MBTI

ISFJ (Defender) is a personality type with the Introverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging traits. These people tend to be warm and unassuming in their own steady way. They’re efficient and responsible, giving careful attention to practical details in their daily lives. People who have ISFJ personalities are known for being warm-hearted, responsible, and reserved. 

In their unassuming, understated way, people with the ISFJ personality type help make the world go round. Hardworking and devoted, these personalities feel a deep sense of responsibility to those around them. ISFJs can be counted on to meet deadlines, remember birthdays and special occasions, uphold traditions, and shower their loved ones with gestures of care and support. But they rarely demand recognition for all that they do, preferring instead to operate behind the scenes. Though sensitive and caring, ISFJs also have excellent analytical abilities and an eye for detail. And despite their reserve, they tend to have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships. ISFJs are true altruists, meeting kindness with kindness-in-excess and engaging with the work and people they believe in with enthusiasm and generosity. One of the greatest ISFJ strengths is loyalty. They rarely allow a friendship or relationship to fade away from lack of effort. Instead, they invest a great deal of energy into maintaining strong connections with their loved ones. People with this personality type are known for dropping everything and lending a hand whenever a friend or family member is going through a hard time. ISFJ personalities tend to feel most energized and effective when they’re showing up for someone who needs their help. A notable ISFJ weakness is that they often find change difficult – particularly when it’s sudden or involves unfamiliar territory. Despite their hard work and consistency, ISFJ personalities are still known for their humility. They rarely seek the spotlight for the things they do. Although they’re Introverted, ISFJ personalities have a deeply social nature. Thanks to their ability to remember the details of other people’s lives, they have a special talent for making their friends and acquaintances feel seen, known, and cherished. Dedicated and thoughtful, ISFJs find great joy in helping those around them build stable, secure, and happy lives. 

Dominant: Introverted Sensing

ISFJs prefer concrete information rather than abstract theories. They are highly attuned to the immediate environment and firmly grounded in reality. Because of this tendency to focus on and protect what is familiar, ISFJs are often seen as highly traditional. When making decisions, ISFJs compare their vivid recall of past experiences in order to predict the outcome of future choices and events.

Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling

ISFJs place a great emphasis on personal considerations. Extraverted feelers are focused on developing social harmony and connection.This is accomplished through behaviors viewed as socially appropriate or beneficial, such as being polite, kind, considerate, and helpful. ISFJs try to fulfill the wants and needs of other people, sometimes even sacrificing their own desires to ensure that other people are happy.

Tertiary: Introverted Thinking

ISFJs are planners and tend to be very well-organized. They utilize logic to understand how the world works. As they take in new information and experiences, they look for connections and commonalities in order to find patterns. Rather than simply trying to understand a small part of something, they want to see how things fit together and function as a whole.

Inferior: Extraverted Intuition

While ISFJs tend to focus on the present and concrete facts, this largely unconscious function can help balance the ISFJ personality by allowing the individual to consider other possibilities. Taking in facts and then exploring the "what-ifs" can lead to new insights about problems.

ISFJ Strengths 

• Reliable

• Practical

• Sensitive

• Eye for detail

Supportive – People with the ISFJ personality type (Defenders) truly enjoy helping others, and they happily share their knowledge, attention, and expertise with anyone who needs it. ISFJs strive for win-win situations, choosing teamwork over competition whenever possible.

Reliable – Rather than working in sporadic, excited bursts that leave things half finished, ISFJ personalities are meticulous and careful. They take a steady approach, ensuring that things are done to the highest standard – often going well beyond what is required. Further, most ISFJs agree that sustaining discipline and reliability becomes easier with time.

Observant – ISFJ personalities have a talent for noticing things, particularly about other people. They pay attention to the smallest details of what someone says and does, giving them unexpected insights into other people’s lives and emotions.

Enthusiastic – When the goal is right, ISFJs apply all of their gifts to something that they believe will make a real, positive difference in people’s lives – whether that’s fighting poverty with a global initiative or simply making a customer’s day at work.

Hardworking – ISFJs don’t just get their work done – they take pride in going above and beyond all of their tasks and responsibilities. People with this personality type often form an emotional attachment to the projects and organizations that they’ve dedicated themselves to, and they won’t rest until they’ve done their share – or more than their share – to be of help.

