Extroverted Intuition (Ne): Do You Have It?

If you’re familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality type system, you may have heard of extroverted intuition. But what is it, exactly? And what are the characteristics of people with this personality type? In this post, we’ll explore these questions and get down to the nitty-gritty of this super hype cognitive function.

What is extroverted intuition (Ne)?

Extroverted intuition is one of the 8 cognitive functions as identified by Carl Jung. He believed extroverted intuition was an extroverted subtype of thinking, where thoughts are focused on possibilities outside oneself. It’s the ability to see the bigger picture and to find patterns within seemingly unrelated events.

For extroverted intuitive, the outer world exists as a place to explore. This extroverted intuition energy is always looking for a new experience or a novel way of seeing things.

Which personality types have extroverted intuition as their dominant function?

Those who have extroverted intuition as their dominant function are ENTPs and ENFPs. They tend to be very good at planning and excel at flexible thinking. They can shift their thoughts to align with whatever they encounter in the external world or within their own inner world.

This extroverted intuition function is a unique gift to ENTPs and ENFPs because it allows them to navigate through many different types of situations with relative ease.

They’re also charismatic types who love to challenge the status quo and constantly reinvent themselves and the world around them.

Which personality types have extroverted intuition as their auxiliary function?

Those who have extroverted intuition as their auxiliary function tend to be INTPs and INFPs.

They use extroverted intuition both in the external world, where they often find themselves exploring new ideas and possibilities with other people and in the internal world, where they look for patterns and meanings within their own thoughts before testing those theories in the real world.

Because extroverted intuition is not their dominant function, this means these types will need time to process information before they can take action. They use this function to fuel their creativity and curiosity, but don’t desire constant change the way their ENFP and ENTP counterparts do.

They’re also significantly more mellow and less inspired to “grab the bull by the horns.”

How do you know if you have extroverted intuition?

There are a few different ways to know if you’re extroverted intuitive. For starters, you can take a Myers-Briggs personality type test to see if you are an ENFP, ENTP, INTP, or INFP. Additionally, you can see if you fit any of the descriptions of people with extroverted intuition, which is what we’ll dive into next.

You might be an extroverted intuitive if…

• You love exploring new ideas and thinking through a limitless number of possibilities.
• Being around people energizes you and makes you want to learn and do more.
• You love novelty.
• You tend to see the world as highly interconnected and enjoy making new, interesting connections
• Meeting new people and exploring different places is thrilling for you
• You tend to be the one who brings various groups of people together (you’re a natural-born connector)
• You’re an eternal, high-energy optimist

How can you develop extroverted intuition?

If extroverted intuition is not your dominant or auxiliary function, you can develop this extroverted intuitive side by spending time with others who share this trait. (Monkey see, monkey do – if you will.)

This is effective because extroverted intuitives have a natural ability to form connections and strong relationships with people from all walks of life. Their energy is often contagious and helpful for people who need some help coming out of their shells.

When it’s not your dominant function, but you really want to hone these skills, try spending time making your internal processes external. Here’s what we mean:

• Go to a museum with a friend. Rather than thinking about the art silently to yourself, talk with your friend about it. Ask questions. Engage with the art from a more external perspective.

• Talk to yourself more. Bring your internal dialogue outward. Do you experience or notice anything different when thinking things through out loud?

• Challenge yourself by working on intellectually stimulating tasks and talk yourself through the process as you do it. How does your approach change?

• Make an effort to spend time with people you enjoy hanging out with so you can let your more extroverted side shine through. Then, little by little, allow that side of yourself to show up for acquaintances and people you may no less intimately. This will help you strengthen your extroverted skills.

What is the difference between extroverted and introverted intuition?

Extroverted intuition and introverted intuition are opposite cognitive functions. In contrast to their Ne counterparts, people with introverted intuition as their dominant or auxiliary function place more emphasis on their inner world. When extroverted intuition is dominant, people tend to focus on the outside world more than the inside one.

Unlike extroverted intuitives, introverted intuitive types excel at recognizing patterns in their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They place more emphasis on the meaning and significance of what happens, rather than on exploring new possibilities.

What are some everyday examples of extroverted intuition?

The extroverted intuitive can be seen as a creative powerhouse. They exude energy, enthusiasm (think Gary Vee), and the potential to make big waves in the world by their big ideas and imagination.

In today’s influencer culture, extroverted intuitives are more visible than ever thanks to social media. People who present themselves as high-energy individuals who’ve somehow cracked the code on life fall into this bucket.

Here are some other examples of extroverted intuition in everyday life:

• Deciding to go on a road trip without a map
• Being the go-to person in a group to lead a presentation
• Enjoying collecting real-world data by interacting with people and getting their perspectives (think pollsters or political consultants).
• Leading a team on a complicated project that requires analyzing large amounts of external data and finding a solution.
• Knowing how to read people in order to close a sale or gain an upper hand in a debate.
• Having a strong knack for out-of-the-box thinking

For people with extroverted intuition as their secondary function, this might look like:

• Bouncing ideas off people to receive their input
• Asking questions in order to better understand the world around them and the people in it
• Being able to engage in divergent ways of thinking
• Having a desire to test theories or ideas in the outside world

Final Thoughts on Extroverted Intuition

If you’re an extroverted intuitive, congratulations! You have a cognitive function that allows you to see the world in a very unique way. You are always on the lookout for new connections and patterns, and you find joy in thinking outside of the box. This can be a great asset when it comes to business and creativity.

However, if you’re not naturally extroverted, don’t worry – you can develop these skills. With practice, you can learn how to take advantage of your intuition and use it to your advantage in business and life. What have you found to be the best way to tap into your own extroverted intuition? Let us know in the comments below.