Most CEO’s in the US are ISTJ

12 December, 2009, 9:00 am

D23318-3It’s true!  Some of the most successful leaders in US corporations are ISTJ’s.  So Let’s explore what makes an ISTJ tick and then dig in and find out what their weaknesses are.

Maybe you want to know their weaknesses so you can bring them down.  That might be a fun experiment.  But tangling with an ISTJ might be a bit more than you bargained for.

ISTJ Strengths

ISTJ types are incredibly detailed.  Nothing ever slips by.  In addition to being some of the most successful leaders, they are also incredibly successful accountants and attorneys.  It should come as no surprise that most of the politicians in the country are the same type.

When a plan comes up they are the first to look critically at it.  They are slow to make decisions for this very reason.  Almost any change is considered dangerous and foolhardy.  Before they make a change they think really hard about it.

This is one reason I have a suspicion that a part of Microsoft’s strategy is to release a software version that they anticipate changing very soon after it hits the market.  Windows Millineum and Vista could have been a part of the decision making process for Microsoft.

Compare the speed at which Microsoft implements change to the speed Apple does.  Apple has been incredibly innovative since Steve Jobs stepped back in as CEO.  Steve Jobs is an INTP, one of the most innovative of all the Meyers-Briggs types.

But don’t let that fool you.  It turns out to not be a terrible strategy since more than 7o percent of the people who read this will do so with a Microsoft product.

Being slow to change, detail oriented and slow to make decisions has proven to be a strong tendency time and again for smart ISTJ’s.  But it can get in the way.

ISTJ Weaknesses

One of the biggest weaknesses of the ISTJ is their inability to trust other personality types.  The phrase “my way or the highway” never applied to anyone as much as a strong ISTJ.

ISTJ’s must learn to listen to others and really, truly  consider their input.  Microsoft could be much further along in product development if there were a trusted INTP in high leadership.  But there probably isn’t because an ISTJ thinks an INTP is a radical and a rabble rouser because they actually like change!

ISTJ Focus Areas

An ISTJ entrepreneur needs to think about a few things in order to be successful.

1. You need a visionary.  ISTJ’s have a very difficult time seeing the long term future ahead.  Even making a decision about what type of product to promote can be difficult for them. They want to know where to click and which person to follow on twitter, but ask them to describe what type of website they want to develop and they clam up.

2. You need a plan.  You need a very concrete plan based on a vision.  If you can get people in your life to help you see the future, then you can easily come up with action steps that will help you reach that ultimate goal. If you plan your work and work your plan – you are the type that will absolutely be successful.

Since you are so driven by the technical details of a project, if you are an ISTJ considering launching a new business on the internet, I would highly suggest you consider joining the 8 weeks to affiliate marketing success.  It is designed with you in mind.

3 You need to re-evaluate.  Every plan needs some re-evaluation from time to time.  ISTJ’s are the most likely personality to neglect this altogether.  From the very start you should schedule time at least monthly and then more time quarterly to re-evaluate where you are in your goals, and the efficiency of everything you are doing.  Then you should alter course as you need to.  If you plan to do this, you will do it.  I am sure you will find it to be both incredibly fun and helpful.

How am I doing?  Are these articles helping you discover yourself better and learn more about yourself?

Check the archive of posts in this series and feel free to comment.

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