ISTJ

Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.

Henry Ford

Overview of “the Inspector”

ISTJs are Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging.

  • Introverted because they are energized by time spent alone and connect most with the inner world.
  • Sensing because they explore practical details of the physical world and focus primarily on the past and present.
  • Thinking because they prioritize objective data and logic when making decisions.
  • Judging because they prefer to have things organized and like control in their outer environment.

ISTJs are reliable, hard-working individuals. They are able to put their nose to the grind until the job is done and follow it through to completion. These types are incredibly practical and have a strong set of personal values that seep into their daily tasks. They have impeccable character and a good reputation in their community.

ISTJs call it how they see it and assume others see things the same way. Very conservative at heart, they go with the grain and distrust other types who seem reckless in their decision-making. These types feel most comfortable operating in a set routine and having expectations clearly communicated to them. They are detailed-oriented, grounded, and sincere.

Cognitive Functions

In the Myers-Briggs personality system there are eight cognitive functions. Your unique personality is a road map pointing to the four cognitive functions that you access consciously. Every personality will have two extroverted functions and two introverted functions. Every personality will also have one feeling function, one thinking function, one intuitive function, and one sensing function. For more help and practice identifying cognitive functions for the sixteen Myers-Briggs personality types check out this worksheet. All eight functions are as follows:

  • Extroverted Intuition
  • Introverted Intuition
  • Extroverted Sensing
  • Introverted Sensing
  • Extroverted Feeling
  • Introverted Feeling
  • Extroverted Thinking
  • Introverted Thinking

Si (Introverted Sensing) – Dominant

An ISTJ’s dominant cognitive function is Introverted Sensing, abbreviated as Si. Dominant cognitive functions are used approximately 80% of the time by an individual and are hardly noticed by the user. This function will feel like second nature and “drives” an ISTJ.

10 Signs You’re Si-dominant

  1. You enjoy reliving past experiences
  2. You learn quickly from your mistakes
  3. You notice when something’s “off”
  4. Trust facts over inspiration
  5. Probably have a good sense of humor
  6. Comfortable with traditions
  7. You pay attention to detail
  8. Often fairly resourceful
  9. Dislike being pushed outside your comfort zone
  10. You compare and contrast a lot

Positives of Being Si-dominant

  • Being optimistically influenced by past experiences
  • Focusing on remembered facts
  • Seeking cozy, pleasurable comfort based on past information
  • Learning quickly from your mistakes

Struggles of Being Si-dominant

  • Getting stuck in old ways and resisting new thinking
  • Being trapped in the past and missing the big picture
  • Holding grudges and making it difficult to rebuild your trust
  • Missing new opportunities

A note to the ISTJs reading…

Ever wonder why you have an uncanny ability to remember the past? That’s Si. Ever catch yourself telling a story with incredible accuracy as you remember small details that others miss? That’s Si. Ever noticed that it’s hard to “forgive and forget” and move on when someone has seriously violated your trust? That’s Si.

Introverted Sensing is the reason why you can relive past experiences with such accuracy. It’s the reason you prize facts over inspiration and trust tradition over novelty. Si gives you a good sense of humor, helps you remain attentive to detail, and allows you to remain fairly resourceful. It might be difficult to understand how much Introverted Sensing is driving your action because dominant cognitive functions are like the air we breath: it’s invisible but it enables life… on a day-to-day basis you don’t see it but every once in a while it makes itself known Introverted Sensing can be your secret weapon and your Achilles heel if it isn’t properly balanced with the other cognitive functions.

Te (Extroverted Thinking) – Auxiliary

An ISTJ’s secondary function is Extroverted Thinking/Te. If someone is an extrovert, their dominant function will be extroverted and their auxiliary function will always be introverted. Balance is necessary — especially in the brain! Te helps bring new information to Si.

10 Signs You’re Te-auxiliary

  1. You naturally delegate work
  2. Fairness is very important to you
  3. You like your outer world to be organized
  4. You enjoy planning
  5. Structure is comforting
  6. You may feel that others around you are incompetent
  7. You value credentials
  8. You enjoy reading and gaining knowledge
  9. You want others to think well of you
  10. You can be very sensitive in public settings (when made to feel small or embarrassed)

Te takes a backseat to Si. Because Si is the driver, Te goes out into the world to gain more information when Si feels ready to receive it. This is why ISTJs need to brainstorm with others after long periods of alone time. Si is processing information and Te wants to gather more knowledge from other people and exterior resources.

ISTJs are fairly introverted and will usually identify themselves as such. With strangers they tend to be more reserved, but with loved ones they allow their true selves to come through. Because their extroverted function is a thinking function, their boldness will come through as they express thoughts and debate relevant topics with others. ISTJs are very reserved when it comes to emotional expression and will feel uncomfortable defining and expressing their feelings with others.

Fi (Introverted Feeling) – Tertiary

An ISTJ’s tertiary cognitive function is Introverted Feeling/Fi. This position as third in the “cognitive stack” often means that SiTe is running the show the vast majority of the time. Because of this, Fi is a bit underdeveloped and starts to show up in an ISTJ’s mid-20s. Tertiary functions usually have the maturity level of a ten-year-old child — they can serve as a strength or a weakness depending on how the user responds to it.

Tertiary Fi is part of an ISTJ’s “gut feeling.” It’s why they know that something is right without specifically outlining how they know. Fi also helps them read other people and understand what they’re feeling. When positioned as a tertiary function, Fi makes it easy to misread other people and assume they are feeling one way when they are not. As Fi develops, it will help the ISTJ stay true to their values, engage in activities that are consistent with their beliefs, and help them find deep resolve within themselves.

Ne (Extroverted Intuition) – Inferior

An ISTJ’s inferior cognitive function is Extroverted Intuition/Ne. This function is typically concerned with new ideas, innovative thought, and future possibilities. Inferior functions develop in midlife. Because of this late-blooming, there will be many time Ne pops up in uncomfortable, weak, and even self-destructive ways.

Healthy Ne-inferior looks like

  • Being open to new ideas
  • Seeking out new experiences
  • Adding variety to one’s life
  • Giving space for other perspectives

Unhealthy Ne-inferior looks like

  • Shutting down new ideas
  • Resisting new experiences
  • Refusal to deviate from routine
  • Closed mindedness