What Is a Logical Thinker? (With Definition and Examples)

As an employee, there are many skills you can apply or develop to improve workplace success. Logical thinking is an important skill that employers value and look for in candidates. If you want to improve your performance at work and make better decisions, learning to think logically is essential. In this article, we explain what a logical thinker is, describe why logical thinking is important, outline ways of improving your logical thinking skills, and highlight ways to show logical thinking.

What is a logical thinker?

A logical thinker observes situations, reactions, feedback, or tasks and makes rational conclusions. Similar to critical thinking, logical thinking involves objectively studying a situation and using reasoning to develop a viable solution or generate ideas. These skills involve identifying patterns, correlations, and trends that can influence decision-making. Logical thinkers can justify their strategies, actions, and decisions because their conclusions arise from available facts. For example, suppose a customer has difficulty with downloading an application. A software developer who thinks logically would observe the situation and develop better applications based on their observation.

Logical thinkers may also reason deductively, which means developing solutions or generating ideas from a previous statement or action. For example, suppose a marketing team's research returns results about how frequently children break toys. They may use this information to recommend the manufacturing department produces more durable toys based on the market insights, and to provide a higher quality product to improve customer satisfaction.

Read more: Deductive Reasoning: Definition, Application, and Examples

Why is thinking logically important?

Logical thinking is important because it helps you overcome challenges at work. These skills are also useful in reasoning through important decisions and setting professional goals, which can all affect your career. Whether you just entered the workforce or want to advance your career, you want to make good decisions and apply effective strategies. Becoming a logical thinker can help you stay productive and make conclusions without relying on your emotions but your reasoning. Evaluate your logical thinking skills to determine what aspects to develop that can benefit you and your employers.

Ways to develop your logical thinking skills

Here are some strategies you can use to enhance your logical thinking skills:

Practise creative interests

Aside from making you more creative, activities such as painting, drawing, and playing music can promote logical thinking. These creative outlets involve generating ideas or solving problems, which can help you become better at reaching rational conclusions. For example, learning to play the piano typically requires you to study the instrument, observe feedback from playing notes, and drawing conclusions on what each key does. It also involves concentration, which you can apply or develop to approach your work more intently.

Engaging in creative activities also helps to achieve a better work-life balance. If you can manage stress levels, you typically focus more on making logical decisions at work. For example, professionals who can plan and deal with stressors, such as long hours, typically make logical decisions consistently.

Related: 7 Steps To Improve Your Creative Thinking Skills

Ask thoughtful questions

Another way to develop your logical thinking skills is to question what you previously considered as facts. Regularly questioning situations can help find out more about topics and establish relationships.

For example, if you work in sales and want to know about affiliate marketing, you can consider asking an employee in the marketing department for an informational interview to learn about this marketing aspect. Doing this can help you make conclusions about affiliate marketing and make better decisions on whether to explore it to improve sales. Asking questions about topics that genuinely interest you can help to improve your logical thinking skills quickly.

Read more: 18 Good Questions To Ask During an Interview and Why To Ask Them

Build professional relationships

Socializing with others can expand your perspective on situations and events, providing more opportunities to enhance your logical thinking skills. For example, if you join a professional organization, you may learn how other professionals in your industry make logical decisions and come to conclusions.

There are various ways to develop professional relationships with others. For example, you may take part in activities you both enjoy or simply meet over coffee to discuss common interests regularly. These relationships may be with a friend, colleague, mentor, or career coach. Establishing a mutually beneficial relationship to develop logical thinking can help you handle more responsibilities at work and advance your career.

Read more: Building Relationships: Benefits, Tips, and How-to Guide

Learn a new skill

A new skill can help to develop your logic skills. For example, you may develop an interest in computer programming and learn to write computer codes, a process that requires logical and creative thinking. Such skills can help you approach workplace issues or projects thoughtfully and improve your ability to reach logical conclusions. Evaluate what skill interests you and how you can learn how to think logically during the learning process. You may also take part in training sessions on logical thinking, such as workshops, online courses, and programs.

Try to anticipate outcomes

Anticipating the result of your decisions can also affect your ability to reach logical conclusions and make decisions. When you think of a solution or an idea, try to determine the outcome. With practice, you typically find it easier to anticipate the long-term impact of your decisions, which is an important aspect of thinking logically. Anticipating outcomes can also help you show more attention to observing or studying workplace situations. For example, suppose you have a short deadline for a project. By anticipating the result of delegating some tasks, you can determine whether delegation is an effective decision to take.

Related: Inductive Reasoning vs. Deductive Reasoning (With Examples)

Examples of logical thinking during a job interview

Review the following examples of how you can showcase logical thinking during interviews:

Example 1: an entry-level role

This example presents how recruits can show logical thinking during interviews:

In an interview with company managers, an interviewer asked Mark to describe his logical thinking skills. Aside from mentioning how he applied these skills while in school, he discussed his eagerness to explore new ideas and concepts. Mark also described how showing enthusiasm for learning benefited him in previous positions, creating a logical progression for the interviewer.

Related: 11 Interview Logic Questions To Expect (With Answers and Tips)

Example 2: a mid-level role

This example outlines how managers can show they are logical thinkers during interviews:

An interviewer asked Cynthia a hypothetical question about an industry concept. Cynthia used this opportunity to show her logical thinking skills. She offered multiple responses to the question to show she can think beyond the obvious answers. She also describes her thought process for reaching logical decisions.

Example 3: a senior-level role

This example describes how a director can show logical thinking during an interview:

Alex applied to become a company's director of communications. During their interview, they explain how they used their logic skills throughout their career. In particular, they outline a previous situation where they conducted market research before determining the company's customer communication policy and strategies for interacting with stakeholders. Alex also detailed how their approach led to a 60% increase in customer engagement and improved stakeholder interest in the company's activities.

Examples of logical thinking in the workplace

Here are ways to demonstrate logical thinking in the workplace:

Example 1: an entry-level employee

This example shows how recruits can outline their logical thinking skills at work:

Kelvin receives a company memo of the decision to adopt energy-efficient manufacturing applications. He observes the current manufacturing applications and activities of employees in the manufacturing department. Eventually, he informs upper management of his recommendation to use high-efficiency heating, cooling equipment, and extra insulation based on their request.

Example 2: a mid-level employee

This example describes how managers can demonstrate logical thinking in the workplace:

Derek receives a managerial promotion after working at a company for 11 years. To ensure an effective transition, company executives require him to designate an employee to take his supervisory role. He compares the leadership behaviours of prospective candidates on the team before deciding on who to designate as team leader.

Example 3: a senior-level employee

This example outlines how directors and senior managers can show logical thinking at work:

As a company director, Aisha oversees the activities of department managers and monitors progress using the reports they provide. She analyzes progress reports from each manager at the end of her quarter. Aisha uses the progress reports to determine the best approach to improving productivity and employee motivation within each department.