“Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Mother Theresa – ISFJ
The ISFJs
are known for their compassion, integrity, and practical kindness. ISFJs are simultaneously down-to-earth and empathetic. They thrive on helping their loved ones in useful, resourceful ways, and doing what they can to improve their communities. They aren’t showy or attention-seeking, but prefer to do their kind deeds in the background without a lot of fanfare. They rely on their masterful Introverted Sensing (Si) to collect and recall numerous personal details about the people around them. They have rich memories and can easily remember what people’s desires and needs are. They are usually skilled at remembering birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. They combine this accurate, detailed memory with Extraverted Feeling (Fe), their second-favorite function. Extraverted Feeling gives ISFJs the ability to sense other people’s emotions and moods and to be empathetic and compassionate to them. ISFJs are usually good at maintaining harmony in their outer worlds, and making other people feel at ease. They are often polite and generous; willing to go to great lengths to improve the lives of their friends and family. The ISFJ believes in helping his or her community, living selflessly, and working hard to provide joy and practical help to others.
You’ll find a wide variety of ISFJs in numerous career fields and humanitarian roles; Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Kate Middleton, and George H.W. Bush are all ISFJs!
What Does ISFJ Stand For?
I = Introversion. ISFJs focus inwards before responding to the outside world. They gain energy from alone time when they can reflect on their own thoughts.
S = Sensation. ISFJs prefer taking in information that is tangible, realistic, and concrete. They would usually rather focus on what exists than hypothesize about abstract possibilities.
F = Feeling. ISFJs apply personal values and empathize in order to make a decision. They want what is best for the group or humanity as a whole.
J = Judgment. ISFJs like having things settled, having decisions made, and having a sense of control or structure to their life. They are typically work-before-play people.
ISFJ Motivations and Weaknesses:
- Driving Force. To live a life of stability, wellness, and comfort. To understand what can be trusted, what’s true, and what will satisfy an inner need for health and safety.
- Backup Strength: Unique understanding of people and their needs and preferences. Strong awareness of social expectations and human dynamics.
- Weaknesses: Can become “stuck in a rut” and overly-cautious about trying new things. May fail to entertain new ideas because they conflict with “tried-and-true” methods.
- Stressors: Lack of alone time, being thrown into unpredictable situations, inconsistent people, multi-tasking, conflict, dealing with people who are unrealistic or impractical.
ISFJ Personality Traits:
Everyone has one-of-a-kind qualities as well as influences from their background that shape their personality. But most average to healthy ISFJs have the following characteristics:
- They easily sense what other people are feeling
- They crave predictability and a sense of routine
- They are highly detail-oriented
- They are usually tactful and considerate
- They crave a tranquil, calm life
- They are gifted at reading people’s body language
- They easily compare and contrast past to present
- They enjoy post-processing experiences and reflecting on them to make them last.
- They are usually down-to-earth and grounded
ISFJ Careers:
ISFJs want a job that allows them to help people in practical ways and gives them a sense of security and routine. As detail-oriented, meticulous types, they thrive in careers where they’re given their own private space to focus intently on what they’re doing. A lot of noise and commotion will make them stressed and exhausted at the end of the day. That said, working one-on-one with people can be really satisfying to them, especially if they’re able to help others improve their lives. They may enjoy coaching students who have special needs or they might get a thrill from the quiet, homey nature of a library. Whatever their career, they appreciate having clear objectives and expectations and regular feedback so that they know they’re on the right track.
Career Suggestions: Family physician, Teacher, Optician, Veterinarian, Librarian, Genealogist, Religious educator, Writer, Organic farmer, Floral designer, Artist, Interior decorator, Photographer.
Famous ISFJs:
Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, James Comey, Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Halle Berry, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Gwyneth Paltrow, Katie Holmes, Kirsten Dunst, Alicia Vikander, Prince Charles, Kate Middleton, Brian May.
Your Important ISFJ Links:
24 Signs That You’re an ISFJ, the Protector Personality Type
ISFJs and Their Romantic Compatibility with Every Myers-Briggs Personality Type
The Flirting Styles of the ISFJ Personality Type
The Shadow of the ISFJ Personality Type
10 Characteristics of the ISFJ Child
7 Reasons Why You Need an ISFJ Friend in Your Life
Are You an INFJ or an ISFJ? Clarifying a Common Mistype
10 Things You Should Never Say to an ISFJ
The Top 7 Gift Ideas for ISFJs
The Childhood Struggles of ISFJs
Why You Should Defy Your Personality Type
Why Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type Feels Trapped
The Middle-Aged Versions of Every Myers-Briggs® Personality Type
Your Myers-Briggs® Personality Type and Your Generation
