Being with an ISTJ Personality Type

ISTJ types typically have a logical and efficient way of dealing with life, that draws inspiration from predictability, past precedent and routine. If you are an ISTJ you probably want a strong and reliable roadmap to help you navigate life decisions.

If you live or work with an ISTJ it might help to:

  1. Provide a rationale for decisions that has roots in the past, for example, "This is the way our family has done things for the last 50 years and it's worked out well."
  2. Identify and explain specific steps in a linear way. It's good to provide a manual if possible.
  3. Allow them to focus on task completion.
  4. Explain where things are going. This comes back to the roadmap concept. The way to the future is rooted in the past. 
  5. Provide any relevant data.
  6. Honor accomplishments. ISTJ types are often willing to do the repetitive and detailed work that others find too tedious. It doesn't hurt to let them know it is appreciated. Formal appreciation of some kind may be preferred. If you work with an ISTJ, a letter from the leader of your organization or someone with high rank would be good as ISTJ types tend to hold organizational life in high esteem.

If you supervise an ISTJ type it may help to:

  1. Let them know where they are in the process. Help them see where their efforts are going and how they are contributing. It's good to quantify progress as much as you can. For example, "You've completed steps 1-5, now we just need to complete 6-10."
  2. If they need to improve on something don't be fuzzy about it. Explain specific steps that are needed. If you can't do this, you might consider putting them in charge of creating a guide book for the position. ISTJs tend to like things when they're quantifiable and linear.
  3. Don't introduce change haphazardly. ISTJs aren't going to like change for the sake of it. They like to provide reliability for others and they need reliability from you. For an ISTJ, a plan is not a possibility, but something to act upon with precision.  Most ISTJs do not like surprises most of the time. They like to know what's going to happen.

If you are in a relationship with an ISTJ it may help to:

  1. Understand that meaningful change is rooted in the past. It doesn't necessarily need to be their past, but it's important to illustrate that there's a strong tradition or precedent behind any change you're asking them to make. If you can draw parallels with their personal past then this will most likely be helpful. It also might help to illustrate how that change will produce repeatability and dependability in the future.
  2. Honor their routines and traditions. These provide important stability and predictability.
  3. Appreciate their emphasis on dependability. They are one of the most dependable types and one important way they love is to show you that they are simply there for you day-in and day-out.