The Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, Perceiving type, or ISTP, is often referred to as the Innovator, and if a person could be described in one word, theirs would be ingenuity. They like to apply their skills in practical, logical ways and tend to work best in environments with minimal rules that restrain their creativity.

ISTPs emotional intelligence gives them good insight into the needs of others in a team, and in challenging situations, they are able to take a detached and objective approach to help the team overcome stressful situations, conflicts, or change. They are bold and forthright. People who will argue their points of view and do whatever is required to achieve their goals.

How ISTPs Use Emotional Intelligence in Occupational Teams-Strengths & Challenges

One of the biggest impacts of our emotional intelligence is in the way we adapt within a group environment. For ISTPs, this means communication with precision, based around a broad range of well-researched facts to back up their points. Their analytical nature allows them to quickly establish the characteristics of a situation and precisely articulate them to the group. This logical approach also means that they tend to appreciate logical arguments and practical solutions over and above rules and established procedures. ISTPs’ nature to prefer individuality can also cause issues within a team environment, as they can be seen as ignoring the needs of team members while attempting to solve issues and implement new ideas on their own.

At times, due to ISTPs emotional intelligence tendencies, they can appear harsh or uncaring, pointing out flaws within others’ strategies or even individuals themselves without acknowledging how this can affect people. This issue can also be seen as a reluctance to share ideas from other team members if the ISTP doesn’t believe in it. Additionally, focusing on specifics rather than the overall strategy can seem like nitpicking and can be annoying to team members. The ISTP can become fixated on dealing with minor issues rather than performing routine, but necessary tasks, leaving more mundane duties to others. This can cause resentment and disruption within the team.

While there are some issues in team integration, ISTPs do have their strong suits and strengths. They can be excellent leaders, taking a pragmatic approach that promotes fairness among all team members. Here, their dislike for too many rules manifests as a leadership style that gives broad autonomy to allow others to maximize their skill sets and find their own way through challenges. However, the inability to empathize with others can be an issue, sometimes creating a leadership style that doesn’t include praise or recognition for those who do well. Moreover, their aversion to rules and regulations often results in the traditional chain of command being largely ignored, which can be difficult for many on a team to adapt to, leaving them confused and derailed. Due to these issues with emotional intelligence, ISTPs in leadership roles must be encouraged to provide recognition to others who do well and remember to include some level of leadership structure to help those who need it.

It is when we are in difficult situations that the strengths and challenges of our emotional intelligence are most exposed, and ISTPs see conflict or challenges as something to be overcome. Here the analytical approach pays off, allowing them to gain an immediate understanding of the details and see the most logical approach to overcome the issue at hand. When the team is under stress, the ISTP will retain objectivity, always willing to confront the situation where others may prefer to wait. However, the lack of empathy can again be an issue, as the ISTP can struggle to see the emotional impact on others in the team instead of focusing on the outcome. They often fail to recognize how different people respond to stress or challenges and expect others to remain as detached and logical as they are. ISTPs should work on their own approach and learn to consider the emotional aspect of difficult situations and stressors for others on the team and how dealing with those emotions can be crucial in some situations.

Lastly, ISTPs tend to be change champions, embracing proposed changes and doing whatever is needed to ensure that change is implemented successfully. When it comes to appraising a change proposal, they take the logical approach again. By looking at the present situation and comparing it to the proposed change, they are able to objectively analyze such changes in terms of current reality rather than in isolation. This can lead to issues, with ISTPs often seeking to implement change too quickly or being so focused on outcomes and results they move on to the next task in the change process before completing the previous one, which can lead to ongoing problems.

In all these situations, the constant challenge for ISTPs is to recognize that their objectiveness is not always shared by others. Being able to recognize where others are struggling, and providing the support they need, is a crucial element of good team functionality and one that can help ISTPs improve their leadership style and team effectiveness.