Thanks for the replies. Wow, where to begin.. I read the
ENTP description and it does seem very accurate. I don't think there was any part of the description that didn't apply to me. A Rational who thinks he's an Idealist, that's a neat trick.
I'm not an INTP, that I am fairly certain of. I know some INTPs and I often find myself playing the role of INTP-Interpreter. I'm one of the few that can understand their arcane theories (no offense to INTPs, they're brilliant but confusing) and can articulate them in a way that others can understand and appreciate. I don't think I come across as cerebral as an INTP.
I looked up
Tertiary Temptation, which is new to me. The ENTJ description on the
Tertiary Defense page made sense. Wish there was a similar description for ENTP, because I'm having trouble understanding how this would play out. Does an overdeveloped Fe imply an underdeveloped Ti?
I had some additional self-observations yesterday, if this helps clarify my type (I'll spare you the smilies):
- Although public speaking can make me anxious, I'm actually pretty good at it. I can be very articulate and it feels like I have a teleprompter in my mind. I know exactly what to say and how to say it, so much so that sometimes I surprise myself. "Woah, did I just say that? That sounded amazing!" Sometimes it feels like someone smarter than myself is speaking through me. Gives me a weird disembodied feeling, like I'm separate from myself watching me speak.
- Getting back to the "I love you" part. Yes, I say it first, but it doesn't necessarily mean that I'm ready to run away and spend the rest of our lives together. It certainly means more than "I love ice cream", more like a deep caring and emotional bond. Maybe I do throw the term around too casually, but if you have deep feelings for someone I see no reason to hold back or hide the truth.
- I don't like being the center of attention or star of the show and prefer to be on the sidelines. But I have to admit, I hate being ignored. Ever been in a group situation where everyone's initiating conversation with each other, except for you? That gets on my very last nerve. It's as if they're saying "you're not worth talking to", which I can't help but find insulting. A little bit of ego insecurity on my part, I guess.
- I often feel like I have a higher EQ than those around me. I seem to have more empathy, not prone to emotional outbursts, can respond constructively to other people's emotions. Perhaps that's why I keep identifying with NF (not that they have a monopoly on EQ..).
-For the past several years, I have become very attracted to the idea of coaching. The one-on-one relationship building, the guidance, the problem solving.