Now that you have answered the questionnaire you may proceed to the next part of this adventure by reviewing the letters you have selected above to find your probable temperament and that of your spouse.  The General Description of this temperament is shown below.

Link to other types
Link to negotiations matrix

General description of the ISTP

• - Likely to pit themselves, or their technique, against chance, odds, or fate.
• - Play on impulse.
• - Seek thrills in play.
• - The managerial style negotiates with ease and has, of all the types, the highest sense of reality.  He is a natural negotiator, but other titles which might . . . .
• - Ready to try almost anything once.
• - Don't tread on me because I don't know how I'll react.
• - Spontaneous, easygoing view of life.
• - One can never predict which reaction to expect from them.
• - ISTP parents do not believe in planning.  They tend to wait and see what each day brings, and then do what is needed at the time.
• - ISTPs in their general living and certainly in parenting, know that the best-laid plans go awry.
• - Low need to impose themselves on their children.

Strengths of ISTPs

• Will have good grasp of details and facts.
• Able to organize data.
• Will be patient and accurate in negotiations.
• Can be analytical.
• Can be detached and cool.

Weaknesses of ISTPs

• Others may see them as not taking the negotiations seriously.
• Under stress painful emotions may surface which may surprise the ISTP.  They may have strong feelings of loss, sorrow.   May cry in public.
• ISTPs may concentrate on those aspects of negotiations he is good at but won't learn those areas of substantive law or parenting, etc., that may make a difference in bringing the matter to    conclusion.
• Have difficulty getting their ideas and concepts understood.
• May not respect the agenda.
• Don't take negotiations as seriously as they might or treat the other person seriously enough.
• May appear non-committed to getting the job done.
• May appear indecisive

How ISTPs see themselves as negotiators

• See themselves as flexible, capable, efficient.
• See themselves as good negotiators and problem solvers.
• They find a way around rules that don't serve immediate needs.

How ISTPs can better negotiate with other types.

• Keep position statement simple.
• Show appreciation.
• Bring up points of agreement before moving to points of disagreement.
• Be more tolerant for those aspects of negotiations that don't "seem to be getting anywhere.
• Since you may not know what matters emotionally to another person, refrain from criticism.

The information in these links describe how each of these temperaments interacts with the others in the context of divorce negotiations.