How Do Myers-Briggs (MBTI Test) ISTJ Personality Types Deal with Change? 

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Responding to Organizational Changes as an ISTJ Personality Type
ISTJ (Introverted-Sensing-Thinking-Judging) Personality Types are known to be diligent when it comes to completing their work, and commonly do not like to waver from their previously scheduled timelines. Others may also consider them to be dependable, and they generally also prefer to be seen as individuals who can submit work with accuracy and by the time expected. These innate characteristics may account for this personality type’s pursuit of having others to commonly depend on them. Having abrupt changes could be a cause of stress for them because they generally carry the foundation of a group or organization. However, they often do so by keeping a reliable, loyal, and organized demeanor. ISTJs generally use their past experience and build upon it in order to create an effective operating system. They typically do not have trouble with decision-making and are known to take quick action. However, when given circumstances which are completely new to them, they may indicate feelings of confusion due to not having this past experience and may lose control of the situation. If an ISTJ is given sufficient time to build upon their past experience and knowledge, they will often be able to structure their inner processes and regain control.

ISTJs can be copacetic when dealing with change as long as they are given a logical reason for it to happen. They will generally need an abundance of identifiable and accurate data to support an argument for the change to proceed. When transitions are necessary, this personality type generally will view the development with an analytical mindset. Individuals with this personality type can be valuable to group situations, in that they typically will assist with keeping their peers on task in order to swiftly make the transitions to move on to the next item of business. They have been known to do so by instilling a systematic decision-making approach and by persuading others to identify and accept the situation. However, they may become agitated if a member of the group requests to re-open a decision once it has already been made. ISTJs may also experience difficulty understanding other’s preferences when they are conflicting to their own.
Individuals who assess with the ISTJ Personality Type are typically conditioned with an intent toward structure and preparation. Having an attainable timeline in place for a change to occur will allow these individuals with the comfort of knowing they will have the opportunity to develop the specific information needed to implement the adjustment. They also will generally prefer the possibility to use their previously learned knowledge and experience toward the development of the change. ISTJs will commonly need to have commitment from others involved with the change that they will hold up their end of requirements to make it successful. If a commitment is not established, an ISTJ may become obstinate, refusing to move forward and may attach themselves to the “way we have always done it””. (Barger and Kirby, 2004, p.28, CPP Inc.) They may also resist change by maintaining the need to do as a current policy or procedure previously listed to do so.

When implementing a new change, ISTJs may prefer to construct a detailed plan prior to beginning any new ideas. When creating this plan, they generally will prefer to do so alone yet may serve purposeful for a group if allowed ample time to create an organizational structure and timeline for others. They generally do not enjoy brainstorming sessions in a group setting. Nevertheless, they have been known to be valuable during this process by generating significance to an innovative idea by adding specific details. However, they may have a tendency to believe other’s priorities as their own. For example, an ISTJ may automatically assume a task which may belong to their supervisor. They have also been known to act prematurely and begin tasks before they are told to, due to an innate compelling force of wanting the new plan to be in action. However, once the change has been up and running, an ISTJ generally will want to see it through to the end. Additionally, they often will want to know the specifics of how the change is progressing and may feel tempted to revert to the “way things were” if a situation is not improving immediately. When dealing with a change, this personality type should remember to find triumph in the small successes leading up to a larger picture, as each achievement will only lead toward their final goals

Learn More About the MBTI ISTJ Personality Type
 Explore additional information that delves deeper into the ISTJ Personality Type by examining various personality and career based subjects:

• How the MBTI ISTJ Type relates to Innovation
• How the MBTI ISTJ Type relates to Project Management
• How the MBTI ISTJ Type relates to Emotional Intelligence
• How the MBTI ISTJ Type relates to Communication
• How the MBTI ISTJ Type relates to Leadership
• How the MBTI ISTJ Type relates to Decision Making

Click on a link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types

ISTJ	ISFJ	INFJ	INTJ	ESTP	ESFP	ENFP	ENTP
ISTP	ISFP	INFP	INTP	ESTJ	ESFJ	ENFJ	ENTJ

Assessment Categories

References
Introduction to Type and Change (Nancy J Barger and Linda K. Kirby, 2004, CPP Inc.)