A pair of Tactical/Strategic type traits is defined by filling the Inert/Contact function blocks with irrational (Si, Se, Ni, Ne) information aspects. Thus, tactical types have inert Ni-Ne and contact Si-Se aspects, while Strategy types have inert Si-Se and contact Ni-Ne aspects.
As mentioned in the previous article, Inert/Contact properties shapes the areas of deep and surface-level information processing. When combined with irrational aspect pairs grouped under one trait, these properties provide two opposing modes of thought: inert-intuitive and inert-sensing. The former is referred to as tactics, and their thinking is deeply immersed in the “ideal” sphere of ideas and predictions. The latter is referred to as strategies, and they are deeply immersed in the material sphere of sensations and actions. Let’s examine them more closely.
Tactics tend to think deeply about events: they create plans, analyze trends and develop and work through new ideas. They are interested in news and innovations and they delve into the past and the future. Tactics are often indifferent to the material world: they do not strive to create or maintain comfort and they may ignore health problems. In contrast, for strategies it is important to be in the present moment: they pay attention to their own and others’ sensations, improve the conditions of their lives and create comfort. They seek to influence the world and often improve their health through sports and proper nutrition.
Figuratively speaking, this pair can be represented as a king and his advisor: the former is concerned with maintaining power by controlling his vassals and maintaining the status of his domain (through quality food, the appearance of his castle and interior decoration), while the latter studies the events occurring inside and outside the kingdom in order to give his ruler sound advice on how to change policy in order to avoid the development of critical problems and avoid repeating the mistakes of other kings. Alternatively, this could be a creative and a designer: the former generates ideas and comes up with new concepts, while the latter, with a good understanding of the material world, brings them to life.
Thus, as you can see, these traits complement each other in duals: one produces a well-thought-out vision according to their aspects, while the other consumes it and vice versa. If two people have these traits in common, it can lead to both good understanding and conflict – everything depends on other function properties.
Tactical types include Hugo, Don Quixote, Maxim Gorky, Yesenin, Dreiser, Balzac, Stierlitz, and Huxley.
Strategic types include Robespierre, Dumas, Hamlet, Zhukov, Jack London, Napoleon, Dostoyevsky, and Gabin.