Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsStrengths/WeaknessesCognitive FunctionsRelationshipsCareersTipsNext in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator GuideESTJ: The Director (Extraverted, Sensing, Thinking, Judging)
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This personality type is given the nickname “The Protector” or “The Defender,” and for good reason.People who have ISFJ personalities are known for being warm-hearted, responsible, and reserved. TheENTPpersonality type is the opposite.
Is ISFJ a rare personality?This personality type is not rare—it is actually one of the more common types. ISFJs make up about 9% to 14% of the population.
Is ISFJ a rare personality?
This personality type is not rare—it is actually one of the more common types. ISFJs make up about 9% to 14% of the population.
This type may occur more frequently because ISFJs are capable of succeeding in independent and social situations. Their adaptability means they can thrive in many settings.
Verywell / JR Bee
Key ISFJ Characteristics
ISFJs share several characteristics. The following are some of the main traits of the ISFJ personality type:
ISFJ Strengths and Weaknesses
Just like with other personality types, the ISFJ type has both strengths and weaknesses.
They Are Observant
One of their greatest strengths is their ability to notice the people and events happening around them. While people with this personality type are introverted and tend to be quiet, they are keen observers and focused on others. Because they are soperceptive, ISFJs are good at remembering details about other people.
Cultivate Your Sensitivity to the Emotions of Others
They Tend to Repress Their Emotions
One challenge that ISFJs have to grapple with is their tendency torepress or ignore emotions. Those with this personality type are particularly well-tuned into the emotions and feelings of others.
While ISFJs are good at understanding their own emotions, they often struggle to express them. Rather than share their feelings, they may bottle them up, sometimes to the point thatnegative feelings toward other peoplecan 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 to avoid burdening others with their troubles.
They Are Practical
This also means that they usually value learning for its practical applications. They also tend to become more interested in new things when they can see and appreciate how they might solve real-world problems.
They Are Creatures of Habit
Their preference is to keep things the way they are rather than change. But this does not mean ISFJs aren’t adaptable. They simply prefer to have time to think about and prepare for big changes.
StrengthsReliablePracticalSensitiveEye for detailWeaknessesDislikes abstract conceptsAvoids confrontationDislikes changeNeglects own needs
StrengthsReliablePracticalSensitiveEye for detail
Reliable
Practical
Sensitive
Eye for detail
WeaknessesDislikes abstract conceptsAvoids confrontationDislikes changeNeglects own needs
Dislikes abstract concepts
Avoids confrontation
Dislikes change
Neglects own needs
How Your Personality Type Affects Your Health
ISFJ Cognitive Functions
The ISFJ type relies on four key cognitive functions when taking in information and making decisions.
Dominant: Introverted Sensing
Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling
Tertiary: Introverted Thinking
Inferior: Extraverted Intuition
ISFJs You Might Know
ISFJ Personal Relationships
Because they are quiet, people sometimes misinterpret this as standoffish behavior. However, ISFJs arecompassionateand caring toward others, often working to secure the safety and well-being of other people without asking for thanks or anything in return.
ISFJs are often described as kind, reliable, and trustworthy.
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” around these close confidants. They place a high value on a few close friendships and are always willing to support and care for the people in their inner circle.
Career Paths for ISFJs
ISFJs have many characteristics that make them well-suited to particular careers. Because they are so attuned to the feelings of others, jobs inmental healthor 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 various employers.
Because of their solid people skills and desire to create order, they often do well in management or administrative roles. They excel at developing plans and helping others work together to achieve a common goal.
Popular ISFJ CareersAccountantAdministratorBankerBookkeeperChild care providerCounselorNurseOffice ManagerParalegalSocial workerTeacher
Popular ISFJ Careers
AccountantAdministratorBankerBookkeeperChild care providerCounselorNurseOffice ManagerParalegalSocial workerTeacher
How to Make Your Personality Work for You
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 andselfless. 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.
Parenting
ISFJs arenatural caregiversand are very nurturing toward their children. They are good at giving their kids structure and order but sometimes have difficulty 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 to make other people happy. Encourage them to pursue their interests and goals and remind them that meeting their own needs is just as important.
ISFJs are very faithful to their partners and approach relationships with intense emotion and great devotion. While they have strong feelings, they are not always good at expressing them.
Who should ISFJs marry or date? In terms of compatibility, ISFJs often get along with other types that share the sensing function, including ISTJs, ISFPs, and ESFPs.
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 satisfied.
Discover How the INFJ is One if the Most Rare Personality Types
3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Myers IB.Introduction to Myers-Briggs type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment. 7th ed. Consulting Psychologists Press; 2016.Keirsey D.Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company; 1998.Myers and Briggs Foundation.Estimated frequencies of the types in the United States population.
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Myers IB.Introduction to Myers-Briggs type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment. 7th ed. Consulting Psychologists Press; 2016.Keirsey D.Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company; 1998.Myers and Briggs Foundation.Estimated frequencies of the types in the United States population.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Myers IB.Introduction to Myers-Briggs type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment. 7th ed. Consulting Psychologists Press; 2016.Keirsey D.Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company; 1998.Myers and Briggs Foundation.Estimated frequencies of the types in the United States population.
Myers IB.Introduction to Myers-Briggs type: A guide to understanding your results on the MBTI assessment. 7th ed. Consulting Psychologists Press; 2016.
Keirsey D.Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence. Prometheus Nemesis Book Company; 1998.
Myers and Briggs Foundation.Estimated frequencies of the types in the United States population.
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