Architects as Self-Promoters
For an introductory look at self-promotion, please see our article “Everyday Self-Promotion and Personality Types.”
Architects (INTJs) are independent doers. They can immerse themselves so much in their work or other interests that they can forget to care for themselves in some basic ways. We can speculate, therefore, that self-promotion – which is more or less a part of professional self-care – isn’t at the forefront of Architects’ job concerns.
This doesn’t, however, mean that Architects can’t dominate the art and science of self-promotion. If people with this personality type decide that self-promotion will improve their lot in life or benefit their pet projects or interests, they might become quite tactical about getting their name and accomplishments noticed. They will likely research the best practices for creating effective publicity for themselves and become master self-promoters in their own Introverted way.
What They Have Going for Them
While, like most Introverted personalities, Architects probably aren’t their own favorite subject to talk about, they are likely to have confidence in their rational approach to whatever they set a hand to. This, by extension, may help them feel strongly about their accomplishments. I’m not talking about me, they might think. I’m talking about how this idea comes together and works. This approach to talking about their work is likely to highlight their effectiveness over anything that might appear to be self-serving.
What Gets in Their Way
According to Architects’ responses to our surveys, they are a tad below average when compared to other personality types in thinking that they get enough credit for meeting their responsibilities. They might not make it a point to seek credit, even when they realize that they don’t get all they deserve. Since rationality tends to rule them, many Architects may believe that their actions should naturally speak for themselves as the best, most logical response to a situation. Maybe actions do support professional growth in some situations. But Architect personalities may also need to readjust the belief that their work results are all they need for self-marketing, if they want to advance in some workplaces.
Self-Promotion Tip
Occasionally ask your manager to check your work. That way, you highlight your work to your superior without making it an overtly self-promotional move. As a bonus, having a second pair of eyes on your work generally doesn’t hurt. You want to be more proactive than just leaving your work to the usual quality control measures, where it might slip under the radar as being less than something special. Making it a point to ask for a review highlights your work in a way that routine protocols might not.
This strategy isn’t risk-free, but few acts of self-promotion are. Be careful not to come across as needing your work checked because you lack confidence. Instead, present your request as a chance to be sincere in wanting that extra set of eyes, so that this doesn’t become a manipulative act. Also, everybody likes to fiddle with everyone else’s work, so be open to suggestions, because you’re likely to get them. You might not want to insult the boss by being closed to their recommendations. By asking for a consultation, you have just shown off your work in a very humble and organic way that will also likely reflect your skills impressively if your idea or product is good. If the idea or product is not good, it gives you a chance to improve. Win-win.
The work might speak for itself, but in the clamor of a noisy and competitive environment, it might not. In that case, Architect personalities are well equipped to figure out how they might get noticed. In pursuit of the most effective method of self-promotion, these Introverts will probably become skilled enough to teach a master class on the subject in time.
Your Turn
We’ve touched on a few of the issues that might arise for Architects when it comes to letting the occupational world know who they are. Since there are probably many ways in which people with this personality type shine in self-promotion, we expect that there are many more tips available than we offer here. If you’re an Architect, let’s start a discussion. Tell us about your self-promotional efforts, and leave any tips that you might have in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.