Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Profile: ISFJ
Revision: 3.1
Date of Revision: 20 Aug 2007
ISFJs are characterized above all by their desire to serve others, their "need to be
needed." In extreme cases, this need is so strong that
standard give-and-take relationships are deeply unsatisfying to
them; however, most ISFJs find more than enough with which to
occupy themselves within the framework of a normal life.
(Since ISFJs, like all SJs, are very
much bound by the prevailing social conventions, their form of
"service" is likely to exclude any elements of moral or political
controversy; they specialize in the local, the personal, and the
practical.)
ISFJs are often unappreciated, at
work, home, and play. Ironically, because they prove over
and over that they can be relied on for their loyalty and
unstinting, high-quality work, those around them often take them
for granted--even take advantage of them. Admittedly, the problem
is sometimes aggravated by the ISFJs themselves; for instance, they
are notoriously bad at delegating ("If you want it done right, do
it yourself"). And although they're hurt by being treated like
doormats, they are often unwilling to toot their own horns about
their accomplishments because they feel that although they deserve
more credit than they're getting, it's somehow wrong to
want any sort of reward for doing work (which is
supposed to be a virtue in itself). (And as low-profile Is, their
actions don't call attention to themselves as with charismatic Es.)
Because of all of this, ISFJs are
often overworked, and as a result may suffer from psychosomatic
illnesses.
In the workplace, ISFJs are methodical and accurate workers,
often with very good memories and unexpected analytic abilities;
they are also good with people in
small-group or one-on-one situations because of their patient and
genuinely sympathetic approach to dealing with others. ISFJs
make pleasant and reliable co-workers
and exemplary employees, but tend to be harried and
uncomfortable in supervisory roles. They are capable of forming strong loyalties, but
these are personal rather than
institutional loyalties; if someone they've bonded
with in this way leaves the company, the ISFJ will leave with them,
if given the option. Traditional careers for an ISFJ include:
teaching, social work, most religious work, nursing, medicine
(general practice only), clerical and and secretarial work of any
kind, and some kinds of administrative careers.
While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their
families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely
warm and demonstrative within
the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as
well. When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of
the world, or self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to
these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection. Being SJs,
they place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior (although,
unlike STJs, they are usually as concerned with being "nice" as
with strict propriety); if any of their nearest and dearest depart
from the straight-and-narrow, it causes the ISFJ major
embarrassment: the closer the relationship and the more public the
act, the more intense the embarrassment (a fact which many of their
teenage children take gleeful advantage of). Over time, however,
ISFJs usually mellow, and learn to regard the culprits as harmless
eccentrics :-). Needless to say, ISFJs take infinite trouble over
meals, gifts, celebrations, etc., for their loved ones--although
strong Js may tend to focus more on what the recipient
should want rather than what they
do want.
Like most Is, ISFJs have a few, close friends. They are
extremely loyal to these, and are ready to provide emotional and
practical support at a moment's notice. (However, like most Fs they
hate confrontation; if you get into a fight, don't expect them to
jump in after you. You can count on them, however, run and get the
nearest authority figure.) Unlike with EPs, the older the
friendship is, the more an ISFJ will value it. One ISFJ trait that
is easily misunderstood by those who haven't known
them long is that they are often unable to either hide or
articulate any distress they may be feeling. For instance, an ISFJ
child may be reproved for "sulking," the actual cause of which is a
combination of physical illness plus misguided "good manners." An
adult ISFJ may drive a (later ashamed) friend or SO into a fit of
temper over the ISFJ's unexplained moodiness, only afterwards to
explain about a death in the family they "didn't want to burden
anyone with." Those close to ISFJs should learn to watch for the
warning signs in these situations and take the initiative
themselves to uncover the problem.
