Champion (ENFP) – Type Description

ENFP is one of the 16 personality types as defined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), characterized by extraversion, intuition, feeling and perception. ENFPs, also known as “champions”, are enthusiastic, outgoing and spontaneous individuals. They are considered the most optimistic of all personality types, who always tend to see the best in people. They thrive on making connections with others, and are very good at understanding their motivations.

ENFPs base their self-image on being seen as empathic, benevolent, and authentic, and are driven by intuition rather than concentrated willpower. Their lives often consist of a succession of projects, and they are stimulated by difficulties, finding themselves most ingenious in solving them. They are tireless when it comes to things that interest them, but may find it difficult to get other things done. Since ENFPs are more focused on “what could be” than “what is”, they often end up losing interest once they have accomplished a part of their vision.

Cognitive Functions of ENFPs:

To gain insight into the characteristics of ENFP personalities, it is helpful to understand the dominant and auxiliary cognitive functions that drive them. According to the MBTI system, each personality type has a set of cognitive functions that they use most frequently, which leads to consistent patterns and characteristics. For ENFPs,

the dominant cognitive function is Extraverted Intuition (Ne), and
the auxiliary function is Introverted Feeling (Fi) that supports the dominant function

Dominant Ne: Extraverted Intuition (Ne) allows an individual to come up with new ideas and possibilities, and see connections between seemingly unrelated things. It gives people the ability to see beyond the present, with a clear vision of what could be. People with a dominant Ne have a strong intuition for spotting trends and future developments, often before others have even recognized them.

Due to their dominant Extraverted Intuition (Ne), ENFPs tend to be more attracted to new possibilities and challenges than what is already verified and known, which makes them great problem solvers, innovators and visionaries. However, their dominant Ne also means that they change their mind frequently. As soon as a “possibility” becomes a “fact”, the intuitive part of their personality loses interest and starts exploring other ideas. This is because they are far more captivated by the possibilities of “what could be” than by the realities of “what is”. Furthermore, since they are so enthusiastic about their ideas, they often share them with others before they have had the opportunity to critically analyze them, which may make ENFPs come across as unrealistic, immature, and childish.

Auxiliary Fi: Introverted Feeling (Fi) helps individuals make decisions based on personal values, beliefs, and emotions. Healthy Fi users are in touch with their own emotions and have a strong sense of personal ethics and morality. An auxiliary Introverted Feeling (Fi) function enables individuals to be responsible for the decisions they make and resolve issues that cannot be dealt with through their dominant function.

ENFPs’ dominant Ne allows them to scan the environment and quickly absorb information. However, the constant influx of information can sometimes make it difficult for them to focus on what’s important. They rely on their auxiliary Fi to prioritize ideas based on their personal values. Moreover, ENFPs are forward-thinking and can see how changing a situation can improve people’s lives, but they may struggle to determine the best course of action to make their vision a reality. They use their Fi to set their priorities and determine their agenda. This allows them to focus on the ideas that are most important to them and make choices that align with their beliefs and values.

Strengths

Like all personality types, ENFPs have their own unique set of strengths, some of which include:

Imaginative and curious: ENFPs have a rich inner world and a vivid imagination, thanks to their Ne. They are constantly curious and open to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. Their imaginative nature allows them to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems.
Natural cheerleaders: ENFPs have a natural talent for uplifting and motivating others. They are natural-born cheerleaders who can inspire and encourage those around them with their optimism, enthusiasm, and support. They have a knack for boosting the morale of their peers and colleagues, helping them feel empowered and motivated to achieve their goals.
Empathetic: ENFPs are people’s people. They are able to put themselves in other people’s shoes and understand their perspectives. Their Ne helps them to pick up on subtle emotional cues of others and read between the lines. This makes them empathetic listeners as well as excellent negotiators, who are able to find common ground with different parties.
Light-hearted and fun: ENFPs are known for their ability to bring levity and humor to any situation. They have a light-hearted and playful approach to life, which can help create a positive and enjoyable atmosphere in their interactions with others.

Weaknesses

ENFPs may have some potential weaknesses that could impact their personal life, relationships, as well as their performance and effectiveness in their workplace. These weaknesses may include the following.

Difficulty with follow-through and organization: ENFPs can struggle with follow-through and organization, as they are more focused on exploring new possibilities rather than maintaining structure and routine. ENFPs can easily become distracted by their own ideas or those of others, and can lose track of the task at hand.
Overly Idealistic: ENFPs tend to be overly idealistic and can often overestimate their own abilities and the abilities of others. They have a natural trust in the environment, which can cause them to ignore sensory data that might signal danger (due to their weak Sensing function), or take risks that others might avoid. They also become easily discouraged when faced with a reality that does not live up to their expectations.
Difficulty with decision-making and structure: ENFPs can have a hard time making decisions, as driven by their dominant Ne, they want to consider all options and perspectives before making a choice. This can lead to indecision, poor time management, and difficulty maintaining boundaries and structure.
Poor Attention to Detail: ENFPs are full of ideas, owing to their dominant Ne, and they love working towards making those ideas a reality. However, due to Sensing being their weaker function, ENFPs often overlook details and struggle to pay attention to the finer points of a task, which may result in poor execution of their plans if not thought through properly.

Career choice

ENFPs are extremely enthusiastic individuals and can excel in any career they are interested in. The most suitable ones are mentioned below.

Sales or marketing: ENFPs’ dominant Ne allows them to think creatively, anticipate customer needs and tailor their pitch accordingly, which makes them great at sales and marketing. They are charismatic, persuasive and have great communication skills which help in building relationships with customers and closing deals.
Entrepreneurship or business: ENFPs are well-suited for careers in entrepreneurship, as they have a natural enthusiasm for exploring new possibilities, and are able to think creatively and identify gaps in the market.
Counseling or coaching: ENFPs are often drawn to counseling, as they enjoy the challenge of understanding each person’s unique problem and exploring potential solutions while helping them communicate their thoughts and feelings.
Human resources: ENFPs are able to connect with others and understand their needs and motivations, thanks to their Ne, which makes them well-suited for careers in human resources. Their auxiliary Fi allows them to evaluate ideas and actions in terms of their moral values and beliefs, which can help them to bring authenticity and integrity to their work in HR.

