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ISTP: MBTI® personality profile

ISTP personality types are calm, efficient and productive, and are open to new opportunities.

This introduction to the ISTP personality type, based on the Myers-Briggs® Step I personality assessment, can help ISTPs to understand how they interact with others, and what careers they might enjoy.

The Myers Briggs ISTP personality typeISTP strengths

ISTPs tend to enjoy learning and perfecting a craft through their patient application of skills. They can remain calm while managing a crisis, quickly deciding what needs to be done to solve the problem.

Potential development areas for ISTPs

ISTP people risk focusing so much on what needs to be done immediately that they fail to see the big picture. They don’t always follow through on projects that require them to work closely with others.

Typical ISTP characteristicsTypical characteristics of an ISTP

ISTPs are typically analytical, practical, realistic but also logical and adaptable. 

Their most common characteristics are shown here in the form of a fun Typie, which you can download and share. 

ISTP careers & career ideas

ISTPs like analysing problems and responding to crises. They enjoy working autonomously, and tend to prefer hands-on or analytical work. Jobs that might appeal to ISTPs might include surgery, agriculture or engineering. More insight about ISTP jobs can be found in our Introduction to Type and Careers.

ISTP stressors

 

ISTPs under stress

ISTPs will typically become stressed in the situations shown in this MBTI stress head illustration. In extreme circumstances they will tend to feel alienated and upset, and prone to whingeing and hypersensitivity. Download and share* this ISTP stress head to remind yourself and your colleagues about the things that stress ISTPs.

*Terms of use apply


ISTP relationships

An ISTP is egalitarian and generally tolerant of wide ranges of behaviour, but they can surprise others around them by voicing their firm judgements when logical principles are attacked. ISTPs can be a challenge to read as they tend to be quiet and reserved. 

Read our blog post on "What if your date is not your type?!"

ISTP

Fun ways to share ISTP characteristics:

  • Explore what kind of drink, sport or shoes we think depicts an ISTP personality
  • Discover more ways to characterise the ISTP personality on our Fun ways to share your type page 
  • Already have your MBTI Step II profile? Create your Personal Typie
  • Read more on our blog about how aspects of Type dynamics are captured in each Type