The Instrumentalist – Understanding the ISTP Personality Type
In the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator framework, personality types represent various approaches to life. Each one is a fascinating study with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. And people have succeeded immensely by understanding them better.
Most people take the MBTI in order to understand themselves. Understandably so. However, this tool is just as useful in understanding others, especially for managers and HR personnel.
There are 16 different MBTI personality types, which might seem like a daunting list to familiarize yourself with. Yet the benefits can be intense.
When we really know who we’re working with, we’re in a much better position to maximize their potential.
Concerning the ISTP personality type – also known as “The Instrumentalist” – we tend to see a combination of practical yet spontaneous traits. The ISTP is very rare, comprising of only 5% of the population. These individuals can possess great cognitive abilities that make them ideal for certain roles and situations. Though, like every other category in the MBTI assessment, they have their struggles as well.
One way or the other, ISTPs are well worth understanding…
An ISTP’s Daily Life
ISTPs have a very strong desire to understand how things work and will happily disassemble objects to examine their internal mechanisms. They enjoy applying logical reasoning to real-world problems and typically possess great cognitive abilities – though they aren’t interested in ideas or notions unless they can apply them practically.
ISTPs have adventurers spirits and thrive on action. They’re often attracted to activities such as surfing, skydiving, motorcycling, and flying airplanes. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re often fearless people.
They dedicate themselves to their ideas and convictions, and simply will not participate in any activity that transgresses them. ISTPs have a strong sense of loyalty and faithfulness to their “brothers,” firmly believing that everyone deserves equal and fair treatment. And any system that doesn’t meet those determinations – at least in their own minds – is one they’re quick to disregard.
ISTPs can best organize their thoughts when they’re alone and therefore value and even crave their “me time.” When they do get that space, they’ll take in vast amounts of impersonal facts from the outside world, sort through them, and then make decisions from there.
ISTP Strengths
ISTPs tend to have excellent hand-eye coordination and enjoy being on the go, which helps them excel in athletic pursuits. And when it comes to school, they don’t often struggle too much in stereotypical peer-pressure ways.
Because they’re introverts with rational thought processes, they’re adept at seeing a project through to completion and closing up loose ends instead of being distracted by partying and other social pressures.
ISTPs believe that decisions should be made objectively. It’s very much about the facts for them, not feelings. So they try to avoid coming to conclusions based on personal ideals – provided that their dense of justice isn’t compromised.
Generally patient people who pay attention to specifics and useful details, they’re nonetheless capable of making swift and efficient decisions. If there’s a feeling of urgency, ISTPs can step up the process in all the right ways.
ISTPs are upbeat, gregarious, devoted to their peers, straightforward in their desires, hospitable, trusting, and generous individuals… who have little interest in constraining themselves in obligations.
Challenges Faced by ISTPs
On the downside, ISTPs aren’t always great at following the rules. They’re much more into “doing their own thing.” Moreover, they’re easily bored because of their constant need for action and sense of adventure – making regulations even more undesirable to them.
It shouldn’t come as any surprise then that they lack an innate sense of social awareness. And they struggle to discern between value judgments and emotional reactions. As such, they pay little attention to, or even mistrust, their own sentiments and attempt to ignore them altogether.
For many ISTPs, this can lead to problems since we have our emotions for a reason. When properly combined with discernment, they’re supposed to help us navigate life in healthy ways for both ourselves and those around us.
This is why overstressed ISTPs can display impulsive or even violent outbursts of anger due to their suppression habits. Or, at the other end of the spectrum, they might become so overwhelmed that they feel obliged to express their feelings in inappropriate ways. So if you are a ISTP you may have experienced this. Perhaps you have learned what many have. Take a deep breath and never act quickly. Take your time and try to visualize not loosing control.
This can also lead to unhealthy amount of self-criticism, leading ISTPs into the realm of value judgments. Since that’s unnatural for them, it tends to result in depression. And while they won’t let that state of mind keep them from the task at hand, it’s obviously not an ideal attitude to work with.
Coaching and Development for ISTPs
Because ISTPs enjoy being active and on the go, they’re not really the cubicle types. They simply do not do well with having to spend their days doing long-term planning while seated behind a desk. So, whenever possible, give them jobs that require movement.
They’ll be happier that way, and so will you.
They’re also impulsive and flexible, reacting to whatever is in front of them. This can be both a weakness and a strength. Obviously, their tendency toward patience can and does temper that impulsivity, but creating (or allowing them to create) an environment that helps them stay focused doesn’t hurt.
Because they are fiercely autonomous, ISTPs require the freedom to choose their own path forward. So remember when choosing a career, choose one that will give you freedom and not an overly controlling environment.
ISTPs in the Workplace
Due to their abundance of innate skills, ISTPs excel in a wide range of endeavors. However, as a group, their happiest moments happen when they get to apply technical expertise and/or in-depth logical analysis.
Because they take great satisfaction in their capacity to move in the right direction, they can be ideal technological team leaders. But other potential ISTP career pathways include:
- Detective and law enforcement work
- Forensic medicine
- System analysis, computer specialist, and programming
- Carpentry
- Mechanics
- Driving and piloting
- Sports
- Business owner
- Engineer.