Personality

Celebrating the Different Ways We Reflect God's Glory


Home Indicator Prologue Priority Systems Longings for Glory Revelation Environment Knowing Doing Being Knowing-Doing-Being Levels The Fall The Image of God Idols Not Balance Communication Fruit of the Spirit Descriptions	Short Descriptions of Each Type Please note that any given characteristic may also be found in other types. If only some of the characteristics of a given type fit you, look for another type that fits you better. ISTJ "ISTJs are systematic, painstaking, thorough, and hardworking. They get the job done and complete it on schedule. They are serious and sincere in whatever they do. They work well within a structure, follow the hierarchy, and are particularly strong and careful in keeping track of facts and details. They are cautious, generally seeking to maintain the status quo. They are at their best getting things to the right place at the right time. They honor their commitments.""(quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) Systematic, thorough, responsible, factual, organized, realistic and hardworking. Get tasks done on time. Serious and sincere. Works well within a defined structure. Good at keeping track of facts and details. Reliability and stability often lead them to positions of leadership. Relax only after work is done. Expect others to be responsible, dependable and practical. Over-dependence on strengths may lead to inflexibility, over-focus on the letter vs. the spirit, ignoring the big picture and long-range implications, intolerance of big-picture suggestions, dispensing with interpersonal niceties in order to get things done. For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ISTP "ISTPs are realists who apply expediency and reasoning as they manage and adapt to situations. They are aware of what is going on in the environment and are able to respond quickly to the actual facts, making sure the odds of success are in their favor. They do not like to be tied down and will feel hamstrung when they must operate within tight structures and schedules. They are able to anticipate immediate, practical needs in situations and to present a logical, straightforward plan for meeting those needs. They are at their best in situations that require immediate attention."" (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) Reserved, aloof, interpersonally cautious, laid back, logical, expedient, analytical, realistic, pragmatist, independent, adventurous, spontaneous, adaptable. Dislike tight structure, rules and schedules. Adapt to the facts of a situation, taking advantage of situations as they arise. Good at attending to the needs of an immediate situation, including interruptions. Learn best by observation. Prefer subjects that are logical. Prefer to learn alone at their own rate. Not fond of tradition forms of classroom learning. Good at seeing the most expedient route to completing a task and don't like to waste energy. Good at trouble-shooting. Good in technical areas. Leisure time is important. Leisure often involves risk-taking and physical activity. For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ISTK Similar to ISTP However, more focused on understanding situations than on taking advantage of them than ISTP. May take less risks in outside world than ISTP. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. ISFJ "ISFJs are sympathetic, loyal, considerate, and conscientious. They will go to any amount of trouble, when it makes sense to them, to help those in need. ISFJs operate most comfortably in situations where the rules are well defined and where traditions are to be upheld. They focus on providing practical help and services for others and for the organizations they serve. They are often self-effacing in getting the job done, and they are willing to make necessary sacrifices, especially for their families. They are at their best quietly providing assistance and making sure things are in proper order." ( quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com Sympathetic, considerate, detailed, patient, protective, loyal, responsible, organized, devoted, meticulous Strong desire to help those in need. Like to operate within the rules. Willing to sacrifice to get the job done. Self-effacing. Quietly provide assistance. Make sure things are in order. Learn best when expectations are clear. Learn best by doing. Don't like to be the center of attention. Others often overlook their value. Overuse of personality strengths can lead to tunnel vision, be inflexible and not able to relax. They may feel undervalued. For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ISFP "ISFPs are gentle and compassionate, open and flexible. They are considerate of others and do not force their views and opinions on them. They often focus on meeting others’ needs, especially those who are less fortunate. Having a quiet, modest, self-effacing style, ISFPs avoid disagreements and seek harmony with people as well as with nature. They enjoy life’s precious moments and often add a touch of beauty to the environments where they spend their time. They are at their best ensuring others’ well-being." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) Caring, the most gentle type, modest, sensitive, adaptable, cooperative, observant, loyal, trusting, spontaneous Focus on meeting needs of others. Avoid disagreements. Self-effacing. Learn best through hands-on experience. Prefer studying what is practical vs. theoretical: things that will help them help others. Not known for organizational skills. Organize in artistic ways. Lead/motivate by showing personal loyalty. Value enjoying life and doing fun things for people close to them. Over-dependence on personality strengths may lead to neglect own needs. For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ISFK Similar to ISFP However, less emphasis on having fun and more on serving others through understanding them and their situation. