The eight functions
Talking and seeing
Every type uses one axis to decide and one to see. You can hear the first in how people talk, and see the second in how they look at the world.
Two axes in every type
A type's four main functions always form two axes: one made of the two deciding functions (Fi and Te, or Fe and Ti) and one made of the two perceiving functions (Ne and Si, or Ni and Se). Which one is on top changes the type, but the pair stays the same. That makes four styles you can often spot in the first minutes of a conversation.
BeebeMazWiz readingHow people talk: the deciding axes
Source: "I feel this is right." Method: "Here are the facts."
Style: blunt and matter of fact, straight to the point.
Face: still, a poker face. They listen for truth: is this consistent, is this sincere?
ISFP, INFP, ESFP, ENFP, ISTJ, INTJ, ESTJ, ENTJ
Source: "We need to agree." Method: "Is it consistent?"
Style: adaptive and persuasive, tuned to the people and the moment.
Face: animated, expressive. They listen for the vibe: how is everyone feeling?
ISFJ, INFJ, ESFJ, ENFJ, ISTP, INTP, ESTP, ENTP
A curious crossing: the individualists judge their values from the inside (Fi) and their logic by outside standards (Te); the diplomats do the reverse, values shared outside (Fe) and logic checked inside (Ti).
How people see: the perceiving axes
Source: "What if?" Anchor: "What was?"
Style: divergent: connecting the dots, one memory or idea leading to the next.
Gaze: scanning, looking around, noticing changes and links.
ENFP, ENTP, INFP, INTP, ISTJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, ESFJ
Source: "What will be?" Anchor: "What is?"
Style: convergent: getting to the point, distilling everything into one essence.
Gaze: piercing, direct, as if looking through the surface.
INFJ, INTJ, ENFJ, ENTJ, ESTP, ESFP, ISTP, ISFP
Your two styles
Pick your type at the top to see your talking style and your seeing style.
A clue, not a test
Faces, gazes and ways of talking also come from culture, mood, upbringing and the moment. Use these styles as a first clue, then check it against the functions themselves. The type chapters each name the type a person is most often mistaken for, and how to tell them apart.