[Suzanne Carlson]

I was recently fired from a professional-level position. The firing came out of the blue, even after many accolades on what a fine job I was doing, and how I was contributing to the organization. So when asked why they were letting me go without prior written notice, or given the ability to improve a short-coming, they first said, "It's not a good fit." (This answer of course, is a safe, human-resources cover-my-legal-ass response).

Finally, the President of the company told me, "Well, you just ask too many questions and make a lot people feel uncomfortable." The HR drone chimed in, saying, "I'm surprised you DON'T know!" When I asked her to elaborate on that remark, she simply looked at her shoes. So when I pressed them for specifics on what KIND of questions made them feel uncomfortable--because I seriously wanted to know why I was getting fired--the President of the company merely replied, "See! You are doing it right now by pressing this issue!" (WTF?)


Then I started thinking about a time 15 years ago or so where I was fired--again, out of the blue--with no reason other than "It's not a good fit." Of course, these two jobs were for small businesses, and I have learned that I fit in better with a large corporation.

But seriously? What about my personality is SO abrasive that it causes employers to let an INTJ go without warning? Are they THAT afraid of a mastermind that they know any response will be dissected and proven unsubstantiated, so they just drop the bomb and run?



Anyone else have a story similar to this, or insight as to what is up with INTJs getting the boot?

[MelanieM]

Right away, before reading the body of your post, I was going to say lack of social skills. I feel for you, playing politics at work doesn't come easy for me either. Unfortunately, in this world it's not about actual skill but politics. Have to play the game.

Try reading "Winning Friends and Influencing People", if that makes you barf then go into a profession where you don't have to deal with people. Engineer? Radiologist? Pathologist?

People should never claim themselves to be masterminds, let someone else label you as one. Dissecting what people say is annoying, but I understand you were frustrated and upset, so did the HR lady. That's why she bit her tongue.

[nonnaci]

Read 48 laws of power and the Prince. Getting into the corporate world is signing up to play the game?

[lib]

Are your colleagues primarily women?
In an earlier thread on job interviews some women pointed out that they stood a better chance of getting the job if the interviewer was a man than a woman. Whether this is a problem for NT women in general or it's a problem for XNTJ women and INTJ women in particular, I don't know. In a group of men there isn't a tendency for the men to feel a dislike towards someone taking a leading position the way there is among a group of women (or so I've read). To non-NT women the INTJ woman is sending vibes that she is in charge (and it doesn't really matter if it's actually the case). While evolution has made men accept the alpha male the evolution has apparently made women react against an alpha female. Maybe this has relevance to your situation.

[Paradox of Vigor]

That sounds like jealousy to me. Competent employee. Unreasonable boss. Quite sad, but that's definitely something that would anger me for a while, at least until I've fully thought it through and determined a different course of action as far as a job or career goes.

[Das Brechen]

I have been fired after producing exceptional results because of my lack of joy greeting authority figures. Being cordial will be seen as weakness by some and pretentious by others. I guess there's no room for results-oriented teamwork anymore in corporate America. Might as well line up for my daily hugging session and look forward to mindless chatter about the "weather".

[E_N_T_P]

Lots of people get fired, regardless of type. xNTJs make excellent leaders, but you gotta find a job where they're actually looking for leadership skills, training people, etc. otherwise the hens feel pecked at.

[Chipps]

Are your colleagues primarily women?
In an earlier thread on job interviews some women pointed out that they stood a better chance of getting the job if the interviewer was a man than a woman. Whether this is a problem for NT women in general or it's a problem for XNTJ women and INTJ women in particular, I don't know. In a group of men there isn't a tendency for the men to feel a dislike towards someone taking a leading position the way there is among a group of women (or so I've read). To non-NT women the INTJ woman is sending vibes that she is in charge (and it doesn't really matter if it's actually the case). While evolution has made men accept the alpha male the evolution has apparently made women react against an alpha female. Maybe this has relevance to your situation.

I think another reason why this is true, is because most women are herding creatures. They want to be liked by other women or at least accepted even if it is on the superficial level. NTJ women don't really care if other women like them. The games that women play to try and get you under their thumb wont work on me. I simply wont play the game. Nothing they can do can make me uncomfortable, or can shake my confidence. I think that strong sense of self that alot of NT women possess, is whats really off putting for other women, especially SF women.

[Chipps]

OP,

Your situation is the primary reason I don't want to work for corporate america. I score low on extroversion, but Im just not a people person to begin with. I hate having to go through the motions and would much rather not have to come into contact with others. This is why I want to become a translator and then open up my own small business.

Look on the bright side though, you wont have to deal with these kinds of people anymore. How the hell is asking questions a negative thing? Only stupid people think like that. People who don't want to feel challenged think like that. People who aren't confident in their own abilities think like that. Its like bosses who never want to be questioned by their underlings. If you're confident in your leadership ability, then you wont have to worry about being overtaken or made to look silly. It seems like they are simply threatened by you. Rather than deal with their own short comings or insecurities they'd rather take it out on you. I'd suggest you find a job that caters specifically to your skill set, where you don't have to come into contact with shitty people.

One thing I realized is this: People who rather work with someone they like over someone that is competent and qualified for the job.

Yes, its a sad sad world out there.

[ESFP]

OP, your situation (not result) is essentially mine. I'm a male, strongly expressed INTJ.