The TiNe and Fe

faelyn - i like what you say about approach to social dynamics being a value judgement i agree that it makes the most sense for us each to forge our own path. however, i also think of what it means to inspire others - something i see as a necessary part of human progress - and realize that any movement to affect is a kind of directivity. i think there may be an approach (or several) that rests in the middle of the extremes of adaptive and directive, which both honors independence and allows for people to inspire each other. this is the ideal of my own Fe..


The topic of this thread has been simmering in the back of my mind for a while. It made me realize how little I'd actually quantified the operation of my Fe, especially in writing. (I find that articulating a concept is one of the best ways to work out the inconsistencies and fully grasp it, so writing things down is important for me).

Some of the thoughts I've had were written in this post on the CT forum. I think, from what I've seen, that in general the form of Fe changes depending on a TiNe's development. Adaptive Fe is the passive, less energy intensive modality of the function, and so I think this may be the default for TiNe being that Fe's our polar and therefore energetically opposite to our native state. I've seen it in myself and Erifrail that directive Fe develops with time and practice. As one achieves a greater proficiency with the function, more sophisticated approaches are formed for managing social dynamics, and so it becomes possible to more successfully move things in a directive way. Along with practice of using Fe, more emotional stamina also develops and allows for more impactful expression.

As for my own development, Fe started out as completely adaptive and passive. I would respond to people in the way I thought was expected, and watch their behavior so I could emulate them in order to 'approach them on their own level'. As I grew a bit older, perhaps the age of 12, I started to play more of a diplomatic role among groups of friends. If there was a conflict between people, I would get everyone involved to sit down and talk it out in order to restore social harmony. I'd play the role of advisor to friends, and often the whole relationship was to help them troubleshoot life. Fe would manifest in this supportive/adaptive role until I was put on a team for a school project. Quality of work and good grades were important to me, so I would use Fe to organize the group in order to achieve the best outcome possible. I'd start a discussion about what each person was good at or what they'd like to do, and divide tasks based on talent. In most cases I'd end up doing most the work.. but that's actually the way I wanted it, since Ti has a certain vision for things

At this point in my life, my Fe is basically a more aware/matured form of what it was before. It's kind of a hybrid between the descriptions I wrote of Adaptive Diplomatic Fe and Directive Diplomatic Fe. Usually I operate in an adaptive, listening/questioning modality since my primary desire in communication is to reach an understanding of others and assist them in finding the answers they seek. But i've been learning how to stand up for myself and let others know what my opinions and needs are. This isn't so easy.. as Faelyn mentioned, being directive is energy intensive >.<

EDIT: Upon further reflection on this topic, as part of my continued investigation into it, I've realized that the above description of my experience with Fe is not complete. Although in part it is accurate - I have tended to respond with adaptive Fe - there is a modality of Fe in me which is very directive and has been so since my late childhood. I call this modality Phoenix, because it is what has allowed me to overcome and survive through hardship.


Phoenix is a direct response to challenge, especially if that challenge is to improve myself. I think this may be one example of the general J-lead trait to stand up for one's principles, and more specifically of Ji's tendency to defend one's concept of self. As per the description of Ji's specificity in outlook, it takes very specific circumstances for Phoenix to manifest in me. In general, I don't care what people think enough to become directive, but when I'm challenged in a way that's relevant to my own values/outlook or survival, then Fe gets serious

So in light of this realization, I'd say that my Fe does change its modality dependent on the circumstance; it's adaptive when I'm just trying to get by socially, diplomatic when addressing others, and directive when defending or optimizing my self.