ISFJ: The Protector (Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging)

ISFJ (introverted, sensing, feeling, judging) is one of the 16 personality types identified on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The MBTI was developed by Isabel Myers and her mother Katherine Briggs based on the theories of psychoanalyst Carl Jung.

People who have ISFJ personalities tend to be reserved, warm-hearted, and responsible. Among the other personality types are ISTJ (introversion, sensing, thinking, judgment) and ENFP (extraverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving). The ENTP (extraverted, intuitive, thinking, perceiving) personality type is the opposite of ISFJ.

This personality type is one of the more common ones. According to David Keirsey, ISFJs make up about 9% to 14% of the population.

Key ISFJ Characteristics

Below are the main characteristics of this personality type:

  • ISFJs enjoy structure and strive to maintain this order in all areas of their lives. While people with this personality type are introverted and tend to be quiet, they are keen observers and are focused on other people. Because they are so perceptive, ISFJs are good at remembering details about other people. Those with this personality type are particularly well-tuned into the emotions and feelings of others.
  • While ISFJs are good at understanding the emotions, they often struggle to express their own feelings. Rather than share their feelings, they may bottle them up, sometimes to the point that negative feelings toward other people can result. When dealing with life struggles such as illness or the death of a loved one, they may keep quiet about what they are experiencing in order to avoid burdening others with their troubles.
  • People with this personality prefer concrete facts over abstract theories. As a result, they tend to learn best by doing. This also means that they usually value learning for its practical applications. ISFJs tend to become more interested in new things when they can see and appreciate how it might solve a real-world problem.
  • Because ISFJs tend to be protective of tradition, there is a common myth that they are incapable of change. While people with this personality type may not be quick to change, they are still adaptable. They simply prefer to have time to think about and prepare for big changes.

Strengths

  • Reliable
  • Practical
  • Sensitive
  • Eye for detail

Weaknesses

  • Dislikes abstract concepts
  • Avoids confrontation
  • Dislikes change
  • Neglects own needs

Cognitive Functions

The ISFJ type relies on four key cognitive functions when taking in information and making decisions. The dominant function is the primary aspect of personality, while the auxiliary function plays a secondary and supportive role.

Dominant: Introverted Sensing

  • This function leads the introverted sensing types to focus on details and facts. 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 that are viewed as socially appropriate or beneficial, such as being polite, kind, considerate, and helpful.
  • ISFJs try to fill the wants and needs of other people, sometimes even sacrificing their own desires in order to ensure that other people are happy.

Tertiary: Introverted Thinking

  • ISFJs are planners and tend to be very well-organized.
  • This function tends to become stronger as people grow older and involves utilizing logic in order to understand how the world works.
  • As ISFJs 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 how it functions as a whole.

Inferior: Extraverted Intuition

  • While ISFJs tend to be focused on the present and on concrete facts, this largely unconscious function can help balance personality by helping focus on possibilities.
  • Taking in facts and then explore the “what-ifs” can lead to new insights about problems.

ISFJs You Might Know

  • Mother Teresa, nun and humanitarian
  • Louisa May Alcott, author
  • Kristi Yamaguchi, figure skater
  • David Petraeus, U.S. Army General
  • Dr. John Watson, Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle

Personal Relationships

Because they are quiet, people sometimes misinterpret this as standoffish behavior. As Keirsey notes, this is far from the truth. ISFJs are known for their compassion and caring for others, often working to secure the safety and well-being of other people without asking for thanks or anything in return. While they are introverts, they tend to be warm and quite social.

ISFJs are often described as kind, reliable, and trustworthy.

Because they are hard-working, dependable, and rarely seek accolades for their own accomplishments, ISFJs are sometimes taken for granted by those around them. In some cases, people might even try to take advantage of this reliability.

ISFJs tend to have a small group of very close friends. While they may be quiet and reserved around people they don’t know well, they are more likely to “let loose” when they are around these close confidants. They place a high value on these close friendships and are always willing to support and care for the people to whom they are close.

Career Paths

ISFJs have a number of characteristics that make them well-suited to particular careers. Because they are so attuned to the feelings of others, jobs in mental health or the healthcare industry are a good fit. They are also meticulous and orderly, making them suited to jobs that involve planning, structure, or attention to detail. Their commitment to their work, reliability, and ability to work independently make them attractive to a wide variety of employers.

Because of their solid people skills and desire to create order, they often do well in management or administrative roles. They excel at coming up with plans and helping other people work together to achieve a common goal.

Popular ISFJ Careers

  • Social worker
  • Counselor
  • Nurse
  • Paralegal
  • Bookkeeper
  • Child care provider
  • Office Manager
  • Administrator
  • Teacher
  • Banker
  • Accountant

Tips for Interacting With ISFJs

Below are suggestions for relating effectively with ISFJ personalities:

Friendships:

If you are friends with an ISFJ, you are probably already aware that they tend to be warm and selfless. Even though they are quite social for introverts, they are not always good at sharing their own feelings. Asking them how they are doing and being willing to talk can help them to open up. You can help be a good friend by paying attention to their needs. Take the time to see what they might need you to do for them.

Parenting:

ISFJs are natural caregivers and are very nurturing toward their children. They are good at giving their kids structure and order, but sometimes have a difficult time enforcing discipline.

If you are the parent of an ISFJ child, be aware of your child’s need to have time alone. Also be aware that your child may be willing to give up things that are important to them in order to make other people happy. Encourage them to pursue their interests and goals and remind them that meeting their own needs is important as well.

Relationships:

ISFJs are very faithful to their partners and approach relationships with an intensity of emotion and great devotion. While they have strong feelings, they are not always good at expressing them. Your ISFJ partner may often be focused on taking care of your needs, but you should take care to reciprocate these actions. Showing your partner that you appreciate them can help them to feel more

Originally posted here by Kendra Cherry

About the author: TheFounder
As you can see I am the founder of Avantribe. I created this for others to help themselves grow and care for themselves on this journey we call life. I'm passionate about personal development mentally, physically, and emotionally. We typically have a hard enough time juggling one of those things. Luckily, we are in the information age and are so fortunate to have this kind of knowledge at our fingertips. 💜

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