ISTP (Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception) generally have the following traits:
- Interested in how and why things work
- Do not function well in regimented, structured environments; they will either feel stifled or become intensely bored
- Constantly gather facts about their environment and store them away
- Have an excellent ability to apply logic and reason to their immense store of facts to solve problems or discover how things work
- Learn best "hands-on"
- Usually able to master theory and abstract thinking, but don't particularly like dealing with it unless they see a practical application
- Action-oriented "doers"
- Focused on living in the present, rather than the future
- Love variety and new experiences
- Highly practical and realistic
- Excellent "trouble-shooters", able to quickly find solutions to a wide variety of practical problems
- Results-oriented; they like to see immediate results for their efforts
- Usually laid-back and easy-going with people
- Risk-takers who thrive on action
- Independent and determined - usually dislike committing themselves
- Usually quite self-confident
ISTP strengths
ISTPs tend to enjoy learning and perfecting a craft through their patient application of skills. They can remain calm while managing a crisis, quickly deciding what needs to be done to solve the problem.
Potential development areas for ISTPs
ISTP people risk focusing so much on what needs to be done immediately that they fail to see the big picture. They don’t always follow through on projects that require them to work closely with others.
Typical ISTP characteristics
ISTPs are typically analytical, practical, realistic but also logical and adaptable.
Their most common characteristics are shown here in the form of a fun Typie.
ISTP careers & career ideas
ISTPs like analysing problems and responding to crises. They enjoy working autonomously, and tend to prefer hands-on or analytical work. Jobs that might appeal to ISTPs might include surgery, agriculture or engineering.
ISTPs under stress
ISTPs will typically become stressed in the situations shown in this MBTI stress head illustration. In extreme circumstances they will tend to feel alienated and upset, and prone to whingeing and hypersensitivity.