ENFPs require a career that allows them to satisfy their Ne by continuously working on new ideas and projects. Further examples of such careers could include: writing, where each book presents a different topic to explore; politics, with progression of campaigns for higher positions; education, where it would be about the renewed challenge of teaching a different class; and psychiatry, where it would be about the intricate mystery of each patient’s mind. If ENFPs feel blocked in their pursuits they may become bored and discontent in their career.

Workplace

ENFPs are often well-liked in the workplace and make great team members. Due to their extraverted nature, they have a natural tendency to be outgoing and sociable, which can help them build positive relationships with colleagues and create an inclusive work environment. They possess the ability to pick on the needs and intentions of others, and this “client-centered” approach can be particularly useful in situations such as conferences and interviews, where the ability to connect with the interviewees or colleagues can lead to more effective communication and a deeper understanding of their motivations.

ENFPs are authentic in their work approach, since their auxiliary Fi serves as their moral compass, helping them take on projects that align with their own beliefs and values. For this reason, ENFPs may have difficulty picking up on ideas and projects initiated by others. To fully lend their energy and interest to a project, it must align with their moral values, allowing them to consider that idea their own.

Moreover, ENFPs are known for their enthusiasm for new ideas and projects, which makes them highly productive employees. But this enthusiasm can also lead to inattention to time and energy limitations. They may become so absorbed in their current project that they neglect their needs to take breaks for rest, which ultimately leads to burnout. However, as soon as ENFPs see their idea turning into a factual reality, they often lose interest in the rest of the project, getting distracted by newer possibilities. They tend to rely on others to handle the follow-through of a project and may not stick with a situation long enough to see the final results.

Relationships

In relationships, ENFPs are often warm and affectionate, and they enjoy expressing their feelings to their partners. They are gentle, caring, and understanding, and tend to be spontaneous, which can often lead to pleasant surprises for their partners. Due to their dominant Ne, they tend to seek new and exciting experiences, which brings excitement and adventure to relationships. With their strong sense of curiosity, they are always excited to learn about their partners and explore new things together.

However, ENFPs can struggle with organization in relationships, as they are more focused on exploring new possibilities, rather than maintaining structure and routine. They may not prioritize practical matters such as maintaining the household, having life insurance, or keeping a steady cash flow, and be inconsistent in terms of their spending habits, sometimes indulging in luxuries while neglecting necessities.

ENFPs are known to be devoted parents, giving their children a variety of stimulating experiences, but may be unpredictable in their parenting style. They may shift between being a friend to their child to a stern authority figure. They may have strong opinions on discipline, but may not be willing to enforce them to maintain a good relationship with their children. They tend to leave it to their partner to follow through with discipline.

In conclusion, ENFPs are charismatic, outgoing, and optimistic individuals, who are passionate about their interests. They are full of ideas about different topics and are often seen as the life of the party. They are versatile, easy to get along with, and have a keen eye on the future. They possess strong initiative and a creative impulse, and can achieve anything they set their minds to. With their wisdom-like intuition, enthusiasm, and desire to make a difference, ENFPs are capable of achieving great things while embracing life to the fullest and inspiring others to do the same.

Quick Exercise to Find Your MBTI Type

By following through each of the 4 sections below, you will be able to clarify your MBTI type as well as gain a quick overview of the 4 dichotomies. This is not meant to be a definitive MBTI test, but rather to accelerate your understanding so you can arrive at that aha moment to acknowledge your own type faster as you journey through the learning of the MBTI and Jungian functions.

Tips to achieve the best results:

As we tend to strive to become more balanced with age, we often “stretch” our cognitive preference under the situational stress of work and social demands. To identify what is “natural”, it’s best to contemplate about what naturally come to you when you were younger (as a teenager or young adult) and when you feel truly at home & being yourself. Also, think about it in term of your consistent behaviors across time and not the “ought to”, “ should” adaptive behaviors.

Introversion – Extroversion (I – E)

Learn about the fundamentals through the video above.
Are you able to decide on your preference based on the video?
If you are still undecided or want better clarity, go to step 3 below.
Go through the clarification table (you might need a pen and paper)
Give one tick either on the left or right of each pair of statements.
Give two ticks if you strongly believe with the statement.
If it’s too difficult for you to decide , you may leave it blank.

Tick if applies to your more			Tick if applies to you more
Regarding your overall attitude towards society or socially endorsed values and systems
	Have a general dislike and often question popular ideas, standards, or tastes	Seek to achieve socially approved concepts and objectives, prioritizing the needs of the group
Quantity vs quality (hobbies, jobs, social circle…)
	Prefer quality, being picky (job, relationship…)	Want to experience it all, the more the merrier
Generalist versus specialist
	Often take pride in being a specialist and expert in a niche field	Often prefer working in more generalist position with variety of tasks like management and people-facing roles
How you gain energy
	Energized by thinking and contemplating about a single topic alone or working one-on-one	Energized by interacting with and managing several on-going activities and people
Your approach to sharing and communicating
	Reserved and private, thoughtful, contemplative, share only if necessary, you find people share too much	More ready to share personal info and enjoy brainstorming and responding quickly to others

7. Tabulating results:

The total number of ticks on the left is your score on Introversion.

The total number of ticks on the right is your score on Extroversion.

Whichever side has more ticks represents your degree of preference.

INtuition – Sensing (N – S)

Learn about the fundamentals through the video above.
Are you able to decide on your preference based on the video?
If you are still undecided or want better clarity, go to step 3 below.
Go through the clarification table:

Tick if applies to your more			Tick if applies to you more
When given a new task, how would you want to receive the information?
	Prefer maximum details, specifics, step-by-step instruction to ensure clarity	Prefer to know the big picture and end goals first and as little details or instruction if possible
The type of information you tend to notice first
	Notice what is apparent through the 5 senses or concrete, factual details	Notice patterns, concepts, ideas, metaphors, implications, possibilities, hidden meaning
Are you more pragmatic or visionary?
	You tend to notice and trust what is tangible and measurable and your past experience	You are more energized by imagining what could be and possibilities in the future
Your problem-solving approach and strengths
	Better at identifying the most efficient common-sense approach & focus on optimizing existing processes	Taking pride in generating many ideas or unconventional method to understand and solve problems

4. Tabulating results:

The total number of ticks on the left is your score on Sensing

The total number of ticks on the right is your score on iNtuition

Whichever side has more ticks represents your degree of preference.

