P E R S O N A L I T Y   6 G

ISTP -- The Artisan [Instrumentor]

Typical ISTPs are unlike all the other types in two particular ways: they crave excitement, and they are the consummate tool-users.

To the ISTP, action is not "for" anything; action itself is the ultimate goal. An ISTP does not ask someone else, "May I?" An ISTP asks him- or herself, "Can I?"... and then proceeds to go find out. This often involves testing oneself against something, be it nature (mountain climbing, snowboarding, skydiving) or other human beings (fencing, auto racing, football). Testing the limits to produce that adrenaline rush is the summit for ISTPs.

Even if they work in an office in a 9-to-5 job, ISTPs will figure out ways to make the job more "interesting." This may mean putting off writing a report until the last minute, or going after a client everyone else has given up on, or cornering the company president to pitch an idea. To the ISTP, the only things that are impossible are the things no one has yet tried to do... and the ISTP usually thinks he or she could accomplish those, too.

ISTPs, particularly later in life, are sometimes mistaken for their close typological relatives, the ESTPs. But the two types differ in at least one significant way, and that is the ISTP's complete facility with tools. As naturally as the INTP manipulates ideas, and the ISFP understands sensory information, the ISTP uses tools as though born to them.

As an INFP is impelled to question his or her own nature, the ISTP feels drawn to tools. If it can be used to manipulate the world, or to permit greater freedom of action, the ISTP will usually seem to know how to use it within minutes after first encountering it. This tendency is seen even in the very young; ISTP children are usually found with some kind of implement in their hands, busily building (or destroying!) something.

This creative/destructive dichotomy is central to the ISTP. Many ISTPs are builders of homes, skyscrapers, engines, and other physical things. And many ISTPs are warriors, since one of the tools with which ISTPs can be shockingly proficient is the weapon. An ISTP may not be able to quote Shakespeare, but let an ISTP hear the words, "...we few, we happy few... we band of brothers..." and he or she will understand the fraternal understanding of which the Bard wrote.

Close relationships can be difficult for ISTPs. A relationship, by its very nature, implies a kind of bond. But to be bound in any way is painful to the ISTP; he or she simply will not recognize any union except on his or her own terms, and those terms are likely to be extremely flexible. Anything which restricts the freedom of movement of the ISTP is suspect, and will be avoided. In this way, persons who try to hold on to ISTPs by squeezing them closer will be disappointed in the results. Either the ISTP will simply refuse to acknowledge the hold and disappear like smoke, or--when the bond is one that cannot be ignored--ISTPs will turn and fight like tigers, furious at being caged.

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