The 6 Things We Value - Part 4: The Thinker

The final part of the series is here!! I hope you have learned about your children or yourself and how what we value dictates what we think and how we act. I hop this has given you some teaching insights as well! Let's find out what the fourth and final type values. Today's post is about what the Thinker type values.

1) Thinkers Value Being Calm

Above all they wish to be calm so that they can rationally look at the situation they are involved in. They will hold their emotions in check so that they can not be biased by them. But this does not mean that they don't feel. When we see this type, sometimes they seem cold or uncaring. But that is far from the truth. They feel just as many emotions, but they hold them back. They trust their knowledge the most and will work like a detective, looking at what is facts and not let their emotions cloud their judgement.

Teacher Application:
These students will seem distant, but they still have emotions and care about many things. Still be sensitive to their feelings. Also know if they aren't jumping around excited or overly enthusiastic about something, it doesn't mean they don't care. They are just hanging back looking at the evidence and then they will act or decide.

2) Thinkers Value Trusting their Reason

Above anything else, Thinkers will trust reason. They are looking for what makes sense. This is why they look at all the logic and reason around them. If something doesn't make sense, they will not listen to it or want to do it. They don't trust authority and rarely their intuition or impulses.

Teacher Application:
I feel this is a really important one when working with this type. As their instructor you need to explain why you are doing what you are doing. As they see what makes sense, they will be on board with what you are doing. They won't just listen because you are the authority, you need to appeal to their reason. Plan into your instruction the explanation of why, how, and why. This will help them to be ready to be a part of the learning.

3) Thinkers Value Yearning for Achievement 

Thinkers are extremely hard on themselves and set very hard goals. They are constantly trying to complete some goal they have for themselves. This can be in the area of work, sports, school, play, knowledge, puzzles, projects, etc. They throw themselves into completing whatever they are working on at the moment. They have a hard time moving on to other things until they complete what they are working on. They can also believe they don't do good enough work and will be "haunted by a sense of teetering on the edge of failure" (pg. 189).

Teacher Application:
This is another good thing to understand about your Thinker types. They will throw themselves into what their goals are and so allow them some flexibility to set their goals. Also understand it will be hard to get them to do other things until they have completed their current project. Give them the time to work on their current project. Be there as a support and a help, but don't praise them, encourage them. They can be close to failure because of their high expectations, be there to help/encourage them.

4) Thinkers Value Seeking Knowledge

Thinkers always want to learn more and will seek for knowledge wherever they can. They want to know "how to as well as know about" (pg. 190). They need to know why things makes sense, they need it to be logical. They will be asking questions of themselves, others, and looking up multiple resources to get answer to their questions. Lots and lots of questions. This will be for their entire lives.

Teacher Application:
This is the greatest advantage you have as a teacher to their type. If you can tap into their knowledge seeking, you can get them to work tirelessly at learning. Give them room to learn and research and also be there to help with their questions. Help them to find their answers and make connections. As you give them the opportunity to seek for knowledge, you will see a student who will always be willing to learn.

5) Thinkers Value Prizing Deference

This type works very hard at what their goals are and what knowledge they are seeking. Once they have completed their projects and especially if they are pleased with what they have done, it means a lot to them when they are asked about it. Often their explanations can be technical or confusing to those who don't have the same knowledge, so that can be a problem at times.

Teaching Application:
Ask your children to explain their work as they are working on it and especially once they have finished it. Try to understand what they are working on and ask knowledgable questions. Allow them to share their projects with many people and not just yourself.

6) Thinkers Value Aspiring to be a "Wizard" 
The wizard is the "ultimate scientist, with what seems an almost magical power over nature" (pg. 192). Thinkers aspire to be this "scientific genius". They want to be able to understand the working of things so well that they can predict what will occur because of their knowledge of things.

Teacher Application:
This ties back into letting them learn and work on their projects. As they understand and learn more about the world and things they are interested in, they work to become the thing they aspire to be, a "wizard". You can also show them many people who have become these wizards to inspire them.