XSTJ/XNTJ: Am I a Te dominant or auxiliary?

We published this article a while back, but noticed that it was due for a significant update. Basically, what we’re talking about here is, am an introverted TJ or an extraverted TJ? You may think that this is an odd question to be asking. If you enjoy spending tons of time around people, then you’re an extravert, right? That’s what most people would tell you anyway. But, as explained in Typing 101: Introversion vs. Extraversion, that is not necessarily true. In fact, Te is probably the least people-oriented out of all the extraverted functions. In fact, we specifically wrote an article called 7 Reasons Why EXTJs Type As Introverts. If you’re interested, check it out. Otherwise, continue on down the page, and we’ll cover the basic reason before launching into the meat of this article.

The Essence of Te

In short, extraverted thinking is about taking objective facts and applying them to the external world. High Te users want to fix their surroundings to match their definition of efficient and rational. Te users will want to enforce order to achieve their goals, and will make decisions with that idea in mind. People’s feelings (and possibly their own) will take a backseat to their desire for order and efficiency.
The point? Te has very little to do with people, and therefore dominant Te does not require the presence of people. It merely requires control over its environment. To that end, Te dominants will use whatever resources are available to them, which can include people, if present. However, that doesn’t mean a Te dominant is going to seek out people to control. Sure, a Te user might do that, but not necessarily.

BEFORE YOU CONTINUE ON DOWN THE PAGE

Take note that when an EXTJ and their introverted counterpart are both mature, they may appear very similar. Maturity will temper the Te dom and draw out the Te aux. When you consider this article, try to figure out what your overall lifelong tendencies have been. Basically, what your shortcomings usually were, what you’ve typically found easiest, where you tended to fail the most… etc.

Dominant Te vs Auxiliary Te

1. EXTJs will place priority on their Te, while IXTJs will allow their dominant function to override their Te.

Not to make an obvious statement, but a Te dominant is leading with Te. That means that Te will usually take priority over all of the other functions. The reverse is true for Te auxiliaries. An aux Te will (more often than not) yield to their dominant function, whether that be Ni or Si. Te will usually take second priority. So, what does all this mean practically? Continue reading.

2. EXTJs are very action-oriented, whereas IXTJs are more cautious.

Te is primarily concerned with achieving the end goal, which means they’re focusing on efficiency, because they’re aiming to restructure their environment in a specific way as quickly as possible. Ergo, a dominant Te user is prone to cutting corners in an effort to accomplish their goal. They’ll be more likely to adhere to “the end justifies the means.” They probably won’t be overly worried about risk-taking if they feel it’s justified. They’re people of action. However, a Te aux is a completely different story. Let’s take a look at the IXTJs.

Both of the IXTJs are leading with an introverted perceiving function, meaning that they’re top concern will be gathering information, rather than acting. The same is not true for the Te dominant. A Te dominant will not want to spend an excess amount of time in a state of inaction. They’ll want to move forward and get the task done. I’m not saying they’ll make a bunch of hasty and foolish mistakes, but they’ll be more eager to plow on ahead and take a risk.

Part of the reason that the Ni and Si dominants are gathering information is to mitigate risk. This makes them as a whole more cautious than the Te dominants. The aux. Te is frequently going to be overridden by the introverted perceiving function and the desire to plan before acting. Instead of plowing headlong toward their goal, they would rather only have to do it once which leads to them being slow up front, but possibly making up time in the long run by making fewer changes or mistakes. However, an overabundance of planning could lead to them not acting at all if they can’t devise a seemingly perfect plan to act upon.

SO, let’s conclude point #2 with this observation: If you’re the type that usually has regrets because of something you DID, you’re probably an EXTJ. On the contrary, if you’re the type that usually has regrets because of something you DIDN’T do (or failed to do soon enough), you’re probably an IXTJ.

3. EXTJs will more readily exercise their Te in public, while IXTJs will limit it to their own personal environment or physical person

We all use our dominant function the most, and it is the most difficult function for us to smother. Therefore, Te dominants will probably find it very easy to step up and take on the role of manager, commander, boss, or any other similar role while in public, if they feel it is needed or the current structure is lacking. They won’t necessarily desire leadership, but if they see incompetency, they’ll desire to fix it. They’ll probably find it relatively second nature to boss people around and take control of their environment. (And I mean that in the best possible way, :P) I once watched a Te dominant “fix” a problem in a way that the person in need did not want it “fixed”, and then he had to go back and “unfix” it later. He hadn’t really taken the time to find out what the person wanted, and he was completely oblivious of his error before his wife informed him of it.

A Te aux, on the other hand, will primarily relegate this exertion of control to their home environment, a place where they feel comfortable, or maybe their intimate circle of friends. They’ll maintain tight control over their schedule, their home, and anything else that is solely theirs. They’ll be more hesitant to try and control the people in their lives or the public environment.