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. INTJ "INTJs are strong individualists who seek new angles or novel ways of looking at things. They enjoy coming to new understandings. They are insightful and mentally quick; however, this mental quickness may not always be outwardly apparent to others since they keep a great deal to themselves. They are very determined people who trust their vision of the possibilities, regardless of what others think. They may even be considered the most independent of all of the sixteen personality types. INTJs are at their best in quietly and firmly developing their ideas, theories, and principles." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) Independent, systems thinker, visionary, good at critiquing, logical, original ideas, theoretical. Always looking for new ways of seeing/understanding things. Good at coming up with new paradigms and debunking old paradigms. Insightful and mentally quick--though they often keep this to themselves. Like to develop theories and novel ideas. Give their children the gift of independence. Dislike bureaucracy. Often function better on their own. Not easily dissuaded. Considered "smart" in the traditional academic sense of smartness. Good at analyzing systems and developing models to improve things. Always trying to improve things. Have a long-term theoretical vision that they work to see become reality. Can focus on details if it helps them do this. Over-dependence on personality strengths can lead to visions and ideas that are impractical or not founded in facts. Sometimes they don't care what others think. Others may view them as unapproachable. They may become obsessed with unimportant details. For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. INTP "INTPs are known for their quest for logical purity, which motivates them to examine universal truths and principles. They are constantly asking themselves and others the questions “Why?” and “Why not?” Clear and quick thinkers, they are able to focus with great intensity on their interests. They appreciate elegance and efficiency in thought processes and require them, even more so, in their own communications. They may be seen as unwilling to accept what everyone else regards as truth. While often low key in outward appearance and approach, the INTP is “hard as nails” when challenging a truth. INTPs do not like to deal with the obvious. They are at their best in building conceptual models and developing unusual and complex ideas." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) Logical, detached, skeptical, speculative, precise, independent. Focus on logical purity. Are often wordsmiths.Like elegance of thought. Often don't speak up because what they have to say often seems too obvious to them. Good at finding logical flaws in the ideas of others. Good at organizing ideas more than organizing their outside world. Workspace and living space are usually cluttered. Over-dependence on personality strengths can lead to appearing aloof and fault-finding. They an turn their critical thinking on themselves. May experience emotional outbursts and hypersensitivity. For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. INTK Similar to INTP Like to develop complex conceptual models. Have a great capacity for complexity. Good at logical systems-building. But not eager to implement. Often seem lost in thought: absent-minded professor. Original, theoretical. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. INFJ "INFJs are future oriented, and direct their insight and inspiration toward the understanding of themselves and thereby human nature. Their work mirrors their integrity, and it needs to reflect their inner ideals. Solitude and an opportunity to concentrate thoroughly on what counts most is important to them. INFJs prefer to quietly exert their influence. They have deeply felt compassion, and they desire harmony with others. INFJs understand the complexities existing within people and among them. They do not call a great deal of attention to themselves, preferring that their contributions speak for them. They are at their best concentrating on their ideas, ideals, and inspirations." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. INFP "INFPs focus deeply on their values, and they devote their lives to pursuing the ideal. They often draw people together around a common purpose and work to find a place for each person within the group. They are creative, and they seek new ideas and possibilities. They quietly push for what is important to them, and they rarely give up. While they have a gentleness about them and a delightful sense of humor, they may be somewhat difficult to get to know and may be overlooked by others. They are at their best making their world more in line with their internal vision of perfection." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. INFK Similar to INFP Creative with ideas, curious about ideas and contemplative. Internal vision more pronounced. