MBTI Series: ISTP & detachment

If I asked you to picture a beatnik how would you describe that person?  Wearing all black, a beret, and if it's a male a small goatee. Their personality is more of the example I want to focus on today as I think they can be a good general example for ISTP personalities.  ISTPs can be categorized as "Artisans" or a "Craftsman" and someone who's very willing to be a critic, observer, and analyzer of things and situations.  This can be a great skill in the right profession, but there are some things to be cautious of as an "Artisan" or a "Craftsman."

INTROVERSION-SENSING-THINKING-PERCEIVING (ISTP)
ISTP people have some amazing strengths with the ability to think critically, analyze each element separately, and hone a craft.  They are very confident individuals and can acknowledge personal strengths as an adaptation.  Many are high achievers as long as the goals have been clearly defined, and are able to initiate creativity to accomplish the goals.  They can be flexible, but the request to be flexible still needs to fall within their understanding of the situation, meaning they won't do something illogical.

Just like all types there are also potential for weakness.  If these strengths are taken too far, they run the risk of detachment from others and the feedback that different perspectives can provide.  Some may rely to heavily on what's been experienced instead of giving way to opportunities that may not have been tried yet and thus detaching themselves from other people's ideas.  Their communication style can often be seen as detached, aloof, or cool as they tend to be fast-paced and action oriented instead of slowing down to engage in conversation with all those involved.

Some suggestions for ISTP personalities:

1. Continue to explore the analytical elements of situation
2. Continue getting to the core practical issues
3. Start encouraging others' analysis, not just your own
4. Start demonstrating interest in new ways of seeing things
5. Stop taking a detached view as the initial response in interpersonal situations
6. Stop ignoring context and big picture issues

FAMOUS ISTPs - gathered from mypersonality.info
Below is a list of real and fictional characters who have been theorized to be ISTP personalities.  Note each one and the common theme which can be drawn among them.  All are seen as experts in their field, intense individuals (which could also be seen as quirky), and very passionate about their "craft."

Real ISTP People                                                                Fictional ISTPs (Characters)

Alan Shepherd - astronaut                                       Blondie - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly 

Bruce Lee - martial artist, actor                                                             Boba Fett - Star Wars 

Burt Reynolds - actor                                                                                           Brett - Alien 

Charles Bronson - actor                                                              Butch Coolidge - Pulp Fiction 

Clint Eastwood - actor and director                                                 Elvira Hancock - Scarface 

Frank Zappa - guitarist                                                                           Han Solo - Star Wars 

James Dean - actor                                                                  John Milner - American Graffiti 

John Malkovich - actor                                               Maggie Fitzgerald - Million Dollar Baby 

Katharine Hepburn - actress                                                              Verna - Miller's Crossing 

Keith Richards - English guitarist/singer 

Michael Jordan - athlete (basketball, baseball) 

Tom Cruise - actor 

Zachary Taylor - American President 

For more information about MBTI there are great resources at your local library, or CLICK HERE to review the other MBTI entries from our blog.  Some information in this blog was inspired by and drawn from Introduction to Type and Emotional Intelligence by Roger R. Pearman.