’s deeper problems, in the hope that unfairness and hardship
can become things of the past. At times, however, Advocates may focus so intently on
their ideals that they don’t take adequate care of themselves – a pattern that can lead
to stress and burnout.

Connecting with Others (and Themselves)

Advocates may be Introverted, but they value deep, authentic relationships with
others. Few things bring these personalities as much joy as truly knowing another
person – and being known in return. Advocates enjoy meaningful conversations far
more than small talk, and they tend to communicate in a way that is warm and
sensitive. This emotional honesty and insight can make a powerful impression on the
people around them.
A few close relationships, provided that they’re genuine, can fill Advocates’ hearts to
the brim.
Thoughtful and compassionate, Advocates pour a great deal of energy and care into
their relationships. This doesn’t mean that they always feel appreciated in return.
Advocates tend to act with great thought and care, and it can frustrate them when
other people don’t recognize their good intentions. As a result, even constructive
criticism may feel incredibly personal or hurtful to these personalities.

A Personal Mission
Many Advocates feel that their life has a unique purpose – a mission that they were
put onto this earth to fulfill. For people with this personality type, one of the most
rewarding aspects of life is seeking out this purpose – and then, once they’ve found it,
striving to do it justice.

When Advocates encounter inequity or unfairness, they rarely give up – instead, they
consult their intuition and their compassion to find a solution. With their innate ability
to balance the heart with the head, Advocates are hardwired to right the wrongs of the
world, no matter how big or small. These personalities just need to remember that
while they’re busy taking care of everyone else, they need to pause sometimes and
take care of themselves as well.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Advocate (INFJ) Strengths

• Creative – Advocates aren’t exactly like everyone else – and that’s a wonderful
thing. People with this personality type embrace their creative side, always on
the lookout for opportunities to express themselves and think outside the box.
• Insightful – These personalities know all too well that appearances can be
misleading. Advocates strive to move beyond superficiality and seek out the
deeper truths in life. This can give them an almost uncanny ability to understand
people’s true motivations, feelings, and needs.
• Principled – Advocates tend to have strong beliefs and values, particularly
when it comes to matters of ethics. When Advocates talk about topics close to
their heart, their conviction and heartfelt idealism can inspire and persuade
even the sternest of skeptics.
• Passionate – Advocates crave a sense of purpose in life. Rather than living on
autopilot or sticking to the status quo, they want to chase after their ideals. This
isn’t a personality type that shies away from big dreams – in fact, Advocates
are energized and impassioned by the beauty of their visions for the future.
• Altruistic – People with this personality type aren’t happy to succeed at
another person’s expense. Advocates want to use their strengths for the greater
 good, and they rarely lose sight of how their words and actions might affect
others. In their heart of hearts, they want to make the world a better place,
starting with the people around them.

Advocate (INFJ) Weaknesses

• Sensitive to Criticism – Advocates aren’t averse to feedback – that is, unless
they believe that someone is challenging their most cherished principles or
values. When it comes to the issues that are near and dear to them, people
with this personality type can become defensive or dismissive.
• Reluctant to Open Up – Advocates value honesty and authenticity, but they’re
also private. They may find it difficult to open up and be vulnerable about their
struggles, not wanting to burden someone else with their issues. Unfortunately,
when Advocates don’t ask for help, they may inadvertently hold themselves
back or create distance in their relationships.
• Perfectionistic – The Advocate personality type is all but defined by idealism.
While this is a wonderful quality in many ways, it doesn’t always leave room for
the messiness of real life. Advocates might find it difficult to appreciate their
jobs, living situations, or relationships if they’re continually fixating on
imperfections and wondering whether they should be looking for something
better.
• Avoiding the Ordinary – Advocates yearn to do extraordinary things with their
lives. But it’s hard to achieve anything extraordinary without breaking it down
into small, manageable steps. Unless they translate their dreams into everyday
routines and to-do lists, Advocates may struggle to turn their grand visions into
reality.
• Prone to Burnout – Advocates’ perfectionism and reserve leave them with few
options for letting off steam. People with this personality type can exhaust
themselves if they don’t balance their drive to help others with necessary self-
care and rest.
Advocates (INFJs) look for depth and meaning in their relationships – and their
romantic relationships are no different. This is a personality type known for having a
vibrant, vivid imagination, but few Advocates can imagine themselves settling for a
match founded on anything less than true love.

It can take time for Advocates to find a compatible partner. Some people might think
that Advocates are too choosy, and it’s true that these personalities can be prone to
unrealistic expectations. With their perfectionistic, idealistic nature, Advocates might
be tempted to hold out for a “perfect” partner or relationship that ultimately doesn’t
exist. The good news? Advocates’ idealism – if balanced with just enough realism –
can actually enhance their love life.

