Your Type - ISTP
Introverted
Thinking with
Extraverted Sensing
STRENGTHS
Inclined to focus on their inner thoughts
and ideas, ISTPs often prefer to work on their own, free from the distraction
of other people. Focusing on observable facts and hard data, they view life
from an objective, pragmatic, and quietly intellectual point of view. Quietly
curious, and introspective, they use their Sensing function directly to perceive
the world 'as it is'. Approaching tasks in a realistic, factual and down-to-earth
way, they have little interest in abstract theoretical ideas, unless these have
clear practical applications. Logical, analytical and critical, they enjoy finding
practical solutions to real-world problems. Enjoying variety and change, they
are not inclined to be rule bound, rigid or dogmatic, and may actively resist
rules that 'do not make sense'. Open to new ideas, they do not needlessly cling
to traditional, tried-and-tested methods. Being solution focused realists, they
are likely to enjoy trouble-shooting, focusing on achieving tangible results,
rather than being overly concerned to meet colleagues' personal needs.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Being orientated towards the Introverted
domain of thoughts and ideas, ISTPs may sometimes need to be drawn out
when in the company of others. Deep and thoughtful, they may resist being
the first to put forward their own ideas, preferring instead to sit back
and reflect on what others are saying before contributing to a debate
or discussion. Flexible and free-thinking, they will be open to alternative
points of view, which they will critically examine in a logical, objective
manner. Goal directed, and solution focused, they will wish to achieve
results with a minimum of discussion and fuss. Given their Introverted
focus of attention, they are likely to feel most at ease when working
with known facts and hard data, rather than when managing interpersonal
relationships. Private, self-sufficient individuals, who tend to keep
their inner-most thoughts and feelings to themselves, others may take
a while to warm to them. Thus ISTPs may be more comfortable communicating
in writing, rather than participating in group discussions or debates.
THINKING STYLE
Logical and analytical, ISTPs are
known for their realistic, pragmatic approach to solving problems. Not
inclined to engage in abstract debate, or flights of fancy, they tend
to reject the purely theoretical in favour of concentrating on the known
facts in a given situation. Solution focused and goal directed, they
are more interested in directly perceiving how things work, rather than
understanding why they work. However, their pragmatic realism does not
cause them to be closed minded or dogmatic, with them being open to new
methods and ideas particularly when they can see the practical advantages
of adopting new approaches. Focusing on the 'broader picture', they may
not always see the point of closely adhering to set procedures and systems.
Similarly, attending to the detailed requirements of a task may not come
naturally to them. They will generally prefer to learn about a subject
by reading, or through private study, rather than by engaging in lively
informed debate or discussion.
HOW OTHERS MAY SEE YOU
Colleagues will value their objective,
down-to-earth realism. Moreover, they will be known for always giving
others a 'fair hearing', with ISTPs listening to others¹ arguments and
using their Thinking function to evaluate them in a critical but objective
manner. Thus they will be viewed as fair-minded, impartial and objective.
However, people who are, on the surface, more emotional than them may
sometimes have difficulty understanding their tendency to evaluate situations
in a cool, logical and analytical manner. Being quiet observers of life
they will be seen as Œdeep¹, and others may sometimes have difficulty
perceiving what ISTPs really feel about other people, events or situations.
Avoiding dogmatism, they will be seen as independent and self-reliant,
yet open to new ideas. While some colleagues may see them as being a
little shy, reserved or even somewhat aloof, this is to misunderstand
their private, inner-directed nature, and resultant tendency to focus
on their own thoughts and ideass.