ISTJ - Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging

"Take Your Time And Do It Right"
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I am a serious, responsible and a sensible stalwart of society. I am trustworthy and honor my commitments. My word is my solemn vow. 

Practical and realistic, I am matter-of-fact and thorough. I am painstakingly accurate and methodical with great purpose of concentration. Whatever I am doing I accomplish with orderliness and reliability. I have unshakable, well-thought-out ideas and it is difficult to distract or discourage me once I have embarked on what I believe to be the best course of action.

Characteristically quiet and hardworking, I have great practical judgment and memory for details. I cite accurate evidence to support my views and apply past experiences to my present decisions. I value and use logic and impersonal analysis and am organized and systematic in my approach to following things through and getting them done. I follow systems and procedures and am impatient with those who don’t.

I am cautious and traditional. I listen well and like things to be factual and clearly stated. I am said to “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” Private by nature, I appear calm, even during times of crisis. I am duty bound and steadfast, but beneath my calm façade, I have strong yet rarely expressed reactions.

Possible Blind Spots

I can tend to lose myself in details and daily operations of a project. Once immersed, I can be rigid and unwilling to adapt or accept another point of view. I tend to be skeptical of new ideas if I don’t see their immediate and practical application. I need to take time to look at my overall objectives and consider alternatives I may not have thought of. Gathering a wider range of information and consciously trying to anticipate the future implications of my behavior will increase my effectiveness in all areas.

I sometimes have trouble understanding the needs of others, especially those that are different from my own. Because I keep my reactions private, I can be perceived as cold and unfeeling. I need to express my appreciation for others directly rather than keeping it to myself.

Because I am logical, I tend to expect others to be so as well. I run the risk of imposing my judgments on others and overriding the opinions of less assertive people. I can demand conformity to my way of doing things and discourage more creative or innovative approaches. By staying open to untested or unconventional methods, I will develop more tolerance for differences in people and also end up with more effective alternatives and options.

THE 3 MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR ME TO FOCUS ON ARE: 

1. Be open to possibilities

2. Consider implications for other people

3. Embrace change



MY STRENGTHS

-Precision and accuracy and desire to get the job done right the first time
-Readiness to follow established routines and policies
-Thoroughness and close attention to the specifics: facts and details
-Belief in the value of a traditional structure and the ability to work within it
-Strong sense of responsibility; I can be counted on to do what I say
-Clear work ethic; I feel it is important to be efficient and productive
-Perseverance and determination to accomplish my goals
-Ability to concentrate on one task at a time in great depth 

-Ability to work alone
-Sharp organizational skills 

-Common sense and a realistic perspective

MY WEAKNESSES

-Impatience with processes that take too long
-Unwillingness to focus on future needs at the same time as present ones
-Inflexibility; inability or unwillingness to adapt when necessary
-Inability to focus on “the big picture” and see the implications of actions
-Lack of sensitivity as to how people will be affected by policies and decisions
-Reluctance to change directions and shift gears when warranted
-Unwillingness to instigate or support needed change and calculated risks
-Reluctance to embrace new, untested ideas 

-Discomfort with or resistance to change

TO DO LIST

-Find an efficient assistant or secretary
-Try to schedule work on one project at a time.
-Implement efficiency systems and require subordinates to use them
-Try to attend fewer meetings
-Seek other points of view to balance my own
-Ask people chairing meetings for a written agenda prior to meetings
-Figure out how to avoid being interrupted (consider schedule changes, erecting physical barriers, forwarding my calls, moving my office, etc.)
-Ask my supervisors to be more explicit about their expectations
-Set up short-term goals

FOLLOW THROUGH ON ALL DETAILS

-Focus my energy on completing large and small tasks relating to your projects. Include mapping out a general plan, writing thank-you letters and making follow up calls
-Stay organized. Demonstrate my skills and be persistent, show my interest in a job.

CONSIDER POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE LESS OBVIOUS

-Look at opportunities that don’t currently exist. Get help generating a long list of possibilities in which I would be interested. Look for opportunities in my areas 
-Resist the urge to rule options simply because I lack direct experience in the field.

REMEMBER TO CONSIDER THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN MY DEALINGS

-Take time to think about my true feelings and motivation as well as what makes logical sense and what I am technically qualified for. Ask myself what’s important to me in my life, as well as my work and make sure I’m not compromising the former.
-Pay attention to interpersonal subtleties during conversations. Engage in what I may consider frivolous niceties because other people consider them important.