ISTJ Personality

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The ISTJ personality type is firmly established in rules and traditions. Most commonly referred to as “The Inspector,” individuals of this type focus on details and concrete evidence.

An upholder of law and order, this personality type is prone to action rather than just words. As the most common introverted personality type and the third most common of all personalities, this types makes up about 14 percent of the population.

• I – Introverted: Private, detached, serious, individual
• S – Sensing: Realistic, observant, detail oriented, aware
• T – Thinking: Logical, practical, thorough, decisive
• J – Judging: Organized, orderly, efficient, strategic

ISTJs are known to keep to their words even when it is difficult to do so. They simply can’t understand it when others don’t meet their own obligations.

Down to earth, those with this personality type have no time for indulging in daydreams or flights of fancy that have no practical application in the real world. They remain grounded based on facts over ideas.

Completely self reliant, ISTJs don’t like to rely on others though they themselves relish the fact that others can depend so much on them.

Those of this type don’t mince words as it’s a waste of time. They value predictability and have a need to know exactly what’s expected of them in a given situation.

As introverts, ISTJs need to spend some time alone. Expressing their emotions is especially draining to them. However, in social situations where they can let go of responsibilities, others are pleasantly surprised by the humor of those that had been previously seen as uptight or rigid.

When it comes to making decisions, those with the ISTJ personality type use cold, hard facts to develop working solutions to problems. Because Inspectors are so diligent when it comes to analyzing all of the information available before forming conclusions, they feel that debate over their decisions is a waste of time.

Their beliefs are unshakable, often leading others to think that they’re simply being stubborn. However, ISTJs have truly examined every angle before forming their values, so they stand firm even in the face of adversity.

Understanding the ISTJ

Truth and integrity are of utmost importance to these individuals. Preferring truth over emotions, they may often seem inconsiderate of the feelings of others. This is not the case as ISTJs feel a strong need to be honest with themselves and those around them.

In fact, when others think of them as being cold or heartless, it can really hurt the feelings of these individuals. They would rather show others how much they care through definitive actions rather than heartfelt communication.

Realistic by nature, ISTJs don’t have time to examine the possibilities. They feel that rules and regulations that have already been established and proven don’t need to be questioned.

Honest, often to a fault, Inspectors will admit to their mistakes even if there are dire consequences to their actions.

Here are some words that are frequently used to describe ISTJs:

• Conscientious
• Dedicated
• Factual
• Dutiful
• Punctual
• Deliberate
• Committed
• Systematic
• Hardworking
• Precise
• Detailed
• Scrupulous

Strengths of the ISTJ

Giving up is not a option for the ISTJ. Since someone with this personality type takes commitment seriously, this individual will do all that it takes to get the job done or to fulfill an obligation. In addition to perseverance, extreme patience in handling each step of a task allows the ISTJ to see things through to the end.

The Inspector is loyal. Whether to family, employer, or causes, the ISTJ is unwavering when it comes to loyalty. Someone of this type values security and is willing to do what it takes to defend those people and things that are close to heart.

Organization and order are key. From planning and scheduling to actual implementation, and individual with this type will efficiently work through every step of a process to achieve the ends results. This can include keeping a neat and orderly physical environment. They believe in clearly defined rules to avoid uncertainty.

The ISTJ stays focused on the present. Taking a realistic approach, an individual who is an ISTJ isn’t easily distracted by what ifs because once this person begins working on a project, he or she has already determined the best course of action.

Weaknesses of the ISTJ

Someone with this personality type resists change. Often seen as stubbornness, this resistance to change stems from the Inspector’s strong acceptance of tradition and those rules and laws that have been proven to be effective. This individual is unlikely to listen to any argument that is not based on facts.

An ISTJ can be seen as judgmental. When it comes to interpersonal communication, a person of this type doesn’t tolerate anyone who goes against the norm. Rules are in place for a reason, and the Inspector believes that what’s right is right. Someone with this personality knows that others have opinions, but the ISTJ rarely values anything that can’t be backed up with factual proof.

An individual of this type can burn out. Because this personality is so detail-oriented, they often pick up the slack of pieces others have missed. This can lead to the ISTJ taking on a larger share of the burden to get the job done right and by the required deadline. Lost sleep and overload can take a toll over time.

The Inspector is often viewed as cold. A person with this personality type is not typically willing to share emotions or opinions, leaving others to think that this individual is unfeeling. Additionally, an ISTJ will come right out and say what needs to be said even if it hurts someone’s feelings.

Relationships for ISTJs

When starting a relationship, ISTJs are more comfortable trying with those that they have a connection with. It’s unlikely for those with this type to engage in blind dates or similar hookups due to the unpredictable nature of these meetings. However, once a relationship develops, they are loyal through and through.

