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ISFJ: The Defender

ISFJ (introverted, observant, feeling, and judging) are natural helpers. They are bound to assist others whenever they can, leading them to be extremely valued by their friends and family for their desire to take onboard problems with the same care as though they were their issues. Humbling and practical are traits heavily carried by ISFJs. An ISFJ's quiet passion will burn brightly for whoever is lucky enough to make a close friendship or relationship. They are heavily compassionate types.

principles

Hard-working, patient, and imaginative, ISFJs make excellent friends, partners, and parents. They are known for their eagerness to help others, as well as their value towards traditions and family. They can sometimes procrastinate, but not out of laziness; ISFJs are known perfectionists and achieving perfection in some projects can be a monumental task. While starting the job may be difficult, the ISFJ will always complete their responsibilities on time and often exceed expectations in the process. That being said, ISFJs are often modest about their accomplishments, sometimes to their detriment. Learning how to stand up for themselves is a vital part of the ISFJ's journey.

• They have a deep sense of justice

• They are the quiet peacekeepers

• They often struggle to talk about their emotions

• They are passionate about the people they love

strengths

empathetic

ISFJs care deeply for other people. They strive to be supportive, always jumping in to help others stay afloat or succeed. This, paired with their loyal nature, makes ISFJs excellent friends and companions.

hard-working

ISFJs are almost always willing to take on additional responsibilities, eager to see the work done right. Their detail-oriented nature adds to this. They love work and see it as a way to take care of those they love. This puts them in their element.

patient

ISFJs show endless amounts of patience. Combined with their natural empathy and altruism, ISFJs make excellent caretakers, teachers, and medical professionals. They care more about providing people with what they need than just getting the job done. They will go above and beyond if it means helping someone.

practical

ISFJs have the drive it takes to apply their natural strengths. The payoff of their hard work is the ISFJ's reward, and they are happy to see how their abilities help others. They can be particular about the way things are done, but they put completing the task above all else.

weaknesses

humble

While sometimes seen as a strength, ISFJs take humbleness to an extreme! It is not unusual for ISFJs to downplay their own success, resulting in no recognition for their accomplishments. ISFJs need positive reinforcement and their humble nature can make it difficult to feel satisfied in their career without an external voice to point out all of their accomplishments.

sensitive to criticism

Empathetic ISFJs sometimes struggle to separate their own feelings from a situation. This can lead to them being very sensitive, taking criticism (even constructive!) too personally. ISFJs struggle even more with criticism when it is in a public place. They do not like to air their dirty laundry for others to see. ISFJs take pride in being very put together.

hard-headed

ISFJs value tradition, and this may make them reluctant to accept changes in their lives. ISFJs often find decision-making and changing plans stressful. They struggle with spontaneity and prefer to have short term and long term plans for most areas of their lives.

self-sacrificing

As eager as they are to help others, ISFJs sometimes struggle to say ‘no.’ They may end up overloading themselves with too much work. They also struggle to put their own needs first, which may result in letting people take advantage of them.

friendships

The combination of traits found in ISFJ personalities makes them wonderful friends. ISFJs love to shower the people they love with praise, are always happy to offer support, and are extremely loyal. However, ISFJs often struggle to open up. They tend to be extremely shy and have a difficult time being vulnerable. This includes not always telling their friends what they need emotionally, and struggling with accepting help. A person seeking to befriend an ISFJ must show them patience and handle their vulnerability correctly; this will help build trust, and once trust has been secured, an ISFJ will be a true friend.

compatibility

ISFJs are most compatible with:

Source: www.personalitydata.org