Feeling – Thinking (F-T)

Learn about the fundamentals via the video above.
Are you able to decide on your preference based on the video?
If you are still undecided or want better clarity, go to step 3 below.
Type clarification table:

Tick if applies to your more			Tick if applies to you more
What approach should often be given a higher priority for the most satisfactory outcome?
	First step back & analyze the situation impersonally	First consider how it impacts each person involved or your own value system
The thought processes that come to you naturally
	Critique, evaluate & identify flaws for improvement	Notice & mention what is working well to build on it or offer moral support
In problem solving, what do you think naturally is the best way to work with others
	Primarily focused on achieving set goals/outcomes	Primarily focused on developing & preserving connections with others
In presented with differing points of viewers and opinions
	Comfortable asking probing questions to understand and generally comfortable with arguments	Avoid disagreements to preserve the relationship and harmonious atmosphere unless necessary to argue or fight back

4. Tabulating results:

Total number of ticks on the left is your score on Thinking

Total number of ticks on the right is your score on Feeling

Whichever side has more ticks represents your degree of preference.

Judging – Perceiving (J-P)

Learn about the fundamentals through the video above.
Are you able to decide on your preference based on the video?
If you are still undecided or want better clarity, go to step 3 below.
Go through the clarification table below:

Tick if applies to your more			Tick if applies to you more
Your overall philosophy and approach to life
	Value order, predictability, structure, and milestones	Value going with the flow, see how things go, adaptability and flexibility
When plan for a trip or project
	More comfortable when schedules are set and fix, milestones and deadlines are adhered to with minimal unexpected changes	Prefer loose deadlines with plenty of room for improvisation and last-minute adaptation and energy bust
Inclination for multi-tasking
	Rather focused work on a single topic or project until finish	Like juggling and multi-tasking with short bursts of inspirations
Preference on starting and finishing projects
	Prefer more measured and steadier pace from start to finish, especially with an emphasis on early start and timely finish	Excited by starting a new project but perform best with deadline and last-minute motivation to finish

4. Tabulating results:

Total number of ticks on the left is your score on Judging

Total number of ticks on the right is your score on Perceiving

Whichever side has more ticks represents your degree of preference.

I hope this exercise has been helpful and educational for you. How is your result? Do you have any feedback on its accuracy? Leave a comment below!

How To Find Your True MBTI Type

Are you curious about your personality type and how it influences your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors? One popular tool for understanding personality is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which is based on the theory of cognitive functions developed by Carl Jung. If you’re interested in learning more about your MBTI type, there are several different ways to do so. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common methods, including taking an online personality assessment, working with a qualified practitioner, and taking the official MBTI assessment.

Here is a summary of some of the most common methods, along with some pros and cons of each:

Taking an online personality assessment: One of the most popular and convenient ways to determine your MBTI type is to take an online personality assessment. There are many free and paid options available, such as 16Personalities and PersonalityPerfect.

Pros: Convenient and easily accessible; can be completed in a short amount of time; often provides detailed feedback about strengths and potential career paths.
Cons: May not be as reliable or valid as more formal assessments; results may be influenced by self-perception and self-awareness.
Working with a qualified practitioner: Another option is to work with a qualified practitioner, such as a psychologist or career counselor, who is trained in administering and interpreting the MBTI. To find a qualified practitioner, you can try searching online directories of psychologists or career counselors in your area, or you can contact professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (https://www.apa.org/) or the National Career Development Association (https://www.ncda.org/) for recommendations.

Some pros of working with a qualified practitioner include:
- Personalized feedback: A qualified practitioner can provide more personalized and in-depth feedback about your personality type, as they are able to take into account your unique experiences and background.
- Reliability: Working with a qualified practitioner may result in more reliable and valid results, as they are trained in administering and interpreting the MBTI.
  
  Some potential cons of working with a qualified practitioner include:
- Cost: Working with a qualified practitioner may be more expensive than taking an online assessment.
- Time and effort: Working with a qualified practitioner may require more time and effort, as it typically involves multiple sessions or meetings.
Taking the official MBTI assessment: The official MBTI assessment is administered by trained professionals and is considered the most reliable and valid measure of personality type.
Pros: Highly reliable and valid; provides detailed feedback about strengths and potential career paths.
Cons: More expensive than online assessments; may require more time and effort to complete.
To sign up for the official test, visit website: https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/take-the-mbti-instrument/
Getting typing service from enthusiasts who specialize in MBTI and typology. This is different from option 2 above in the sense that, many of these people are more of social influencers and celebrities who gain trusts and followers through their social media channels over the years. They tend to not have serious professional qualifications but their services are often cheaper and less time-consuming. It’s recommended that you check out their channels to see whether you like and agree with their content and maybe read the reviews of the other customers.

Some of the well-known channels and people you can check out are Dave and Shannon from Objective Personality, Lindsey Johnson (Lijo), Gray Capen Cietek (Augmented Personality) or Joyce Meng.
Type yourself based on your own understanding of the MBTI.
This might be the more time-consuming option but it’s free given the vast amount of content available online and will tremendously aid you in your personal growth journey through accumulated knowledge in this wonderful system. The simplest form is to understand the cognitive functions and determine which functions you identify with the most. The dominant and auxilarry function will then point you towards the corresponding type.

For a quick guide to understanding the various cognitive functions, click here. To find the corresponding MBTI type for each cognitive function, read here.

Another even better method is to combine your self-knowledge with online test. You can take any of the online test below and see if the description fit you. You can read the description of other types that possibly might fit you better by varying the result you get by 1 or 2 letter depending on whether you think you might be actually different. For example, if your test result is INFP, you might want to check out ENFP, INTP or ISFP etc.

