The Healthy ISTJ

There is a lot of information on the internet about the 16 personality types. These personality types get description after description, but something I have noticed is that none of them ever really depict what a healthy, realistic version of the type would actually look like in real life. Even we have our general ISTJ description that tries to gives a neutral outlook on the type. So, the question then becomes: what does a realistic, healthy ISTJ look like in real life? What do any of the 16 personalities look like in a healthy, realistic state? That is going to be the aim for this new series. The idea here is to walk through each cognitive function and explain how it’s use can contribute to a charismatic, healthy, and likeable individual: one that is universally-liked and well-rounded.

Introverted Sensing (Si):

Si is a cognitive function that thrives off of knowing what has happened before and using that information to derive insight on how to move forward. Thus, healthy Si use in an ISTJ will look like the ability to recall useful and relevant information for whatever current situation that needs to be addressed. Healthy Si is balanced and adaptable. It is able to perceive the nuance and context of a given situation in order to correctly hone in on only the important details. Si when used this way is open and aware that things are constantly changing and is willing to continuously re-evaluate and adjust as the details of the situation change. A healthy ISTJ using Si in this way will be highly observant and able to identify small errors that will snowball into bigger issues down the road.

In order to operate at their best, the ISTJ will consciously store away and remember the most important past details in order to retain a vast array of examples for Si to refer back to in the future. The user will attempt to give themselves as much experience as they can in order to be as well rounded and knowledgeable as possible.

Extraverted Thinking (Te):

Te use in a healthy ISTJ will take all of the details that Si has to offer and use them to create reliable and well-designed strategies for dealing with life. This will range from the most efficient way to do something to developing strategies for how to work well together with anyone. Healthy Te will extend its range of effectiveness not only into the realm of getting stuff done, but also into the realm of working well and getting along with others. A healthy Te user will realize the value and usefulness of good relationships with others and will strive to develop strong, quality relationships with other people. While they still will be primarily focused on completing goals and tasks, they will not do so to the detriment of themselves or their relationships.

Healthy Te doesn’t try to remove the human element from the equation. Rather, it recognizes the human element as an integral part of whatever system that it attempts to develop, knowing full well that, in the end, a system is only as efficient as it is beginner-friendly and accessible. For this reason, efficiency will be focused around user-friendly usability.

Introverted Feeling (Fi):

Healthy Fi will be fully embraced, rather than remaining shelved and stagnant after self-analyzing once. The ISTJ will realize that, over the course of their life, they will grow as a person, and consequently, will have to re-evaluate their values and who they are as a person. Fi will make a healthy ISTJ likeable and genuine. They will be firm but kind. They will be unafraid to stand up for what they believe in, but will also have decency and being unoffensive written into their moral code. They will realize the value of others as well as the value of themselves. These two realizations will be held in balance with each other. Consequently, the ISTJ will realize the importance of taking care of themself and being proud of who they are while, at the same time, feeling no need to over-emphasize this to others.

They will be polite and cordial, taking a genuine interest in others, and will patiently cultivate deep meaningful relationships through genuine likableness and kindness. They will empathize with others without making it about themselves. They will make genuine efforts to help those close to them without projecting their own understanding onto them. They will realize their own emotional tendencies and actively combat the negative attributes. They will strive for clear communication with others, attempting to work past any misunderstandings.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne):

Healthy inferior Ne will take into account and observe those who have mastered the function. They will privately practice the skills needed to be able to jump quickly onto opportunities and make the most of a moment. It will use the many observations that Si has to offer and quickly identify the moments that they can be applied. As their Ne matures, the healthy ISTJ will be able to evolve from mimicry to adjustment. The Ne will start to modify and make the good examples into its own unique insights and reactions. What was once a charming copy will eventually turn into a style of wit or innovation that is unique to the person.

Healthy Ne will know its own bounds and only apply itself when appropriate. It will be aware of which areas it is a useful asset and which areas it is bumbling and clumsy. Through this self-awareness, the healthy ISTJ will become more comfortable and accepting of their Ne, being able to use it much more naturally as a result. Simple applications will be mastered and polished; the exercise will even allow for it to be used in more complicated ways from time to time since the ISTJ will be able to spot opportunities more easily through practice and use.