ISTP

It’s simple. Success comes from training harder, living better and digging deeper than the others.

Lance Armstrong

Overview of “the Crafter”

ISTPs are Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving.

  • 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.
  • Perceiving because they live spontaneously and follow their inspirations and energy to complete tasks.

ISTPs are fearless, hard-working people. They put their nose to the grind to accomplish what they set out to do. These types dislike being controlled and want the freedom to pave their own path. Often with the reputation of the “lone wolf,” ISTPs look out for themselves as they master the technique and skill needed for their chosen craft.

ISTPs are fiercely independent but also incredibly loyal to their pack. They give generously of their time to their chosen loved ones, but not many people make that cut. If you are important to an ISTP, know that they would do just about anything for you. Given their severe loyalty and audacious practicality, ISTPs have an honest and straight-shooting communication style. They respect others who have similar drive and work ethic and who are willing to give them their space. These types are adventurous, risk-taking, instinctive, loyal, and enjoy absolute personal freedom — they make for inspiring leaders and dedicated comrades.

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

Ti (Introverted Thinking) – Dominant

An ISTP’s dominant cognitive function is Introverted Thinking, abbreviated as Ti. 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 ISTP.

10 Signs You’re Ti-dominant

  1. You make decisions internally
  2. You consider yourself objective
  3. You test “universal truths”
  4. Speak using precise language
  5. Hate being rushed to decide
  6. Can seem argumentative
  7. Extremely independent
  8. Struggle describing your decisions
  9. You create mental frameworks/models
  10. You want to know how things work

Positives of Being Ti-dominant

  • Being highly self-disciplined
  • Having a strong sense of inner control
  • Knowing how things work
  • Naturally noticing inconsistencies

Struggles of Being Ti-dominant

  • Taking a while to act on your conclusions
  • Having to explain yourself constantly to others
  • Being skeptical of other people/ideas
  • Becoming frustrated when things do not work well

A note to the ISTPs reading…

Ever wondered why you need to know how things work? That’s Ti. Ever noticed your tendency to break down ideas and analyze them far more than others care to? That’s Ti. Do you put yourself in awkward social situations because you always point out the inconsistencies in someone else’s argument? Yep, you have Ti to thank for that.

Introverted Thinking is the reason why you over-analyze your experiences and ideas. It explains how you can map out your argument so thoroughly in our own mind and glaringly notice when other people are being illogical. Ti keeps you skeptical of “universal truths” and testing things until you can make sense of them. It can be your secret weapon and your Achilles heel if it isn’t properly balanced with the other cognitive functions.

Se (Extroverted Sensing) – Auxiliary

An ISTP’s secondary function is Extroverted Sensing/Se. If someone is an introvert, their dominant function will be introverted and their auxiliary function will always be extroverted. Balance is necessary — especially in the brain! Se helps bring new experiences and adventures to Ti.

10 Signs You’re Se-auxiliary

  1. You make verbal observations about the world
  2. You get bored and restless easily
  3. You live in the moment
  4. Quick reflexes gives you athletic tendencies
  5. You have a good sense of direction
  6. You notice physical changes in other people
  7. Actions speak louder than words to you
  8. You dislike being controlled
  9. You learn through experience
  10. You are a realist and dislike the theoretical

Se takes a backseat to Ti. Because Ti is the driver, Se brings new experiences to the information Ti is processing. This is why ISTPs seem to be on a constant quest for new adventures and stimulation because Se explores their outer world as Ti organizes the logical framework of the inner world.

ISTPs keep to themselves most of the time, especially around new people. Despite this natural introversion, they do have a surprisingly large list of connections and acquaintances. This is because they’re extremely bold and they’re not afraid of taking risks — their enthusiasm usually keeps them well-known and on other people’s radar. ISTPs will usually understand themselves as being introverted because of their overwhelming need for independence and their discomfort in “cocktail party” social situations. They will spend a good amount of time recharging their dominant Introverted Thinking function by taking in new information.

Ni (Introverted Intuition) – Tertiary

An ISTP’s tertiary cognitive function is Introverted Intuition/Ni. This position as third in the “cognitive stack” means that TiSe is running the show the majority of the time. Because of this, Ni is a bit underdeveloped and usually starts to show up in an ISTP’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 Ni is why ISTPs have strong gut feelings about certain people or situations but can’t pinpoint exactly where those gut feelings come from. Ni is why they might have sudden epiphanies as new information is processed by Ti. Tertiary functions provide a comfortable place to escape from the usual cognitive default, so ISTPs might find themselves engaging Ni to dream about the future or dive into fictional worlds with hidden meanings. If Ni is ignored or undeveloped, the Ti-user will fail to dream or think ahead to what could be, getting overly caught up in the reality of what is. Because of Ni immaturity, these types will occasionally find themselves locked into a vision and idealizing a specific outcome.

Fe (Extroverted Feeling) – Inferior

An ISTP’s inferior cognitive function is Extroverted Feeling/Fe. This function is typically concerned with harmony, connections, and making sure everyone in the group is well cared for. Inferior functions usually develop in midlife. Because of this late-blooming, there will be many times Fe pops up in uncomfortable, weak, and even self-destructive ways.

Healthy Fe-inferior looks like

  • Valuing relationships
  • Picking up on social cues
  • Consideration for others emotions
  • Thoughtful and tempered discussion
  • Respectfully stating opinions

Unhealthy Fe-inferior looks like

  • Neglecting friends and family
  • Completely ignoring social awkwardness
  • Belittling or downplaying someone’s feelings
  • Harsh and blunt arguments
  • Interrupting others or bulldozing them