How do Analytical Thinkers Think?
All of us have aspects of intuitive and analytical thinking styles within us. We are capable of using both of these modes of thinking.
Yet, some of us use a lot more of the analytical aspect of our mind. Analytical thinking allows you to gather and analyze information to understand and solve complex problems.
The people who possess this as their dominant way of thinking are referred to as the Analytical Thinker.
In this article, we will be exploring how analytical thinkers actually think.
Whether you’re an analytical thinker who wants to know more clearly about yourself or a person who is curious about how analytical thinkers think, read on!
Being an analytical thinker myself, I started to ponder how my certain personality of people think in general. Just as any analytical thinker would do, I wanted to dig deeper upon this topic and in this article, I attempt to synthesize my research.
Though we cannot absolutely accurately portray the population of analytical thinkers, we can discuss some of the common thinking patterns in them.
But, please keep in mind that the human experience is individualistic and no two analytical thinkers might be the absolute same. We are all unique in our own ways!
How do Analytical Thinkers Think?
Analytical Thinkers think in a logical manner where they deeply dive into a topic. When they are making decisions, they make them based on a thorough examination of facts and information rather than emotions.
Thus for complex decisions, they take their time and process any information they can get their hands on to make the most optimum decisions.
If other people are only seeing something superficially, the analytical thinker would probably dig down a step further to know the patterns and principles that underlie the concept.
This is because Analytical Thinkers have one major habit which they have in common in kids which is an unending curiosity to know about things more.
Analytical Thinkers love thinking about theoretical concepts.
This is why you might know an analytical thinker who is interested in knowing the workings of the universe or dissecting the teachings of different philosophers.
To fulfill their thrust of curiosity, they go on digging deeper into things and finding answers though they might not be immediately actionable or even have a practical application in their life. You can thus say that an analytical thinker is open to explore new ideas and new information.
This is also the reason why they love conversations where intellectual simulation is present. On the contrary, for someone who loves to gossip, an analytical thinker might not be your best choice of a buddy.
Behavior of Analytical Thinkers
Analytical Thinkers are usually reserved, quiet people. Most would classify themselves to be introverted in nature.
This means that say an analytical thinker goes to a gathering with a lot of people, afterwards they’ll need some alone time in order to recharge their batteries.
Others might perceive them to be aloof in nature but that is them being themselves.
Furthermore, Analytical Thinkers like to observe everything around them. From outside you might just see someone sitting down but inside their mind, there is an entire world of thoughts going on.
What works does an analytical thinker enjoy?
Because of the deeply analytical workings of such people, analytical thinkers are usually seen understanding the causes behind the workings of different concepts.
They are the ones doing the analysis of different systems and dissecting every single detail there is to analyze. The ability to absorb new information excellently makes analysis and thorough research come naturally to their analytical mind.
These are the traits that become the dream for problem solving which analytical thinkers love to be involved in.
Therefore, the kind of works where they need to analyze information and look behind the causes for the best solutions are the areas that come naturally to analytical thinkers.
Furthermore, this ability to analyze information make them great choices for making the best informed decisions. But take note that when faced with the challenge of making decisions, don’t expect an analytical thinker to just make one instantly when there is complexion involved.
They will first dive deep into gathering material to be researched and analyzed before coming to a concrete decision.
A great example of an analytical thinker is Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time. His major work revolves around making investment decisions through careful analysis of complex elements of a business.
This is why his work involves reading around 500 pages of corporate reports every single day. That’s a lot of information taken in to make informed investing decisions.
This has literally made him one of the richest people over the years. With his work aligning to the way he thinks, his job as an investor comes a lot more naturally to him.
Some other personality types might be spontaneous in nature but the analytical thinker examines their own concepts and that of others very thoroughly with logic and an objective outlook.
This makes them good at strategically planning things out where every part of the puzzle has been given food for thought.
Yet, with so much of your energy spent on analyzing information, the actual execution part may be a bit challenging to them. In an ideal world, an analytical thinker would rather let the execution be done by someone else for them to return to their world of researching, analyzing concepts, and coming up with new hypotheses to be tested.
How do Analytical Thinkers like to work?
Since most analytical thinkers are introverted in nature, they prefer to work alone. This does not mean that they want to be alone all the time.
This makes sense since it is suited for the kind of work that they do which involves gathering information, evidence and analyzing concepts. Furthermore, the problem solving process requires a great level of ability to dissect information.
They need to be with their own thoughts during such a process which is why it can be hard for other people to understand this nature of being withdrawn at work.
The irony is that though analytical thinkers might not be the best in their social skill department, they are highly reliable people. The select few people that analytical thinkers have befriended become a circle they are loyal to.