Recommendation of other options for Online MBTI Tests:

16Personalities: 16Personalities is a free online personality assessment tool based on the MBTI theory of personality. It offers a detailed personality report and includes information about an individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential career paths. One potential drawback of 16Personalities is that it is based on self-report and may not be as reliable or valid as the official MBTI assessment. Website: https://www.16personalities.com/
PersonalityPerfect: PersonalityPerfect is a free online personality assessment tool that is based on the MBTI theory of personality. It offers a detailed personality report and includes information about an individual’s strengths, weaknesses, and potential career paths. Like 16Personalities, PersonalityPerfect is based on self-report and may not be as reliable or valid as the official MBTI assessment. Website: https://www.personalityperfect.com
Typefinder: Typefinder is an online personality assessment tool that is based on the MBTI theory of personality. It is not free, but it is widely available through a network of qualified practitioners and licensed organizations. Typefinder is a reliable and valid measure of personality type and is widely used in a variety of settings. One potential drawback of Typefinder is that it is based on self-report, so the results may be influenced by an individual’s level of self-awareness and self-perception. Website: https://www.typefinder.com/

Ultimately, the best way to determine your MBTI type will depend on your personal preferences, needs, and budget. Each of the methods discussed in this article has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to consider your goals and resources when deciding which option is best for you. Whether you choose to take an online assessment, work with a qualified practitioner, or take the official MBTI assessment, you can gain valuable insights into your personality and how it influences your life.

Quick Crash Course on MBTI Cognitive Functions & Function Stacks

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most popular personality tests and frameworks since the 1950s, created by the mother-daughter duo Isabel Myers and Catherine Briggs. Officially licensed under the Myers Briggs Company, the MBTI becomes even more popular due to the proliferation of (questionable) free online tests and generic type descriptions, often known as 16P or 16-personality test.

Why You Should Go Beyond Tests and Type Descriptions

sample results from 16personalities.com of an MBTI type — A typical result chart from 16personalities.com

As a result, there are generally two levels of understanding that we have seen. In the first group are those who came across the popular 16P personality quiz, or similar sites like truity.com. These sites peddle a type of personality assessment that simply asks “are you Extroverted or Introverted”, “are you an Intuitive or a Sensor”, “are you a Thinker or a Feeler”, “are you a Judger or a Perceiver” with percentage scores and give you your “MBTI type” based on those results.

It is a dichotomy (“strictly one or the other”) method that leaves much to be desired, because in a dichotomy system, you cannot have balance in your capability for sensing/intuition, or thinking/feeling. The end result is that many test-takers feel like they do not fit the extreme definitions of “introvert” / “extrovert” / “thinker” / “feeler”, because naturally every person is a bit introverted at times, a bit extroverted at times, and uses logic and inner values depending on the situation at hand.

Picture of Carl Jung — Portrait of Carl Jung

In the second group are those who look further back to the origins of the modern MBTI, to the original theory introduced by Carl Jung in his 1921 book “Psychological Types” and expanded by Jungian analysts like John Beebe. Based on this theory, all our psychological thought processes can be categorized into 8 different cognitive functions.

This group also recognizes sixteen different types, but organizes each of the sixteen types by a unique combination of these 8 cognitive functions. It is a more holistic and nuanced understanding of personality types that accounts for the fact that everyone has a bit of everything, and the difference between types lies in the different order of strengths and weaknesses.

Here’s where the confusion arises: both groups have 16 types with the same 16 names, but a very different and incompatible understanding of what defines each of those 16 personality types.

Funny memes: seeing the cognitive functions as savior light in the distince — Have you seen the light of the cognitive-function perspective?

We are firmly in the second group, and we have seen that generally, people in the first group who start to learn about cognitive functions will almost always “see the light” and join the second group, seeing the types through the lens of cognitive functions rather than the simple dichotomies.

Once a person sees the more robust and comprehensive system, they will naturally accept it over the simplistic dichotomies. In writing this post, I hope to bring you from the shallow pools of the 16P and truity.com to the real nuts and bolts of Jung’s theory of personality!

What are Jungian/MBTI cognitive functions?

Perception can be done in two ways; it can be in the present, the “here and now” (Sensing) and it can be looking beyond into the future and inferring patterns beneath the surface (Intuition)

Sensing means looking more in to the here-and-now and concrete details instead of abstract patterns

On the other hand, judgement can be also done in two ways; it can be done for quantifiable things, judging value between two black-and-white comparisons (Thinking). It can be also be done for unquantifiable things, judging value in aspects like love or personal values (“do I love Alice or Bob more?”) (Feeling)

So as a result, we have 4 functions (Sensing, Intuition, Thinking, Feeling) and for each of these four functions , there is an introverted and an extroverted version.

Picture of a swimming person to illustrate the idea of introversion vs extroversion — Think of introversion and extroversion like water and land, for introverts, the inner mind is the relaxing land while it takes effort to “swim” in the outer word

The extroverted functions are oriented outwards towards the external world, they are:

Extroverted Sensing (Se): Enjoying the finer aspects of life in food, fashion. Being physically in tune with the world
Extroverted Intuition (Ne): From one observation, deriving ten different ideas and possibilities
Extroverted Thinking (Te): Real-world practicality, results-driven, things that can be written down on a resume
Extroverted Feeling (Fe): Being able to “read the room”, attuned to the social atmosphere, tailoring your words to your audience

The introverted functions are oriented inwards towards the subjective personal world

Introverted Sensing (Si): Seeing and remembering things as they were in the past, taking things step by step
Introverted Intuition (Ni): From ten observations, deriving one single theory that explains everything. Projecting the one future path that most likely will happen
Introverted Thinking (Ti): Logical and consistent, having various categories to ensure that everything has its own place in a water-tight system
Introverted Feeling (Fi): Having a clear idea of individual desires, values, tastes. Living life authentically without being affected by what the rest of the world does

A more detailed explanation of each of the functions can be found here.

Flow chart of how Jungian psychology branched into the 8 mbti functions — A flow chart that summarizes how Jung theorized the existence of 8 cognitive functions

How to determine the Function Stack of an MBTI Type?

