How INFJs Can Use the Graves Model for Personal Development

The 16-personality-type theory is a horizontal model of personal development. It helps the individual understand their personality, but it doesn’t address how they grow over time. However, it can be useful as a growth tool when paired with other systems of personal growth.

The Graves Model, or “spiral dynamics,” is a vertical model of personal development. This model is built around the idea of a hierarchy of personal growth and addresses how people change as they grow throughout their lifespan. The model is broken into eight levels of development, each labeled by color.

Understanding the Levels of the Graves Model

The Graves Model can help INFJs pinpoint where they currently are in their personal development journey, understand what’s holding them back from moving forward and identify the best steps to take next.

Level 1 or Beige

This level is where all individuals start out at birth. In Level 1, people are focused on our basic needs for survival—food, water and shelter. Adults who are homeless or those with severe mental disabilities may also fall into this level.

Level 2 or Purple

This level is established at the point where most young children start to understand how they fit in with other people in the world. They begin to see themselves as part of a family unit or group. They learn to identify who they are based on where they fit within their group.

Level 3 or Red

Humans enter this level when they start to understand their personal identities separate from their family or group memberships. For many people, this is the rebellious stage they go through as children, teenagers or young adults.

Level 4 or Blue

This level is the stage in life when people find and bond with others who have similar beliefs and identities. They start to understand the value of law and order and focus on maintaining structure and meeting the needs of their group.

Many people enter this level as they begin to get involved in sport teams, church, the army or merely find a close friend group of like-minded individuals. Adults can get stuck in this level for long periods of time. There is a great deal of comfort in Level 4. Advancing past this level often takes a significant life change or an intense focus on personal development.

Level 5 or Orange

People enter Level 5 when they begin to value personal achievement. When an individual at Level 4 realizes that “something is missing,” and begins to dream of a major career change or entrepreneurial pursuit, they begin to shift into a Level 5 mindset.

Unlike the previous level, Level 5 goes back to focusing on the needs of the individual over the needs of the group. The person begins to value material objects and status, and may even come across as selfish to other people.

Level 6 or Green

Like the other even-numbered levels of the model, Level 6 goes back to a group-centric focus. People enter this level as they form relationships and groups with like-minded individuals who have met their professional goals and who are seeking a more community-focused level of fulfillment.

In Level 6, people want to share their wealth and give back to their communities. They become more tolerant and understanding of people with different beliefs and values.

Level 7 or Yellow

People enter Level 7 when they start to realize where they fall within the bigger picture of humanity. They begin to see everything in the world as an intricate system and where they land as part of that system. The focus is drawn back to the self; however, the self also respects its place in relation to everything and everyone else.

People in Level 7 make decisions based on what is best for humanity in the long run and not for immediate, personal fulfillment. Individuals at this level are often highly spiritual.

Level 8 or Turquoise

Level 8 is currently the highest level of development in the Graves Model, and few people reach this level in their lifetimes. In fact, it’s estimated that only 0.1% of the population is at Level 8.

People enter this level as they begin to see themselves beyond their physical forms and understand the universe as a holistic system. They understand how the energy of everything in the universe works together, and see the potential for this energy to unite for greater understanding and peace.

How INFJs Can Use the Graves Model for Personal Development

The Graves Model is a highly valuable tool for INFJs to determine what steps to take next on their personal growth journeys. Many INFJs may find themselves drawn to certain levels because of the values they represent. For example, an INFJ may be attracted to Level 6 because of its focus on community and harmony. However, being attracted to what a level represents is not the same as being in that stage of development.

Unlike personality type, the Graves Model requires each individual to go through each level (starting at Level 1) before they can move to the next level. So, while you may be attracted to Level 6, if you haven’t gone through 4 and 5, you cannot entirely be in the Level 6 stage of development.

It’s vital for INFJs at every level of development to surround themselves with people who are at the same level or higher levels than they are. If not, they’ll find that people will constantly trying to drag them back down to their level—whether it’s because of envy, fear or a general lack of support.

This doesn’t mean the INFJ should shut out their friends and family who are content to stay where they are in life. However, it’s important to set boundaries while increasing the amount of time spent with people who are advancing on their personal growth path.

If you’re interested in learning more about using the Graves Model for personal development, I highly recommend starting with these podcasts from Personality Hacker.