Slow Thinking? No Apologies Needed
According to researchers, introverts think and react somewhat more slowly than extroverts. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
In 1935, when Albert Einstein, world-famous for his theory of relativity, was in residence at Princeton ‘s Institute for Advanced Study, a young mathematician/physicist named Banesh Hoffmann screwed up the courage to knock on his office door. Invited to come in, Hoffman began explaining some ideas he was working on. Einstein asked him to write the equations on the blackboard. As Hoffman did so, Einstein gently interrupted. “Please go slowly. I do not understand things quickly,” he said.
Einstein, of course, was far from stupid. And besides being a legendarily deep thinker, he had the wisdom to ask for what he needed in conversation with other smart people.
Today we know that Einstein was an introvert, and as such, there was a biological explanation for his slow thinking, and that of introverts generally. In an introvert’s brain, signals need to travel farther when being processed. Introverts prefer to reflect before speaking and to give a more thoughtful response, while extroverts feel more comfortable responding right on the spot. Introverts would rather gather facts and choose their words carefully than respond with whatever pops up immediately.
Because of this conversational preference, we introverts might get labeled as slow, indecisive or dimwitted. We ourselves might worry that we have brain fog, cognitive decline or less intelligence. After all, our culture praises those who are quick on their feet. In almost all cases, however, nothing is wrong. It’s just that introverts have a different thinking style.
Strategies for Slow Thinkers
If you feel pressed for an answer or a decision by someone whose mind works faster than yours, hold up a hand and say “Whoa! Give me a second to think.” Or propose a pause in the process. “Can I get back to you on that?” When I did a lot of consulting by telephone with distant clients, I sometimes used the latter tactic. Just a half minute after breaking the connection, I would have the insight that escaped me before that short gap. I would call the client right back, and we would carry on.
You could also explain that your mind has a quirk of needing a moment of silence in such a situation. Or make an excuse – a FedEx driver needs a signature, the cat has to be let out, you need a refresh of your coffee, etc. But don’t feel that you must apologize, any more than they would for plunging forward the way they feel comfortable.
Afterwards, you can remember the advantages of the introvert thinking pace. You’re innately reflective, prone to deep dives into emotions, ideas and experiences. A wider or more philosophical perspective comes naturally to you. You have greater focus and perhaps, fewer regrets, since you proceed more deliberately. Bonus points if you, like Einstein, coax others to slow down to your speed as a courtesy.