A person’s combination of functions (i.e. the function stack) can’t simply be randomly picked from the list of 8 functions (otherwise we would have 8^{^8} = 16,777,216 types! There are commonly accepted rules for the positions and pairings of the functions developed by readers of Jung such as Myers Briggs and John Beebe.
Each function has a partner: its “opposite” within the same Judging/Perceiving category.
- Perceiving function pairs
  - Introverted Intuition (Ni) + Extroverted Sensing (Se) Contextual
  - Extroverted Intuition (Ne) + Introverted Sensing (Si) Universal
- Judging Function Pairs
  - Introverted Feeling (Fi) + Extroverted Thinking (Te) Contextual
  - Extroverted Feeling (Fe) + Introverted Thinking (Ti) Universal
Every person’s first four function slots are comprised of one Perceiving function pair and one Judging function pair
- Thus four possible combinations; there are four different ways to pair one Perceiving function pair with one Judging function pair

Democratic	Theocratic
Ne/Si + Fi/Te	Ni/Se + Fe/Ti
Atomic	Monarchic
Ne/Si + Fe/Ti	Ni/Se + Fi/Te

Within a person’s first four function slots, one function pair will occupy the 1st (“Dominant”) and 4th (“Inferior”/”Primitive”) slots. The other function pair will occupy the 2nd (“Auxiliary”) and 3rd (“Tertiary”) slots
Between the Dominant and Auxiliary Functions,
- There is one extroverted and one introverted
- There is one perceiving (N/S) and one judging (T/F)

To put everything together, here is an example of how we determine the functions of the ENFP type:

Step 1: Determine the orientation of the dominant function:

First letter tells you the orientation of the dominant function

The first letter “E” means Dominant function is Extroverted

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	(Intuition or Sensing or Thinking or Feeling)
Auxiliary	(Introverted or Extroverted)	(Intuition or Sensing or Thinking or Feeling

because the dominant function is Extroverted, the Auxiliary function must be Introverted

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	(Intuition or Sensing or Thinking or Feeling)
Auxiliary	Introverted	(Intuition or Sensing or Thinking or Feeling

Step 2: Use the fourth letter narrows down the extroverted function

Fourth letter “P” means the Extroverted function is a Perceiving function (either N or S)

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	(Intuition or Sensing)
Auxiliary	Introverted	(Intuition or Sensing or Thinking or Feeling)

because the Extroverted function is a Perceiving function, the Introverted function must be a Judging function (T or F)

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	(Intuition or Sensing)
Auxiliary	Introverted	(Thinking or Feeling)

Step 3: Use the second letter to decide whether the person is “Intuition” or “Sensing”

ENFP: “N” stands for Intuition rather than Sensing

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	Intuition
Auxiliary	Introverted	(Thinking or Feeling)

Step 4: Use the third letter to decide whether the person is “Thinking” or “Feeling”

ENFP: Letter F stands for Feeling rather than Thinking

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	Intuition
Auxiliary	Introverted	Feeling

Step 5: Determine the tertiary function

Each function has a partner: its “opposite” within the same Judging/Perceiving category.

The Tertiary is simply the function pair of the Auxiliary

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	Intuition
Auxiliary	Introverted	Feeling
Tertiary	Extroverted	Thinking

Step 6: Determine the inferior function

The Inferior/Primitive is simply the function pair of the Dominant

Position	Orientation	Function
Dominant	Extroverted	Intuition
Auxiliary	Introverted	Feeling
Tertiary	Extroverted	Thinking
Inferior / Primitive	Introverted	Sensing

Do you get it? Why not try to apply the same process above to determine the top four cognitive functions of your MBTI function stack? For a quick cheat sheet to look up different types’ stacks, click here.

So I hope you have had a better understanding of the other “deeper” aspect of MBTI and the commonly accepted model of the function stack in each type. This will unlock a more in-depth level of self-understanding for yourself based on your type.

The next step is to relook at your specific function stack and familiarize yourself with the definition and usage of each of these functions. Then, you can reflect on how these functions manifest in your life, then learn the theory further, and repeat. It will be a fulfilling and amazing journey of self-discovery with the aid of MBTI and Jungian functions!

References

Myers, Isabel Briggs, and Peter B. Myers. Gifts differing: Understanding personality type. Consulting Psychologists Press, 1980.
Beebe, John. Energies and patterns in psychological type: The reservoir of consciousness. Routledge, 2016.
Jung, Carl. Psychological types. Routledge, 2016.

This was a guest article written by CS Ng. For more content from the author, check out here.

A more detailed explanation by him on the function stack can be found here.

Cheat Sheet: Function Stack of Each MBTI Type

The 8 cognitive functions

The four extroverted functions are oriented outwards towards the external world, they are:

Extroverted Sensing (Se): Enjoying the finer aspects of life in food, fashion. Being physically in tune with the world
Extroverted Intuition (Ne): From one observation, deriving ten different ideas and possibilities
Extroverted Thinking (Te): Real-world practicality, results-driven, things that can be written down on a resume
Extroverted Feeling (Fe): Being able to “read the room”, attuned to the social atmosphere, tailoring your words to your audience

The four introverted functions are oriented inwards towards the subjective personal world

Introverted Sensing (Si): Seeing and remembering things as they were in the past, taking things step by step
Introverted Intuition (Ni): From ten observations, deriving one single theory that explains everything. Projecting the one future path that most likely will happen
Introverted Thinking (Ti): Logical and consistent, having various categories to ensure that everything has its own place in a water-tight system
Introverted Feeling (Fi): Having a clear idea of individual desires, values, tastes. Living life authentically without being affected by what the rest of the world does

Cheat sheet: Use this table for quick reference to see which functions are in each type

	Dominant	Auxiliary	Tertiary	Inferior / Primitive
ISFJ	Introverted Sensing (Si)	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)	Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)
ESFJ	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)	Introverted Sensing (Si)	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)	Introverted Thinking (Ti)
INTP	Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)	Introverted Sensing (Si)	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
ENTP	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)	Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)	Introverted Sensing (Si)

