ISTJs are part of the sixteen personalities established by the Myers-Briggs Test Indicator. While they are classified by this test as merely “Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging” – can they be toxic?
ISTJs are known as the Inspector, that being someone who relies on routine and receives self-confidence from their work. This can make them seem arrogant to others and insensitive as they are guided by logic. However, they have a strong sense of integrity, loyalty, and responsibility.
So, if you want to know more about the ISTJ personality type, read on to gain an in-depth understanding of what makes the ISTJ tick.
The Traits Of ISTJs: Are They Toxic?
ISTJs are known as the Inspector and occasionally the Logistician. That being said, an ISTJ is an individual who is practical, thorough, and systematic. They prioritize logic and rational thinking that isn’t manipulated by emotion.
ISTJs are known for their analytical and perceptive personalities. They strive for perfection and order; therefore, their organizational and analytical skills are especially fine-tuned.
Are ISTJs Annoying?
Since ISTJs can often be stuck in their ways, especially in the pursuit of a goal, they can often be quite stubborn and unwilling to change their ways or compromise with others. This can make interacting with ISTJs quite difficult if you do not understand how they function.
ISTJs also tend to struggle with considering the emotions of others since they aren’t typically guided by emotions, unlike other types. Therefore, others typically see them as having low emotional intelligence. This can make the ISTJ type seem insensitive and apathetic towards the emotions and needs of others.
Tact is also in low supply for many ISTJs as they are usually very blunt and straightforward; this can annoy others and isolate ISTJs if they aren’t careful when it comes to delicate situations. As a result, this can make ISTJs seem unlikeable and rude.
ISTJs are also incredibly traditional in their approach to work and methodology. So, it comes as no surprise that when things change, especially in their personal lives, they are very reluctant to adapt and can be left in the past. This can be very damaging in the modern workplace with new technologies.
ISTJs And Arrogance
Since ISTJs take pride in a job well done, they usually seem to be very confident, even to the extent of arrogance occasionally. However, this is a key misunderstanding made by other personalities as ISTJs are merely very self-assured if a job or work has been completed well.
ISTJs can show humility and modesty without question; it’s just a matter of how self-assured the other person is, as the ISTJs self-confidence can throw off or upset those that are insecure or prone to jealousy.
ISTJs favor, above all, their need for quiet and stability, so they are usually the type to reject attention-seeking behavior. Therefore, they are unlikely to be very arrogant or narcissistic. ISTJs will also admit to failure if they believe they deserve it due to procrastination or laziness.
Can ISTJs Be Spontaneous?
An INFJ is nothing without their inherent need to maintain their routine, to the extent that any irregularities or changes deeply upsets them. They are very ritualistic in their adherence to traditions and laws, so you can’t really expect them to be spontaneous or random.
However, an ISTJ can benefit from challenging tradition at times. For one, it gradually makes them less stubborn and likelier to others when the time calls for it. This type of change also allows ISTJs to improve their lives by changing bad habits or something that makes them dissatisfied.
How ISTJs See And Interact With Others
Despite the seemingly cold nature of the ISTJ, they are very loyal to those close to them. Therefore, they tend to be protective and defensive of those around them. They are usually very responsible and reliable when it comes to supporting others in their times of need.
Integrity is also a key trait of the ISTJ type since once they have chosen to commit to something, they will stick to it, regardless of their detriment.
ISTJs also make good parents as they offer safe, stable, and reasonable guidance to children, although it should be mentioned that they should try to actively take into consideration that they can also make mistakes and sometimes and to acknowledge the feelings of their children.
Jobs Suited To ISTJs
Since the ISTJ is fantastically duty-bound and never tends to stray from their duties, they tend to make an excellent choice for government and administrative positions. This includes policemen/women, detectives, accountants, tax examiners, financial advisers, statisticians, and civil engineers.
ISTJs are also suited to professions involving mathematics, health science, computers, and statistics, such as actuaries, nuclear technicians, statisticians, computer programmers, software developers, dentists, surveyors, and optometrists.
Interesting Facts About ISTJs
ISTJs are one of the more common Myers-Briggs archetypes as they make up about 12% of the overall population, with about 16% of males and 7% of females.
Some famous ISTJs include Warren Buffet, Angela Merkel, Winston Churchill, Tom Brady, Queen Elizabeth II, Hillary Clinton, and Misty Copeland.
ISTJs are more likely than other personalities to suffer from cardiac issues, often the result of poor stress management skills associated with the ISTJ’s rigidity and need to work hard. They are also more likely to suffer from chronic pain and associated disorders.
During personality trait measurement tests, the characteristic associated the most with the INTJ is those that center around stability, such as cautiousness, measured behavior, steadiness, and conventionalism.
Conclusion
So now that you know a bit more about the ISTJ personality, you can see that some of their traits can sometimes be unpleasant or hard to deal with, such as their stubborn behavior, rigidity, perfectionism, and dependence on logical guidance.
However, it’s safe to say that the ISTJ does not intentionally seek conflict or praise, even if, at times, their strong sense of self-confidence can be overbearing, and they seem stuck in their ways. They are, in fact, incredibly humble when it comes to themselves.
