ISTP – the virtuoso personality (a full description)

In this article, you will read everything there is to know about ISTP, the virtuoso personality.

After reading this blog post, you will know about the traits of a virtuoso personality, how this type behaves in relationships, at work, as a lover, parent or friend. 

The virtuoso personality

Being an ISTP (a virtuoso personality), the dominant way of focusing is an inner one, towards the inner world, where you analyze things rationally, logically. Secondly, you are oriented towards the outside world, where you judge things by the five senses, in the most concrete way.

ISTP people have a great way of understanding the way things work.

They are very good at logical analysis of things and like to use it for practical purposes.

They usually have a great capacity for rationalization, although they are not interested in theories or conceptualizations if they do not see at least an applicative, practical part of them.

They like to take things in segments, to study the way they work.

ISTP people are very adventurous, so do not be surprised if you see them on motorcycles, surfing or flying a plane. 

They are fearless, adoring to be in the middle of the action.

They are very independent, making their own decisions for the next step. I don’t believe in rules and regulations.

The great desire for adventure will make them feel bored quickly.

ISTP people are faithful to their beliefs and ideals.

And although they do not follow the laws of the “system”, they loyally obey their personal value system.

They obey the unwritten laws of mankind and respect those who are loyal to them.

ISTPs value time spent alone.

They absorb large amounts of impersonal facts from the outside world, as observers, and they need to be alone to place those things in value judgments, conclusions.

ISTPs like to do all kinds of things, office work not being one of their favourites.

They usually have special technical skills and can easily become technical leaders.

They are practical and, although focused on details, they know how to send the extra ones quickly, making decisions quickly.

An ISTP person who is overwhelmed by stressful situations may have outbursts of anger, on the one hand, and on the other hand, may be overwhelmed by emotions and feelings that he will feel the need to express to someone (unnatural for this guy).

ISTPs then become pessimistic, shutting themselves in and making all sorts of judgments and reasoning.

They are good at completing a project. They don’t have big problems at school, especially because they are introverts who think logically.

They are usually calm, even if, occasionally, they still have manifestations of anger due to the fact that they ignore their own feelings for a long time.

ISTPs have a lot of skills that make them good at many activities.

However, they are happiest when they are focused on activities that require detailed logical analysis related to the technical field.

They feel proud of their ability to decide well and correctly the next step.

They are optimistic people, loyal to equals, simple in their desires, generous, receptive especially to people who do not want to limit them in commitments and vows, they love freedom.

Jungian hierarchy of functions for ISTP:

Dominant: Introverted Thinker

Secondary: Sensory extrovert

Tertiary: Intuitive Introvert

Inferior: Extroverted Affective

The virtuoso personality – Strengths

• Good listeners
• They are usually self-confident
• They are generally optimistic and make others feel good in their company
• Practical and realistic, coping with daily requirements
• They do not feel threatened by conflict and criticism
• Able to leave a relationship relatively easily
• They are able to administer a sanction even though they are not directly interested in doing so
• Respect for the need of others for privacy.

The virtuoso personality –  Weaknesses

• ISTPs live totally in the present having difficulties with long-term commitments
• They are not naturally good at expressing their emotions and feelings
• They are not focused on the feelings of others, sometimes they are insensitive
• They tend to hide things about themselves
• They need a lot of personal space, they don’t like to be invaded
• They like the action and get excited easily when it comes to something new shaking everyone around.

ISTP – Interpersonal relationships

ISTPs are generally very capable individuals who are good at almost anything that captures their interest.

They are interesting individuals, smart and with a lot to offer. 

They live almost entirely in the present and make no promises that go beyond the foreseeable future.

An ISTP probably often quotes the phrase “nothing is unconditional” or “you never know …”. They prefer to plan things from day to day, with small steps rather than making big plans or long-term commitments. 

When they are interested in someone, they will do anything to maintain the relationship alive. 

If they lose interest in a relationship, their natural tendency will be to move on.

ISTP as a lover

ISTPs can be clues that live life with great intensity and excitement.

The Thinker part makes them seem difficult to access, and the Perceptual Sensory part makes them sensual, carnal, earthly. 

The fact that they always live in the present leads them to the constant search for new sensations, in unique experiences.

