ISTJs don’t often want to run their own business. This type prefers the stability and structure of big companies that have a lot of history behind them, so they’re not usually the type to build a business based on an untested new idea, even if it is their own. This doesn’t mean that they can’t be an entrepreneur though, as they have a number of gifts that can help them build their own business.
Vision and Insight
ISTJs don’t usually have a lot of vision or insight. This type uses introverted sensing, which is rooted firmly in the present and looks to the past for indications of what should occur in the present. Because of this function, people of this type don’t often like, trust or think about new ideas or innovations. To this type, new things are risky and have less value than ideas from the past because they don’t have any history behind them. Most ISTJs need new ideas to be extensively vetted before they’ll consider them, and this can be a major barrier to their ability to innovate and create something new. It also often prevents them from judging whether an idea, product or service would be profitable for their business in the future.
“Most ISTJs need new ideas to be extensively vetted before they’ll consider them, and this can be a major barrier to their ability to innovate and create something new. It also often prevents them from judging whether an idea, product or service would be profitable for their business in the future.”
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This combination of barriers can prevent ISTJs from moving into entrepreneurship. However, if they partner up with someone they trust, someone who has the insight they lack, they have other gifts and abilities that can benefit them in this career path.
Emotional Strengths and Weaknesses
ISTJs are rational types who are driven by their logical minds rather than by their emotions. This type uses extraverted thinking as their auxiliary, so they’re not often led around or driven by their emotions. This might make it seem as if ISTJs lack drive or dedication to their work, but actually the opposite is true. ISTJs are famously dedicated to their work and to getting things completed and it’s this that drives them in their career. It can be very beneficial when they’re working to set up their own business as well. ISTJs can use their extraverted thinking function to complete tasks and set up efficient systems that ensure that every part of their business runs as smoothly as possible. This type of dedication isn’t as passionate or emotional as other types would bring to the work but it’s longer lasting and just as, if not more effective.
Workplace Strengths
ISTJs sometimes take too much on themselves. To this type, taking on and fulfilling responsibilities is both a duty and a pleasure, but they often take on too much and cause problems for themselves and their business. This can lead to them becoming overloaded and overwhelmed, and when this happens they will blame themselves completely for any problems that arise. ISTJs have a very strong sense of personal responsibility and when this type of situation occurs it will shake their very foundation of who they are and what they pride themselves on being able to do. Anyone working with an ISTJ will need to look out for this potential problem and take steps to avoid the issue.
ISTJs face criticism with the same pragmatism that marks everything they do. If their business or personal practices are criticized they slow down, think about the complaints, and move forward rationally and only if they agree that they’re valid. In their own business, this can help them to improve their practices and grow their business in healthy ways. However, when it comes to criticizing others this can be a problem. ISTJs tend to be blunt and straightforward in the ways they voice their complaints, and this can alienate employees, business partners and investors alike. They need to be aware of this potential problem and remember to use more empathy when they express themselves in this way.
Social Skills and Networking
ISTJs aren’t good networkers. People of this type are usually blunt and to the point, focused on completing tasks rather than interacting with other people and this can be a problem at networking events. ISTJs also have very little understanding of emotions, their own or those belonging to other people, and this can make it hard for ISTJs to connect with or understand other people. This combination of traits means that they usually don’t like and aren’t good at networking. ISTJs would rather be working than making small talk, and if they go into business they should find a partner who is better at this aspect of the work.
In the Planning Stages
ISTJs are excellent planners. Their auxiliary function is extraverted thinking, which is adept at designing systems and structures that get things done in the most efficient way possible and this is one of the greatest strengths they bring to the planning stage. This function makes choices based on what works in the external world. And as long as the ISTJ uses these abilities when they’re setting up their business they’ll have everything planned down to the minute. Nothing will get missed with this organizational system, and the ISTJ will often find a lot of pleasure and satisfaction in the process as well.
“ISTJs are excellent planners. Nothing will get missed in their organizational system, and the ISTJ will often find a lot of pleasure and satisfaction in the process as well.”
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Building the Business
ISTJs like structures and rules and actually have difficulty working without them. To this type, these expectations are completely necessary to producing good work, and if they encounter a work environment that doesn’t have these elements it may actually cause them to become paralyzed. This is due to their dominant function introverted sensing, which uses the past to determine the value of the future. This function has a deep respect and need for the structures and rules of the past, and any attempts to move away from them will be met with fierce resistance. In their own business, ISTJs will set up very clear rules and schedules. In fact, they will probably be the same rules they’ve seen or experienced in other companies. And the ISTJ will be very glad to follow the rules they set down and act as the first and the best example of how well they can work.
Final Thoughts
ISTJs aren’t usually too interested in building their own business, but like with any other facet of human existence, this isn’t a hard rule. This type has a number of natural abilities that could lead them in the direction of entrepreneurship and also help them along the way.
References
- Storm, Susan. “Understanding ISTJ Sensing“. Feb 21, 2017. (Retrieved May 2018).
- skaught “Extraverted Thinking (Te)“. Jan 19, 2013. (Retrieved May 2018).
- Storm, Susan. “How You Use Extraverted Thinking – Based On Its Location in Your Function Stack“. Jan 20, 2017. (Retrieved May 2018).
- “ISTJ – The Inspector“.
- “The ISTJ Career Path“.
- “The ISTJ in the Workplace“.