12 Potential Traits Of The ISTJ Personality

According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the personality type with the Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging (ISTJ) traits is nicknamed “The Examiner.” ISTJs may have several personality traits in common, such as being inflexible, secretive, organized, traditional, and objective. They may also be responsible, precise, knowledgeable, and focused on self-improvement. Of course, not all ISTJs will have all these traits, and there may be plenty of room for variation between individuals. If you’re interested in learning how to make the most of your personality traits, working with a licensed therapist online can be an excellent way to do so.

ISTJ Personality Overview

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) generally separates people into 16 different personality types, one of which can be the ISTJ. This personality type is generally comprised of individuals who have a strong sense of what's right and wrong. An ISTJ may be one of the most responsible people you will ever meet. They can also be loyal and dependable, and they typically value thoroughness and honesty. They tend to be people who believe work comes before play. Below are 12 traits that can be highly characteristic of ISTJ personality types.

1. Inflexibility

ISTJs can be very stubborn, especially with things they believe in or when arguing their point. They don't generally want to bend their morals and standards and usually stick to their convictions. In most cases, ISTJ personality types dislike when someone attempts to change their views. Outside of work, they tend to be clear about their home and lifestyle. If someone comes into their space and attempts to change their style or how things are done, they may not be impressed. That being said, an ISTJ typically does not make a good candidate for surprise home makeover shows. For these reasons, an ISTJ can be stereotyped as rigid and inflexible, even if that's not the way they mean to come across.

2. Objectivity

ISTJs tend to be thinkers that make decisions with their heads and not their hearts. This means they can be impersonal and firm with others. Although they may not be naturally harsh, they may appear insensitive at times. This can be due to their strong adherence to their beliefs about honesty. In general, an ISTJ doesn't let emotions control them; they usually control their emotions. Although this can be great in a business setting, some ISTJs may have trouble establishing intimacy in romantic relationships. 

3. Privacy

ISTJs often love spending time alone and may have very few friends. Amongst other people, they might appear antisocial, as they tend to listen more than they talk. While ISTJs usually always try to be courteous and sociable and may have well-adapted manners, they still tend to prefer privacy. They generally want their personal life to be separate from work and don't like to mix the two areas. When working, they typically prefer to work independently.

4. Organization

If there is one type of person that loves order, it may be an ISTJ. They may have trouble handling chaos or clutter, and when things appear to be out of order, they will often put forth all their effort to resolve the problem. People with ISTJ personality traits may not be able to rest or relax until they have set everything straight and all the work is done. Because of their general need for order, they may learn best in environments with clear-cut assignments and clearly defined schedules.

5. Traditionality 

ISTJ personalities typically believe in traditions and laws and may expect the same from others. They are usually not comfortable breaking laws or going against traditions. Such people may feel more comfortable when they follow previously established rules and procedures. In some cases, they may be overly obsessed with structure and can insist on doing everything “by the book.” Due to this nature, many people may see them as rigid. 

6. Responsibility

When an ISTJ makes a promise, they will often push themselves until they deliver. Deadlines are typically taken very seriously, and this personality type may work systematically to complete the task at hand. They are usually clear about expectations and procedures and tend to follow a plan of action with little deviation. These individuals may work so hard that they lose sleep to succeed. To them, delivering the promised results can be what drives them, and resting may not be an option until the goal is achieved.

7. Precision

ISTJs tend to hold themselves to the highest of standards, which can make them precise and detailed about everything. If a job requires a certain amount of precision, these kinds of people may over-deliver. Their love for details can also be visible when it comes to giving instructions; they generally do not tolerate indecisiveness and prefer that their orders are followed without deviation. Unnecessary time wastage and straying from the plan can create a lot of problems for ISTJs. ISTJs may accomplish assignments with an astonishing amount of accuracy, precision, and efficiency.

8. Knowledge

When it comes to topics that interest them, ISTJ personalities may have all the facts readily available. Their minds are often like a fact-filing cabinet. This may be because they often have powerful memories that enable them to store and recall information accurately.

9. Leadership

ISTJ personality types can sometimes appear controlling because they don't typically enjoy being told what to do by others. Although they may never force their authority on anyone, they generally love taking matters into their own hands. In the workplace, they can be action-oriented and frequently lead their teams to achieve targets within a specified timeline. They are often attracted to leadership positions because of their natural love of order. At home, they may be the ones who make sure the house is clean, the meals are cooked, the laundry is folded, and the “A place for everything, and everything in its place” sign is not hanging crooked. Such people often take pride in making things happen, no matter how the commitment affects them.

10. Honesty 

Integrity may be one of the most important ISTJ personality traits. In their lives, there may be no room for lying. With ISTJs, you may not need to worry about interacting with a person who beats around the bush or plays on emotions. They tend to be very straightforward and don't usually play mind games, which can make them easier to interact with in the workplace. Their sense of fair play and honesty can make them ideal for careers in law and financial-industrial fields. When talking to clients, ISTJs tend to provide the most accurate information available. In personal relationships, they tend to be 100% honest, which can sometimes be interpreted as being too blunt. 

11. Utility

When ISTJs are learning about something that may be useful to them, their curiosity may be piqued, and they can invest great effort into learning everything possible about the subject at hand.

The more detailed they can learn how something can be used or how it operates, the greater the interest tends to be. Their greatest motivation is often providing a good life for those they care about. When the rest of the world is reacting to the ups and downs of the economy, ISTJs may have the capacity to remain practical and continue saving and investing. They usually know that self-discipline can be the key to creating wealth.

12. Self-Improvement

The ISTJ personality is normally great at handling constructive criticism. For example, in the workplace, if a boss lets them know something is not going well, they may work on it immediately. Each day, they usually push themselves harder to improve and become better employees, students, and partners. 

Make The Most Of Your Personality Traits With Online Therapy

Even if you don’t have any particular mental health concerns, working with a therapist can still be advantageous. For instance, you might schedule a few sessions to delve into your personality traits and learn about how you can best use your existing characteristics to achieve your goals. If traditional therapy isn’t a convenient way for you to do this, you may be interested in trying online therapy. This can make it simple to connect with a licensed mental health professional from the comfort of your home or anywhere you have an internet connection.

As this study explains, online therapy can be as effective as traditional in-office therapy for a variety of mental health disorders. Still, you don’t have to have a mental health disorder to benefit from speaking with a therapist and receiving professional feedback and guidance.

Takeaway

An ISTJ is a person who is Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging, according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. ISTJs are nicknamed “Examiners,” and they may be knowledgeable, organized, secretive, and responsible. Other common characteristics for ISTJs may include being inflexible, traditional, and objective. Often, ISTJs strive to constantly improve themselves, although no two ISTJs may be exactly the same. Therapy, whether in person or online, can be an effective method of making the most of your personality traits.