Holistic extraverted Intuiting (Ne-H) aka The Catalyst in Relationships
Extraverted Intuition is the dominant function for ENTP and ENFP types. According to recent research by Dr. Dario Nardi, it can show up in two flavors. This post outlines the holistic extraverted Intuiting version.
In addition to my own experiences and interpretations, these are the resources I quote and/or reference:
Berens, L. V. and Nardi, D. (2004) Understanding Yourself and Others, An Introduction to the Personality Type Code, p.7 https://amzn.to/3Glt53J
Jones, J. H. and Sherman, R. G. (2011) Intimacy and Type, p. 35 https://amzn.to/47NHe5k
Jung, C. G. (1976 edition) Psychological Types (The Collected Works), p.368ff https://amzn.to/46CJGuy
Nardi, D. (2023) Decode Your Personality - Go Beyond Myers-Briggs With 64 Brain-Based Subtypes, p. 338ff https://amzn.to/3GoU6mL
Thomson, L. (1998) Personality Type, An Owners Manual, p. 35 https://amzn.to/4a3mxEy
This is the sixth post in a series where I’ll share what the eight Jungian functions in their 2 Nardian analytic or holistic flavors look like, adding specifically how they might show up in romantic relationships. If you’re following the series, you will note some repetition, but in case this is the one and only post you follow, I want you to have all the information. So feel free to jump ahead.
My main references for this post are Carl Gustav Jung and Dr. Dario Nardi. Jung was a Swiss Psychiatrist who published his theory of psychological types in 1921, and Dario is a university professor, prolific researcher and author. He found evidence of psychological types in the neuroscience data captured by EEG assessments he’s completed with hundreds of participants.
And in case we haven’t met, I’m Doris Füllgrabe, a certified coach with a masters in applied psychology, and I help people create happier, healthier relationships.
A few caveats before we begin, just to manage expectations and again in case this is the only post you follow:
1, these posts describe the functions in their purest state. Functions rarely show up in their purest state, as they interact with other functions and your brain is really active doing multiple things at any given time, like it’s regulating your body temperature and heart rate right now. So, you may not resonate with 100% of the description of this function 100% of the time, and that is normal.
2, these posts describe the function for this function type. You may not be this particular function type, which means this function may not be at the top or dominant in your consciousness. That’s ok, too, because it’s still in your system, you still have access to it, and paying attention to this function may help you recognize when it pops up out of your subconscious, so you can practice integrating it consciously. That will give you better control over it and you can reap its benefits.
With that, let’s move from the broad to the specific, starting with the function, Intuition as Jung called it, or Intuiting which is also used to describe it as a process, and then the function attitude extraverted Intuition, then the flavor, holistic extraverted Intuition, and finally how it shows up in relationships. Here we go.
The Intuiting function is one of the two irrational perceiving functions.
Irrational, because it’s just about experiencing, and perceiving because that’s literally what it’s doing.
The Intuiting function helps us appreciate underlying patterns and grasp “the bigger picture”, things that go beyond the immediate senses.
It gives us vivid imaginations and a curiosity about the as yet unknown.
It is creative and enthusiastic, novel and original, but also ingenious and geared towards freedom.
Dr. Linda Berens describes it this way:
“Intuiting is a process of becoming aware of abstract information, like symbols, conceptual patterns, and meanings. It is an intangible “knowing” of what something means, how it relates to something else, or what might happen. As an active perceptual process, it is more than a “sixth” sense. It often involves actively bringing together or forming ideas in novel ways. Sometimes this process is “triggered” by an external event, or sometimes this abstract information just seems to present itself to our awareness.”
Moving on to the function attitude, extraverted Intuiting, which is the dominant function for ENFP and ENTP types.
What follows are Jung’s words, and his language from 100 years ago is a little different from how we speak today. He’s quite male-centric, so uses he/him when describing all functions that aren’t Feeling types. He also uses the word “object” to describe anything and anyone outside of you, and “subject” to describe yourself, you, the person.
“The intuitive is never to be found in the world of accepted reality-values, but he has a keen nose for anything new and in the making. Because he is always seeking out new possibilities, stable conditions suffocate him.”
In other words, the opposite of concrete reality sensation or sensing types. He also says that extraverted intuiting Types “seize opportunities with extraordinary enthusiasm” only to abandon them as soon as they become known and no longer have potential for exploration or new insights. The paradox is the intuitive type thinks they have found their thing every time - until the next shiny thing - or person - appears.
In Jung’s words,
“Neither reason nor feeling can restrain him or frighten him away from a new possibility, even though it goes against all his previous convictions.”