Good Practical Skills – The ISFJ personality type offers the rare combination of an altruistic nature and hard-won practicality. They don’t just hope to help others. They take action – meaning that they’re more than happy to roll up their sleeves and do what’s necessary to care for their friends, family, and anyone else who needs it.

ISFJ Weaknesses

• Dislikes abstract concepts

• Avoids confrontation

• Dislikes change

• Neglects own needs

Overly Humble – ISFJs are so concerned with other people’s feelings that they may refuse to make their thoughts known or to take any duly earned credit for their contributions. They often downplay their efforts entirely when they think that they could have done some minor aspect of a task better.

Taking Things Personally – Although they might try to hide it, people with this personality type are deeply sensitive to others’ opinions, and they can be thrown off-balance if someone doesn’t appreciate, approve of, or agree with them. When they encounter criticism or disagreement – even if it’s well-intentioned – ISFJs may feel as if they’re experiencing a personal attack.

Repressing Their Feelings – Private and reserved, ISFJ personalities tend to internalize their feelings, particularly negative ones. This can create misunderstandings in their relationships. Eventually, all of their repressed feelings and resentments may boil over in a sudden, uncharacteristic outburst of frustration.

Reluctant to Change – ISFJs are among the personality types that struggle the most with change. Breaking with tradition isn’t easy for these steady personalities, who place great value on history and precedent. Even when change is necessary, they may wait until the situation reaches a breaking point before altering course.

Too Altruistic – ISFJs’ giving, generous nature can leave them vulnerable to being taken advantage of by others. It can be hard for them to rock the boat and stand up to someone who isn’t pulling their own weight. In fact, ISFJs are the most likely personality type to say they would rather clean up someone else’s mess than confront them about it directly.

ESFJ (Consul) is a personality type with the Extraverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging traits. They are attentive and people-focused, and they enjoy taking part in their social community. Their achievements are guided by decisive values, and they willingly offer guidance to others. Because they are extroverts, ESFJs love spending time with others. ESFJs also have a way of encouraging other people to be their best. They are good at empathizing with others and tend to see the best in people, which means they sometimes have a hard time believing anything bad about the people they are close to.

For people with the ESFJ personality type life is sweetest when it’s shared with others. These social individuals form the bedrock of many communities, opening their homes – and their hearts – to friends, loved ones, and neighbors. This doesn’t mean that they are saints or that they like everyone. In fact, they are much more likely to form close bonds with people who share their same values and opinions. But regardless of other people’s beliefs, ESFJ personalities still strongly believe in the power of hospitality and good manners, and they tend to feel a sense of duty to those around them. Generous and reliable, they often take it upon themselves – in ways both large and small – to hold their families and their communities together. ESFJs have a talent for making the people in their lives feel supported, cared for, and secure. People with the ESFJ personality type are altruists. They take seriously their responsibility to give back, serve others, and do the right thing. ESFJs may find it difficult to not judge when someone takes a path that strikes them as misguided. As a result, they often struggle to accept it when someone – particularly someone they care about – disagrees with them or chooses to walk a path that they do not understand. ESFJs have a clear moral compass – and it can be nothing short of baffling to them when other people’s actions don’t align with it. With their definite views on right and wrong, these personalities tend to be on the opinionated side. But these opinions aren’t arbitrary – they’re often based on a deep respect for tradition. ESFJs know that everything they do affects someone else, and they trust that established laws, protocols, and social norms will help them navigate their everyday lives in a way that is considerate and responsible toward others. Supportive and outgoing, people with the ESFJ personality type can always be spotted at a party – they’re the ones fluttering around making sure that everyone is having a good time! People with this personality type put a great deal of energy into making other people feel special and celebrated, and they might take it personally if someone doesn’t seem to appreciate their efforts.

Dominant: Extroverted Feeling

The extroverted feeling function involves thinking about emotions in a way that helps people better understand their own feelings as well as those of other people. People with this type of personality tend to consider everyone's emotions when making decisions. ESFJs tend to make decisions based on their emotions and concern for others. As a result, they tend to consider the personal impact of a decision more than objective criteria.