Just don’t expect analytical thinkers to indulge in small talk but rather in ideas that are stimulating. They show their talkative side when having such discussions.
Moreover, their nature of working might be more systematic. As a result, analytical thinkers are more likely to have routines that they stick to.
Since analytical skills are transferable in the marketplace and needed in almost every industry, the set of skills they possess is highly in demand in the market.
In a nutshell, analytical thinkers work with their mind. And, that explains why they work the way they do.
Analytical Thinkers will resonate with the skills below:
As with any type of personality, analytical thinkers have both their strengths and weaknesses. Let us explore what they are.
Strengths
Crazy Concentration Power
If there is one strength that analytical thinkers have the most leverage over others, it is the ability to concentrate on a task.
They have a very persistent approach in getting things done. They might be silent in nature but they make the work make the noise.
See the picture as a whole
Analytical Thinkers question their own perspectives and take the time to study the opposing views. This is a trait that we especially see diminishing in the world that we live in.
This is a practice that is a common part of the way analytical thinkers think.
Analytical Thinkers dig down to the details. In other words, you cannot B.S. with an analytical thinker that easily. If they’ve studied a topic, they probably know both it’s arguments and counter-arguments.
Consistent
Their persistence and organized nature makes them consistent performers.
Furthermore, Analytical Thinkers have the ability to monitor their own behavior well. Because of this, whenever there is a lag in momentum in their work, they are quicker to regain their focus.
Independent
Since they love to spend time in their own time alone, this has naturally led to them being more independent in their life.
If there is project that an analytical thinker can do alone, they’ll probably not go on asking for help.
Yet, the caveat to this is that analytical thinkers might not be best suited for work scenarios where they are being told what to do.
They’re not the biggest fans of others setting rules for them.
Weaknesses
The same traits that can make analytical thinkers amazing in their work can also be their biggest enemies. These are some drawbacks that an analytical thinker has to be aware of.
Attitude of Over Analyzing
They’re thrust to dissect every single detail can lead them to a path of devouring information without limits. This can become problematic during times when quick decisions need to be made.
Analytical thinkers have to be aware of their input being maximum while the actual output might be minimal.
Recently I made the decision that I needed to buy a laptop. Since I gave myself a pre-planning of months to buy the laptop, I went on analyzing information for more than 25 hours for the final output of buying a darn laptop.
Yes, it did give me a lot of insights into what I should be looking for and it is necessary to a certain degree for sure as well. However, Analytical Thinkers tend to go overboard in analyzing stuff.
Indecisiveness
This leads to the second drawback which is indecisiveness. Because analytical thinkers take in so much information, they know too much to just make a decision since they’ve already been exposed to why that decision could go wrong.
This can lead to a state of analysis paralysis in times when being spontaneous itself wouldn’t have been the worst choice.
Not everything has to be analyzed a zillion different ways with every detail dissected.
Social Dilemma
There is this want within an analytical thinker to be alone most of the time but there is also a desire for being social. After all, humans are social animals.
This is why analytical thinkers have a hard time maintaining their relationship with a large chunk of their friends. You, in your own world might be busy with your own thing while unconsciously furthering away from your friend circle.
I know of certain friendships that are not the same anymore just because I couldn’t keep in contact with them on a consistent basis. It becomes difficult for the relationship to be the same thereafter.
This is why Analytical Thinkers have to be aware of this social dilemma and put in the effort for their social life. It’s a key aspect of the human experience!
At times, people with this personality type can get lost in their own thoughts and lose track of the outside world. Set a boundary on your aloofness.
Perception of Skepticism
An analytical thinker might not be a skeptic but they might be perceived to be one. Why?
Above we mentioned how one of the strengths of an analytical thinker is to see both sides of an argument. As a result, an analytical thinker opines about the not so popular side of an argument too.
This can result in some people thinking you to be one detached, skeptic guy/gal. You might as well be a reality based person but people are people, they’ll be quick to come up with assumptions.
Famous Analytical Thinkers
If you are an analytical thinker, you are not alone! There are many of us in this world. And, there are some really famous ones too who you’ll probably recognize.
Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President
Blaise Pascal, French Mathematician & Inventor of Pascal Calculator
Sir Isaac Newton, English Physicist, a key figure in the scientific revolution
Marie Curie, French physicist and chemist, first woman to win the Nobel Prize
Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. President
Socrates, Greek Philosopher, among the founders of Western Philosophy
Albert Einstein, Theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity
Larry Page, co-founder of Google
Analytical Thinkers, which parts of the article were you able to completely relate with? Which parts were you not?
Remember, though the analytical thinkers population may have a set of traits and characteristics we can group together, we cannot generalize that the same will be for absolutely everyone!
This article was originally published in a blog I’d started called Knackbee which isn’t active anymore.