Advocates tend to be attuned to their core values, keenly aware of what matters to
them on a soul level. This helps them look beyond surface-level attraction and
understand whether they’re compatible with someone on a deeper, more meaningful
level. These insights are essential for helping Advocates avoid matches that aren’t
founded on authenticity or shared principles.
Advocates care about integrity, and they tend to bristle when people try to change
them or talk them into something that they don’t believe. As a result, Advocate
personalities gravitate toward partners who appreciate them as they are.

As romantic partners, Advocates are warm, caring, honest, and insightful – and they patiently
work to uncover their loved one’s innermost needs and desires.

Once Advocates do find a suitable relationship, they rarely take it for granted. Instead,
they tend to look for ways to grow as individuals and strengthen their connection with
their partner. This can help Advocates’ relationships reach a level of depth and
sincerity of which many people can only dream.

The Power of Love

People with this personality type create a depth to their relationships that can hardly
be described in conventional terms. Because of their sensitivity and insight, Advocates
can make their partners feel heard and understood in beautiful ways. Advocates aren’t
afraid to express their love, and they feel it with all their hearts.

One of the things that Advocates find most important is establishing genuine, deep
connections with the people they care about.

Advocates tend to recognize that love isn’t a passive emotion but rather an opportunity
to grow and learn, and they expect their partners to share this mindset. As a result,
relationships with these personalities are not for the uncommitted or the shallow.
Advocates are intensely passionate in ways that transcend the present moment, and
what truly fulfills them is the way that a loving, meaningful relationship evolves and
deepens over time.

In their heart of hearts, people with the Advocate personality type crave an emotional
and even spiritual connection with their partner. They cherish not just the act of being
in a relationship but also what it means to become one with another person in mind,
body, and soul.

Career Paths

Advocates (INFJs) long to find a career that aligns with their values and their dreams
– a career that allows them to fulfill their unique mission in this world. For these
personalities, a job isn’t satisfying if it doesn’t offer a deeper sense of purpose – no
matter how good the salary is. The good news is that people with this personality type
can use their creativity and determination to find work that suits their needs in just
about any field.
In fact, Advocates have trouble deciding which job is best for them because they’re
able to imagine so many possibilities. They may see half a dozen wildly different paths
forward, each with its own set of rewards. This can be exciting but also stress-inducing,
because picking just one means letting go of so many others. Advocates may even
feel a sense of loss when so many doors close because one was selected.

The Search for Purpose

For Advocate personalities, jobs that involve helping and connecting with people can
be deeply satisfying. It’s no surprise, then, that many Advocates gravitate toward work
as counselors, therapists, psychologists, social workers, teachers, yoga instructors,
and spiritual leaders. They may enjoy service industry positions that allow them to
interact directly and build genuine relationships with their customers. Careers in health
care can also be rewarding options, including occupations such as nursing, physical
or occupational therapy, medicine, nutrition, or more holistic paths such as
acupuncture.

Many Advocates are passionate communicators. This explains why they are often
drawn to careers in writing, creating many popular books, blogs, stories, video games,
and screenplays. For people with this personality type, the opportunity to tell stories
for a living can be nothing short of a dream come true. Other Advocates might pursue
music, photography, design, illustration, or fine art. Even if these artistic pursuits aren’t
their primary job, many Advocates find that creative side hustles offer a much-needed
outlet for the themes and ideas that occupy their imaginations.

Nonprofit workplaces, from museums to nature centers to food pantries, also hold a
special appeal. With their focus on serving the community rather than drawing a profit,
these organizations can be a natural fit for Advocate personalities. But even in
workplaces that are very much for-profit, Advocates can find ways to direct their
energy and creativity toward helping others. No matter what it says on their business
cards, Advocates’ insight can enable them to spot unusual patterns and come up with
outside-the-box solutions, creating real change in others’ lives.

A Sense of Mission
Advocates are incredibly versatile, but some work environments may rub them the
wrong way. This is especially true of workplaces that offer little independence or
agency, forcing employees to adhere to rigid, repetitive protocols without regard for
their individual needs or strengths. People with this personality type may also chafe at
the criticism and pressure that come with cutthroat, competitive work environments.

For this reason, many Advocates seek out more flexible, autonomous positions – or
branch off altogether to start their own businesses. They may also find it gratifying to
create bridges between seemingly disparate professional fields – for example, by
writing about psychology or by being an environmental lawyer. Such hybrid careers
can offer plenty of opportunities for Advocates to exercise their creativity and their love
of learning.

Advocates tend to feel stifled unless their work allows them the freedom to act according to
their conscience, their creativity, and their own common sense.

In truth, Advocate personalities can do well in any field. To be truly happy, however,
they need to find work that aligns with their values and allows them some
independence. Advocates crave opportunities to learn and grow alongside the people
they are helping. When this happens, Advocates may finally feel that they are fulfilling
their life’s mission, contributing to the well-being of humanity on a personal level.

