Artisan (RSI-M)

Artisans tend to be creative, crafty, and open in their responses to life. They’re known for their ability to improvise and come up with functional solutions to practical problems on the spot, as well as their friendly positivity that can make people misjudge them as somewhat quieter Extraverts.

This type adopts a rather spontaneous approach to life, preferring to explore, experience, and experiment rather than guiding themselves by a certain view or a set path. By exploring things that catch their interest – playing with them and trying them out – Artisans develop their knowledge and understanding, as well as their views, beliefs, and attitudes.

Yet while they love to explore new things, they don’t have much interest in or use for pure abstractions and theories, as such things often seem distant and unrealistic to them. This type finds esoteric speculation to be too intellectualized and detached from the realities of life and prefer to experience it in more immediate ways.

Artisans value living experiences; doing things, engaging with the world, and entering and moving through different situations. They like trying to accomplish things in actuality more than purely intellectual engagements, which often seem to them like just disconnected mental exercise or exhibition.

Because of this, Artisans tend to be good at mastering various skills and abilities, their preferred learning method being self-guided investigation and practice. Regardless of their actual profession, they tend to have an inclination toward activities and skills that involve using their bodies. This could be athletic or physical disciplines, or some kind of craft with tools.

When practicing these skills, the freedom to work at their own pace and in the way they want is very important for them. This doesn’t mean they’re unreliable or irresponsible – they can follow through and meet deadlines, just preferring their own route and technique. Sometimes, this can mean taking a little more time than was planned, for the sake of discovery and mastery.

Artisans rarely adhere to set approaches or a particular viewpoint, nor are they prone to making detailed plans. They prefer to explore and experience different alternatives, views, and approaches, letting their decisions emerge through the process. This can make them very eclectic; they accept whatever works or make sense without much regard for their theoretical or ideational background.

This openness comes with a certain assuredness, too, as Artisans are typically friendly and respectful people who are confident in their abilities and ideas. They’re not easily shaken by people disagreeing with them and, in turn, aren’t prone to judging others. They understand that perfection is a theoretical rather than a realistic goal, and failure is a part of the learning process they embrace.

Of course, they would rather succeed than fail, and Artisans are good at solving practical problems quickly and successfully. But as people who act independently, this type sometimes advocates solutions or perspectives that go against traditional rules and conventions. They tend to focus on implementing what works without much thought for governing protocols.

Given this individualistic bent, it’s not surprising to find Artisans working intently on something by themselves, although they also work well with others. They typically enjoy bonding over activities, unless it’s too crowded. They tend to feel more in their element in smaller groups.

Like all Introverts, Artisans enjoy their time alone to energize themselves and recuperate. They particularly like to spend their solitary time doing what they care about, exploring and playing with hobbies and interests with unhindered freedom. Ultimately, this type believes life and work should be enjoyed.