Protector ISFJ

Typology description - Protector

Similarly to ISTJ, Protectors (hereinafter ISFJ) also mostl like information and facts about concrete reality. These introverts accounting for around 5 percent of the population have no problems to behaving like extroverts should the circumstances so require. On the contrary to ISTJ, they do not accept the outside world impersonally like numbers, schemes or logic premises but they are very sensitive to preferences of others. Both ISFJ and ISTJ share the sense of history and continuity. However, it concerns rather history of relations than ideas, great personalities than institutions.

Of all types they are the ones who renounce the most and who are dedicated to their obligations with a sacred devotion. They know that the work itself is a virtue and that the fun must be deserved. If they start to do something they usually also finish it, as long as it is at least a bit humanly possible. At the same time, they will follow rules, binding procedures, guidelines and all relevant provisions because these mean a law to them.

If someone is in breach of a directive they are outraged and offended. What they see in this is an offence of those with more experience who drew them up carefully and arduously in the benefit of others. Even though they are annoyed in this situation, most of the time they do not show it. They rather suppress it because they do not want to cause conflict. Should too much of this kind of tension be accumulated in them they can unexpectedly flare up; however, the situation is already out of their control. They can get involved many times both at work and in personal life, as if they were under oath. They like harmony and are willing to go to extremes in order to prevent the conflict. Harmony for them means the same as balance. Unexpected or disproportionately big failure can take them by surprise just as success.

They can sometimes be reluctant to express openly and directly their affection, love or joy, and they rather choose indirect ways. Which can confuse their surrounding. People can sometimes think that not only are they shy and restrained but also that they perhaps even lack desires and passion for physical intimacy. Quite on the contrary. ISFJ crave for communion of needs of soul, body and mind, and they dream about partners who would honour the fragile nature of their inner world.
It must have been ISFJ who said 'an Englishman's home is his castle'. Actually, they have a strong sentiment of territoriality and they defend their territory against disturbing outer influences. They are very devoted to family, work and friends, are capable of strong sympathy and significant adaptability which is why it is easy to get along well with them. But only until the moment when their values or principles are threatened. If ISFJ has a grudge towards a former offender this person will wonder how long can they remember him/her.

ISFJ are extraordinarily reliable. However, they do not like it if they have to cope with situations in which conditions, demands or parameters are constantly being changed. Because they want to be useful we can find them in professions in which they can take care about others. Engagement with sufferers of all types is encoded in them, and ISFJ are capable of humbleness better than any other type. They build the best relation and gain the best results in relation to people who need them, who in a sense are even dependent on them. They draw strength from satisfaction that they can take care about someone, deal with the needs of others, and rather then doing it ostentatiously they do so discreetly, effectively, but mostly one by one or in small groups. ISFJ, on the other hand, need to be needed.

Compared to ESFJ who are rather driven to tasks and obligations which are in accordance with prevailing and publicly demonstrated norms and values, ISFJ's motives are more subjective.

While behaviour of EFJ (Teachers, Breadwinners) is being determined rather by customs and social roles, i.e. to be good parents, citizens or employees, what matters to IFJ (Advisers, Protectors) is rather an experience and inner feeling – to be helpers, saviours, carers. ISFJ know no boundaries if they are to help a family member, unfairly affected co-worker but also e.g. totally unknown person or stray animals. In these cases they do not need to be able to calculate how much time and efforts would such an action take and if is to be successful at all. They can have problems to explain and defend such action. Sometimes they subconsciously create people who are dependent on them and for whom they could do good to such extent that they are not able to recognise and understand those on whom they are not dependent in certain way. In extreme cases they may not be happy if someone starts to break out of this position and perceive manifestations of independence as a kind of ingratitude even treason. Consequently they have tendencies to act in a jealous even manipulative manner although they do not suspect their behaviour is possessive.

ISFJ have extraordinarily developed sense for justice, they are advocates of equality, and they have a unique talent for unflagging, caring and precise performance of repeated series of activities. They are practical realistic persons who do not in any way attract speculations and theories.

Pleasant, reliable, perceptive and sensitive persons which every superior dreams about. Such their quality is a reflection of their decesion-making stemming from preferences of others. In groups they show much less certainty because they need to process information and perceptions gradually and individually. This can be manifested for example by having problems with delegation as if this should mean acknowledgement that they are not good enough for the task and that they need help. They may not be that brilliant in generating ingenious ideas. ISFJ can work well with details and they tolerate routine.
ISFJ often face incomprehension and underestimation. Because making decisions may sometimes last longer they may look less smart than they really are. ISTJ can better face these pressures thanks to their impersonal logical thinking but for ISFJ for whom opinions of their surrounding are fundamental and who take them more seriously this can be more challenging task. People also have a tendency to assign them more and more tasks because they think they like it. They are thrifty by nature, and they do not like wasting of anything and anywhere.

Thrift, saving for worse times, and counting with uncertain future are considered by them to be one of the virtues.