The Importance of Logical Thinking in the Workplace

What is logical thinking, and why is it important to employers? The word "logic" comes from the Greek word meaning "reason." Employers place a high value on workers who display strong logical thinking or reasoning skills because their decision making is based on factual data. In most cases, organizations don’t want employees making decisions influenced by emotions instead of facts. 

What Is Logical Thinking?

Logical thinkers observe and analyze phenomena, reactions, and feedback and then draw conclusions based on that input. They can justify their strategies, actions, and decisions based on the facts they gather.

Logical thinkers don't go with their gut or develop a strategy because it "feels right." Logical thinking also requires clarifying assumptions and setting aside biases, as far as possible. Here's an example:

What Is Deductive Reasoning?

Logical thinkers can also reason deductively. They can identify an acceptable premise and apply it to situations that they encounter on the job. Here's an example:

The Importance of Logical Thinking

Logical thinking helps all employees process facts and implement reasonable solutions rather than acting solely on their emotions. A strategy set based on logic may also be more compelling to other employees than a feeling-based strategy. 

Examples of Logical Thinking

The following are some examples of logical thinking in the workplace. Take a look at this list, and think about situations at work where you have used logic and facts—rather than feelings—to work toward a solution or set a course of action.

• Conducting market research tests to gauge consumer reactions to a new product before devising an advertising strategy.
• Developing a recruiting profile for new sales representatives based on an assessment of the qualities of the company's most productive sales representatives.
• Recommending a strategy for quitting smoking after reviewing the latest overview studies on smoking cessation.
• Analyzing reviews by restaurant customers before structuring training protocols.
• Surveying employees about their preferences for employee benefits before finalizing contracts with vendors.
• Soliciting feedback from users about their experience with software before creating the next generation.
• Deciding who to designate as team leader after comparing the past evidence of leadership behaviors by prospective candidates.
• Interviewing departing employees to uncover patterns of unwanted turnover.
• Reaching out to colleagues at other organizations to discover high-impact practices before finalizing a strategy for the next cycle.
• Creating campaign slogans based on an assessment of hot-button issues for potential voters.
• A contractor recommending extra insulation, high-efficiency heating, cooling equipment and appliances, and a passive solar design to a customer who wants the most energy-efficient home possible.

How to Demonstrate Logical Thinking as a Candidate

During job interviews, you likely won't hear an interview question that directly mentions logical thinking. That is, interviewers won't say, "Tell me an example of a time you used logic at work." Instead, an interviewer may say, "Tell me about the steps you took to determine the next stages in that project you mentioned." Or, they may ask, "How would you respond if a newly launched product received negative feedback?" 

In your answers to questions like this, you want to outline the steps you'd take for the given scenario.

You can talk about what questions you asked, data you pulled, or research you analyzed to come to conclusions. This will help showcase your logical thinking skills. 

You can also emphasize logical thinking abilities in your resume or cover letter. Again, you'll just want to outline your process. For instance, instead of simply saying, "Created a new training program," you could add more details:

As a reminder, employers seek candidates with a track record of logical thinking because it ensures a smooth decision-making process.