Do you get intimidated by people easily?

Not really. I've met a few people who are legitimately on another level and I can find them intimidating if they have an aggressive personality. This is rare. Like one professor I worked for and a couple scientists I worked for at various other places. Most people show their human side after a while and I don't get intimidated anymore. An elite few are ones that you're pretty sure will crush you with their minds if you're not careful.

Mostly I feel self-conscious because I don't want to appear intimidating or feel like I'm bragging. This has cost me a few jobs. But I think the issue is that I don't want to feel like I'm alone in the universe. So it can be painful to really talk about the things I actually do and have done and am passionate about. I see the blank looks and--yeah, I want to talk about cool stuff with people and share the amazing stuff I've done. But I also want human connection and I don't want to feel like an alien. So that's why I'm a quiet person for the most part.

I think I used to get intimidated more. But as I grew as a scientist, I got to work alongside some of my heroes and I've realized where I am on the ladder. I've also been a leader in a few other roles like construction jobs. I think with more experience you just realize you aren't all that different from people you were once intimidated by.

/r/INTP Thread