ISTJs, like their ESTJ counterparts, are known as the upholders of
the traditional institutions in the community. They reinforce the
authority of local and national institutions of the schools, churches,
banks, law enforcement agencies, the military and other governmental agencies
and regard them as the backbone and the very fabric by which civil
societies stand.
Responsible, conservative, quiet and unassuming, they consider
law and order as one of the foremost tenets of any civil society and, therefore,
regard as necessary election of good and upright persons to insure that
that civil society and all its attendant liberties remain for all civilized
citizens to enjoy without anarchy.
"Right and wrong" guide their thoughts, their principles, their
behaviours. And they have the great ability to perceive and record
numerous facts which serve as the reservoir from which they draw the standards
necessary for "right" thinking and "right behaviour" . Like the ESTJs,
they also have a strong preference for an orderly process, proceeding from
step a to b to c and on to d. This makes them resistant to change
and innovation, ideating and brainstorming. In that many are drawn
to accounting and banking professions, facts are what are meaningful and
not similes, metaphors or symbolism. They may, in fact, be somewhat
suspicious of the abstract realm - if, indeed, to them, such a realm
exists.
Emotion or tactfulness are not necessarily compatible
with the ISTJ nature. They are, in fact, more apt to be considered
to be methodical, cool and uninvolved emotionally. Their more sensitive
mates or friends may feel unsupported in times of personal crises that
call for more than the provision of material needs. In fact, their
lack of tactfulness may even exacerbate the situation. It may help
mates and friends to understand that SJs are themselves uncomfortable when
emotional response is called for as they simply do not know what to do.
Hardworking and accommodating of "the system", ISTJs are prone
to overwork in an effort to uphold their end of the work relationship and
to provide materially for their loved ones. Fear of losing what they
have worked so diligently to accumulate weighs heavily upon them.
ISTJs are serious, deliberate, steadfast, loyal and true:
the "boy scouts" of the community of man. Their word is their bond
and, generally, they would be apt to be the ones for whom a handshake
would be enough to seal any contract.