Harper, The Magnificent Observer (ISTJ)
Overview
As the "Magnificent Observer" Harpers are fact-driven, logical and responsible girls who get the job done. Everything has a procedure, a manual and an orderly way of going about the day. Harpers are modern-day Mary Poppins with an Excel sheet. Nothing satisfies logical Harper more than setting rules, following rules and upholding tradition. Harper doesn’t want Neon signs decorating her room, but maybe a Victorian timepiece or a map of 1910s Paris.
Harpers are productive, busy bees who don’t stop a task until it’s finished. No, Harper is not available at the moment, she’s finishing a Powerpoint and can go to another shoe sale with you next week! Harpers have a logical mindset when it comes to social stature, despite being shy or introverted they can place themselves directly where they know they belong. Just like organizing her desk and where the sushi-shaped erasers go, she sees the box she’s meant to fill in friends and family, too. Harpers want order, perfection and clean-cut corners that make sense.
Famous ISTJs: Natalie Portman, Queen Elizabeth II, Condoleezza Rice, Julia Roberts, Queen Rania of Jordan
Strengths
Harpers are very serious, but they are great at dissecting complicated rules or highly logical methods that more dreamy or emotionally-guided personalities have trouble understanding. If there’s a trendy, new card game or board game, Harpers are the ones to say “Each player gets 5 cards, three coins, and four medallions… the person with the birthday closest to Meryl Streep’s goes first! Easy!” Capable Harpers are task-driven and don’t stop something until they are finished, which is commendable in a world with an ever-shortening attention span.
Common Strengths: Meticulous, Dependable, Practical, Sensible, Realistic, Systematic, Logical and Analytical, Clear and Steadfast In Opinions, "Warehouse" Of Information.
Weaknesses
No nonsense Harpers have little tolerance for deep emotional needs and don’t want to dilly dally with small talk. Harpers favor utility over expression and while that is both practical and efficient, Harpers need to learn when it’s okay to let loose and have a little fun. Yes, Harpers can wear a tie-dye crop top from time to time, or bright orange glasses to shake it up. A Harper can learn from taking risks every now and then. Despite being married to facts, Harpers would benefit from tapping into emotional parts of themselves to expand their rigid world. Sometimes rules were meant to be broken.
Common Weaknesses: Appears Withdrawn, Can Fixate On Small or Unimportant Details, Stubborn, Judgmental, Too Focused On The "Rules"
Romantic Relationships
Loyalty and tradition are the tenets of a Harper’s romantic relationship. They are more likely to take notes from their parents than embracing new kinds of relationship roles. Harpers are comfortable with conventionality across identities, and that’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with being square as long as Harpers are open to other people’s ideas and are okay with the fact that many people their age might not understand that. However, more progressive peers might be won over by a Harper’s devotion and commitment that is hard to find through swipe after swipe on dating apps.
Loyal and practical Harper is most happy with someone who can appreciate order, neatness and organized living.
Friendships
Ever the practical one, Harpers lay down the law in their friendships. However, a Harper’s loyalty and logic are strong assets to have during times of need. Close friends of Harpers acknowledge her passion for order and organization. Her friends know that apples go in the bottom left corner of the top left drawer, arranged in threes! Harpers don’t give ample emotional support, but for what they lack in the feels, they make up for with clear visions and utmost honesty. You’ll always know where you stand with Harper, and she just really wants the best for her friends as well (as long as they put away their coats when they visit… on the teal hangers!).
Career Path & Workplace Habits
As an ISTJ deadlines are the bread and butter for Harpers. She feels most successful when she can cross everything and more off her to-do list in one day. She is that focused, eagle-eyed employee that might forget to take a lunch break, and wonder with amazement how she never breaks focus. Basically, don’t send Harper any cat videos. Those are for after work festivities, please and thank you. There isn’t one detail that is missed by Harper ("magnificent observer" hello!) and if a manager is in need of a sharp eye and meticulous mind, Harper is the one to add to their projects. Harpers prefer to work alone, but thrive in teams of similarly-minded people with clear, organized plans and utmost logical reasoning. She thrives in accounting firms, finance or business law, where there are very set rules that take hard learning to master.
Common Careers: Financial Analyst, Accountant, Chief Information Officer, Airplane Pilot, Civil Engineer, Surgeon, Statistician
