An INFP and Grassroots Journalism

Hello, world. Just popping in again real quick to share some thoughts. Mostly concerning the Myers-Brigg INFP personality type as it relates to grassroots journalism.

Way back when, while I was still toiling at one of the Empire's outposts in the Midwest, all of the department heads (including me) had to take the MBTI - Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. I'd taken it before a while back, but was excited to be taking it again.

Every time I've taken the test I come up INFP. Of course, if you know anything about the personality type, you know we don't make good matches with standard corporate culture. Bob Reese, my first 'boss' at The Star Press (which, btw, I heard another nick name for... heh...), and I had a great working relationship.

At that point I was still a low level peon, so hadn't taken the test yet. He knew my type of personality, though. He gave me a little direction then stepped back and let me do my thing. It was great. He didn't give me a set schedule, but knew I routinely worked 60 to 80 hours a week (especially in the beginning, before I realized...) He didn't look over my shoulder constantly asking for progress reports and he was good at complimenting a job well done.

I remember one time he came back from another pressroom (in Ohio, I think - maybe Cinncinnatti?) In any case, he came back excited and drew out on paper this piece of software he'd seen that allowed the newsroom, production, and the pressroom all to communicate and know at which stage each page of the paper was at.

Oh, sure, I can do that, I said. Heh. I knew just enough PERL to be dangerous. It took a while, but I replicated the system (and customized it for our needs) at a fraction of the cost of such a software system (my salary versus $150,000 or more...)

Sure, it had bugs, but it was rolled into production and everyone loved it. When it went down (I think I had it running on an old 386 linux box...) they would frantically call not knowing how they'd get through the night without it. Well, maybe not that extreme. Heh. They knew what it was like (lots of phonecalls and note scribbling) but they preferred this system.

My idea was to clean up the code and offer it to the other Gannett newspapers. Corporate pretty much scoffed at the idea and I never got to finish it. I had a plan so that the publisher would get a pdf and/or some type of report each night after the paper was put to bed, letting him know which pages had missed deadline, etc. Straight to his PDA. I coulda done it relatively easy.

At that point, though, Gannett wanted more and more revenue. It was around this time I was promoted to 'Online Manager' when the position of 'webmaster' was eliminated. The story goes sour there.

I stopped reporting to Bob Reese (my buffer - someone who understood me) and began reporting to the publisher, who didn't want to hear about my poetry or personal life or anything much other than revenue. Well, maybe that's a bit harsh. I did learn a lot from Smelser.

The thing is, I don't think he 'got me' even after he knew what type of personality I had - INFP. If you read the various descriptions of INFP on the web, a lot recommend being a writer or poet or journalist, etc. Heh. So at least I know I'm in the right field.

Here are some descriptions of the INFP and why Grassroots Journalism is such a good fit! (Thanks to all the websites I got these from...)

Personality Page:

INFPs are flexible and laid-back, until one of their values is violated. In the face of their value system being threatened, INFPs can become aggressive defenders, fighting passionately for their cause. When an INFP has adopted a project or job which they're interested in, it usually becomes a "cause" for them. Although they are not detail-oriented individuals, they will cover every possible detail with determination and vigor when working for their "cause".

 

This is very true, and one of the reasons I think I had such a hard time in the corporate world. The love of money and profits over other things was against my core set of values, so when I reacted to what I saw, I was labeled as someone who's not 'on the team.'

Type Logic:

INFPs never seem to lose their sense of wonder. One might say they see life through rose-colored glasses.

 

Equals the ability to see HOPE for journalism and what I'm trying to do ... no matter what.

Life Explore:

When they set their minds on things, INFPs are not likely to give up easily, yet because of their outward gentleness, they do not show their determination. They may not take a direct path, but somehow they reach their dreams.

This is true. I've been so exhausted lately as things begin to ramp up, and I know it's just going to get more difficult to keep up, but I do have that determination. I was thinking last night in the beer garden (for those of you who have visited, you know what I mean! ;) that I don't really have a 'job' per se - it's integrated very closely with my life. That's good and bad, of course, but at least I'm noticing it.

INFPs need a purpose beyond the paycheck. They become burned out easily if their job does not fit their value system; they may not feel good enough about what they have achieved and, as a result, may undervalue themselves and their contributions.

Equals why me and corporate world didn't mesh. I mean, they could have integrated me into their system if they tried, but it's easier to use my skills then drop me when no longer needed.

INFPs prefer occupations in which they can be involved in making the world better. Having their heart in their work is important to them. These occupations also allow for an element of creativity and flexibility. INFPs are particularly interested to be counselor, editor, education consultant, English teacher, fine arts teacher, journalist, psychologist, religious educator, social scientist, social worker, teacher, writer, and other occupations that engage their values.

...

Often they hear a calling to go forth into the world to help others; they seem willing to make the necessary personal sacrifices involved in responding to that call, even if it means asking others to do likewise.

Of course, there's a lot more out there. And not everything about being an INFP is good for what I'm doing (lack of practicality and other things), but there's enough there that clicks and makes sense and lets me know I'm on the right path. It's a rough one, but the right one.

And I'm at the point - Connections 3.0 - where I'm building up a network of people around me that have skillsets that I don't to round everything out and take MFP and the grassroots journalism movement forward.

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