Perhaps no type is more driven by a sense of responsibility and
"bottom-line" behavior than Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging
types. In the name of responsibility, these Introverts have acquired social
grace, ease with words, and all of the appropriate interpersonal social skills
demanded at any given moment. They can be so outgoing under clearly defined
circumstances that they are sometimes mistaken for Extraverts. But make no
mistake: as the most private of the sixteen types, these Introverts
can don Extraverted clothing when the occasion warrants it without changing
their essentially Introverted inner nature.
Nature of ISTJ's
The ISTJ's highly responsible nature is shaped by the Sensing preference
of the information-gathering function. In other words, ISTJs focus
inwardly, concentrating on data that are objective, immediate, concrete,
and pragmatic. Their affinity for the here and now leaves them to assume
nothing, to take nothing for granted. What they see they translate
objectively and tangibly (T), which they immediately organize and
schedule (J). Since this comes easily and naturally to them, they expect
similar behavior of virtually everyone else. They are extremely
demanding at home and work, even at play, engaging at times in very
compulsive behavior. To some observers, these seem to be your classic
Type A personalities -- driven, impatient, and obsessive.
Leadership
Like INTJs, with whom they share three preferences (I, T, and J), they
often excel at school and work, rising to senior positions of
responsibility as class presidents, school heroes, project managers,
and community leaders -- all of which may seem out of character for
an Introvert. But for the ISTJs, this is not out of character at all;
they are simply doing their duty -- "doing what should be
done" (though not what comes naturally. Indeed,
should is a key part of the ISTJ's mantra, as it is for all
Sensing-Judgers, and in this context the result is that the preferred
and more "natural" Introverted behavior is dutifully abandoned
for the more difficult Extraverted style.)
Female ISTJs
While all Thinking females swim upstream in our society, this is
particularly true for female ISTJs. The responsible, driven nature of
this type, while admirable, flies in the face of traditionally
"feminine" traits. Moreover, as traditionalists at hearts,
ISTJ females are inwardly conflicted about trying to balance the
conventional feminine roles -- mothering and nurturing -- with their
objective, organized (TJ) nature. Male ISTJs, in contrast, are
"naturals" in comforming with this type's attributes, so much
so that ISTJ is often dubbed "the macho type" -- a label with
which few women would feel comfortable (but which doesn't necessarily
bother those ISTJ women.)
Family life
ISTJs have homes that are neat and they carry out their domestic
activities with efficiency and dispatch. They like to eat breakfast at
eight, lunch at noon, and dinner at six, no matter what. Holidays and
other family affairs are extremely important, and become the focus of
family life, no expense or inconvenience spared. Family members of
other types who fail to fall in step may be subject to considerable
grief and guilt. ISTJs' homes and personal appearances tend to reflect
their life preferences in general: traditional and probably somewhat
austere. You can often spot an ISTJ's home from the outside: the yard
is sparse -- the few bushes and plants are neat and orderly -- the
house color is rather subdued, bikes and toys are put away, and the
entire presentation can only be described as tasteful but reserved. A
place for everything and everything in its place.
Parenting
For ISTJs, parenting is a lifelong responsibility that is undertaken
seriously. They impose rules and regulations upon their children -- and
sometimes on their spouse -- and expect them to be followed and not
questioned. After all, when the ISTJ was a child, things were done in
this way; now that they themselves are in authority, they expect things
"should" continue to be done as they were before. Roles, for
the ISTJ parent, are clearly defined: parents are parents, children are
children, and each has appropriate responsibilities. It is not uncommon
for an ISTJ to assign family duties for a whole weekend so that no time
is wasted. To the ISTJ, an idle mind is the devil's playground and
"honest work" is good for all. Even relaxation is scheduled
and dutifully executed.
ISTJ children
These same driving forces define ISTJ children. Homework is done neatly
and on time, and in general they are good students. Bedrooms are kept
orderly. They show up on time for meals, expecting them to be served on
schedule. Like their ISTJ elders, they live by a series of
"shoulds," which they often impose on their parents. For them,
too, the parent-child lines are clearly defined. They can become
stressed when they encounter a family member of a different type who
resists their rules and regulations, or when a parent or other authority
figure is working on a schedule different from theirs. Ultimately,
they'll give in to the adult, but not without considerable
unpleasantness. Such unpleasantness may be a test to make sure the
authority figure is being responsible to his or her role.
Interacting with others
In an intimate relationship, an ISTJ's word is as good as gold, and
having once declared "I love you," they can be trusted to be
true to that sentiment for years to come -- though they may not give
voice to it often. The reason is simple: For the ISTJ, actions truly
speak louder than words; the continued experssion of love comes not in
the saying but in the doing -- being there day in and day out, providing
unfailingly, being a veritable Rock of Gibraltar. This nonverbal style
of affection often gets ISTJs in hot water because it can be perceived
as uncaring; they are often described as having "ice for
blood".
Responsibility
But ISTJs do care -- and show it through their strong sense of
responsibility. (Indeed, they would rather die than than be seen as
irresponsible.) They are fiercely loyal, both to individuals and
institutions, sometimes responding fanatically to the
"shoulds" and "oughts" of their commitments. They
make good soldiers, literally and figuratively. In fact, based on a
sample of more than ten thousand of the U.S. military -- from enlisted
personnel through four-star generals and admirals -- their predominant
configuration is ISTJ.
Careers
Other professions to which ISTJs gravitate are similiarly oriented toward
achieving practical and tangible results, and include such careers as
general surgery, law, and accounting. These careers have appeal because
they frequently involve working alone (I), are very results-oriented
(S), require objectivity (T), and generally have prescribed ways of
doing things (J). While they may be successful at any career, ISTJs are
less drawn to those that require abstract thinking and interpersonal
spontaneity. Whether as supervisors or subordinates, with their work as
with everything else they like to play by the rules. They expect those
who follow the rules to win, those who don't, to lose.
Later in life
In their later years certain ISTJs may behave in somewhat bizarre ways.
It is that period of their life when they give in to the more subjective and
spontaneous parts of their personalities. Suddenly the rather rigid parent
may become the playful, doting grandparent. The hard-charging executive
tried on new hats -- from the painter's beret to the camper's cap. Overall,
the older ISTJ becomes aware that things that used to seem all-important
aren't quite as crucial in the bigger scheme of life.
Famous ISTJs
Some famous possible ISTJs include auto-maker Henry Ford (described as a
man of few words who gave customers a "choice" of "any
color, as long as it's black"); George Washington (whose blueprint
for the country comprised immediate practical procedures to be
implemented.); Johnny Carson (who calls himself an Introvert, sets a
style for American male dress, and has maintained a constant program
schedule for a quarter century); and Calvin Coolidge (who was austere,
simplistic, and noted for his cryptic and terse remarks). Also Woodrow Wilson,
Harry Truman, John D. Rockefeller, and Elizabeth II.
More info: PUM - http://keirsey.com/personality/sjit.html
- Personality type index
Morris Cox/morriscat@yahoo.com
