ISTP Personality Type Explained: Career, Strengths and Weaknesses

ISTP enjoy action, new experiences, hands-on activities and the freedom to work at their own pace. Such people like to have time for thinking in both solitude and independence.

They like to do new things, but getting bored pretty quickly. ISTP like to take things apart to see how they work. They are both logical and rational, being more interested in practical applications than in abstract ideas.

The ESFJ personality type is inherent for up to 8 percent of all the population, according to psychologist David Keirsey.

ISTPs often engage in both risky or fast-paced hobbies such as motorcycles, hang gliding, bungee jumping, surfing, or ice hockey. In some cases, they may seek adventure by choosing a career in racing, flying, or fire fighting. They enjoy new experiences and can often participate in thrill search.

ISTP are both quiet and calm people, but they get along well with people. People with ISTP type of personality are result oriented. When there is a problem, they want to understand the root, implementing some type of solution at once.

One of the common myths about ISTP is that they are both stoic and silent. Although they tend to be restrained, this does not mean they do not have any strong emotions. On the contrary, they are able to keep cool, maintain objectivity and cope with the crisis.

They prefer to make judgments based on objective criteria, rather than personal beliefs or values.

ISTPs distance themselves from their own emotions, ignoring their feelings until they become overwhelming. They are poorly adapted to the emotional states of others, and ISTPs can sometimes be considered a little insensitive.

ISTPs are able to look at situations objectively, avoiding both subjective or emotional factors when making decisions and being very logical. It is often because they are focused on actions and results, and not on emotions.

ISTP do not spend much time expressing themselves, so they are often called quiet. They spend a lot of time both thinking and working with information in their own heads.

They often focus on things that seem to be both practical and useful because they deal with the world rationally and logically.

It may seem ISTP’s decision-making approach is very unpredictable, but their actions are based on careful observation and reflection.

ISTP thrive on new experiences, hating strict procedures. These are introverts, being usually both quiet and restrained. Commitment is difficult for ISTP, but it will put a lot of effort into relationships, supporting their interests. They are very independent and do not like to feel under control in a relationship. They often find friends, enjoying the hobbies they do and spending time with them doing these things.

ISTP do not often share their emotions with other people. In spite of this, they enjoy hearing what other people think, often keeping their opinions to themselves. For this reason, people sometimes describe ISTP as being kittle cattle.

As a rule, ISTP do not like too many structures, succeeding in a career where they have a lot of freedom and autonomy. They often succeed in work, requiring working alone, as ISTPs are introverted.

They are very logical, often enjoying work, including both reasoning and practical experience. In particular, ISTP enjoy doing things, having practical, real-world applications.

ISTPs urgently need to stay alone from time to time, even though they tend to be both curious and even enterprising. You can be a good friend by asking them to do new things, but be prepared to respect their need for peace and quiet when they do not want to go out.

If you are the parent of an ISTP child, you probably know well about their independent and adventurous nature. You can build their trust by giving them both safe and useful opportunities to explore things on their own.

Provide rules and guidelines, but be careful not to float. Give your child a lot of hands-on learning, outdoor adventures and the opportunity to experiment with how things work.

You can strengthen your relationship with your ISTP partner if you are ready to do things daily and respect their pressing need for independence. Long-term relations can be a real problem, because ISTPs live a present day.