Those with this personality type typically hold onto traditional roles of what it means to be a family. Honesty is imperative in these relationships, and they’ll make their expectations clear.

Although they may have difficulty expressing their emotions through words, ISTJs will put forth the hard work necessary to keep the stability and security in a relationship. They need to be with partners who can appreciate these efforts.

Because those of this type tend to focus on the logic of a situation, they can often be seen as holding the view of my way or the highway. They aren’t always able to see that others may view things from a different perspective.

Being friends with ISTJs can be a slow process. Trust must be earned. Because they are so loyal, these personalities demand the same from their friends. As such, as long as the bond continues to develop along mutual respect, Inspectors can be friends for life.

Though generally serious in nature, they have the ability to relax and joke around with close friends who are more outgoing. Conversations will be based more on the concrete rather than the abstract as ISTJs simply don’t have the time or the energy for what is impractical.

Inspectors make dutiful parents, providing to the needs and structure of their families. Their adherence to traditional values and obedience can make them seem aloof and uncaring. Children may find ISTJ parents as mean, though these types are only doing it for the children’s own good so that they learn to respect authority and make their way through society through hard work and with responsibility.

At Work with the ISTJ

With a clear respect for authority, the Inspector will do best in a work environment that has a hierarchy and rules that are clearly laid out. As with everything in life, someone with this personality takes responsibility very seriously and relishes the chance to prove it. This worker always arrives on time and gets all work done by the deadline.

As well as making thought-out detailed plans, an individual of this type is more than willing to follow the directions all the way through to the end.

The ISTJ enjoys taking on responsibility so much that he or she will frequently take on projects that no one else wants. While this may be good for the organization as a whole, it can lead to problems for the ISTJ who is unwilling to delegate even when his or her plate becomes too full.

This person prefers to work independently. When teamwork is necessary, the Inspector prefers the goals and hierarchy to be laid out in advance. Organization and structure are important, so the ISTJ may not feel comfortable in a position that allows too much individual freedom to get the job done. There are many great career choices for this personality type:

• Auditor
• Detective
• Electrician
• Accountant
• Judge
• Pilot
• Appraiser
• Chemist
• Pharmacist

Famous ISTJs

ISTJs are often elite athletes, politicians, and businesspersons. You may have heard of some of these famous ISTJ personalities: George Washington, Henry Ford, Warren Buffet, Anthony Hopkins, Queen Elizabeth II, Andrew Johnson, George H. W. Bush, and Evander Holyfield.

The ISTJ’s Cognitive Functions

The cognitive functions are the preferences in which people interact with the world. The higher the trait appears in the functional stack, the easier it is for the ISTJ to access it.

• Dominant Function: Introverted Sensing
• Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Thinking
• Tertiary Function: Introverted Feeling
• Inferior Function: Extraverted Intuition

Introverted Sensing

The dominant function of ISTJs is introverted sensing. They take in information that they can gather with their five senses. Focusing on the present, they use this information to compare it with previous personal experiences. Because they retain data so well, it’s easy for ISTJs to compare and contrast information.

Introverted sensing allows ISTJs to quickly notices differences in both their external environments and the behaviors of others, making them great at seeing inconsistencies.

Extraverted Thinking

Extraverted thinking is what ISTJs use to make decisions based on facts and logic. Those with this personality type are very good at categorizing the information that is given to them. As the auxiliary function, extraverted thinking comes easily to these types, allowing them to see a clear sequence of potential consequences that can occur from their actions.

Because this judging function is extraverted, ISTJs express this with a very organized environment.

Introverted Feeling

Those with introverted feeling often base their decisions on how they feel about a situation. As the tertiary function, this trait is not as developed in Inspectors. However, it’s what gives ISTJs the desire to have a real impact on the world around them.

Since feeling is introverted, it isn’t based on the external environments of ISTJs. Rather, this is what gives Inspectors their morals and values that are based on the previous two functions. Additionally, the introverted nature of feeling makes it difficult for Inspectors to readily show their emotions.

Extraverted Intuition

Possibilities and abstract concepts are what intuition is about. Being an extraverted function, it allows ISTJs to see connections in their external environments. Extraverted intuition looks toward the future. As this is the inferior function, it shows why Inspectors often remain so focused on the here and now.

ISTJs are often prone to stereotyping because this function is inferior. With increased self-awareness, these individuals can strengthen this trait to their advantage to see greater possibilities.

Summary

The ISTJ personality type is highly aware of what is right and what is wrong. The Inspector upholds a sense of duty and responsibility in every area of life. Considered as some of the most loyal workers and friends, someone of this type will stand by his or her beliefs and will not easily be swayed without objective evidence.

Additional reading: ISTJ vs INTJ.