By Donna Dunning

We all have different ways of solving problems and making decisions. People with ISTP preferences have their own distinct, strengths and challenges.

Strengths

ISTPs

• Like to figure out immediate problems and make decisions in an independent, pragmatic way

• Observe the situation and focus on the relevant facts and data at hand

• Take a calm, matter-of-fact approach to problems and decisions

• Like to gather more information to guide their objective analysis of a problem; willing to try something out to see what happens

• Are agreeable to changing their views when others provide them with convincing evidence that is factual and verifiable.

Challenges

ISTPs

• May lose interest if the decisions to be made or the problems to be solved are not immediately interesting or challenging

• When deciding or problem solving, may not want to spend much time and energy exploring the personal needs of the individuals involved

• Like to figure out practical problems rather than look at more abstract ideas or contemplate possible long-term implications and consequences

Cautions

• Since people who prefer ISTP tend to be independent and impartial, others may see them as uninterested in, as mocking of, or blocking a group decision-making process

• ISTPs can benefit from recognizing that personal or abstract discussions of problems and decisions are important to others (and a useful tool for making choices); develop patience for these activities

• Once ISTPs have figured out a problem, they may lose interest. Try to avoid moving from one problem to the next until the solution to the first problem has been implemented