The crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D continued the tradition set forth by James T. Kirk and his crew onboard the original vessel of the same name more than 80 years after it was decommissioned. Under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, this crew explored strange new worlds and civilizations with all the professionalism, duty, and enthusiasm of the crews that preceded it.
The success of the crew was due to its diverse mix of Myers-Briggs® personality types which brought new ideas to the table and helped strengthen the efficiency of the Enterprise's operations. This list breaks down each crew member's personality type, and how it served them in their duty as a Starfleet officer.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard - ISFP (The Composer)
While Jean-Luc Picard is a natural-born leader, it's not his greatest strength, nor truly akin to his personality. Picard has all the markings of an ISFP personality type, including an affinity and appreciation for the arts, philosophy, and intellectual thought. He sees the beauty not just in his own world, but all the alien worlds and cultures he has the opportunity to experience.
Low-key and somewhat introverted, Picard is difficult to get to know, which is another trait of ISFPs. Yet, he's a compassionate, warm, and reassuring father figure who is all-too-happy to share his views and experiences with those who ask. Tasha Yar once said that Picard had the "soul of a poet."
Commander William Riker - ENTJ (The Commander)
William Riker and the ENTJ personality type go hand-in-hand. Riker's born-to-lead nature is driven largely by the qualities of an ENTJ who can lead efficiently while identifying any inefficiencies in the chain of command. As such, Riker is exceptional at optimizing the structure of the chain so the Enterprise runs more smoothly.
Riker is all business when the uniform is on, and he shelves emotion in favor of analytical objectivity. He isn't afraid to take charge, put insubordinate people in their place, and assign them where they best fit the operation of the Enterprise. He's firm but fair.
Lieutenant Commander Data - ISTJ (The Inpsector)
Data's lack of personal ambition might be thought of as a personality flaw, but his methodical devotion to work has helped offset it, allowing him to climb through the ranks of Starfleet. This is partially due to his ISTJ personality, which centers around efficiency, neatness, and systematic flow.
ISTJs are contributors by nature, and Data will gladly participate in any task great or small that serves a wide-reaching purpose. His standards are impeccable, and his service is exemplary since he knows where he fits onboard the Enterprise. This makes him an invaluable crew member.
Lieutenant Tasha Yar - INTJ (The Mastermind)
Tasha Yar's career onboard the Enterprise was brief but invaluable. Her INTJ personality type had a lot to do with it. Although she was a strong and rigid leader, Yar was a problem solver at heart, preferring to find logical solutions to highly complex problems.
INTJs resent an unorganized and unstructured environment, and will actively seek to improve processes not just for themselves, but others on their team. After her passing, Lieutenant Worf was able to take the foundation Yar had built as Chief of Security, and build on its principles.
Lieutenant Worf - ESTJ (The Supervisor)
As chief of security following the death of Tasha Yar, Worf brought rigid discipline and structure to his department. His ESTJ personality type was on full display as he kept things organized, instituted rules, and executed directives in the most efficient manner possible.
Worf also hated any lack of structure and organization and actively sought to stamp it out by identifying weak points in his department. As such, he went on to fashion one of the finest security details in all of Starfleet, worthy of envy.
Commander Geordi LaForge - ISTP (The Craftsman)
LaForge might have started out as a Comms officer, but his promotion to Chief Engineer put him in his most ideal environment. LaForge is a tinkerer by nature. His engineering knowledge is at the top of his field, encompassing everything from weaponry to warp core fundamentals.
ISTPs love to troubleshoot and improve processes, and LaForge demonstrated this by overhauling the Enterprise's warp core beyond its baseline capabilities. He was dedicated to his work, but still able to mingle well with people - another trait of the ISTP type.
Counselor Deanna Troi - INFJ (The Counselor)
It's no surprise that Deanna Troi would follow the INFJ Counselor personality type since her entire career was based on it. INFJs are deeply concerned with the well-being and feelings of others around them, and they can actively identify a person's state of mind and motivations.
While the INFJ type has the ability to correctly read people, Deanna Troi is exceptional at it due to her half-Betazoid heritage which gives her the powers of an empath. This is a huge bonus when it comes to helping people who are confused about their own emotions.
Doctor Beverly Crusher - ISFJ (The Protector)
As a dedicated doctor, Beverly Crusher was firmly committed to the well-being of her patients, be they Federation or otherwise. Her compassionate nature saw no bounds, and she would do anything possible to save lives without breaking her Hippocratic oath.
ISFJs have a deep sense of responsibility towards others, especially when it comes to taking care of them. They also want to be viewed as trustworthy and reliable, which is important for any doctor. Crusher never failed to display these qualities during her career in Starfleet.
Chief Miles O'Brien - ENTP (The Visionary)
Never one to take life too seriously, Miles O'Brien was a disarming and approachable Enterprise officer who knew the value of playful banter and camaraderie. He had all the signs of an ENTP personality type, including a drive to find new solutions to complex problems. His natural and clever wit helped him achieve this, as well as his open-mindedness and ability to work well within a team.
He was also firmly entrenched in his work, and those who couldn't keep up were considered a problem. This is in line with the ENTP mind, which views inefficiency in a highly negative light. Though not judgmental, they expect top performance at all times.
Ensign Wesley Crusher - ESTP (The Dynamo)
Wesley Crusher may have matured into a rather reclusive and analytical man, but his younger days aboard the Enterprise showcased his ESTP personality, which was big on humor and fun. His youthful energy was a major boon for the Enterprise, and many of his theories and ideas helped save it from destruction on more than one occasion.
Wesley could read a room very quickly, especially in an off-hours environment. Far from serious, he exercised his ESTP personality by living in the moment and enjoying a social connection with everyone on board the Enterprise.