Auxiliary: Introverted Sensing

Rather than making rash decisions based solely on gut reactions and emotional responses, the introverted sensing function helps the ESFJ pause and consider the outcomes of their actions. ESFJs are more focused on the present than on the future. They are interested in concrete, immediate details rather than abstract or theoretical information.

Tertiary: Extroverted Intuition

This function is important in supporting the dominant Fe function since it helps the ESFJ learn more about the world around them. This cognitive function helps ESFJs make connections and find creative solutions to problems. ESFJs are known to explore the possibilities when looking at a situation. They can often find patterns that allow them to gain insights into people and experiences.

Inferior: Introverted Thinking

Someone with an ESFJ personality type is organized and likes to plan things out in advance. Planning helps ESFJs feel more in control of the world around them. Introverted thinking is the part of the ESFJ's personality that tends to represent their weakest points. This function can help the ESFJ analyze information and make good decisions, but because this function tends to be weaker than their other functions, it means that this is an area where they might also struggle. This aspect of personality helps the ESFJ analyze complex information, but it is often a point of weakness, especially when making sense of abstract or theoretical concepts.

ESFJ Strengths 

• Kind and loyal

• Outgoing

• Organized

• Practical and dependable

• Enjoy helping others

• Conscientious

Strong Practical Skills – People with the ESFJ personality type (Consuls) are excellent managers of day-to-day tasks and routine maintenance, enjoying making sure that those who are close to them are well cared for.

Strong Sense of Duty – ESFJs have a strong sense of responsibility and always strive to meet their obligations. This often makes them hardworking and efficient in the workplace and very loyal in their personal relationships. They also tend to uphold the traditions that they hold close to their heart with diligence and consistency.

Very Loyal – Valuing stability and security very highly, ESFJs are eager to preserve the status quo, which makes them extremely loyal and trustworthy partners and employees. True pillars of any groups that they belong to – whether it is their family or a community club – people with this personality type can always be counted on to show up and lend a helping hand.

Sensitive and Warm – ESFJs naturally offer others the security and stability that they themselves want and need. They tend to seek out harmony and care deeply about other people’s feelings, being careful not to offend or hurt others. They are strong team players, and win-win situations are the stuff that their smiles are made of.

Good at Connecting with Others – These qualities come together to make ESFJ personalities social, confident, and generally well-liked. They have a strong need to “belong” and have no problem with small talk or following social cues in order to help them take an active role in their communities.

ESFJ Weaknesses

• Needy

• Approval-seeking

• Sensitive to criticism

• Dislike change

• Controlling

Worried about Their Social Status – ESFJs can become preoccupied with social status and influence, which affects many of the decisions that they make, potentially limiting their creativity and open-mindedness. They can tie too much of their identity to others’ expectations, losing a sense of themselves.

Inflexible – ESFJ personalities place a lot of importance on what is socially acceptable and can be very cautious, even critical, of anything unconventional or outside the mainstream. They may also be unwilling to step out of their own comfort zone, usually for fear of being (or just appearing) different.

Vulnerable to Criticism – It can be especially challenging to change these tendencies because they are so conflict averse. ESFJ personalities can become very defensive and hurt if someone, especially a person close to them, criticizes their habits, beliefs, or traditions.

Often Too Needy – ESFJs need to hear and see a great deal of appreciation. If their efforts go unnoticed, these individuals may start fishing for compliments in an attempt to get reassurance of how much they are valued.

Too Selfless – The other side of this is that ESFJ personalities sometimes try to establish their value with doting attention, something that can quickly overwhelm those who don’t need it, making it ultimately unwelcome. Furthermore, they often neglect their own needs in the process.

ISTJ (Logistician) is a personality type with the Introverted, Observant, Thinking, and Judging traits. These people tend to be reserved yet willful, with a rational outlook on life. They compose their actions carefully and carry them out with methodical purpose. People with an ISTJ personality type tend to be reserved, practical and quiet. They enjoy order and organization in all areas of their lives, including home, work, family, and projects. ISTJs value loyalty in themselves and others, and they emphasize traditions. 

