Embrace your way of thinking and get ahead with Red Bull Wingfinder
The way you think has a huge impact on your success in life, and knowing more about your strengths and weaknesses can help you to thrive in any environment. So, let's find them out.
Thinking is one of the four key strengths highlighted by the Red Bull Wingfinder personality test. It's a trait designed to measure the abilities you use when solving problems, and your approach to thinking can be divided into five different categories: 'Agile', 'Analytical', 'Balanced Learner', 'Hands-on Learner', and 'Intuitive'.
It's easy to take the test to find out what sort of personality you have, but why does it actually matter? Each different approach to thinking has its own benefits, and you can naturally succeed in different ways whatever the problem. But the test also highlights some important areas where you can improve.
You could consider teaming up with different personality types, for example, or simply slow down and adopt a different approach to problems. Either way, it's important to find out what sort of thinker you are if you want to be successful, and we've highlighted everything you need to know below.
Agile
Being an 'Agile' thinker means you excel at solving complex problems, and you potentially have the world at your feet. This can lead to great success in the workplace aided by a focus on objectivity, and learning on the go. An analytical way of working can further help you to succeed in any walk of life, with the ability to process situations quickly, while taking in a great deal of information.
It's not all good news however, as agile thinkers can occasionally be closed off to ideas that haven't been rigorously tested or researched. As such, it's important that you consider alternatives that are outside the norm, like solutions that haven't been tried or tested, and just trust your intuition to help you to pick the right outcome. You should also remember that those around you aren't necessarily agile in their thinking, so make sure you keep them in the loop, and help out where needed.
Analytical
Being 'Analytical' is all about your ability to solve complex problems with logic. Analytical people can quickly familiarise themselves with work tasks, which makes it easier to succeed in new or developing roles. And the ability to work methodically and critically weigh up alternatives makes analytical thinkers particularly valuable in the workplace. If you're an analytical thinker, you achieve success through your ability to learn quickly, remain objective, and your willingness to take the time to consider the situation.
There are downsides to being analytical, as it's easy to get set in your ways. If you want to achieve further success, you need to ensure you don't automatically dismiss suggestions from other people. While their ideas may initially seem unusual, or lacking in reasoning, it doesn't mean they can’t be successful. Consider teaming up with people who work in a more hands-on manner if you want to get some more interesting results.
Gwen Jorgensen is a balanced learner
© C Bailey Speed / Red Bull Content Pool
Balanced Learner
If you're a 'Balanced Learner', you’ll solve problems in a logical and methodical manner, using intuition gained from your previous experiences. This balanced approach means you're happy to explore new problems, while also calling on prior knowledge, remaining objective and trusting your instincts, without appearing robotic.
If you're not careful, though, your approach to problem solving can also result in being pigeon-holed. As such, it's important to explore new options where possible. You're used to thinking quickly and intuitively, so start being mindful of situations that require a slower and more considered approach – your ability to switch depending on circumstances puts you ahead of the crowd.
Hands-on Learner
'Hands-on Learner' is the fourth personality trait when it comes to thinking. It means you approach problem-solving in a practical, no-nonsense, and straightforward way. You discover the best solutions using a mix of prior knowledge and common sense, and you're also quick to learn from experience and dive right in, making you a dependable choice for the job.
Being a hands-on learner may not seem like the best approach for every situation, so if you want to succeed, focus on approaching complex problems one step at a time, and breaking them down into manageable chunks. While your first port of call may be to use your experience and intuition, consider slowing down, and analysing the situation more carefully.
Intuitive
If none of the traits above sound like you, and you have a real feel for making quick decisions, the chances are you fall within the 'Intuitive' category. It's a great trait to have, and your colleagues no doubt value your common sense, and ability to use past experiences. You prefer to follow your instincts and avoid overthinking, which means you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.
However, it's important to remember that there are alternative ways of dealing with issues, and there's nothing wrong with slowing down and considering other ideas. Start paying closer attention to complex situations or problems you haven't encountered before. And rather than relying on your intuition, consider carrying out a careful analysis to achieve the best solution.
Interested in finding out more about your strengths and weaknesses? Take the Red Bull Wingfinder test today for free.