ISTJ	Introverted Sensing (Si)	Extroverted Thinking (Te)	Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)
ESTJ	Extroverted Thinking (Te)	Introverted Sensing (Si)	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)	Introverted Feeling (Fi)
INFP	Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)	Introverted Sensing (Si)	Extroverted Thinking (Te)
ENFP	Extroverted Intuition (Ne)	Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Extroverted Thinking (Te)	Introverted Sensing (Si)

INFJ	Introverted Intuition (Ni)	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)	Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Extroverted Sensing (Se)
ENFJ	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)	Introverted Intuition (Ni)	Extroverted Sensing (Se)	Introverted Thinking (Ti)
ISTP	Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Extroverted Sensing (Se)	Introverted Intuition (Ni)	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)
ESTP	Extroverted Sensing (Se)	Introverted Thinking (Ti)	Extroverted Feeling (Fe)	Introverted Intuition (Ni)

INTJ	Introverted Intuition (Ni)	Extroverted Thinking (Te)	Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Extroverted Sensing (Se)
ENTJ	Extroverted Thinking (Te)	Introverted Intuition (Ni)	Extroverted Sensing (Se)	Introverted Feeling (Fi)
ISFP	Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Extroverted Sensing (Se)	Introverted Intuition (Ni)	Extroverted Thinking (Te)
ESFP	Extroverted Sensing (Se)	Introverted Feeling (Fi)	Extroverted Thinking (Te)	Introverted Intuition (Ni)

Are You A Thinker Or Feeler?

Can I ask if you are left-handed or right-handed? The chance is you are a right-handed person, because it is the majority of our population. How do you know that you are right-handed? It is a very obvious question almost without a need to explain. If we need to break down the reasons, there are three ways you know that your type is a right-handed: 1) The frequency of you using your right hand in a day is higher than your left and 2) Your right hand feels a lot more natural and real and 3) Your right hand will objectively be better at handling heavier objects or more complex tasks.

That is how you should think about your opposing function of Thinking and Feeling as well. Do keep the above ideas of left and right hand in mind as we further learn about the true definition of Thinking and Feeling in Jungian psychology.

If you are a visual learner, you can also follow this video below:

The definitions

Besides Introversion and Extroversion, Thinking and Feeling are the second dimension in analytical psychology (the third dimension is Intuition versus Sensing). These concepts were first introduced in the early 20th century by Carl Gustav Jung (1875 – 1961), a famous Swiss psychiatrist who developed the idea of Psychological Types, the precursor to the extremely popular Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test and framework.

My philosophy for Our Human Minds have always been to adhere as much as possible to the original understanding and work of Carl Jung to help readers understand accurately the cognitive functions. It is a longer path, but trust me, it is more rewarding and surer way to achieve more accurate self-understanding than purely taking the online test and read the descriptions of the 16 MBTI personalities!

Unlike left and right hand, Thinking and Feeling preferences in analytical psychology are more distinct, serving very different purposes. Your two hands do not oppose each other, but Thinking and Feeling do by definition. Hence, being aware of them and knowing how to develop your weaker function and learn to make them synchronize holds the potential for not only more productivity but also psychological maturity and wholeness.

The definition of “Thinking” and “Feeling” in Jungian psychology are easily confused with the more layman definitions that we use in our daily languages. They should not be confused with logic versus emotion. You need to understand them in a more fundamental way, that they are evaluative & rational processes to judge incoming information, whether something is right or wrong, good and bad…

Thinking and Feeling aim to clearly distinguish between the two distinct preferences for decision-making: impersonal versus personal/interpersonal respectively. The easiest way to visualize this difference is in the common stereotype between men versus women in our society. Men are known to prefer to “solve problems” and break down problems “logically” while on the other hand, women simply want to be listened to, to be empathized and understood.

Thinkers (both men and women) prefer to solve problems objectively

While this is a stereotype, indeed, some of the surveys have shown that there is a slight preference (55%) among men for Thinking and a strong preference (75%) of women who have a Feeling preference. How much of this is the surveyed individuals’ true preferences and how much is a result of social expectation & conditioning, is for another debate. However, I would like to add that based on this survey, thinking that all men are or have to be super logical or women have to be relationship-oriented is a gross simplification and unfair treatment to both sexes.

To break it down further, thinking manifests itself as preference for using objective and measurable frameworks for clear-cut decision making. It is about using objective criteria, conceptual frameworks, pros and cons, structures, logical systems… People with Thinking preference value and take pride in being efficient, precise, goal and task-oriented. Something is good if it is placed in the right category, gives better measurable results, more efficient etc.

On the other hand, Feeling places stronger emphasis on human’s welfare, values and preferences. As an introverted function, it’s about knowing a strong moral sense of right and wrong, of feeling an urge to help the less fortunate, to be humanitarian, to overcome unfairness and restore equality. Extroverted version is about about maintaining a harmonious atmosphere (when hosting a house party for example), making sure common pleasantries and “civilized” etiquettes are adhered to, while making sure everyone has a good time.

	Thinking	Feeling
Definition	Impersonal evaluation	Interpersonal and value-based decision-making
Related concepts	objective criteria, pros and cons, measurable results, conceptual frameworks, logical systems	values, morality, harmony, personal preferences, gut feels of right and wrong

Quick Exercise : What is your true preference based on the above definition?
You might need to think about when you are younger or in a more comfortable place at home without any stress of work or “have to” pressure. Social expectation and work stresses might force us to over-compensate to the point of losing sight of who we truly are, like Feeling men are often expected to appear logical and tough, or your jobs have required you to develop your weaker function, even if in your younger years you are the opposite.

Develop Thinking

This section is more relevant for Feeler who has a natural strength in making decisions based on personal values or harmony, but as a result, devoting less consciousness energy in using systemic/impersonal perspectives. We will look at concrete steps that you can take to gradually build up confidence in using the skills and become more holistic in decision making.

Playing a big part of your ego, Feeling – the preference for using value and personal-preference based approach, is part of your identity. The cause that you care about, friends and family, the social connection and status that represent your deepest conviction and meaning of life, are valid. As much as it’s important to acknowledge the other side of the equation, in the end, Thinking should serve in a supporting role and not to dominate your preference for personal values or interpersonal harmony.