People with the ISTJ personality type mean what they say and say what they mean, and when they commit to doing something, they make sure to follow through. With their responsible and dependable nature, it might not be so surprising that ISTJ personalities also tend to have a deep respect for structure and tradition. They are often drawn to organizations, workplaces, and educational settings that offer clear hierarchies and expectations. While ISTJs may not be particularly flashy or attention seeking, they do more than their share to keep society on a sturdy, stable foundation. In their families and their communities, people with this personality type often earn respect for their reliability, their practicality, and their ability to stay grounded and logical in even the most stressful situations. True to their methodical nature, ISTJs often steer clear of impulsive behaviors, instead favoring careful deliberation when it comes to decision-making of any kind. People with the ISTJ personality type believe that there is a right way to proceed in any situation – and that anyone who pretends otherwise is probably trying to bend the rules to suit their own desires. Consequently, they rarely hesitate to take responsibility for their actions and choices. They are quick to own up to their mistakes, admitting the truth even if it doesn’t make them look good or if it makes other people uncomfortable. To ISTJ personalities, honesty and straightforward communication are far more important than showmanship. In a world where many people shirk their responsibilities or say what they think others want to hear, ISTJs stand out as dedicated, responsible, and honest. ISTJs may often find themselves doing others’ work – and not getting credit for it. ISTJ personalities aren’t known for expressing their emotions readily, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t feel frustration or resentment when they’re pulling more than their weight. And unless they make sure that their relationships are balanced and sustainable, they may end up compromising the very stability that they feel called to protect. 

Dominant: Introverted Sensing

Introverted sensors are focused on the present moment, taking in an abundance of information about their surroundings. They also have vivid memories of the past and rely on the memories of these experiences to form expectations for the future.

Auxiliary: Extraverted Thinking

ISTJs are logical and efficient. They enjoy looking for rational explanations for events. They prefer to focus on the details rather than thinking about abstract information. Being efficient and productive is important for people with this personality type. They appreciate knowledge that has immediate, practical applications. ISTJs make decisions based on logic and objective data rather than personal feelings.

Tertiary: Introverted Feeling

As they make judgments, ISTJs often make personal interpretations based on their internal set of values. This is often described as an "instinct" or "gut feeling" about a situation. ISTJ might make a decision based on logic, only to have this feeling kick in telling them to trust their feelings rather than just the facts.

Inferior: Extraverted Intuition

This aspect of personality enjoys new ideas and experiences. This is the weakest part of the ISTJs personality, but eveloping this function can sometimes lead to more balance.

ISTJ Strengths 

• Detail-oriented

• Responsible

• Realistic

• Decisive

• Present-focused and Observant

• Honest

• Calm and Level-headed

• Logical and practical

• Orderly and organized, Concerned with rules

Honest and Direct – Integrity is at the heart of people with the ISTJ personality type (Logisticians). Emotional manipulation, mind games, and lies of any kind all run counter to their preference for managing the reality of the situations that they encounter with plain and simple honesty.

Disciplined – ISTJs embody integrity through both their words and their actions. Patient and determined, people with this personality type meet their obligations and keep their promises, period. They value structure, follow rules strictly, and respect authority, showcasing their strong will and dutiful nature.

Very Responsible – ISTJs would rather power through and lose sleep than fail to deliver the results that they said they would. Loyal and reliable, they almost always fulfill their duties to the people and organizations that they’ve committed themselves to, and they do so on time and with strict adherence to whatever guidelines were set in place.

Calm and Practical – None of their promises would mean much if ISTJ personalities lost their tempers and broke down at every sign of hardship – they tend to keep their feet on the ground and make clear, rational decisions. Other people’s preferences might be taken into consideration in the process, but ultimately, their decisions are made with practicality in mind.

Organized and Effective – The primary goal of any ISTJ personality is to be effective in what they’ve chosen to do, and they believe that this is accomplished best when everyone involved knows exactly what is going on and why. Clear rules and regulations help people with this personality type maintain order and work in a productive manner.

Research-Oriented – ISTJs are proud repositories of knowledge, with an emphasis on procedures and techniques that enable reliable outcomes. This allows ISTJ personalities to apply themselves to a variety of situations with success, picking up and applying new data as needed to maintain functionality.

