ISFJ

Dominant Introverted Sensing with Auxiliary Extraverted Feeling

Tertiary Thinking and Inferior Extraverted Intuition

Caring • Conscientious • Trustworthy • Friendly

According to the MBTI® Manual, ISFJs make up 13.8% of the population, making this type the #1 most common, of 16, in the US population.

ISFJs are known for appearing quiet, reserved, and kind. They prize harmony and peace, and they combine this with their hardworking approach to completing tasks on time in an effort to create an environment that runs smoothly and has as little conflict as possible.  ISFJs generally show a desire to make sure the needs of individuals are taken care of in practical ways.  This is most easily accomplished in areas where expectations are clearly laid out in a detailed and organized fashion and the environment is peaceful and considerate.  ISFJs generally excel in and enjoy behind the scenes and support roles, rather than being the center of attention or the person in charge; though, they are certainly capable of leading.

Often, ISFJs take joy in organizing work spaces and their homes in a way that is functional, comfortable, and esthetically pleasing for themselves and those they live with and entertain.  As family members and friends, ISFJs are typically extremely devoted and loving, and they take on the role of peacekeeper, caretaker, and tradition carrier pretty naturally.

In Stress

Normally, ISFJs are most thrown off and stressed out by environments where there is a great deal of tension or confrontation.  ISFJs become stressed by looming deadlines, being forced or asked to do things in ways that do not make sense to them, and being asked to do something off the top of their heads without plan or direction. They may often find it difficult to be in situations of change, especially when they do not see the change as reasonable, and ISFJs can eventually become frustrated when their hard work behind the scenes goes unappreciated or when they are taken for granted.

When faced with stress overload, which may come from dealing with unfamiliar territory and uncertain futures, dealing with others who seem to work outside of the current reality, or having to overuse their type by being expected to constantly act as “the responsible one”, ISFJs may find themselves “in the grip” of their inferior function, Extraverted Intuition.  During this experience, the individual is likely to do things that are typically completely out of character.  This may include being at odds with normally relied on facts and details, to the point where these details may feel like they lead to the end of the world.  Most things in the world are seen as awful, in this state, and the ISFJ may do things he or she would normally deem reckless and foolish.

Fortunately, going through and coming out of a grip experience can lead to growth and balance of the personality and the person.

To learn about ISFJs under the particular stress that only comes from being chased by the dead, check out ISFJs in the Zombie Apocalypse!

As Learners

In general, ISFJs take learning, for school and work, seriously.  They learn best when practical explanations, real life examples, details, facts, and expectations are presented up front, rather than first being presented with abstract theories or encountering expectations along the way. Material sinks in more easily when the real life applications are apparent and/or highlighted by the instructor, and using stories about how information has applied in the lives of actual people will likely allow the deepest connection to the material. ISFJs often excel at memorization, and will usually be able to hang on to details that they find personally meaningful and useful in their own lives.

ISFJs like to learn within the structure provided by the instructor, and they typically prefer to work individually, or with a friend, within that structure to reach goals that have been decided on at the outset of the learning experience.  Typically, ISFJs enjoy getting feedback from an instructor regularly, and in a way that is supportive and does not call attention to her or him.  ISFJs also like to have ample time to work through the learning process, as they tend to struggle when they feel rushed by a teacher going through material too quickly or by an impending deadline.

Individuals of this type may find it helpful to ask teachers for real life examples when they are not present.  They should try to remember to look at details together, to see the big picture, in addition to their natural method of examining details as details.  Frustration may occur for ISFJs in a classroom that lacks structure, and the individual may want to ask the instructor for clarifications that will allow the ISFJ to build a structure to work in.

Time Management

Typically, ISFJs like to plan out and break down work, projects, and tasks before getting started, and they want to make sure they have all of the necessary components lined up in advance to ensure that  they can work steadily towards the end goal in a fashion that is thorough, people friendly, and deadline focused.  They will often appreciate the use of calendars, to-do lists, and routines, to stay on task and keep priorities straight, and stay apprised of upcoming events.  Motivation for ISFJs comes from their deep desire to help, meet the expectations of, and please others.

ISFJs are often very thrown off in time management by the overcommittment that comes from not wanting to say “no”, completing the work of others to avoid a late or substandard product, or spending too much time on organization before starting work.  Procrastination may occur when the ISFJ becomes overwhelmed by details that will need to be taken into account to perform a thorough job, and they may put things off when they lack the experience and/or self-confidence to complete the project to their standards.

Tips for staying or getting back on task:

• Plan for the unplanned by allotting extra time for possible interruptions and by making yourself temporarily unavailable to others who may distract or seek help from you.
• When you’ve gotten off track, take time to reexamine and shuffle priorities based on current needs, and seek the help of others to fill in needed and missing information.
• When organizing is preventing moving forward, remind yourself that it’s ok to stop prep work and begin work from wherever you are planning.

Decision Making

When approaching decisions, ISFJs want to find solutions that are practical, functional, realistic, and keep the needs and wants of people in mind.  They will often begin by using their Dominant Introverted Sensing to consider how they can combine knowledge and processes that currently work well with past experience and commonsense to explore the facts and details of the situation.  They will then run these details through the filter of considering consequences on individuals and relationships and how the decision fits their personal set of values.  This will likely involve running either internal or written lists of pros and cons to determine the solution that is most personally acceptable and inclusive of other people.

