Making Sense of "Logical" People
Just last year, my colleague and I were called into the principalâs office (weâre teachers by the way, not students sent in for trouble đ). She wanted to give us some feedback on our Sports Day programme, which we were planning for the following week.
When we walked out of the office, my colleague looked at me, clearly upset, and said, âI donât get how you put up with the principal.â
âWhat do you mean?â I asked, puzzled. The principal had given perfectly logical feedback. Nothing unreasonable at all.
âSheâs always so rude and blunt. It feels like weâre just robots doing her bidding. Thereâs not even a simple acknowledgement of our efforts!â
Then it clicked in my head. Nothing seemed wrong to me because the principal and I had the same working style, we were both Thinkers.
We can be... a bit too logical sometimes. đ
In the world of personality, one of the key differences among people is whether they lean more toward âThinkingâ or âFeeling.â Thinkers tend to focus on what is logically trueâwhat makes sense and whether it works. Feelers, on the other hand, focus on what is emotionally validâwhat feels right and whether itâs important.
All of us do both, but we usually have a preference. That preference shapes how we communicate and make decisions. If you're curious to find out which type you are, you could try out this personality test by Personality Ninja.
Since these styles are two ends of a spectrum, itâs no surprise we often clash at work, in relationships, or even during casual conversations. Sometimes, these conflicts never get resolved. But thatâs usually because we donât understand where the other person is coming from.
With the right knowledge, though, we can bridge that gap. So, if youâve ever found Thinkers to be a bit of a mystery, here are five insights that might help you deal better with us âcoldâ logical types.
1. Itâs Not Personal
Thinkers often come across as blunt or even cold when they speak, especially when giving feedback. But this usually isnât intentionalâtheyâre focused on logic. If something doesnât make sense, theyâll point out the flaws without sugarcoating it.
Theyâre not trying to hurt your feelings or look down on you. In fact, they may be completely unaware of how their tone sounds. So instead of taking offense, try to focus on the content of what theyâre saying. Their aim isnât to attack, itâs to improve.
2. They Want To Solve Problems
At their core, Thinkers are fixers. They love a good challenge and want to find solutions, often prioritizing outcomes over emotions. This approach can make them seem emotionally detached or socially unaware, but itâs rarely intentional.
If youâre venting about a fight with a friend or a rough day at work, a Thinker will likely jump in with solutions, even if all you wanted was someone to listen. A simple statement like, âI just need to vent for a bit, not solve anything,â can go a long way in setting the right expectation for Thinkers.
3. Connect Through Action
It might feel hard to connect with a Thinker emotionally. They may not always be the most engaging in conversations or offer the most emotionally expressive responses. But they build strong bonds through action and shared goals.
Whether it's collaborating on a project, planning an event, or fixing a problem together, thatâs their version of quality time. It doesnât have to be work-related either. Organizing a group outing or brainstorming ideas for a party can be just as interesting to a Thinker.
4. Do What Thinkers Canât
Thinkers excel at logic and systems, but they may struggle with emotional nuance or reading a room. Thatâs where Feelers shine.
If youâre good at offering emotional support, resolving tension, or picking up on unspoken dynamics, you bring something vital to the table. Your empathy complements their logic. Together, you form a balanced team, one thatâs both emotionally intelligent and intellectually sharp.
5. Embrace Logic
Emotions matter a lot. But so does clear thinking. When you combine the two, you become even more effective.
Thinkers appreciate logic. If you can express your feelings in a logical way, explaining both how you feel and why it matters, youâre more likely to get through to them. For example, in a disagreement, it helps to say âThe welfare of the team matters. If everyone in the office is happy, productivity of the team increases.â Thatâs an emotionally honest and logically sound point.
If you're a Thinker reading this, hereâs the truth: weâre not always the easiest people to be around. Our focus on logic, efficiency, and directness can come across as cold, dismissive, or overly critical.
We need to take responsibility for how we communicate. That means softening our delivery, being more aware of emotional cues, and reminding ourselves that being ârightâ isnât enough if weâre hurting the people we care about.
And if you're a Feeler trying to navigate life with a Thinker, whether at work, in a relationship, or in a friendship, remember this: youâre not always in control of how the other person behaves. But what you are in control of is yourself. With the right tools, clashes can turn into collaboration, and differences can become your biggest asset.