ISTJs Auxiliary Function: Understanding the ISTJs Secondary Extraverted Thinking (Te)

When searching for a deeper understanding of the personality types, it is important to understand each one of their functions. While we often focus on the dominant and even inferior functions, knowing the auxiliary and tertiary ones are also vital. It is not just about knowing what functions each type possesses but rather how these functions behave within the stack. When a function is dominant it will present differently than when it is auxiliary, and so understanding this is truly important if you want to understand each personality type. Knowing each function on it’s own doesn’t really give you a true comprehension of how the personality type is going to utilize that function. Instead you need to learn more about the placement of each function and how it corresponds with each personality type.

ISTJs are very practical people who care about getting things done efficiently. Their dominant function might be their Si, but their auxiliary function is often the one which stands out the most to others. Since their aux function is the ISTJs first extraverted function, it is often the one which is the most outwardly expressed to the world around them. This function is their Te or extraverted thinking, and it is part of what drives the ISTJs to value efficiency so much. They care about getting things done and are often great at finding ways to solve problems without constantly needing to rely on others to do things for them. While they can certainly work with other people, ISTJs are not afraid of taking on challenges themselves. Their Te plays a strong role in how they handle problems, especially when it comes to the workplace.

How Te Works

Extraverted thinking or Te is very focused on getting things done and being as efficient as possible in the process. It is a function which is easily recognizable since it isn’t focused on emotions or people, instead it is focused on processes and systems. Te is very to the point, wanting to get to the core of the situation and not waste time with pointless analysis. Once the user finds the best solution they want to focus on taking action, rather than spending too much time trying to overanalyze and consider other options. They don’t need to constantly explore possibilities, instead they want to look at what is clear and accurate. The Te dominant user wants to find the most efficient way to better a situation and path, wanting everything to be done in the best way possible. They care about understanding information and facts, but won’t waste time once they know they are right about something. This is what can cause Te users to seem a bit harsh in how direct they are, but it isn’t about hurting feelings or being cruel. The intention is simply to focus on the facts and to strategize, rather than focusing on emotions or sensitivities. They become very clear and concise, not wanting to leave any room for error or misunderstanding in a situation. They are not afraid of taking charge, their Te helping them dictate and get things done in a leadership position. Te can become a very action-oriented function, not wanting to sit around and wait for things to happen. It allows the user to figure out the most strategic way to solve a problem, optimizing their abilities and finding ways to make the process superior. Once they figure out the best way to get the job done, they are not afraid of taking charge and moving forward rather than stagnating and becoming doubtful. 

Auxiliary Te in ISTJs

For the ISTJ their auxiliary function is actually the one which stands out most, and plays a major role in aiding their Si. This is their main way of interacting with the world and connecting with the information around them. It drives the ISTJ to value efficiency above most things, wanting to always get things done with a sense of accuracy and a strong work ethic. They care about doing things the right way, rather than always searching for shortcuts and easy ways out. They can become rather annoyed with lazy people and actions, wanting to find ways of improving at all times. They value healthy competition in their lives and this is something which often stems from the use of their Te. They can see how they could be doing better, and sometimes competing with others is what helps them to grab hold of that extra push they need in order to improve themselves. They need to find ways to always keep moving forward and really care about taking action rather than just speaking about things. The ISTJ is also very practical about their choices, wanting to ensure that they do not waste time or energy on things which won’t be useful for them or their loved ones.

Their Te is part of what helps the ISTJ make fast decisions, rather than needing to constantly analyze each choice. Their minds have likely already worked through the facts and information, and this helps them figure out the most logical choice to make and path to follow. While ISTJs are introverts who often prefer to spend time on their own. Their Te is something which helps them to take charge if the situation calls for it. They can appear somewhat aggressive and direct when they are focused on getting things done, and are not afraid of giving instructions. This is definitely in large part because of their auxiliary Te, as it helps the ISTJ figure out the best way to delegate and ensure that everyone works together smoothly. The ISTJ values being able to keep moving forward, rather than constantly wasting time and energy analyzing a situation or a problem. They can see a way to getting things done efficiently, and this is the path they want to take. This can be intimidating for people at times, especially since it isn’t always outwardly expressed in ISTJs as much as in ESTJs or ENTJs.

 

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