Compassionate ISFJs are not typically classified as intellectual personalities capable of devising grandiose ideas and launching billion-dollar start-ups. However, you might be astonished to find how smart they truly are and why they are so great at hiding it!
ISFJs are smart, although they are good at hiding how intelligent they truly are as they are introverted and humble. They are gifted with practical and emotional intelligence used to devise pragmatic solutions for day-to-day problems that intellectual personality types might find daunting.
While it might be evident that ISFJ personalities are not smart in a bookish way, they are smart yet complex characters who are intellectually gifted in their own way. So, if you want to know what the secret to their outstanding pragmatic skills is – read on!
ISFJ Myers-Briggs Personalities: A Brief Overview
The ISFJ abbreviation refers to someone who prefers spending time on their own (Introverted), is fascinated by details, not concepts (Sensing), bases decisions on emotions (Feeling), and prefers meticulous planning instead of spontaneity (Judging).
With 14% of the US population being classified as ISFJs, it is the overriding personality type in the US, of which 19% are females and a mere 8% are males.
ISFJs are commonly referred to as Protector or Defender personalities because their greatest aim is to take care of people and to keep them safe.
These personality types are known for their loyalty, practicality, compassion, conservative values, and their continued focus on diligently attending to their work commitments.
ISFJs are well-grounded traditionalists; they make significant contributions to uplift and support their communities and the organizations they work for due to their profound duty of care for others.
Perfectionists to the core, ISFJs need others to know that they can be trusted to meet and exceed expectations s they are highly conscientious, meticulous, and persistent.
Are ISFJs Smart?
Before we delve into how smart ISFJs truly are, it’s important to note that there are various forms of intelligence. Therefore, a polyglot who can master several languages might not be adept in a scientific field, but they are both intelligent in their own way.
Certain Myers-Briggs personalities are more intellectual than others. While ISFJs types might not be viewed as intellectual, they are highly complex characters who process and recall information in a unique way.
ISFJ personality types are humble and reserved, so they may not appear to be very smart, but that is an illusion.
They are gifted with a practical form of intelligence, including an emotional insight that equips them to make pragmatic decisions for the betterment of others.
Unlike other personality types, they are adept at “common sense,” so ISFJs can devise efficient, practical solutions that other people might struggle with.
Thus, they instinctively know what needs to be done and will devise a plan to deal with the matter at hand as they are experts at providing practical solutions to everyday problems.
ISFJs tend to multi-task and place a lot of pressure on themselves to accomplish what they set out to do, especially if their aim is to help a loved one in their hour of need.
Although this practical form of intelligence might not be esteemed by some, it is a valuable skill set as many intellectuals might appear to be highly intelligent, but they are unable to attend to pertinent day-to-day tasks or deal with “life’s laundry.”
Furthermore, ISFJs are capable of leading accomplished lifestyles, expertly taking care of their loved one’s practical needs, making significant contributions to their communities, and without being a drain on society.
Are ISFJs Thinkers?
ISFJs are Sensor personalities that are rooted in the real world; they are information-collectors who store useful information to deepen their understanding of people or life in general. In fact, any humanistic information could be practically applied or used to benefit others.
These personality types are the glue that keeps society together as they use their form of intelligence to understand other people and to ensure that organizations function optimally.
Their practical and emotional intelligence permeates every aspect of their lives, and it is safe to say that the world would slowly start falling apart without ISFJ’s impressive skillset!
How ISFJs Think
ISFJs are adept at categorizing and recalling pertinent information with ease that most other personality types could struggle with.
While they might not recall impractical information that is not useful, they retain a wealth of information about all their loved ones like anniversaries, birthdays, or any other special dates.
This practical way of storing memories enables them to take care of their loved ones and to get things done that will be to their benefit.
ISFJs are therefore grounded personalities who can remain focused on important tasks without getting distracted by less important matters or grandiose ideas.
Fascinating ISFJ Myers-Briggs Personality Traits
While you now know why ISFJs are incredibly smart, here are a few more insightful character traits:
- ISFJ’s predominant character traits are being highly guarded, conventional, conservative, and reserved.
- They are more inclined to make lower annual salaries than most other Myers-Briggs personality types.
- Compared to other Myers-Briggs personalities, they are more likely to be ultra-religious or believe in a higher spiritual power.
- ISFJ’s are more inclined to suffer from chronic pain and heart conditions than other Myers-Briggs personality types.
- They are more likely than other personalities to major in education on a tertiary level, study towards an MBA, or start a small business (if they are male ISFJs).
- Compared to other personalities, they are more prone to watching television for over three hours.
- They prefer working in health care, education, and religious professions.
Conclusion
Humble and compassionate ISFJs are not showy personalities who will ever display how truly smart they are. While ISFJs are not typically classed as intellectual personalities, their outstanding practical and emotional intelligence are a gift to humanity.
