ISTJ - Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging

""Take Your Time And Do It Right"

I am a serious, responsible and a sensible stalwart of society. I am trustworthy and honor my commitments. My word is my solemn vow.

Practical and realistic, I am matter-of-fact and thorough. I am painstakingly accurate and methodical with great purpose of concentration. Whatever I am doing I accomplish with orderliness and reliability. I have unshakable, well-thought-out ideas and it is difficult to distract or discourage me once I have embarked on what I think is the best course of action.

Characteristically quiet and hardworking, I have great practical judgment and memory for details. I cite accurate evidence to support my views and apply past experiences to my present decisions. I value and use logic and impersonal analysis and am organized and systematic in my approach to following things through and getting them done. I follow systems and procedures and am impatient with those who don’t.

I am cautious and traditional. I listen well and like things to be factual and clearly stated. I am told to “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” Private by nature, I appear calm, even during times of crisis. I am duty bound and steadfast, but beneath my calm façade, I have strong yet rarely expressed reactions.

Possible Blind Spots

I can tend to lose myself in details and daily operations of a project. Once immersed, I can be rigid and unwilling to adapt or accept another point of view. I tend to be skeptical of new ideas if I don’t see their immediate and practical application. I need to take time to look at my overall objectives and consider alternatives I may not have thought of. Gathering a wider range of information and consciously trying to anticipate the future implications of my behavior will increase my effectiveness in all areas.

I sometimes have trouble understanding the needs of others, especially those that are different from my own. Because I keep my reactions private, I can be perceived as cold and unfeeling. I need to express my appreciation rather than keeping it to myself.

Because I am logical, I tend to expect others to be so as well. I run the risk of imposing my judgments on others and overriding the opinions of less assertive people. I can demand conformity to my way of doing things and discourage more creative or innovative approaches. By staying open to untested or unconventional methods, I will develop more tolerance for differences in people and also end up with more effective alternatives and options.

The 3 Most Important Things For Me To Focus On

Be open to possibilities

Consider implications for other peoples

Embrace change

My Strengths

Precision and accuracy and desire to get the job done right the first time
Readiness to follow established routines and policies
Thoroughness and close attention to the specifics: facts and details
Belief in the value of a traditional structure and the ability to work within it
Strong sense of responsibility; I can be counted on to do what I say
Clear work ethic; I feel it is important to be efficient and productive
Perseverance and determination to accomplish my goals
Ability to concentrate on one task at a time in great depth
Ability to work alone
Sharp organizational skills
Common sense and a realistic perspective

My Weaknesses

Impatience with processes that take too long
Unwillingness to focus on future needs at the same time as present ones
Inflexibility; inability or unwillingness to adapt when necessary
Inability to focus on “the big picture” and see the implications of actions
Lack of sensitivity as to how people will be affected by policies and decisions
Reluctance to change directions and shift gears when warranted
Unwillingness to instigate or support needed change and calculated risks
Reluctance to embrace new, untested ideas
Discomfort with or resistance to change

TO DO LIST

Find an efficient assistant or secretary.
Try to schedule work on one project at a time.
-Implement efficiency systems and require subordinates to use them.
Try to attend fewer meetings.
Seek other points of view to balance my own.
Ask people chairing meetings for a written agenda prior to meetings.
Figure out how to avoid being interrupted (consider schedule changes, erecting physical barriers, forwarding my calls, moving my office, etc.)
Ask my supervisors to be more explicit about their expectations.
Set up short-term goals.

FOLLOW THROUGH ON ALL DETAILS

Focus my energy on completing large and small tasks relating to your projects. Include mapping out a general plan, writing thank-you letters and making follow up calls.
Stay organized. Demonstrate my skills and be persistent, show my interest in a job.

CONSIDER POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE LESS OBVIOUS

Look at opportunities that don’t currently exist. Get help generating a long list of possibilities in which I would be interested. Look for opportunities in my areas.
Resist the urge to rule options simply because I lack direct experience in the field.

REMEMBER TO CONSIDER THE HUMAN ELEMENT IN MY DEALINGS

Take time to think about my true feelings and motivation as well as what makes logical sense and what I am technically qualified for. Ask myself what’s important to me in my life, as well as my work and make sure I’m not compromising the former.
Pay attention to interpersonal subtleties during conversations. Engage in what I may consider frivolous niceties because other people consider them important.