They don’t like routine and fixed schedules and hate controlling others. 

They are very independent and need personal space in a relationship.

If they are involved in a relationship that gives them new experiences and always keeps them in action, they will do everything to keep that relationship.

If they get bored, they will try to change something about that relationship or they will move on, looking for another relationship that will satisfy them. 

They make commitments little by little, daily, never for a longer period of time. However, we can find them in long-term relationships that they have built by planning daily, in small steps, without ever pronouncing “always”.

The virtuoso personalities are sensual and carnal, being very enthusiastic about experiencing sexuality with all the senses.

Since aesthetics, beauty attracts them a lot, they appreciate everything related to seduction: perfume, lingerie, room atmosphere, etc.

ISTPs like to repair and can even create relationship problems just to have fun fixing them.

They tend to keep to themselves their way of seeing things. They like to listen to the views of others.

They have an art of giving evasive answers by asking their partners more about things that would interest them.

This can become very frustrating for their life partners especially if they are looking for a direct answer.

 The decision-making process of ISTPs is totally internal, so they do not see it too important to discuss issues with others.

When they interact with others, they are set on gathering information, so they tend to ask more than share views with each other.

And in very close relationships they still feel the need to protect themselves, not to share too much with their life partner. 

Many ISTPs are afraid to face their deep feelings directly.

That is why they are very vulnerable when it comes to their emotions.

Their most precious habit is to keep a wall as high as possible around the heart.

Although they do not have a well-developed emotional side, they have strong feelings for people.

They can be very caring about their loved ones or very much in love even if they do not express it.

It happens that one day they are very much in love with their partners and, just as well, the next day they are totally disinterested or maybe even move. 

It is very difficult to be understood by others.

They are totally unstable. They let themselves be carried too much by the wave, living the moment.

The wisest will discover that a long-term relationship can be reconciled with their need to live the moment very intensely.

The personality types that naturally fit ISTP people are those that have the dominant Extrovert Thinker function.

Thus the ESTJ and the ENTJ are the natural partners of the ISTP type.

ISTP as Parents

Because neither do they like to be controlled, nor do they control their children and, consequently, it offers them a lot of privacy and independence.

However, discipline plays an important role in educating children. They are able to apply it if they need to, even if it is not a natural feature of them as ISTP parents.

ISTPs trust their life partners in educating their children. They will make a conscious effort, planned to be with the daily needs of the family.

ISTP loves to spend time outside the house with children, taking them fishing, hunting, etc.

In such moments they will get to know their children best, finding out about their interests and what perspectives they have.

ISTP as Friends

ISTPs are interested in living life with great intensity, which is very contagious for those around them.

Because they are Introverted Thinkers, they still have something intrinsic that prevents them from a totally hedonistic and frivolous life. 

Being very tolerant and flexible, they feel good around many people with different behaviours, which makes them very good friends in the eyes of others.

ISTPs are usually very selective with friends, especially those with whom they share their hobbies and interests.

They can have a friend for skiing, another for fishing, etc. They are not patient with people who are too different from them.

 They don’t understand the intuitive very well and they won’t spend personal time with them.

They like to spend time with extroverted people who have the same desire to live in the present and the same optimism. 

Common interests may bring them closer to many personality types, but they will only spend time with those who share the same energy and enthusiasm for life.

Conclusions

In this article, you read everything there is to know about ISTP, the virtuoso personality.

You now know about the most important traits of a virtuoso personality, how this type behaves in relationships, as a lover, parent or friend. 

ISTP people have a great way of understanding the way things work. They are very good at logical analysis of things and like to use it for practical purposes.

They usually have a great capacity for rationalization, although they are not interested in theories or conceptualizations if they do not see at least an applicative, practical part of them.

They like to take things in segments, to study the way they work.

Are you a virtuoso personality or do you know an ISTP?

If you’ve enjoyed the ”ISTP – the virtuoso personality” mentioned above, I would recommend you to take a look at ”ISTP Depression” too.

If so, do not hesitate to share your knowledge about this Myers Briggs type of personality! We would also love to know what you think of other MBTI personalities. 

FAQ about the virtuoso personality

References

Mba-institute.org

16personalities.com

thecareerproject.org/blog