ISTP. The Realist

ISTPs are practical, down to earth, no-nonsense, methodical and are often less likely to put up with social rules than any other type. They may appear brusque and might upset other people to avoid boredom and get a reaction.

Really, they just want to know what works, not in theory but in practice. They need to get their hands dirty and experience the physical world in an immediate way. Risk taking is sometimes part of this. They are one of the most purely physical types and tend to be very realistic and utilitarian in their approach. ISTP speech is typically sparse and to the point because talking is considerably less interesting than action.

Practical action is often their talent and highest value. The action could be in many different arenas such as sports, construction, mechanics, acting, or corporate leadership.

ISTPs value spontaneity and do not want to be tied down to a routine. They need excitement and they need to be constantly testing out the reality of the situation. They can be incredibly perceptive troubleshooters.

When it comes to people ISTPs often take a cynical approach. They may look at a person as a mechanism. How does it work? What gets a reaction out of it? What makes it calm down? It's not they don't care about people, it's that their minds are highly mechanistic in orientation. They're not really geared toward supporting someone else's morale or self esteem except to help that person become more fluent in the realities of life.

Though they may not seem dutiful in a traditional kind of way as they are fiercely independent thinkers. However, they have a deep sense of fairness, can be an intensely loyal friend, and are usually highly protective of people who are important to them. There is a warrior side to many ISTPs. Combat, whether in sports or actual warfare, can give their natural protective instincts an opportunity to combine with their need for action.

ISTP Quotes

"Sometimes you need to get hit in the head to realize that you're in a fight." - Michael Jordan

“I don’t do damsel in distress very well. It’s hard for me to play a victim.” - Scarlett Johansson

“I say when something sucks rather than sugarcoat it.” - Steve Jobs

“When you look for a teacher you should be very, very suspicious. ... You must test them.” - The Dalai Llama

"I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine." - Bruce Lee

"I think you have to judge everything based on your personal taste. And if that means being critical, so be it. I hate political correctness. I absolutely loathe it." - Simon Cowell