INFJs are deep thinkers. They analyze. They predict. They notice patterns before anybody else does. But there is a problem. Other times, they drift away in their minds. They begin to exist in concepts rather than facts. This is where Fe (Extraverted Feeling) comes to the rescue.
The INFJ’s auxiliary function is Fe. It is what allows them to assess situations and advance decisions. Without it, they might become mired in endless analysis. It continues to tether them to the world. It helps them act.
It ensures that their concepts don’t remain ideas but translate into reality. Fe is the function that enables INFJs to connect, motivate, and exert influence.
Extraverted Feeling (Fe) In Detail #
Fe (extroverted feeling) is the function that powers INFJ decision-making in reference to other people’s emotions and social dynamics. It is what enables them to read people, and understand unexpressed feelings.
It’s also the reason they can feel tension in a room before someone even says hello. They sense when something is wrong before it is uttered.
Though Introverted Intuition (Ni) is concerned with abstract concepts, Fe turns those ideas into reality. It ensures that INFJs are not just aware of others, but actually bonded with them.
Through Fe, the INFJ can have an influence, and introduce a middle ground, a voice, a feeling that a person matters. It is why they are so thoroughly charismatic. Their truths are all theories without any impact on the real world without Fe.
Reactive vs. Proactive Fe #
Reactive Fe occurs spontaneously. INFJs enter a space and instantly take in everyone’s emotional state. They sense sadness, frustration, excitement, tension. They respond according to the juice of the emotional energy. This can be a boon, but it can also be tiresome. They cannot afford to absorb too much emotional energy.
Proactive Fe is different. INFJs lead rather than react. They set the emotional tone. They resolve tension before it intensifies. They make people come alive, and they purposefully lead social interaction.
Instead of just reflecting emotions, they create positive emotional environments. Emphasizing proactive Fe in this way benefits the INFJ by enabling them to set appropriate boundaries while also utilizing their emotional intelligence in a manner conducive to the well-being of others (and themselves!).
Fe vs. Fi: Understanding the Differences #
Fe and Fi are both Feeling functions but they operate on opposite ends of the spectrum. Fe is external. It favors harmony and the common good. Others change their performance in reaction to social standards.
They say, “How is this impacting other people? They prioritize the collective over the individual when making decisions.
Fi is internal. It favors personal truth. Fi users do not account for social harmony. They query, “Is this in alignment with my values?” They decide based on what is best for them, even if it throws the group into chaos.
INFJs, who use Fe, prioritize relationship maintenance and the feeling that people are understood. Though they often rely on Fe to gain connection and harmony, their dominant ability is to stay true to their personal values with Fi; ultimately, they would prefer to be the eccentric oddball and go it alone than sacrifice that authenticity.
How Fe Shows Up in Real Life #
In Social Settings #
At any social gathering, you can bet that the INFJ is the one most aware of the emotional tone. They can sense when someone doesn’t belong, and they won’t hesitate for a moment to get involved in making that person feel included.
Whether it be by introducing them to others, walking the conversation in the direction of common interests, or simply being an emotionally reassuring presence, INFJs are natural facilitators of group cohesion and emotional connection.
This comes from their fundamental need for harmony, which drives them to diffuse tensions before they escalate. This being said, INFJs might encounter difficulty in situations where conflict is not optional and often take on roles as mediators even if it means ignoring their own feelings of discomfort.
In Relationships #
INFJs are deeply loyal partners who can often feel what their loved one is feeling before they even say a word. They anticipate needs, offer support, and adjust their behavior to keep harmony.
But this can cause them to feel emotionally stretched because they also repress their own needs so as not to disturb their partner. For instance, an INFJ could agree with decisions that make them uncomfortable to avoid confrontation.
This can lead to blind spots, making it essential for INFJs to consistently express their needs and to watch out for themselves in the process.
At Work #
In a work environment, INFJs will take this Fe out to create a foundation of respect and cooperation. They thrive in team-based roles, where their ability to mediate and make sure everyone in the team gets heard helps the organization as a whole.
They often find their sweet spot in work environments built on emotional intelligence, like counseling, human resources, or the arts. They thrive in caring environments that emphasize teamwork but can have difficulty in competitive or emotionally barren atmospheres that are more concerned with efficiencies than relationships.
