Scientist

A love of difficult theoretical challenges and problems

Thinker GROUP

Scientist is one of a group of Character Types that we call Thinker. The Thinker, in turn, form a group within our overall Character Family as shown right:

CHARACTER SUMMARY

The Scientist is the patient visionary with a clear view of how the future should look and will work with quiet and logical determination to make it happen. Although quite deep, and mistrustful until they have the measure of people, the Scientist loves an intellectual challenge and will be stimulated by the conceptual, the abstract and the complex.

Facts and figures bore them, and they will be looking to see the 'bigger picture', planning for the future that they create. Getting close to the Scientist will take some time, and they may not always involve others in the decision-making process. This can make them seem slightly detached, but it is simply that the processing which takes place (and a great deal of processing takes place) goes on inside the head.

The Scientist will be private and keep thought processes inside until they emerge with 'the plan of action'. This may be the first opportunity for others to even realise that so much was going on 'inside'.

Scientists make decisions based on rational logic, rather than emotion and they will be quite measured in their approach to other people. They generally have strong opinions, are independent of thought and action and have no need to verbalise these, other than to declare the conclusions. This economy of information can be a handicap as it may leave members of the team feeling that they are 'on the outside’.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE

More so than any other personality type, Scientists excel when it comes to grasping complex theories and applying them to problems and coming up with long-term strategies. Since this type of ‘strategising’ is the central focus and drive of the Scientist, there is a happy match between desire and ability in this type. Accordingly, the Scientist is happiest and most effective in roles which allow this type of processing, and which promote an environment in which the Scientist is given a lot of autonomy over their daily lives - to think and act independently, and not be ‘crowded.’

• Supreme strategists, will see the global aspects - the ‘big picture’
• Strong, well thought-out opinions based on logic and evidence
• A love of difficult theoretical challenges and problems
• They can become bored when dealing with the mundane or routine tasks
• They value knowledge and efficiency and often show little patience with inefficiency or confusion
• Reserved and detached from others, often preferring to work alone on problems
• Logical, rational, original and independent individuals
• Creative, innovative, and resourceful - they will work long and hard on tasks that interest them

WHAT COMES EASY

Scientists are unlikely to be ‘touchy-feely’ or emotional, even with family or friends, and may at times be slightly insensitive to their emotional needs. However, Scientists are in general extremely capable and intelligent individuals who strive to always be their best, and be moving in a positive direction. They have an incredible ability to absorb and assimilate vast amounts of complex data and come up with novel methods of solving even the most difficult of problems - that is their forte.

• Rarely threatened by conflict or criticism
• Self-confidence - a Scientist rarely becomes emotional
• Taking their commitments seriously; if it’s important to the Scientist, then it’s really important
• Intellectual problem solving and logical analysis - traits they admire in others
• Systematically analysing information from a variety of perspectives
• Insight - seeing things that may not be obvious to others
• Open to changing their opinions when shown a better idea - it’s all about what works
• Persistence - will inject considerable energy and enthusiasm into their interests

WHAT NEEDS DEVELOPING

Scientists are rare types, usually intelligent and resourceful with an interest in how things work, how complex things are put together and - most importantly - how to make them better. However they may need to work at building close relationships as this may not come naturally. Scientists quickly see what the problem is, understand how everything works and hangs together and then will want to get on and solve it. The Scientist works best when they are allowed the freedom to do it their way, and where they don’t have to keep checking how people are feeling.

• Taking time to consider and understand other people’s feelings and their impact
• Understanding others emotions and exploring non logical responses to situations
• Taking time and opportunity to express their own needs and concerns.
• Being more objective and open minded about suggestions and ideas from others
• Being more open, express more inner thoughts and feelings
• Allowing others to make mistakes and providing objective support and development
• Acting more on the spur of the moment, taking decisions with limited information