Achilles Function Block (Vulnerable + Activating functions)
The Achilles Block, also known as the Vulnerable Block, is based on the weak, producing, and inert functions. This is the weakest and most vulnerable block, serving as the source of major problems, distress, and the deepest sensitivities for the personality type.
This block significantly influences the individual's psychology. In this area, the person finds it difficult to perceive the world accurately, cannot maintain distance or objectivity, and is painfully sensitive to negative external impulses. They struggle to cope, cannot calmly recover from distress, and don't know how to achieve balance. The type seeks protection, sympathy, care, and cautious handling from others in this area.
Function Interaction within the Block
This block consists of interdependent, poorly differentiated (low-dimensional) functions, which causes the content of neighboring functions to become muddled. The focus tends to be on the negative aspects of incoming information: Negativity received by the activating function seems to echo in the vulnerable function, and vice versa.
This creates a challenging, self-focused dynamic (as these are inert, left-block functions):
The person is highly sensitive regarding the aspect of the vulnerable function, and tends to take it personally.
Their self-esteem hinges on their willingness to engage with the activating function and their overall sense of confidence.
Consequently, people tend to overreact or go to extremes concerning these functions, perceiving situations in an exaggerated way. If things are going badly in this domain, the person simply shuts down, becoming withdrawn, tense, irritable, and visibly demonstrating a strong desire to be left alone.
Manifestation by Aspects
The sensation of hunger severely impacts their mood and inhibits imagination. They desire loved ones to manage their comfort and financial concerns. They dislike being asked for money, having to lend money, or having their will imposed upon them.
They struggle with fear of the future, the unknown, or potential changes, and can be easily frightened by future possibilities. They are uncertain about what to expect and try, but fail, to completely fill the future with something certain.
How not to get stuck in this block? For example, the ESI (who can be tense and withdrawn) benefits from spontaneous creativity (e.g., painting, dancing—activity with an element of improvisation). Ni, the aspect responsible for imagination and spontaneous action, allows them to improve their self-esteem and to relax.
As this is a block of negative tendencies, any negativity here is magnified. Arguments, scandals, emotional confrontations, yelling, or displays of negative attitudes are hugely distressing, demotivating, incapacitating, and isolating.
They try to be gentle, joke, or be witty to avoid provoking conflict. If these efforts are not met with positive acknowledgment (e.g., if a joke fails), they quickly worry, withdraw, and become visibly gloomy.
Since they are "hostages to their emotional state" (inert ethics, or constructivism), they automatically transfer their mood to other contexts. For example, problems at work transfer to home life, and vice versa.
If their mood is ruined or an argument occurs, they cannot function; this state completely overwhelms them. They require emotional release, more positive emotions, and need to be shown sympathy and positive emotion to recover.
Interaction Tip: If this type is aggressive or distressed, avoid adopting a moralizing stance. Instead, show patience and empathy. Ask what happened, but do not interrogate, initiate an argument, or try to rationalize their feelings. Give them space if they need it.
They react painfully when others try to rationalize their life, argue with them, or impose rules.
They require help and support with technology, step-by-step procedures, and determining the correct sequence of actions (i.e., how to begin).
Te: Distress caused by negative evaluation or criticism of their work.
Ti: Distress caused by confrontations or attempts to clarify relationships with management or authorities.
SEI example
After discussing possible options and selecting a suitable one, it is vital to explain exactly where to start.
The Achilles block is a problematic block. It is scary to act here. The SEI thinks: "This is unrealistic, I don't know how to do this."
Here, you need to need to lead the person "by the hand." Provide a specific, step-by-step action plan detailing what needs to be done, where to go, and how to proceed. E.g.: "Go to this website, click this button, look at this vacancy. "This addresses the SEI's fear of the first step.
IEEs and Ti/Te block
While IEEs may "devour" vast amounts of information (activating Te), this absorption yields no practical benefit if it is disorganized and not correlated with the conscious structuring provided by the Ti aspect.
Ti is not just sound reasoning; it is the framework and system of coordinates that processes information via established connections, defines objective societal relationships, and determines what is essential (distinguishing the important from the trivial).
Te sees facts as facts (general knowledge, technical competence).
Ti sees what a fact fundamentally represents as a component of a larger, established system.
Consequently, if the IEE's knowledge is not organically integrated into this system, they may "stare blankly" when asked a question, failing to grasp what is required, or provide irrelevant information.
Their Ti is responsible for extracting the main thought/idea and comparing it with the specific task at hand.
The transition from "IEE - the rambler" to "IEE - the expert" (from quantity to quality) is achieved by balancing Te and Ti in their worldview. To be heard, the IEE must make the preliminary effort to align:
Who they are speaking to.
What they are saying.
Why they are saying it (the intended goal).
How their topic relates to the listener's interests.