Workplace Habits

Advocates (INFJs) have some specific needs when it comes to a satisfying work
environment. For people with this personality type, the most rewarding work allows
them to help others while also growing as a person. And it’s a given that an ideal
career for Advocates must be in line with their individual values.

Anything that gets in the way of these values – from red tape and meaningless rules
to office politics and unscrupulous coworkers – can seriously sap Advocates’
motivation. This is a personality type that thrives in environments that promote fairness
and equality. Most Advocates prefer not to think of themselves as above or below
anyone else – no matter where they are on the job ladder.

Advocate Subordinates
Advocates value cooperation, sensitivity, and independence. As employees, they
gravitate toward managers who are open-minded and willing to consider their input.
Advocate personalities may become frustrated when they feel unheard, so having a
manager who listens to them can make all the difference.

Ideally, Advocates will find a manager whose values align with their own and who offers them
encouragement and praise.

Because Advocates tend to act on their convictions and aim to do their best, their
morale can be vulnerable to criticism, particularly if it’s unwarranted. Other morale
killers for these personalities may include strict rules, formal structures, and routine
tasks. They may find it especially dispiriting when they’re asked to redo their work,
particularly if it’s for a reason that just doesn’t seem valid to them.

Of course, a perfect work environment isn’t always possible. Advocate employees with
less-than-ideal managers may need to draw on their inner resilience and seek out
other mentors. The good news is that people with this personality type are more than
capable of handling workplace challenges, including the challenge of having a difficult
manager.
Advocate Colleagues
As colleagues, Advocates can be quite popular and well respected. People with this
personality type are often seen as helpful, eloquent, and capable coworkers. Among
their greatest strengths is their ability to identify others’ motives and understand the
root causes of conflict before anyone else even senses a disturbance.

At times, efficiency may be less of a priority for Advocates than collaborating with and
helping colleagues who need a boost. While this is usually a strength, there is a risk
that others will take advantage of Advocates’ desire to help. They may find themselves
picking up the slack for their less dedicated coworkers at the expense of their own
energy and well-being.

Advocates’ determination to be helpful can leave them feeling taken advantage of.

Although they tend to be well liked among their colleagues, Advocates are still
Introverts. From time to time, they may need to step back and work alone, pursuing
their own goals in their own ways. This isn’t a sign of resentment or ill will – but rather
a signal of Advocates’ need to balance serving others with their own self-care.

Advocate Managers
As managers, Advocates may dislike wielding their power. They prefer to think of
everyone as equals, no matter what a person’s business card might say. Rather than
micromanage their subordinates, Advocates often prefer to empower them to think
and act independently. They work hard to encourage others and promote an
atmosphere of mutual respect.

Compassionate and fair, Advocate managers often take pride in identifying their subordinates’
unique strengths.

That’s not to say that Advocates have low standards – far from it. Their sense of
equality means that they expect their subordinates to live up to the standards that they
set for themselves. Bosses with this personality type want their employees to be
rigorous, motivated, reliable, and unfailingly honest, and they will notice if anyone
misses the mark.

Advocate managers can be particularly stern if they catch someone behaving in a way
that they consider unethical. These personalities have little tolerance for lapses in
reliability or morality. When their employees’ good intentions match their own,
however, Advocate bosses work tirelessly to ensure that their entire team feels valued,
fulfilled, and successful.
Conclusion

“In the end, it’s your actions, how you respond to circumstance, that reveals your
character.”

Cate Blanchett
What you have read so far is just an introduction into the complexities of the
kindhearted, creative, and incredibly rare Advocate personality type. Along the way,
you may have muttered to yourself, “Wow, this is so accurate, it’s a little creepy,” or
“Finally, someone understands me!” You may have even asked, “How do they know
more about me than the people I’m closest to do?”

If you feel understood right now, it’s because you are. Years of research have given
us deep insights into the unique strengths and challenges of Advocates like you. We
understand your creativity and your passion and your commitment to doing the right
thing, but we also understand the dark side of your personality type: the nagging fear
that you might not reach your full potential and make the most of your one wild and
precious life.

Advocates’ gifts include idealism, determination, and the ability to envision a better
future – but they don’t just want to hear what makes them great. Advocates are
committed to actually using these gifts to become better people and serve a greater
purpose in this world.
That’s why we’ve made it our mission to help Advocates like you not only
appreciate your gifts but also make the most of them. Learning about your
personality type is fascinating, but there’s a deeper purpose to it, too – because self-
understanding is what helps you ensure that you don’t miss out on whatever it is that
you were put on this earth to do.

So here’s our question for you, Advocate: Are you ready to take full advantage of your
unique strengths – to unlock your true, exceptional potential? If so, your Premium
Profile will give you new insights into your personality, your relationships, your career
path, and your life’s mission. This is the journey of a lifetime – and you’ll find everything
you need to get started by moving on to the next section.