Can an ESFP and ISTP Live Together Peacefully?

As most of you know, the Myers-Briggs system was integral in our creation of the four pixie types. There are 16 different Myers-Briggs personality types, all identified by different letter combinations. These letters are E/I, S/N, T/F, and J/P. They stand for Extraversion versus Introversion, Sensing versus Intuition, Thinking versus Feeling and Judging versus Perceiving. ESFP stands for Extraversion, Sensing, Feeling and Perceiving. Whereas ISTP stands for Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, and Perceiving. While these two personality types may seem like total opposites, they have more in common than you think! Both of these personality types are classified as Funs when using the Pixies method, but does that mean they can live together in peace?  

All About ESFP (PixieType: Fun Freedom)

ESFP’s are the life of the party, and want to make sure everyone else at said party is having a great time too! You are constantly encouraging others and trying to make them feel more comfortable. Overall you are just a fun person to be around! Did we mention you look great too? ESFP’s have a great eye for fashion and interior decor. You are always up on the latest trends and know what looks good as soon as you see it. You aren’t afraid to switch it up and step out of your comfort zone.

Personality Traits of an ESFP;

-Bold

-Original

-Practical

-Observant

-Good with People

-Sensitive

-Easily Bored

ESFP’s really know how to enjoy life but don’t ignore practical aspects like organization. The major difference between you and an ISTP is that you have more awareness of what others might be feeling. This is because you are value-based, subjective decision makers. You base decisions on past experience and also consider how things might impact others. Sometimes you’re logical, sometimes you’re not. For example, if you grow up being told that when an older person in poor health dies, it’s a relief; you’ll say so when you hear of someone dying in this situation — rational but not sensitive. If you’re then told that this person’s daughter is super sad, you’ll realize what you said wasn’t the best fit for the situation (whoops!) and if you can, you’ll make a quick amends.

All About ISTP (PixieType: Fun Structure)

ISTP’s are creative and constantly move from project to project, and they love getting their hands dirty. Some people are dreamers, others are doers, and ISTPs are definitely the latter. You are level headed and always know what to do in a crisis. You make great teachers as well since you love passing on your knowledge to others.

Personality Traits of an ISTP;

-Optimistic

-Creative

-Level Headed

-Relaxed

-Stubborn

-Rational

-Reserved  

ISTPs are logical, detail-oriented decision makers who believe in fairness and tend to put people second when solving problems. But that’s your serious side. You’re also easy going and spontaneous yet practical, tending to keep your possessions neater than most. You can step on people’s toes more often than an ESFP because it means you probably say inadvertently rude things sometimes and don’t understand why being honest was rude. But, this logic also means you’re more decisive in the moment, which comes in handy when you need to make decisions at the drop of a hat without getting flustered. Some people talk about carpe diem yet rarely do it. You do it almost instinctively when left to your own devices. Those people who take their school age children on year-long sailboat cruises? Yeah, only you.

Can They Make it Work?

Something that ESFPs and ISTPs have in common is that they are both pretty flexible about who they live with. You lack rigidity regarding time so you are able to find common ground with more “live in the moment” personality types, but you also appreciate the attention to detail and ability to follow a pre-existing organizational system. This means you can also get along great with more Type A personalities. Scheduling is the main area where you have organizational conflicts with other types.

So, you know you can make it work with other personality types, but what about with each other?

When something means a lot to an ESFP or ISTP, they take the time to do it right. They keep the things they’re most passionate about the most organized, and the rest falls to the wayside. Your main organizing beef with each other is that you don’t always agree on what needs to be well organized. If you love to cook, then you’re likely to keep (and insist upon) a tidy kitchen. You’re a big reader? Your bookshelves probably look great and are well organized. Obviously, there might be other reasons behind your organizational differences- different parents, upbringings, or cultures- but the best thing to do when ESFP and ISTP are living together is to divide and conquer. Your ground rules rule the day where your passion is, and vice versa. The room most often ignored by you both is a home office full of bills and other dreary tasks. Big surprise, right?

Want to know if you and your partner can live together in harmony? Buy our book to learn more!