Over the years I have come into contact with all sorts of thinkers. Some think they’re intelligent thinkers, others think they’re lousy thinkers, whilst others have exactly no idea of how they think.
There are many and varied written on this particular topic, mostly theoretical and with multiple classifications. So to keep it simple, in my view there are 5 types of thinkers. These are Creative Thinkers, Analytical Thinkers, Intuitive Thinkers, Visionary Thinkers and Logical Thinkers. You can break it down into further sub classifications as most of us fit into the above 5 types.
Let’s look at the characteristics of each of the 5 types of thinkers and you can decide which one best describes yourself.
- Creative Thinkers – Creative Thinkers can see the abstract exhibiting a fertile imagination and a love of new and innovative ways of approaching life. They are the ideas people and whilst many of their ideas are killed off by the analytical thinkers, creative thinkers push on in search of creativity.
- Analytical Thinkers – Analytical Thinkers are the problem solvers who balance the pros and the cons, the good and the bad, the problem and opportunity. They take calculated risks and can see both today and tomorrow.
- Intuitive Thinkers – Intuitive Thinkers are driven by feel and rely often on their own gut judgement with little regard to analysis. Usually they live in the moment driven by emotion and the sensitivity others respond with.
- Logical Thinkers – Have we all not met the individual who progressively stage by stage, step by step, in a logical sequential manner, problem solves to a solution? They are deliberate and careful and cannot possibly deal with something out of sequence, as they need their stage gate process to reach a solution. Usually they are well organised, compliant, love structure, and cannot leave anything incomplete.
- Visionary Thinkers – These are the inventors, the originators of an idea with a thought process that can concur the world and in any field they endeavour. They motivate and influence those around them. They can charge head long into a forest provided they have got the Logical and Analytical thinkers picking up the branches behind them. They are equally passionate, determined, and strong willed, with a strong sense of self belief and their way.
In a group situation if you want to see conflict arise, then group all like minded thinkers together. Within the group dynamic the romance of creative thinking is tempered by the logical and analytical thinking. Because it feels right will cut no ice with analytical thinkers and becoming bogged down with mundane details will quickly disengage any visionary thinker.
Understanding how you think is an important step in your career selection. Too often society pigeon holes stereo types into one of these five groups of thinkers. Sure engineers tend to display more analytical thinking and project managers or quantity surveyors are often classified as logical thinkers, but I know plenty of visionary, creative and intuitive thinkers in these fields of endeavour. Equally people involved in the arts, literature, advertising and design can be stereotyped as creative thinkers, but again it is not a prerequisite to be a creative thinker in these industries.
Your career should be based upon a variety of criteria and to this end, check out the 7 Step Career Plan in the Careernav website.
The way you think has more impact if you team up with both like minded and alternate thinkers. The bit you have to get right is understanding how you think and where you’re level of thinking stops being effective.
All the careernav occupation profiles commence with the view as to which type of thinker the career is ideally suited to. Check and compare the various occupations and see whether you agree with our assessment.
You must be a member to leave a comment, sign-up now.
- User friendly format
- Step by Step Guides
- Practical Career & Life Advice
- Great Value for Money
- Keeps you up to date