While ISFJs may certainly want to talk out decisions with others, they may wish to do internal work on the matter first.  They want to think through the decision deeply, carefully, and thoroughly, while at the same time almost wishing the decision was already made and wanting the matter to be settled and off their plates.  Individuals of this type are often good at revisiting the decision making process after the fact, to find ways to improve next time, and they will want to refine the process over time to ensure less stressful, easier, and more people-satisfying decision making in the future.

ISFJs may fail to consider possibilities and knowledge outside their own experience when making decisions, and they may also neglect the more analytical, rational, and objective aspects.  To find more balance in the process, all types may consider discussing decisions with friends of different types to gain new insights and/or utilizing the Zig-Zag Method, which encompasses exploring decisions from the perspective of all four functions.  ISFJs will likely find this process more natural when exploring Sensing first, followed by Feeling, Thinking, and Intuition.

In Careers

Personality type is one important part of the process of choosing a career that is a good fit, but it is far from the only part.  It is important to first look at your personal goals and values when making a career decision.  These may involve retiring early, helping others, having time for hobbies/avocations, having time to spend with kids and family, making lots of money, making use of a specific talent (singing, art, athletic ability, etc.), following in family footsteps, or following a childhood dream.

It is also important to look at skills and preferences.  If you hate math, maybe engineering is not the way to go, and you may want to skip being a doctor or nurse if the sight of blood makes you queasy.  Interests, from loving the great outdoors to being fascinated by the depths of the human mind, play a huge role in the career choice process as well.  Below are some type specific commonalities in the career world.

ISFJs often…

• Seek careers that provide structure and consistency, while prizing helping people, thoroughness, timeliness, and warmth, and they typically love a career that shows quiet or individual appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
• Prefer environments where they can help others in a one-on-one fashion, and they want a harmonious environment that allows time for individual work and focus.
• Enjoy tasks that help individuals in practical ways, that aid in easier and more productive functioning in day to day life.  This is often in a “behind the scenes” capacity that helps a workplace run more smoothly.
• Might struggle with vague expectations, disharmonious environments, and situations that lack structure and/or consistency in processes.  They may also focus on qualifications they do no meet in the job search process, and fail to sell their excellent qualities, as a result.
• Are often attracted to careers such as:
  • Nursing (home health care, intensive care, hospice)
  • Medicine (family doctor, technology, physical therapy)
  • Office work (data entry, administrative assistance, bookkeeping)
  • Teaching (K-12)
  • Veterinary work ( veterinarian or vet tech)
  • Personal service (social work, trainer, dietician, probation officer)
  • Customer service (bank teller, store clerk)
  • Hotel management/Hotel support
  • Religious work (missionary, clergy)
  • Librarian
• May be less interested in careers involving a focus on data, conflict mediation, analysis, or abstract theory.

If the career you are interested in does not appear on this list, or if you simply don’t find any appealing careers listed here, do not worry!  Personality type is not meant to sentence you to a life of misery in a career you hate, and this list is far from exhaustive.  You may want to check out descriptions of thousands of possible careers at O*Net, and then contemplate how your type may play into some of the careers that do interest you.  Also, if your university has a career counseling center (and most do), visit them to gain assistance in finding a career that suits your needs and wants.

As Team Members

ISFJ team members will likely contribute to the team by being hardworking, thorough, and responsible.  ISFJs have great respect for people’s needs and for processes that have a proven track record of success.  They appreciate stability, a harmonious work environment, and organization, and they are known to be supportive and caring team members.

While ISFJ team members have many strengths, they may find it difficult to accept change that does not adhere to current procedures and rules, especially if it does not appear to take people’s needs into account.  They may also have a tendency to keep thoughts to themselves  and take on more than their fair share of work, in an effort to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment.  ISFJs sometimes also lose the big picture in the details.  Awareness of these areas, as well as seeking out the perspectives of team members with different preferences, can help ISFJs gain balance and appreciate team and type diversity.

As Leaders

ISFJs make encouraging and pragmatic leaders who begin with the end in mind and work hard and steadily towards goals.  They tend to be clear with expectations and place value on the needs and comfort levels of those that they lead.  ISFJs are known for being good at finding practical and people-sensitive ways to complete tasks, and they are often able to inspire loyalty by building good relationships and leading by example.

ISFJs may find it challenging to objectively analyze situations because their people focus is so strong.  Their often quiet nature may prevent members of the team from feeling connected, due to a lack of information being put forth.  It may also be difficult for ISFJs to remember to keep an eye on long-term plans, rather than placing all focus on current needs.  Finally, ISFJ leaders may struggle with taking on a firm leadership role, due to a dislike of confrontation.

In Relationships

ISFJs value harmony and emotional intimacy in relationships.  They take commitment seriously, and they want to know their partners share and honor that commitment.  This extends to fidelity, support, and listening.  They also prize sharing values with a partner and being able to enjoy spending time together, especially one-on-one.

As partners, ISFJs tend to be very warm and very focused on keeping loved ones happy.  They will often be very accommodating and nurturing and place the needs of their partner and others before their own. ISFJs typically crave appreciation from their partners for their tireless efforts to give of themselves and create a positive environment.  While ISFJs enjoy sharing feelings with loved ones, they will only do so when they feel safe from criticism, which they tend to struggle with.  If they feel criticized, ISFJs will tend to retreat, rather than engage in conflict.

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