13 Phrases People With High-Level Thinking Often Say, According to Psychologists

Beth Ann Mayer
·7 min read

High-level thinker looking at her plans for the day

High-level thinking sounds fancy, and you know what? It is.

"High-level thinking goes out of the ordinary and beyond the regular regurgitation of facts or parroting of information that we hear on TV or read in the news," says Dr. Elisabeth Crain, PsyD., a doctor of psychology and licensed psychotherapist. 

On second thought, high-level thinking sounds heavenly in 2024. One psychologist likes being a skilled chef in a bustling kitchen:

"Instead of juggling pots and pans, you're juggling complex ideas, patterns and abstract concepts," says Dr. Gayle MacBride, PhD, LP of Veritas Psychology Partners.  "It involves stepping back from the immediate details to view the bigger picture, making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas and employing critical and creative thinking skills to solve problems in innovative ways."

The advantages of being a high-level thinker are immense.

"The benefits of high-level thinking are akin to having a Swiss Army knife for your brain," Dr. MacBride says. "It enhances your problem-solving abilities, makes you more adaptable to change and improves your capacity to understand others' perspectives."

As a result, Dr. MacBride says you're more likely to be creative, make informed decisions, display empathy and be more fun at parties because you're so interesting.

How do you know if you're a high-level thinker? What you say will hold clues. A pair of psychologists shared 13 common phrases of people with high-level thinking.

Related: 6 Things Successful People *Always* Do in a Conversation, According to a Neuropsychotherapist

13 High-Level Thinking Phrases, According to Psychologists

1. "Let's look at this from a different angle."

People with high-level thinking relish looking at ideas and discussions from all sides, even ones different from theirs.

"This phrase shows their willingness to explore alternative perspectives and find novel solutions," Dr. MacBride says.

2. "It is my belief that..."

This one sounds super affirmative for someone who likes to explore different angles. However, high-level thinkers can be open-minded and confident in their opinions.

"People with high-level thinking tend to have a lot of conviction in the things that they say because they’ve been able to establish their own belief system around the thoughts and ideas they have," Dr. Crain says. "These beliefs become part of their identity in a lot of ways, so when they speak, they have a lot of conviction in what they say." 

3. "I believe that..."

This one is almost identical to No. 2, but there's a key difference: It starts with "I," and that's a significant reason why Dr. Crain used it as an example.

"People with high-level thinking tend to use more 'I statements' because their beliefs are tied to their identity," Dr. Crain says.

4. "What's the bigger picture here?"

This phrase exemplifies why people with high-level skills make such strong leaders.

"They're adept at zooming out to see how the pieces fit together, understanding that details are part of larger systems," Dr. MacBride says.

5. "How does this connect to what we were discussing earlier?"

High-level thinkers can connect the dots like nobody's business.

"When high-level thinkers use this phrase, they are demonstrating their ability to draw parallels and link ideas across different contexts," Dr. MacBride says.

6. "What if we approached it this way instead?"

Dr. MacBride loves that this phrase opens the door to problem-solving using creativity and flexibility.

"These are people who don’t just advocate buying new but find creative ways to use what they already have in new ways," Dr. MacBride explains. 

Speaking of which...

7. "Let's see if we can do more with less."

Dr. MacBride says this phrase essentially says the same thing as No. 6, but it's in statement form and a bit more direct. It's an excellent choice for resource-strapped situations.

8. "I can see how you may see it this way. However, to me, it looks more like this..."

This phrase shows a person's ability to see things from all sides without sacrificing firmly held beliefs. 

"Someone who can high-level think will acknowledge other thoughts, beliefs and ideas that don’t necessarily resonate with them," Dr. Crain says. "They can recognize and acknowledge other ways of thinking. They know that thinking is not linear or concrete."

9. "Let's break down the assumptions we're making."

High-level thinkers are willing to push back to help people move forward.

"They challenge the status quo and question underlying beliefs, which can lead to breakthrough insights," Dr. MacBride explains.

10. "Can we find a pattern?"

Again, high-level thinkers are always looking to connect the dots.

"Looking for patterns is a hallmark of strategic thinking, crucial for predicting and planning," Dr. MacBride says.

11. "What are the potential ripple effects?"

People with high-level thinking skills are willing to give even the seemingly best ideas a second (or third and fourth) thought before proceeding, partly because of their empathy toward others.

"Considering the broader consequences of decisions shows an understanding of cause and effect on a complex level," Dr. MacBride says. "They are thoughtful and slow to respond because they are performing some mental gymnastics before they weigh in."

12. "I’d like to listen to what you have to say about it..."

People who can think at a high level don't just talk. They listen.

"People with high-level thinking tend to be really good listeners," Dr. Crain says. "They are very curious about what others have to say."

13. "Can you tell me more about..."

Curiosity is a pillar of high-level thinking.

"They seek further information to concretize what they’re learning," Dr. Crain says. "When we learn about something and understand it, we can then concretize and master it and finally formulate our own thoughts and beliefs around it."

Related: 7 Helpful Phrases for Politely Expressing a Different Opinion, According to a Psychologist

Things People With High-Level Thinking Do *Not* Say

High-level thinking invites discussion and differing viewpoints. It doesn't shut it down. "Something that someone with high-level thinking wouldn’t say is, 'That's just the way it is,'" Dr. MacBride says. "This statement closes the door on questioning, curiosity and the possibility of change. It's antithetical to the very nature of high-level thinking, which thrives on open-ended questions and the potential for innovation."

Similarly, Dr. Crain says you won't hear someone with high-level thinking flat-out tell people they are wrong.

"They respect the fact that others have different ways of thinking, even if they don’t agree with their methods," Dr. Crain says. "They don’t put absolutes on things because they know that ideas are malleable and that they change and shift over time. They do not say things like, 'It is 100% this way.'"

Related: 175 Controversial Questions to Spark Debate—From Politics to Pop Culture

3 Tips for Becoming a High-Level Thinker

1. Embrace curiosity

Forget what curiosity does to cats. This trait fosters high-level thinking.

"Like a child marveling at the world, ask 'why' frequently," Dr. MacBride says. "Dive into topics outside your comfort zone to broaden your perspective. Implement this by adopting a learner's mindset, where you see every experience as an opportunity to grow."

As a result, you'll prevent rushing to judgment before you've seen all angles.

2. Reflect

Dr. Crain recommends pausing after reading new ideas or engaging in a healthy discourse with others. 

"Take some time out after you’ve learned things and think about what resonated with you," Dr. Crain says. "Take your learning and thinking to that second or third step by forming your own opinions and beliefs on what you’ve learned."

3. Seek out diverse perspectives

Exit the echo chamber, as comfy as it is.

"Surround yourself with people and situations that challenge your thinking," Dr. MacBride recommends. "This can be through experience, books, podcasts or conversations with individuals from different backgrounds and disciplines."

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