You are led by your Inferior function
How are you living up to your own ideals
From my observations, it's been quite the opposite that types trip themselves over due to their "inferior" function. We tie it to fear, insecurities, fight-or-flight. But there's only a little bit of truth here though. For many, it's actually their strength and motivator.
Many ETJs have understanding of what they value internally (Fi)
Many EFJs know how to convey hard truths (Ti)
Many ITPs strive to be society's role models (Fe)
Many IFPs are well researched in their fields (Te)
Many ENPs serve as standing pillars for others (Si)
Many ESPs recognize the biggest things in life (Ni)
Many INJs are great at breaking down concepts (Se)
Many ISJs are goal orientated masterminds (Ne)
These are all thanks to that little "weak" function! This function is the anchor of our reality shaped by our Dominant function. If our whole reality is seen in a bad light, it’s because we haven’t found a way to accept it. Our whole conscious lives made based on that attitude. It really is the true ego nemesis, growing stronger the more the ego loves itself until we realize it’s who we are as well. In CPT, it’s called the Oppositional function for it directly opposes the Dominant function. We don’t want to give this idea that it’s "inferior" since that’s plain wrong. Just because it feels inferior doesn’t mean it is.
We could argue it's a function many types tend to overthink about. But a better way would be to think of it like an ideal we set ourselves. How hard are we about living up to our own ideals? How do we respond to the ideals we set ourselves? Is it too low or too high? Do we strive to meet or run away from them? Does it make us arrogant or modest about meeting them? Are they plainly pointless?
At first, they seem to just be set within us. But we do have a lot of control if we find a way to step aside and see what's going on.
ETJ: do my actions (Te) reflect my personal values (Fi)?
EFJ: do I have the understanding (Ti) to effectively reach others (Fe)?
ITP: does my understanding (Ti) consider all accounts (Fe) to be universal?
IFP: do I fit in the environment (Te) which enables me to be myself (Fi)?
ENP: did I explore (Ne) as thoroughly (Si) as I could have?
ESP: did I experience (Se) as comprehensively (Ni) as I could have?
INJ: did I analyze (Ni) as thoroughly (Se) as I could have?
ISJ: did I prepare (Si) as comprehensively (Ne) as I could have?
If we lead with our Dominant function, then we are led by our Oppositional function. Through our Dominant function, we manifest. How we go about it is a question beyond types (something I plan to go over a bit in the future). Just know that fear stunts our growth. And there's nothing to fear but fear itself. Once we get over that, there’s nothing left but ourselves.
Many of us actually do great! We just don't hear much about that.
Hi Rob, it's EmmaENFJ from twitter. As a divergent subtype (if this is indeed applicable) I really relate to this. I actually fear that my convergent usage of FeSe needs polishing in order to convey harder Ti truths indeed, it's often my way or the high way, which doesn't get you far in life. What's the point in synthesising abstract theorem & creating something novel if you can't effectively communicate this to people & get them on board? I have to say I'm much better in person, on a small scale, communicating & 'convincing' others rather in the written format where things can often be misconstrued. I know Harry has said in one video that Fe doms tend to have the most fluid axis (he rated my Fe/Ti as 50/50), do you have any thoughts on whether you think this is the case and if so, why this would be the case comparative to other types as a general rule? I work in an environment where hard truths are not acknowledged & are rarely learnt from by 'the big guns upstairs'; there's simply no innovation and we end up repeating the same mistakes over and over again which fundamentally lets the people down we're supposed to be caring for (I'm a mental health professional/student post grad), I think I end up inevitably pushing back into my divergent subtype due to this perpetual disappointment with reality, however, I have been the spokesperson, nominated by the team to speak on their behalf and the patients when it's been necessary (every ENFJ whether they'll admit it or not loves a cause to fight for). Faced with perpetual pessimism I can't help but feel I'll always feel the pull of not reaching my potential & continually leaning into the divergent pairing. Can I ask, if I move away from this subtype into a more default state, do you think the level/aptitude of convergence TiNi remains or does this dissipate'? I'd like to believe that as our cognition expands, we harness still that which has been perfected in the past, ie there's no 'trade off'. I hate being a pessimist (perhaps I'm just a realist) but I think we need to face hard Ti truths to make any real progression especially in my profession where there's very little in the way of hard empirical knowledge to anchor our practice into...We need to try alternative methods/ideas and face what's going on on a systemic level to really make a difference to our patients lives...We work with a biomedical model that posits that giving pharmaceutical's is the answer when that's evidently not working (or at least not the core issue). Hey, maybe I need to position myself in a place of senior management to really make a difference on a societal level. On a positive note, I think there's much more parity of esteem between doctors, nurses and other mental health professionals that we're not working in a hierarchical model where only medicines voice is heard. It sometimes astounds me that people either fail to see Ti truths or choose to blatantly ignore them. I've found myself side-lined for promotion at times as what have to say authentically simply isn't popular, even if everyone is thinking it in the room. It can be a hard pill to swallow when some other professionals really don't want your insights but I try to remember that, fundamentally, I'm advocating for some very vulnerable patients who aren't currently in a position to advocate for themselves. Slightly off topic, but I've seen many Ti doms being able to convey their Ti to others in a way that far surpasses my own. On a different note, regarding the oppositional, as you said regarding ESPs, my ESFP fiancé, despite being 9 years my junior, is extremely insightful and philosophical about what he wants from life. Indeed it's one of the things that attracted me to him - his axis is extremely fluid & we've always been able to have them deep & profound conversations. I don't know if this is due to ENFJ perfectionistic tendencies or superfluous to type, but I often blame myself for not being able to initiate change (the change I wish to see which I believe is for everyone's benefit in the long run) & perceive myself as quite an ineffectual person but I'd take the Ti truth any day over pleasing other people even if my Ti perspectives are unpopular. Apologies I've went completely off topic here! It just makes me consider, that if a very personable ENFJ cannot convince other people then what hope, in the area I work in, does anyone else have? Sorry, I'm coming across as OTT hyperbolic, but without breaking my code of confidentiality I can say I've had a week in work where the status quo as had an unambiguously detrimental impact on patient care, actually, seriously so.
"If we lead with our Dominant function, then we are led by our Oppositional function."
Well said.