Managing Up to Diplomat Personalities (INFJ | INFP | ENFJ | ENFP)

How to tell if your boss is a Diplomat – plus a cheat sheet for managing up to them

Image from 16personalities.com

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I had the privilege of working for a Diplomat boss on launching a transformative pilot program in rural communities. The work was deeply meaningful – we were building connections, strengthening community bonds, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. My boss’s vision for the program’s potential impact was inspiring.

But inspiration alone doesn’t bring programs to life. While my boss excelled at seeing the bigger picture and maintaining enthusiasm for our mission, someone needed to handle the day-to-day details that would turn that vision into reality. That’s where I found my sweet spot – managing the practical execution so she could remain focused on the meaningful impact we were creating.

This experience taught me valuable lessons about managing up to Diplomat bosses. These empathetic, people-focused leaders bring incredible strengths to their organizations, but they also have distinct needs when it comes to support from their team. 

Let’s explore the common traits that all Diplomat bosses share, and then dive into the key differences between the four personality types within this Role – INFJs (Advocates), INFPs (Mediators), ENFJs (Protagonists), and ENFPs (Campaigners). 

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But first – how do you know if your boss is a Diplomat? Here are some signs to watch out for. 👇

7 Signs You Have a Diplomat Boss:

• Frequently asks about the “why” behind projects and decisions, seeking meaning beyond practical outcomes

• Often includes discussions about values, vision, and purpose in team meetings

• Shows genuine interest in your personal growth and career aspirations

• Prefers collaborative decision-making over top-down directives

• Highly attuned to team dynamics and individual emotions

• Sometimes struggles with delivering negative feedback or making tough people decisions

• Often speaks in metaphors or stories when explaining their vision

Still not sure about your boss’s personality type? You can use our free type-guesser tool to help you guesstimate it. 

Read on to learn how to manage up when your boss is a Diplomat personality type. 👇

How to Manage Up When Your Boss is a Diplomat

Managing up to a Diplomat boss requires understanding their deep commitment to human potential and meaningful work. These leaders view their role through the lens of developing others and creating positive impact, rather than just achieving business objectives. They’re highly attuned to relationships, team dynamics, and the emotional undercurrents in the workplace.