Just like this two-people bike, you should let your dominant function to take the lead and guide the other function, not the other way round!

The development of your weaker functions and achieving wholeness is a life-long quest, so the instruction below serves as a general direction and examples of the kind of steps you can take to develop Thinking.

Remember that the basic definition of Thinking is the use of impersonal systems, framework and measurable results and data. Hence, you can:

Learn from someone close to you who is strong in Thinking like your family members or colleagues. Talk to them more or reflect on the time you guys spend time together. Learn about how they conduct themselves differently, understand why they do it and see if you can learn and integrate some of their techniques or philosophy.
Develop interests in activities that require strong impersonal reasoning and decision making such as chess, finance, computer games…
Integrate productivity tools such as planner, calendar, deadlines and KPIs clearly for both personal work and managing others.
Take courses, read books, watch videos… on productivity, time and project management.
Learn to say No. It’s very natural for Feeler to go with the flow and say yes to keep harmony. Saying No doesn’t mean being harsh or rude if you can explain yourself clearly. It doesn’t have to be black and white either, you can also negotiate what you’d like to do and what you cannot do or you feel is not fair. It’s hard at first, but it’s an essential skill that will go a long way!

Knowing other ways to develop your Thinking side that can help other readers? Feel free to comment below!

Develop Feeling

This is more relevant to Thinking dominant type. Again, it’s important that you acknowledge and embrace your identity as a Thinker and develop Feeling as a support for a more holistic decision making process. Your Thinking function should still be in the driver seat!

Find friends, family or colleagues who you know well and you are fairly certain they are stronger in Feeling. Get to know them more and reflect on how they conduct things differently and see whether you can integrate some of their physiology and methods to your daily life.
Engage in reflective activities like meditation, arts, writing… to reflect on your values and what’s important to you. Remember, it’s a gradual process that requires patience and regular practices.
Engage in social activities and roles that you have to interact more with people. Recognise some of your biases and see it from a more positive light when it comes to social relationships.
Immerse yourself in nature, away from distraction of work and technology, to hear and embrace your inner voices, values and feelings.

Are you a Thinker that has other ways that work? Feel free to share below.

I hope you now have a clearer understanding of the distinction between these rational dimensions of Thinking versus Feeling. In reality, these two preferences never exist as standalone in a healthy person’s psyche but work in tandem. But since they are mutually exclusive/cancelling out, it’s natural to prioritize and put your conscious energy into one while “send to exile” the other, giving little conscious energy to nourish and maintain it.

If possible, you should learn further about how Introversion and Extroversion are combined with Thinking and Feeling to give rise to 4 distinct Cognitive Processes/Functions: Introverted Thinking, Extroverted Thinking, Introverted Feeling and Extroverted Feeling. This breakdown will bring in a whole new level of depth and opportunities for self-understanding and development. Good luck!

References

Type Fundamentals Guide @mbti-notes

Psychological types by CG. Jung

Intuition vs Sensing: Two Distinct Ways Our Mind Takes In Information

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test and framework have popularized the concepts of extroversion, introversions and the cognitive processes that you probably have heard of: Thinking vs Feeling, Intuition vs Sensing. However, these concepts were first introduced in the early 20th century by Carl Gustav Jung (1875 – 1961), a famous Swiss psychiatrist who founded analytical psychology.

Understand the fundamentals of these processes is crucial for any further learning and reading of MBTI-related theories and Jungian psychology. At the very least, you will be able to decipher the various functions that make up your personality type and how they interact together to form your unique cognitive patterns.

So let’s dive in to the first pairs of two opposite processes: Intuition and Sensing! If you prefer to watch instead of reading, below is a detailed video explanation I have made on the same topic:

The Definitions

This dichotomy is how we perceive and make sense of information, either in a dominantly concrete or abstract manner.

Concrete information is tangible sensory information, something that you can feel, see, taste, hear. With regards to time, it’s also related to what is here and now, what’s currently going on in society and most immediate environment. Jung termed this process of accessing concrete information: sensing and those with this preference are called sensors

Abstract information is intangible conceptual information, such as reading between the lines, metaphors, meaning behind things, future possibilities … The person likes to think far ahead, using past data to foresee future outcomes and behaviors. The process of using abstract perception is termed Intuition and the people who prefer it over sensing are called intuitives.

We both can use sensing and intuition at will, we have preference to prioritize one over the other. Our preferred side is more dominant, natural, and more developed like the left and right hand. Sensors are generally better at noticing and remembering details of a discussion while intuitives often only remember the key points or vibe.

	Intuition dominant	Sensing dominant
How an intuitive and sensor notice a book in bookshop differently (in order of what the person see first)	Essence of what’s it about Relevance to me Seem a bit worn out	Eww one corner is torn off! The cover design is corny What is it about?

Example of how an intuitive and sensing person would notice an object differently

According to statistical studies, Sensors significantly outnumber Intuitives in the general population.(70-75% of the population are sensors). It is a big advantage if you are aware of the sensing-intuitive difference because this dichotomy is often a common source of misunderstanding in work and personal relationships.

Sensors look for concrete facts and details and take things as they are and work with them. Intuitives look for abstract patterns and connections because they prefer to deal with the potential of objects, believing that reality can be different or changed, with a hopeful lens for the future. Sensors are more realistic and grounded while intuitives are more idealistic.

When Sensors intuit for too long, they feel impatient with too much theory and abstract thoughts. Meanwhile, intuitives can easily be put off by feeling forced to explain or sequence “every little detail” and would rather get back to entertaining new or interesting possibilities to restore equilibrium to their personality.

Evolutionary and social roles

Many would think that Intuition – the ability for more abstract thinking should exist only in humans or modern humans but the truth is both Intuition and Sensing exist in animals too. A lot of animals are known for their gut feeling or ability to memorise patterns (like salmon or birds that migrate thousands of miles to the places they are born). Of course, abstract thinking is more pronounced in humans because we have developed tools like languages and the concept of time, which significantly boosts our capacity for abstract thinking.

Any MBTI types are capable of both, as mentioned above. The average humans, regardless of types, are capable of comprehending and using way more abstraction than any other species on planet earth. I suspect that the part of Intuition and Sensing in our brains are pretty distinctive and mutually exclusive. However, why don’t we all evolve to become abstract thinkers?