However, in these cases, INFJs often feel exhausted or overlooked, so it becomes vital that they find a place of work that fits with their emotional connections and values.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Fe in INFJs #
Strength: Deep Emotional Connection #
INFJs have a bond with people on a significant plane. Their Fe will pick up on emotions not even verbally communicated. You feel heard near them, and therefore they build trust rapidly.
Deeply intuitive and empathetic, making the perfect confidants and sympathetic ears. By virtue of this connection, they are able to elevate and inspire others, making them sought-after friends and mentors.
Strength: Conflict Resolution and Mediation #
The Fe in INFJs helps them smooth over tension and compromise. They each know how to reframe conversations to sidestep bloodless conflict. Their perspective allows them to see different ideas and the ability to meet in the middle, allowing for people to be heard.
Out of their diplomatic nature, they are the peacemakers in difficult situations, this makes them invaluable in groups and in workplaces where emotional intelligence is needed.
Strength: Social Adaptability and Influence #
When INFJs perceive the emotional state of the people around them, they are great at adapting their tone, language, and communication style. This makes them convincing communicators who know how to relate to people from all backgrounds.
Their Fe facilitates this in responsible ways when leading, connecting, or presenting to others.
Weakness: Emotional Overload and Burnout #
As INFJs soak up emotions, they can become easily overwhelmed. In the company of negativity, they run the risk of absorbing that negativity and getting drained. Their constant emotional attunement can make it challenging for them to unwind and separate from others’ adversity. When they don’t set good boundaries and practice self-care, this can lead to emotional burnout.
Weakness: People-Pleasing and Self-Neglect #
It takes a lot for an INFJ to say no. They make things and want to make everyone happy. They even tend to feel emotionally drained and unable to focus on their own needs.
They forget to take care of themselves sometimes because they take their happiness from helping others. They might deny their own feelings, needs, and limits to avoid conflict, but this can cause frustration and internalized rage over time.
Weakness: Dependency on External Validation #
As Fe is externally oriented, INFJs may have trouble sometimes since they require outside validation to feel sure about their decisions. They might regard the way in which others perceive them too highly, afraid of being rejected or disagreed with.
In their efforts to reach some form of common ground, this can cause the INFJ to sacrifice their own principles in order to relate or simply avoid an argument, in turn causing an internal struggle between their Fe-dominance need for a smooth surface and their bottom-line core beliefs.
Weakness: Avoidance of Necessary Confrontation #
While the INFJ type excels at conflict resolution, they may shy away from much-needed confrontations when they fear it will cause disharmony. They might remain in toxic relationships, work environments , or social situations just to avoid discomfort.
This can create a pattern of them accepting what isn’t in their best interest and not asserting themselves.
How to Develop, Strengthen, and Balance Fe as an INFJ #
Set Emotional Boundaries #
INFJs are highly empathetic people, but this can also cause emotional burnout if they take in too much from others. They should know when they are taking on feelings that aren’t theirs.
Establishing strict emotional parameters preserves mental clarity and prevents burnout. Techniques like journaling, meditation, or physically removing themselves from draining environments help them distinguish their own emotions from others.
Break the Ni-Ti Loop #
When INFJ are in the Ni-Ti Loop they may end up overanalyzing and losing touch with reality, as their Ti (tertiary) function only triangulates the output of that all-too-powerful Ni (dominant) function.
Thus, causing too much internal processing without no real-world validation; a disjunction from social interactions. Fe acts as the antidote. Through reflection and a discussion of their thought process when speaking with someone else they can root themselves in the real world instead of sinking into a cyclical black hole of overthinking.
Use Fe with Intention #
Instead of simply responding to one emotional atmosphere after another, INFJs should help to create emotional environments. It means deciding when and how you want to experience feelings instead of having them passively fall on you.
By practicing assertive communication, setting healthy expectations in relationships, and making a conscious decision when to step up and step back, INFJs can use Fe in a sustainable and empowered way.
It takes concentration to get Fe with meaning, but when done appropriately it brings attachment while never running the other into emotional exhaustion.
Final Thoughts #
Infjs are rolled by fe which is what makes them impactful. It follows their deep insights and makes them meaningful in the world. But it should be used judiciously. At its best, Fe makes for empathetic leaders and peacemakers in INFJs.
In an unbalanced state, it results in burnout and emotional exhaustion. That’s why learning to use Fe intentionally is what allows INFJ to truly thrive.