ISTPs -
From Conversations with Analyzer Operators

The following is adapted from Linda V. Berens and Dario Nardi, The 16 Personality Types: Descriptions for Self-Discovery (Telos Publications, 1999) *Used with permission.

What's it like to be you?

Inside I am continually reworking an issue. I am constantly open to new directions, always tweaking and bringing in new information. I solve a problem by looking at all the angles, probably whatever side I need to. There is an answer, and I just need to get to the best way to figure it out-to meet my objectives and give it to people how it is without annoying anyone.

To work with difficult situations I become very logical and very analytical, and I look to see where things fit. I always watch and if there's a problem, I go back inside myself to see what may need to be done and how best to approach a situation. I like to find a technique.

The observational part of me is the ability to see when an opportunity exists and to actually act on it and make things a little bit better. I like to choose the timing for when it's appropriate to say or do something. I spend a lot of time considering scenarios before I make decisions. I'll usually go with a hunch, my intuition, what's the most likely cause. I do my best problem solving in my head away from whatever it is. I step back outside of things, think for a while, and make adjustments-could this be better than that, how do these react, and how does the whole system go together? I'm willing to do the upfront work, which makes it expedient because I never have to repeat it.

In my work, I don't want to be just doing stuff for the sake of doing stuff. I like to accomplish things-make a contribution. That's real important. I take a "do it" type of approach. It's very practical. It's very here and now. That does not mean I don't take into consideration the big picture and what's down the road and what's best for the organization, but at the same time my big focus is "let's get this show on the road and let's do it." I do it as well as I can. Then I think very well on my feet. I can be quick with the verbal comeback-I like the impact. I just get in there and do it, and whatever job I go into, I hit the ground running. And I'm very competitive, often with myself. I tie one hand behind my back and see if I can still do it...

I like flexibility in what I do. Fun means something that interests me. Organized things don't come to me easily, but I can do them. I've always found ways to make things fun. It's a game to make sure you can come to the next point where you have freedom again There's something insincere about doing something just because of somebody or something else. What I do has to make sense, have impact. I cannot stand just busy work. It has to be meaningful. I have an incredible amount of enthusiasm and passion for certain things that I do and want to see done.