Because both ways of thinking are important to get any society or any project to function. It is a matter of spectrum. For example, Einstein came up with the E=MC2 formula, which is an example of highly abstract work! But society don’t just exist out of a formula! We need to further “concretize” the abstraction into practical and applicable tasks – the realm of Sensing. We further apply it to build space craft, atomic bomb… then we need people who like to take specific instruction on how to make that part of the space craft, what color is the craft, what materials is it made of… down to the smallest details!

What does it mean for you?

I hope the overview above gives you a more accurate and objective view of the two primary modes of information perception in the population. Keep it in mind when you interact next with other people and see if you can tell if they are sensors or intuitives. Two people of the same types will have an easier time communicating while you should be a bit more mindful of people who do not share the same preference. In essence, intuitive people love abstract and somewhat theoretical discussion while sensing-dominant people want to know the details and concrete steps.

No preference is better than the others. We have our respective social roles and strengths and weaknesses. In particular, if you are an intuitive, you might be the minority but with great potential for big-pictured thoughts and acquisition of abstract and innovative information. If you ever feel misunderstood or broken in some ways cause you are not in tune or don’t care about the latest social trends or norms, it’s ok. There are other people like you and there are exciting discovery ahead when things start to make sense and you will finally discover your true identity and purpose, even if it takes slightly longer than usual.

Why Does Your MBTI Make You A Late Bloomer

Source: truity.com

Let’s face it, even in the 21st century, what society defines as success is still very much materialistic. Whether someone is considered to do well in life depends on how high is his or her earning, his material possession and other status symbols including having (attractive) romantic partners.

The average income chart above by MBTI types portray a perspective of success. The highest earners on average are ENTJ and ESTJ while the lowest earners are INFP and ISFP. Overall, higher scores on extraversion (E), thinking (T), sensing (S) and judging (J) better predict financial success.

The reason that I phrase this article as “late bloomer” is because even though there is no survey that I know of, I do believe the material gap between types will lessen as people become more mature and balanced. The second reason is that even if the gap is still there, you will better accept who you are and the non-material and non-traditional sense of success that you create, which will give you better self-confidence and happiness down the road.

Introversion

There has been a rising support for the power of the introvert in the past decades with many books and articles that talk about the hidden advantage of being an introvert. They might be stereotyped as wallflowers who are meek and easily pushed over.

The truth is that introverts are not the minority. They are almost equal in the share of population as extroverts and introversion and shyness are not the same, though they can be easily mistaken. Introversion simply means the information processing pathway is longer and consumes more energy. Hence, introverts tend to think more and are easily overwhelmed by external stimuli.

It’s easy to see how introversion leads you to become a late bloomer. Life is tough and complicated at the start. You can be overwhelmed by the world when younger and it will take longer for introverts to consolidate and master this wave of insights and nuances in their brilliant but overwhelming minds.

Not only can introverts catch up with extroverts later in life in material success, their insightful minds allow them to excel in highly skilled and specialized careers such as writer, scientist and philosopher. These careers might not be the best paid, but they have the potential to be highly celebrated and to propel society forward.

FEELING

If your type has letter F instead of T, you lean more towards feeling, which has to do with either intrapersonal or interpersonal relationships than efficiency and logic (T).

Feeling can either be introverted or so-called intrapersonal (Fi) (most dominant in INFP and ISFP) or extraverted/interpersonal (Fe) (which is dominant in ENFJ and ESFJ). Introverted feeling will likely have it the hardest at younger age because it is very hard to express and easily misunderstood. It is primarily concerned with moral right and wrong, living authentically and freely according to their inner compass of beauty.

This inward feeling may make you artistic yet impractical because deep down you yearn to express something of profound beauty but also makes you unable to take on more practical tasks and jobs, which feels inauthentic to your being. It will take time and sometimes luck to find a path that is both spiritually fulfilling yet lucrative. Introverted feelers like ISFP and INFP make the best artists and poets but their path will be long and rocky.

Extraverted feeling users, especially introverted ones (INFJ and ISFJ) would also feel under par because they find it hard to assert themselves and risk upsetting others. This function chiefly concerns maintaining a harmonious social atmosphere, causing you to feel it hard to just simply put people aside to get what you want. But humans are ultimately social creatures and being able to get on the good sides of the group often can take you far ahead, including in your finance and career.

INTUITION

I believe the Intuitive (N) – Sensing (S) dimension is the most interesting yet often overlooked in MBTI. Only about 25-30% of the population are intuitive, so they are way more rare than introverts! You can think of the intuitive-oriented person simply as a nerdy book-smart kind of person who is more interested in philosophy and theories than concrete facts and actions.

Intuitives, especially INFP, INTP, ENFP and ENTP (extraverted intuition) are often scattered-brain big-pictured people who have a hard time being decisive. To them the world is full of possibilities where traditional and well-accepted concepts like marriage, houses, children and even money should be questioned and explored.

With so much information and so many questions being shifted and synthesized, no wonder it takes longer for them to reach a stable stage in life. They make for smart students but somewhat clueless and restless young or even middle-aged adults while their sensing-dominant peers have happily accepted and settled into more traditional paths and roles.

However, the gift of this unconventional and big-picture mindset is the potential for paradigm shifting and holistic perspectives. Survey might suggest that intuitives earn slightly less than sensors but one reason is because the former takes longer to synthesize their perspectives, which can go beyond the immediate needs of themselves and families to challenge the status quo and propel society’s understanding forward. They make for wise and profound innovators and teachers of arts, philosophy and sciences.

So in conclusion, even if you are at the receiving end of all the disadvantaged factors above, like even in the case of INFP and ISFP, don’t be discouraged. Your mind is uniquely created for a special purpose with unique strengths and values. Of course life is tough for everyone and everyone needs a certain degree of material and practical success, but social contribution and your path to success are just not in a traditional sense. Your life purpose might be more towards helping others or helping society make new breakthroughs or to find the secrets of the universe, at the expense of the practical aspects – and that is ok!