He continues that intuitive morality “consists in a loyalty to his vision” and that this type is often perceived as an “unscrupulous adventurer”. While men pursue their interests in business, Jung suggests that in women “the intuitive capacity shows itself in the social sphere, making connections and finding men with prospects.”
He says: “it goes without saying that such a type is uncommonly important both economically and culturally.”
For example, when used for good causes, extraverted Intuiting is the “initiator or promoter of new enterprises”, the “natural champion of all minorities”, and “his capacity to inspire courage or to kindle enthusiasm for anything new is unrivaled”.
If the intuition truly fuses with the ego, “he brings his vision to life, presents it convincingly, and embodies it.”
But to do that, this type has to stay still long enough to let one vision come to fruition, and not “quit the newly planted field while others gather the harvest.”
Analytic/Holistic Flavor overview
So much for the function and the function attitude, now we’re moving into the flavor.
Dr. Nardi analyzed EEG data from his participants and found two distinct brain wirings. The one we’re looking at here is the holistic style, or flavor, which is focused on getting input and going with the flow. It’s more open ended, and looks like patience and relaxation.
That’s not to say it’s flaky, it considers all aspects at once, which allows it to connect ideas in fresh and new ways.
Its approach is bottom-up, open to discovery and synergy, wherever the data might lead.
People of this style like to find new tools and solutions, and are so aware of their biases they might lack the confidence to make a change.
The style is often more auditory.
It pays attention to how things are said, but also ethics, intentions, and emotions.
Thinking is often figurative and might focus on identity and values, and they often describe using metaphors.
In business, it’s more comfortable with an egalitarian and collaborative approach.
Likely careers for those with a holistic style include creative arts, social services, humanistic pursuits, soft sciences, and multiculturalism.
Dario called the holistic extraverted Intuiting type the “catalyst”. Not to be confused with the NF essential motivator style by Dr. Linda Berens, Dario’s holistic extraverted intuiting catalysts notice subtle patterns. He describes it as they’re asking themselves,
“what is the world showing to me, and what magic can I draw from it?”
They negotiate toward a novel win-win outcome with a relaxed, subtle style. They use humor and disguises, and sometimes their gentle influence can feel like magic. They include and promote others, and have a great sensibility for bringing out the best in you. They also search for the highest quality potential possibilities for everyone's gain, so unlike the analytic extraverted intuiting spaghetti-wall technique, the holistic catalysts’s motto would be quality over quantity.
Dario also points out that this type might get confused between ENTP and ENFP a lot, because you can be a holistic NTP; not all analytic flavors necessarily go with a thinking preference, nor are all holistic types paired with a feeling preference. These flavors add nuance to the whole picture.
in dating
you’re probably attracted to the catalyst’s magical je ne sais quoi, and the way they make you feel like the only person in the room. If they’re cheeky, I can imagine they love using a good pick-up line, something like “you, me, handcuffs, whipped cream, any questions?” but they’re just as likely to be a little shy at first, too.
Watch out for how much projection and fantasy they’re putting on you and the potential of the relationship though, because they might carry romantic ideas of “the perfect one”, and that’s a lot of pressure. You might be this type if with every first date you start picking out monogramed hand towels. I’m kidding, of course you have to give any new date the chance to bloom into something amazing, just, you know, let things unfold at their own pace. Not everyone can match your energy.
in mating
people of this type are affectionate in all the ways and probably love a good foreplay, including leaving love notes in random places and snacking on chocolate covered strawberries. These will be the perfect partners to act out any fantasies you might have. Their love of variety and open-mindedness still makes me think they’d be open to having open relationships, but it’s more likely to look like slow and deliberate polyamory than the more sex-focused open or swinging the analytic style might be into. Obviously this all depends on maturity levels, age, and the balancing functions as well.
in relating
as partners, they can be so enamored with their own inner visions that they waste time day-dreaming about how great things could be. They’re also likely to be super supportive and the best cheerleader to have in your corner. Be prepared to communicate a lot about yourself, your needs, your dreams, and your relationship, and if you’re not already emotionally savvy, you can learn a lot from the holistic extraverted intuiting type.
Remember, this information is meant as an overview of the function and its holistic flavor, it cannot describe all the nuances and individual idiosyncrasies - but I hope you now have a better idea.
If you think you have a holistic flavor of extraverted Intuition, or a partner of that type, I’d love to hear from you!
PS: Interested in something more tailored to you and your relationship, but not ready for coaching? I'd still love to support you! Here are some resources you might find helpful:
🎥 Your Core Type -> Self-Discovery Video ($47)
