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September 15, 2022 — 11:36 AM
According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, each of us falls into one of 16 different types, or personalities, with the ISTJ being the most common of all the MBTI types. Whether you or someone you know is an ISTJ, here’s what to know about this personality type according to experts, from their strengths and weaknesses to how they are in relationships and more.
The ISTJ personality type.
ISTJ stands for introverted, sensing, thinking, and judging. John Hackston, head of thought leadership at the Myers-Briggs Company, tells mbg this type is the most common in the world, making up 16% of the world’s population. And according to him, ISTJs are typically “calm, practical, quiet, serious people who want to know the facts and who put their trust in past experiences.”
He adds that these are also organized people, both at work and at home, who enjoy getting tasks done (preferably alone without distractions). But that trait comes with a downside: “They concentrate on logic and facts so much while making decisions that often they don’t consider how other people feel or are impacted by what they do,” Hackston notes.
But according to therapist De-Andrea Blaylock-Solar, LCSW, CST, while they may not be the most sensitive, they are dedicated, responsible, and honest. “They are very careful to keep commitments, so they’ll only agree to things they can fully commit to,” she tells mbg, adding that some areas for growth include being stubborn and always following specific rules, not making space for learning or creating new ways of doing things, and being self-critical.
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If you’re looking at the loudest person in the room, they’re probably not an ISTJ. These people tend toward a quiet and calm approach, and they are much less inclined to chime in with chatter or needless remarks. But this quality actually has its benefits: “They’re incredibly responsible and usually remain calm in stressful situations, often offering practical solutions,” Blaylock-Solar explains.
Along with being quiet and calm, the ISTJ type likes structure and organization in their lives, from their living quarters to their office. As aforementioned by Hackston, the ISTJ type does best when their environment is reflective of their desire for organization—and when other people aren’t disrupting that.
The ISTJ type is known for being extremely dedicated, potentially even to a fault. This ties into their sense of tradition, which we’ll touch on in a moment, but as Blaylock-Solar puts it, this type has a strong sense of duty. They’re guided by their moral compass and hold tightly to it, which makes them dependable—albeit a bit stubborn.
While ISTJs can definitely be stubborn and insensitive, they are, at least, honest and direct. As Blaylock-Solar mentions, their directness may not always be well received, but it is consistent and usually isn’t meant to be malicious.
Lastly, ISTJs tend to have a strong traditional streak. As Hackston tells mbg, “They value tradition and have a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty in all areas of life—at work and with friends and family members.” This ties back to that aforementioned integrity and dedication.
- Calm
- Practical
- Loyal
- Responsible
- Honest
- Integrity
- Stubborn
- Self-critical
- Insensitive
- Can be overly traditional
The ISTJ type in relationships.
The ISTJ type’s inclination toward loyalty and dedication definitely translates to their relationship lives. Blaylock-Solar notes they make loyal, trustworthy, and dependable partners. “You can count on their commitment, whether in romantic or platonic relationships. They are invested in the satisfaction of their partners,” she says, though she adds, “However, they are not very spontaneous.”
While generally good partners, it may just take a little extra time to get these people to open up. As Hackston explains, “People with ISTJ preferences are private and not always easy to get to know, but once they are in a relationship, they are very committed.”
He adds that they tend to take on a traditionally gendered role and assume or expect that their partner will do likewise. “They appreciate dependability and reliability and will try to make sure their significant other feels heard. On the other hand, they will probably have a hard time dealing with drama,” he explains.
In terms of MBTI compatibility, Hackston notes that the ISTJ type meshes well with others who have the same sensing-thinking preferences (aka practical, factual, and direct)—so ISTP, ESTJ, ESTP, or another ISTJ.
The ISTJ type in the workplace.
In their careers, according to Hackston, ISTJs want stability and structure—including working with larger, more established organizations. “In their jobs, they are more likely to dive into a field of knowledge and become an expert,” he explains, adding that ISTJs make up one of the largest majorities of leaders. “More than 15% of leaders all over the world have this personality type preference.”
And along with making great leaders, they’re also great team members as well, he says, even though they tend to be quiet and process things internally.
Thinking about structure and organization, Blaylock-Solar notes that careers with direct policies and clear boundaries will suit ISTJs, with Hackston adding “direct communication, clarity on everyone’s role, and practical instructions are important for them when dealing with coworkers.”
Being the most common MBTI type, you’ll find ISTJs in a number of fields, with the most important factor being that their job involves organization and factual information, according to Hackston.
- Finance
- Administrative work
- Business analysis
- Health care
- Law
- Law enforcement
- Military
How to thrive as an ISTJ:
1. Get out of your comfort zone.
While the ISTJ’s sense of tradition is part of what makes them who they are, it’s important not to allow yourself to get stuck. “Although established rules may feel the most comfortable, explore places where you can venture outside of that in ways that feel safe,” Blaylock-Solar suggests, adding, “Appreciate who you are and what makes you you—but be open to exploring other ways you can relate to others.”
Hackston tells mbg that ISTJs may not be the most “open” people, but they would do well to give it a shot, with other people and in general. “Listening to other points of view can allow you to improve your decision-making and communication, which can sometimes be seen as too detached and impersonal,” he explains, adding, “At work, being open to opportunities that may not be your first choice, like startups, can bring unexpected and rewarding challenges.”
3. Avoid living in the past.
And lastly, there’s nothing wrong with learning from your past and using it to help you inform decisions going forward, but there’s something to be said about getting stuck in the past. “Not every past experience applies to today’s issues. Get the best of your lessons and keep learning from new challenges,” Hackston suggests.
The bottom line is, with ISTJs being the most common MBTI type in the world, it’s more than likely you or someone you know has this quiet and dedicated personality. And while they may not be the most spontaneous folks in the room, you can count on them to be dependable, honest, and direct.