Myers-Briggs personalities 9-12

Sentinels (Those Looking for Security)

9. Logistician Personality (ISTJ)

The Logistician is one of the most common personality types, making up about 15.9% of the population. Integrity, practical logic and tireless dedication to duty make Logisticians a vital pillar of many families, and of organisations that uphold traditions, rules and standards, such as law offices, regulatory bodies and the military.

Logisticians like to take responsibility for their actions and take pride in their work when they are moving towards a goal. They give each task all the time and energy it needs, with accuracy and patience.

Key ISTJ characteristics

• ISTJs are planners; they like to plan carefully and well in advance. They enjoy an orderly life, like things well organised and pay great attention to detail. When things are in disarray, they may be unable to rest until everything is put right and their work is finished.
• ISTJs are responsible and realistic. They take a logical approach to reaching goals and completing projects, and they work at a steady pace. They can ignore distractions to focus on the task at hand and are often described as dependable and trustworthy.
• ISTJs also attach great importance to traditions and laws. They prefer to follow established rules and procedures. Sometimes they can seem rigid and unyielding in their wish to maintain structure.

Pros:

• Attentive to detail.
• Realistic.
• Focused on the present.
• Observant.
• Logical and practical.
• Orderly and organised.

Cons:

• Judgmental.
• Subjective.
• Tend to blame others.
• Insensitive.

10. Defender Personality (ISFJ)

The Defender makes up about 8.4% of the population and is a type that is hard to pin down, because many of its qualities seem to contradict its basic traits. Defenders are sensitive, yet they have excellent analytical abilities; they are reserved, yet they have well-developed people skills and solid social relationships; and they are generally conservative, yet they are often open to change and new ideas.

Defenders are more than the sum of their parts: what defines them is the way they use their strengths.

Key ISFJ characteristics

• ISFJs like structure and try to keep order in every area of their lives. They are introverted and tend to be quiet, but they are keen observers and focus on other people. Being so perceptive, they remember details about others well and are particularly tuned in to other people’s emotions and feelings.
• Although they understand emotions well, ISFJs often find it hard to express their own. Instead of sharing their feelings, they may bottle them up, which can sometimes lead them to resent other people. When facing hardships such as illness or the death of a loved one, they may stay silent about what they are going through so as not to burden others.
• They prefer concrete facts to abstract theories, so they tend to learn best by doing, and they usually value learning for its practical uses. ISFJs become more interested in new things when they can see how they might solve a real-world problem.
• Because ISFJs tend to protect traditions, many people believe they cannot change. They may not change quickly, but they are adaptable. They simply prefer to have time to think about and prepare for big changes.

Pros:

• Reliable.
• Practical.
• Sensitive.
• Good eye for detail.

Cons:

• Dislike abstract concepts.
• Avoid confrontation.
• Dislike change.
• Neglect their own needs.

11. Executive Personality (ESTJ)

Executives make up about 9% of the population. They stand for tradition and order, and they use their sense of what is right, wrong and socially acceptable to bring families and communities together. They value honesty, dedication and dignity, and people appreciate them for their clear advice and for their willingness to lead the way when the path is difficult.

Executives take pride in bringing people together. They often become community organisers, working hard to gather everyone around cherished local events or in defence of the traditional values that hold families and communities together.

Key ESTJ characteristics

• ESTJs tend to value tradition, rules and security highly. Preserving the status quo matters to them, and they are often involved in civic, government and community organisations.
• Because of their orthodox approach to life, they can sometimes be seen as rigid, stubborn and unyielding. Their take-charge attitude makes it easy for them to reach leadership positions.
• Their self-confidence and strong convictions help them put plans into action, but they can sometimes seem critical and overly aggressive, especially when others fail to meet their high standards.
• People often describe ESTJs as predictable, stable, committed and practical. They are very frank and honest in giving their opinions, which can sometimes seem harsh or overly critical.

Pros:

• Practical and realistic.
• Dependable.
• Self-confident.
• Hard-working.
• Traditional.
• Good leaders.

Cons:

• Insensitive.
• Inflexible.
• Poor at expressing feelings.
• Argumentative.
• Bossy.

12. Consul Personality (ESFJ)

The Consul is a fairly common personality type, making up about 5.7% of the population, and Consuls tend to be popular.

At school, Consuls are the cheerleaders and the team captains, who set the tone, take the spotlight and lead their teams to victory and fame. Later in life, they keep supporting friends and loved ones, organising social gatherings and doing their best to make sure everyone is happy.

Key ESFJ characteristics

• Besides enjoying helping others, ESFJs need approval. They expect their kindness and generosity to be noticed and appreciated. They are sensitive to other people’s needs and feelings, good at responding to them and at giving the care people need. They want to be liked and are easily hurt by unkindness or indifference.
• ESFJs take their values from outside sources, including the wider community, rather than from internal ethical and moral guidelines. Those raised with high values and standards grow up to be generous adults.
• ESFJs also have a strong wish to control their environment. Organising, planning and scheduling help them feel in command of the world around them.
• ESFJs are naturally inclined to understand other people. They observe others carefully and are good at supporting them and bringing out their best. Because they make others feel good about themselves, people are drawn to ESFJs.
• A common myth is that ESFJs can be a doormat, letting others walk over them for fear of disapproval or rejection. They are people pleasers, but this does not mean they are pushovers.

Pros:

• Kind and loyal.
• Outgoing.
• Organised.
• Practical and dependable.
• Enjoy helping others.

Cons:

• Needy.
• Approval-seeking.
• Sensitive to criticism.

Source of the population percentages: The Myers-Briggs Company.