ISTJ Weaknesses

• Reserved

• Stubborn

• Judgmental

• Subjective

• Tends to blame others

• Insensitive

Stubborn – The facts are the facts, and people with the ISTJ personality type tend to resist any new idea that isn’t supported by those facts. This factual decision-making process makes it difficult for them to accept that they were wrong about something – but anyone can miss a detail, even ISTJs.

Insensitive – While not intentionally harsh, ISTJs often hurt more sensitive types’ feelings by the simple mantra that honesty is the best policy. These personalities may take emotions into consideration, but really only so far as to determine the most effective way to say what needs to be said.

Always by the Book – ISTJs believe that things work best with clearly defined rules, but this makes them reluctant to bend those rules or try new things even when the downside is minimal. Truly unstructured environments tend to leave these personalities stressed and dissatisfied.

Judgmental – Because ISTJs tend to highly value facts and empirical evidence, they are unlikely to respect people who disagree with proven information – especially those who remain willfully ignorant. When others disregard concrete evidence and instead rely on assumptions or emotions, ISTJs can become judgmental, viewing these individuals as irrational or misguided.

Prone to Burnout – All this can combine to make people with the ISTJ personality type believe that they are the only ones who can see projects through reliably. As they load themselves with extra work and responsibilities, turning away good intentions and helpful ideas, they sooner or later hit a tipping point where they simply can’t deliver. Since they’ve heaped the responsibility on themselves, ISTJs may then believe that the responsibility for failure is theirs alone to bear.

ESTJ (Executive) is a personality type with the Extraverted, Observant, Thinking, and Judging traits. They possess great fortitude, emphatically following their own sensible judgment. They often serve as a stabilizing force among others, able to offer solid direction amid adversity. They are confident and place a lot of value on tradition. On the plus side, they are highly dependable, but this sometimes comes with a tendency to be harsh and unyielding.

People with the ESTJ personality type are representatives of tradition and order, utilizing their understanding of what is right, wrong, and socially acceptable to bring families and communities together. Embracing the values of honesty and dedication, ESTJs are valued for their mentorship mindset and their ability to create and follow through on plans in a diligent and efficient manner. They will happily lead the way on difficult paths, and they won’t give up when things become stressful. ESTJs are classic images of the model citizen: they help their neighbors, uphold the law, and try to make sure that everyone participates in the communities and organizations that they hold so dear. Strong believers in the rule of law and authority that must be earned, ESTJ personalities lead by example, demonstrating dedication and purposeful honesty and an utter rejection of laziness and cheating. This personality type is aware of their surroundings and lives in a world of clear, verifiable facts. Their surety of their knowledge means that, even against heavy resistance, they stick to their principles and push an unclouded vision of what is and is not acceptable. People with the ESTJ personality type are dedicated individuals who pride themselves on always finishing what they start, rendering them reliable and trustworthy. However, ESTJs don’t work alone, and they expect their reliability and work ethic to be reciprocated – people with this personality type meet their promises, and if their partner or coworkers jeopardize them through incompetence, laziness, or, worse still, dishonesty, they do not hesitate to show their disappointment.

Dominant: Extraverted Thinking

ESTJs are skilled at making objective, impersonal, and impartial decisions. Rather than focusing on their own subjective feelings when making judgments, they consider facts and logic to make rational choices. People with ESTJ personality types tend to be very practical. They enjoy learning about things they can see an immediate, real-world use for and tend to lose interest in things that are abstract or theoretical. ESTJs enjoy concrete facts as opposed to abstract information. ESTJs are good at making fast and decisive choices but may rush to judgment before considering all the information about a situation. This trait makes them good leaders but it can also sometimes cause them to be viewed as harsh or abrasive.

Auxiliary: Introverted Sensing

ESTJs are good at remembering things with a great deal of detail. Their memories of past events can be quite vivid and they often utilize recollections of past experiences to make connections with present events. Because their sensing function is focused inwardly, ESTJs tend to be less concerned with novelty and more focused on familiarity. They enjoy having habits and routines they can depend upon. While this gives them stability and predictability, it can also make them stubborn and unyielding.

