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Flexibility and Development in Type

Centrality of Flexibility for Development

 Flexibility affects three dimensions of type development.  Flexing within the mental function (Si, Se, Ni, Ne, Te, Ti, Fe, Fi) allows for a deeper, richer utilization of the mental function.  Flexing across mental functions (Te shifting to Fe) in a situation indicates the individual has assessed the current situation and shifted to a more appropriate function.  Flexing between modalities of what feels natural to what is demonstrated due to the environmental press of a situation allows for managing tension and energy required for doing what feels uncomfortable.  Far too often, flexibility is thought of as important only as related to shifting from one mental function (Fe to Te) to another, which may be required from time to time.

For many years, type development was defined as knowing which function to use and using it in a given situation.  As evidence has been gathered over time, including enormous clinical experience, reveals that development is a good deal richer.

Flexing within a mental function means building the capacity to go from a simple use of the function to a more complex use of the function.  Consider the individual who Extraverts Thinking but does so at the most basic, elementary level.  This kind of Te is incomplete in its analysis and tends to be hyper critical, impatient with contradictory evidence and perspectives, and seems driven by a need to be "right".  A well rounded, more complex use of Te reflects a desire for multiple layers of analysis, seeks contradictory evidence and points of view, sees the number of variables as fluid, and a need to test assumptions.  Unless an individual is flexibly in the way he or she approaches the use of Te, they may not deepen their use of the function.

Flexing across mental functions is very important for an individual to learn, if he or she is able to respond to the demands of a situation appropriately.  Consider the individual who is dealing with a situation from the perspective of Te (Extraverted Thinking) and comes to the realization that the kind of approach that is needed is Ne (Extraverted Intuiting).  This is a move from analyzing for a decision or facilitating for new insights and perspectives.  Developing this kind of flexibility is essential to being more effective in leading and influencing others.

Flexing across modalities is complex as the individual needs to be aware of what feels natural and comfortable and what is being required in a given situation.  Imagine the Introverted Sensor (Si) who loves the comfort of verifying reliable information being asked to brainstorm, share ideas, find innovative new perspectives (Ne).  If this movement from what seems natural and at ease to what is required and quite different produces strain, managing that strain will be essential to having the psychological energy needed to flex.

Flexibility has a number of dimensions which I'll cover in a later entry. 

The Pearman Personality Integrator provides a FlexIndex which applies to all three dimensions outlined above.  Importantly, exploring the nature of flexibility and how it can be enriched for an individual has the direct consequence of contribution to type development.

Don't miss getting more information and learning how to use the Pearman.  Check the following MHS, Inc. training information.

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