4. EXTJs will probably be harsher (quicker to speak and share opinions), while IXTJs will refrain more.

Once again, this point is a natural extension of the previous point. Since Te dominants will find it easier and more natural to use their Te, they’ll probably share their opinions and judgements more readily. Ergo, EXTJs are more likely to speak up, call someone out for something, tell them that they’re wrong, or face conflict head on. In other words, they’ll be more prone to angering others or rubbing people the wrong way. IXTJs, while not necessarily afraid to share their thoughts, won’t instinctively open their mouths to do so. (Bear in mind though, that the context here is in a more public setting, rather than an intimate/private one. IXTJs can be just as blunt as the EXTJs when in their comfort zone. ) Otherwise, an IXTJ’s primary mode is observation, not action. They won’t feel compelled to correct people as much as the EXTJ, unless they believe failing to speak up will have personal ramifications. (For instance, someone is about to make a stupid decision that’s gonna screw up things for the IXTJ as well.)

Think about it like this. Neither type is highly empathetic, so let’s remove empathy complete from the picture for a second. When presented with the perfect opportunity to tell someone how much of an idiot they’re being, the EXTJ will more than likely jump on it and enthusiastically berate you, in comparison to the IXTJ who may take more pleasure in watching you pay for your mistakes. Because, you knew better, didn’t you?

5. EXTJs have inferior Fi, while IXTJs have tertiary Fi

Our inferior function is the one that causes us the most trouble. Inferior Fi results in a lack of understanding yourself or your ideals, and not placing proper emphasis on them. Sometimes their strong desire to accomplish their goal results in them ignoring their ideals and losing themselves in their pursuit of said goal. In addition, Te users tend to have an extreme distaste for strong emotional displays and weakness. (They also tend to have emotional processing delays similar to inferior Fe users due to them both having a feeling function as an inferior.) Te dominants tend to hate showing weakness of any kind. Another side effect of Inferior Fi tends to be low self esteem that the Te dominants usually feel the need to hide or overcompensate for. Because their Fi is inferior and by extension usually underdeveloped they tend to base their self worth off of their physical capabilities or worth. This low self esteem can at times lead to an overcompensation which results in an inflated ego that constantly needs to be fed and externally validated by others. In the positive, Inferior Fi tends to be much less stubborn or rigid about preferences or principles than tertiary Fi which can make them potentially more open-minded and flexible in this regard.

Note: This next section is going to look heavily slanted in favor of the tertiary Fi users due to the fact that the tertiary function does not cause nearly as many issues as the inferior function and does not tend to be a major tripping point.

Tertiary Fi users don’t tend to have self esteem problems in the way that inferior Fi users do. This does not mean that they are exempt from having those problems, but they are usually brought on because of a loop. Tertiary Fi tends to be much more self validating and in less need of external validation of themselves or their ego. They tend to have a more grounded and stubborn sense of who they are which can bring its own set of problems as it can make them rigid and inflexible when it comes to matters of preference or principle. As a whole identity isn’t something that will be a major tripping up point for IXTJs as they don’t tend to overthink or under-think themselves and their identity. (The exception to this as mentioned early is if they are looping, which looks very different from inferior Fi.)

6. EXTJs have tertiary Se or Ne as opposed to inferior Se or Ne.

Te dominants tend to be much more adaptable and flexible than their IXTJ counterparts, due to being tertiary extraverted perceivers. They usually have a more active desire to indulge their Pe function (Se or Ne), being generally less bothered with acting on impulse. By extension, this means they are less bothered when things go wrong, and are quicker to adjust to them. They even may find a certain degree of enjoyment from the thrill of the unexpected. Both Te dominants will also be more prone to lashing out in the moment and regretting it later.

Tertiary Se users tend to have an adventurous streak in them. They tend to express an enjoyment of physical activities, especially as a means to outlet stress. They also tend to be impulse spenders, and desire to experience the finer, more expensive things in life. In contrast, the tertiary Ne users tend to play with ideas in a way not too dissimilar from the higher Ne users. They’ll much more readily entertain possibilities, and generate multiple potential paths forward. They’ll readily indulge their Ne curiosity, allowing themselves to explore various options. Both EXTJs will be much more willing to make quick decisions to spur themselves forward into action, but then suddenly jump ship when the current trajectory no longer seems viable.

When it comes to the IXTJs, as mentioned earlier, inferior extraverted perceivers have a strong desire to mitigate risk. This is due to having poor extraverted perceiving. They will tend to struggle with spontaneity and possibly surprises, preferring to plan things out well in advance. They might be fine with adventure or travel or etc… if said activity has been planned or is something they are already familiar with. They will struggle to just launch headlong into a new experience without some kind of prior preparation.

ISTJs, with inferior Ne, tend to get caught up in paranoid worrying and fear. They imagine all the possible ways something could go wrong. They’ll imagine all kinds of scenarios, some will be rational and some will be irrational. This catastrophizing will drive their need for future planning and risk avoidance. They’ll attempt to cover all their bases and plan for every possible outcome. INTJs, with inferior Se, will do something similar, but instead of it focusing on all the different possible things that could go wrong, they will be more concerned and uncomfortable with dealing with the present moment, which will spur their need to plan for future moments. (Many inferior Se users struggle to feel fully present.) The inferior Se can also lead to avoidance and a state of constantly trying to live in the future, possibly leading to negligence of self or unhealthy habits such as over or under-indulgence in things like food.