Tertiary: Extraverted Intuition

This aspect of the ESTJ seeks out novel ideas and possibilities. It compels people with this personality type to explore their creativity. As they process new ideas and information, ESTJs may explore possible meanings in order to spot new connections or patterns. This allows them to look at incoming information and recognize that there may be more than one interpretation or possible outcome. This is a tertiary function for the ESTJ, so it tends to be less developed. That means people with this type of personality may be less comfortable using this function, but it is a skill they can develop and strengthen with practice. 

Inferior: Introverted Feeling

When this function is used, it may lead ESTJs to make decisions based more on feelings than on logic. These are often internal valuations that lead to "gut feelings" about some situations.While this function is not used as often, in some cases, an ESTJ might allow their subjective feelings to override their objective interpretation of a situation. ESTJs tend not to give much thought to their own emotions, so it's something that tends to happen on a largely unconscious basis.

ESTJ Strengths 

• Practical and realistic

• Dependable

• Self-confident

• Hard-working

• Traditional

• Strong leadership skills

Dedicated – Seeing things to completion borders on an ethical obligation for people with the ESTJ personality type (Executives). Tasks aren’t simply abandoned because they’ve become difficult or boring. Often refusing to cut corners or shirk responsibilities, they showcase their dedication through their unwavering commitment to high standards. In fact, they tend to strive for perfection in most things that they take on in life.

Strong-willed – A strong will makes this dedication possible, and ESTJs don’t give up their beliefs because of simple opposition. They defend their ideas and principles relentlessly and must be proven clearly and conclusively wrong for their stance to budge.

Direct and Honest – ESTJs trust facts far more than abstract ideas or opinions. Straightforward statements and information are king, and people with this personality type return the honesty (whether it’s wanted or not).

Loyal, Patient, and Reliable – ESTJs work to exemplify truthfulness and reliability, considering stability and security very important. When ESTJs say they’ll do something, they keep their word, making them very responsible members of their families, companies, and communities.

Enjoy Creating Order – Chaos makes things unpredictable, and unpredictable things can’t be trusted when they are needed most. With this in mind, ESTJs strive to create order and security in their environments by establishing rules, structures, and clear roles. They tend to exemplify this need for order in their home lives as well, as they are the most likely personality type to have a very structured schedule that includes fixed times for waking up and going to sleep.

Excellent Organizers – A commitment to truth and clear standards makes ESTJs capable and confident leaders. People with this personality type have no problem distributing tasks and responsibilities to others fairly and objectively, making them excellent administrators.

ESTJ Weaknesses

• Inflexible

• Not good at expressing feelings

• Argumentative

• Bossy

Inflexible and Stubborn – The problem with being so fixated on what works is that they too often dismiss what might work better. Everything is opinion until proven, and ESTJ personalities are reluctant to trust an opinion long enough for it to have that chance.

Uncomfortable with Change – ESTJs are strong adherents to tradition. When suddenly forced to try unvetted solutions, they become uncomfortable and stressed. New ideas suggest that their methods weren’t good enough, and abandoning what has always worked before in favor of something that may yet fail risks their image of reliability.

Judgmental – People with the ESTJ personality type have strong convictions about what is right, wrong, and socially acceptable, and their compulsion to create order often extends to all things and everyone, ignoring the possibility that there is more than one right way to get things done. They do not hesitate to let people they disagree with know what they think, considering it their duty to set things right.

Too Focused on Social Status – ESTJs take pride in the respect of their friends, colleagues, and community, and while difficult to admit, they are very concerned with public opinion. These personalities can get caught up in meeting others’ expectations, failing to address their own needs.

Difficulty Relaxing – This need for respect fosters a need to maintain their dignity, which can make it difficult for ESTJs to cut loose and relax for risk of dropping the ball or looking the fool, even in good fun.

Difficulty Expressing Emotion – People with the ESTJ personality type get so caught up in the facts and most effective methods that they forget to think of what makes others happy – they forget to express emotions and empathy. For example, a detour can be breathtakingly beautiful and a joy for the family, but this type may only see the consequence of arriving at their destination an hour late, hurting their loved ones by rejecting the notion too harshly.