“My husband has ALWAYS got his head buried in a book! He hardly comes up for air!”
“She is so quiet and introverted. She hardly says two words when we’re together and I just seem to talk faster every time I’m around her!”
“We are NEVER going to get this project off the ground! That lady up in HR has to think some more about who we’re going to bring in to take on that operations piece. Good grief! Haven’t we been over this a hundred times?”
Intellection: the Deep Thinker
Strengths: Quiet and Introspective
Have you got someone in your life who drives you a little nuts because they’re so quiet? Maybe you’re frustrated because there are times when you can’t seem to reach them. Perhaps be they seem aloof, and stand-offish, or maybe they don’t seem to even need you because they prefer their own company.
You might see them as shy and introverted. And when you are engaged with them in conversation, they could seem a bit distracted or lost in another world somewhere — not quite fully present.
Chances are, you have encountered someone with the StrengthsFinder talent theme of Intellection.
Intellection: Quiet Loners who Think
Intellection: The Deep Thinker
Those high in Intellection love to think and think and think and think. The world is vivid and exciting in their heads. They think about solving problems, like how to fix that drawer that keeps falling off its rails. Or maybe they’re thinking about the latest in their favorite comic series. Or maybe they’re just thinking about their second grade teacher, Mrs. Carter — and they have no idea why she suddenly popped up on the radar. Regardless of what they’re thinking about, they are thinking!
Sometimes, they’re even thinking about one thing while they’re talking to you about something else! There seems to be a constant dialog going on in their heads — they chatter just as much as those who talk and talk and talk, only it’s all internal. This is how they process life — they dig deep into reasons and causes, possibilities and solutions. Their cogitating and ruminating goes on constantly, like a river running downstream. There is no end to their thinking.
They Need Time for Thinking
My friend, Gardner, is very strong in Intellection. He’s quiet, he’s introspective and I know that there’s a lot of deep thinking going on behind the glasses that he wears! He thinks about what his business will look like in the future. He reads a lot, to give him more fuel for fire in his head that is constantly burning. He participates in a couple of Master Mind groups, where he brings his musings to the table for further “fleshing out” of concepts and ideas. And with each new idea, each new tidbit he learns, it goes right into the hopper for further thinking — his favorite pastime!
Love Your Thinker
The next time you work with those who seem lost in their thoughts, understand that they were born to be thoughtful and contemplative. They need time — time to ponder and plan, time to speculate and reflect. By giving them time, you will gain greater input from them in making decisions. Also, help them find ways to engage with other deep thinkers to discuss various philosophies that capture their interests. A book club may give them the discussions they crave, or perhaps an organization where they can serve by sharing their thoughts and ideas.
When working with someone strong in the Strength of Intellection, consider this: Where do you need some unique perspectives to solving problems? These thinkers can help you see things more deeply than you ever imagined!
Find all your Strengthsfinder resources at http://gallupstrengthscenter.com.
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