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. ESTJ "ESTJs are doers who roll up their sleeves, dig in, and proceed directly to get the job done. They use logic and analysis as guiding principles for their lives. They are quick to decide and set a plan of action. They marshall resources in an organized fashion, implement, and follow through. They like closure. They focus directly on tasks to accomplish and are able to anticipate the steps needed to complete an assignment. In doing so, they see what might go wrong and take the necessary preventive action. They monitor events continually and make sure that commitments, both their own and those of others, are honored and the job gets done. They are at their best in situations that have some structure to them and involve activity, not contemplation, and in which an end product is desired."" (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ESTP "ESTPs are action oriented, pragmatic, outgoing, and realistic people. In situations that require resourcefulness, they use their quickness and flexibility to find the most efficient route to accomplishing whatever needs to be done. They are lively, entertaining, and fun. They like to be where the action is and participate fully in what is happening. Characteristically, they are direct with their comments and mince no words. They are at their best in situations that require an orientation to the present and a direct, no-nonsense, pragmatic approach.""(quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ESTK Similar to ESTP Focused on understanding than on enjoyment. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. ESFJ "ESFJs are helpful people who place a high value on harmony. Paying close attention to people’s needs and wants, they work well with others to complete tasks in a timely and accurate way. ESFJs follow through on their commitments. They like closure and prefer structured, organized situations in which warmth and compassion are shown. They contribute to others by anticipating their day-to-day concerns and handling them with warmth and efficiency. ESFJs are at their best in organizing people to get a job done." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ESFP "ESFPs are friendly, outgoing, fun loving, and naturally drawn to people. They are quite enthusiastic and exuberant, and are usually well liked by others. They are good at meeting people and helping them enjoy themselves. They are sympathetic toward people and generous with their time and money. They want to be where the action is, and they will often stir things up in their own special way. At their best, they are able to realistically meet human and situational needs in a fun and lively way." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ESFK Similar to ESFP More focused on understanding people and situation than on enjoying them. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. ENTJ "ENTJs take charge quickly and deal directly with problems, especially in situations that involve confusion and inefficiency. They provide structure to the organizations to which they belong and design strategies to accomplish their personal and organizational goals. They develop broad, action-oriented plans, and supply the necessary energy and momentum to see that these plans are accomplished. ENTJs are “take charge” people who organize their own and others’ external environments. They do not take “no” for an answer; instead, they use their resources to find a way to meet the challenge. They are at their best in using their analytical and strategic thinking." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ENTP "ENTPs are known for their quest of the novel and complex. They have faith in their ability to improvise and to overcome any challenges that they face. They are highly independent, and value adaptability and innovation. They may be several steps ahead of others in encouraging and valuing change. ENTPs hate uninspired routine and resist hierarchical and bureaucratic structures that are not functional. They need freedom for action. With their entrepreneurial tendencies and broad understandings, they push against all odds to further their projects. They are at their best in changing circumstances in which they can devise strategies to effectively navigate through change." (Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ENTK Similar to ENTP More focused on understanding than on enjoyment. Their strategies usually involve conceptual models. I'm working on developing a more thorough description. ENFJ "ENFJs are lively and enthusiastic facilitators who apply warmth and vision to helping people and meeting their needs. They are aware of people’s aspirations and develop plans of action to make those aspirations into reality. They like organization and closure. They are at their best facilitating situations that require interpersonal sensitivity. ENFJs are tolerant and appreciative of others, seeking involvement with them in life’s tasks. They are able communicators who are liberal in showing appreciation for others." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ENFP "ENFPs are initiators of change who are keenly perceptive of possibilities, and who energize and stimulate through their contagious enthusiasm. They prefer the start-up phase of a project or relationship, and are tireless in the pursuit of newfound interests. ENFPs are able to anticipate the needs of others and to offer them needed help and appreciation. They bring zest, joy, liveliness, and fun to all aspects of their lives. They are at their best in situations that are fluid and changing, and that allow them to express their creativity and use their charisma." (quoted from Hirsh, Sandra Krebs. Lifetypes. Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition. Retrieved from amazon.com) For more information you can purchase the LifeTypes book here. You can also click on this link. ENFK Similar to ENFP More focused on understanding than on enjoyment. I'm working on developing a more thorough description.

© 2008 Gary T. Waldecker

Short Descriptions of Each Type