.title
{The NF Temperament}
.subtitle
{"Hi, I'm an NF and I'm here to help."}
.one
{NFs look at the world and see possibilities (iNtuition), then translate those possibilities inter- and intrapersonally (Feeling). They eat, sleep, think, breathe, move, and love people. Representing about 12 percent of the U.S. population, they are the idealists of life and they tend to serve causes that advance human interests: teaching, humanities, counseling, religion, and family medicine, among others.}
.two
{As idealistic do-gooders, NFs articulate and champion various causes -- they create anti-drunk-driving campaigns and peace movements and collect money to protect endangered species. But their sensitivity can lead them to personalize any form of criticism, often resulting in their needlessly feeling hurt. Overall, NFs feel that the most important thing is to be in harmony with themselves and with others.  Everything else will naturally fall into place.  According to Keirsey, NFs' quest in life is for identity. This quest leads them forever to ask, "Who am I?"}
.three
{The NF's strengths -- which, when maximized, become liabilities -- include:}
.three1
{a phenomenal capacity for working with people and drawing out their best}
.three2
{being articulate and persuasive}
.three3
{a high desire to help others}
.three4
{the ability to affirm others freely and easily}
.four
{Here, briefly, are some of the positive and negative ways the NF role plays out:}
.management
{<BU>Management.<N>  At work, NFs are positive, affirming idealists whom others may like, but whose warm style can make it difficult for others to disagree with them. NFs often have difficulty being supervisors and tend to give workers too much leeway. In their idealism, NFs tend to make heroes and heroines of authority figures and, as such, can become fiercely loyal when things are going well. When they learn that these heroes are "only human," their loyalty can give way to disillusionment, even dissatisfaction, and work can lose its meaning. In conducting business, NFs are less concerned with others' credentials than they are with how much they like them. While that dynamic can add valuable enthusiasm to any transaction, it also risks that genuine contributions may be overlooked if personality differences get in the way.}
.mating
{<BU>Mating.<N>  As mates, NFs are often the teddy bears who, out of a deep need to give and receive affection as well as to avoid conflict may, inadvertently reduce a relationship to "a hug a day keeps problems away." Unfortunately, there's more to relationships than hugs and kisses.}
.parenting
{<BU>Parenting.<N>  They provide unlimited warmth and affection, but their ongoing quest for self-identity creates a confusing role model to a child trying to grow up. NF parents defend their children against all odds and in all situations.}
.teaching
{<BU>Teaching.<N>  The beauty of NF teachers is their ability to make each individual student feel important and cared about. They make superb teachers, albeit a bit idealistic at times. Successful learning, in NFs' eyes, is a product of students feeling happy and understood.}
.learning
{<BU>Learning.<N>  NF students like to please their teachers but, perhaps more
than SFs, take criticism too personally.}
.money
{<BU>Money.<N>  This is one of the least important things to NFs.  Ultimately, money is to be used, but not at the expense of their ideals.}
