The Conversation That Goes Nowhere
Values-driven person: "I'm so excited about this idea! Imagine if we could just—"
Logic-driven person: "That's not feasible. The ROI doesn't justify the resource investment."
Values-driven person: "You're killing the vibe. Can you just be excited for once?"
Logic-driven person: "I'm being realistic. Excitement doesn't change the economics."
Values-driven person: [Feels shot down and unheard]
Logic-driven person: [Frustrated by 'irrational' emotional response]
Both: "Why can't they just communicate normally?"
The problem: You're speaking fundamentally different languages.
Why Logic-Driven and Values-Driven People Clash
Logic-Driven People Lead With Analysis, Values-Driven People Lead With Impact
Logic-driven thinking process:
- What's the most logical course of action?
- What are the inefficiencies?
- How do we optimize this?
- Emotion is irrelevant data
Values-driven thinking process:
- How do people feel about this?
- What possibilities exist?
- What aligns with our values?
- Logic without heart is cold
Neither is wrong. They're just prioritizing different information.
Logic-driven persons Want Efficiency, Values-driven persons Want Connection
What drives an Logic-driven person:
- Competence
- Systems that work
- Clear logic
- Minimal wasted effort
- Getting to the point
What drives an Values-driven person:
- Authenticity
- Human connection
- Exploring possibilities
- Emotional resonance
- The journey, not just the destination
The clash: Logic-driven person efficiency feels cold to Values-driven persons. Values-driven person warmth feels inefficient to Logic-driven persons.
Logic-driven persons Plan, Values-driven persons Improvise
Logic-driven person approach: "Here's the 10-step plan. We execute steps 1-5 this week, 6-8 next week, final steps the week after. Any deviations require replanning."
Values-driven person approach: "Let's start and see where it takes us! We can pivot if something better comes up. The best ideas happen spontaneously!"
The clash:
- Logic-driven person sees Values-driven person as chaotic and unreliable
- Values-driven person sees Logic-driven person as rigid and controlling
What Each Type Needs to Understand
What Logic-driven persons Need to Know About Values-driven persons
1. Their emotion isn't irrational—it's their information processing
❌ Logic-driven person dismissal: "You're being too emotional about this."
✅ Better: "I can see this matters to you. Help me understand what value you see that I'm missing."
Why: Values-driven persons process decisions through their value system. Dismissing feelings = dismissing their entire decision-making framework.
2. "Just the facts" feels cold, not efficient
❌ Logic-driven person efficiency: [Sends bullet points with no context]
✅ Better: [Adds 2 sentences of context about why this matters]
Why: Values-driven persons need to understand the human element, not just the data. 30 seconds of warmth isn't inefficiency—it's effective communication with this type.
3. They brainstorm out loud—they're not committed to every idea
❌ Logic-driven person frustration: "You just said we should do X. Now you want Y. Make up your mind."
✅ Better: "I hear you exploring options. Which of these are you serious about vs just thinking out loud?"
Why: Values-driven persons think by talking. Not every spoken idea is a proposal—they're processing.
4. "That won't work" kills their motivation
❌ Logic-driven person feedback: "That's impractical. Here are the 5 reasons why it fails."
✅ Better: "I like where you're going. Here's what would need to change for this to work: [specific adjustments]."
Why: Values-driven persons are motivated by possibility. Lead with what COULD work, then add constraints.
5. They need to know you care, not just that you're competent
❌ Logic-driven person approach: [Solves problem efficiently, says nothing]
✅ Better: "I know this has been frustrating for you. I've got a solution that should fix it."
Why: Acknowledging the emotional reality takes 5 seconds and makes Values-driven persons feel seen.
What Values-driven persons Need to Know About Logic-driven persons
1. Their directness isn't coldness—it's efficiency
❌ Values-driven person interpretation: "They're so harsh. Why can't they be nicer?"
✅ Better understanding: "They respect me enough to be direct. They're not wasting my time with softening."
Why: Logic-driven persons see emotional padding as dishonest or patronizing. Direct = respectful in their world.
2. They actually ARE excited—they just don't show it your way
❌ Values-driven person frustration: "You don't seem to care about this."
✅ Better: "On a scale of 1-10, how promising do you think this is?"
Why: Logic-driven persons don't express enthusiasm through energy and smiles. Their "excited" looks like focused interest.
3. They need time to process—instant decisions feel reckless
❌ Values-driven person spontaneity: "Let's just do it! What's the worst that could happen?"
✅ Better: "I'd like to move on this. Could you take 24 hours to evaluate it and tell me what concerns you see?"
Why: Logic-driven persons need to think through implications. Pressuring immediate decisions creates resistance.
4. "Let's just see what happens" is not a plan
❌ Values-driven person approach: "We'll figure it out as we go!"
✅ Better: "Here's the general direction. You plan the execution steps, I'll handle the creative parts."
Why: Logic-driven persons need structure to feel secure. Give them the framework, let them optimize it.
5. Criticism of your idea isn't criticism of you
❌ Values-driven person response: "Why are you always so negative? Can't you just support me?"
✅ Better: "I hear your concerns about the approach. What would make this workable from your perspective?"
Why: Logic-driven persons critique ideas to improve them, not to hurt you. It's how they show they take you seriously.
How to Actually Work Together
The Translation Guide
When Logic-driven person says: "That's not logical." Values-driven person hears: "Your idea is stupid." What they mean: "I don't see how this achieves the goal. Walk me through your reasoning."
When Values-driven person says: "This just feels right." Logic-driven person hears: "I have no real justification." What they mean: "Based on my understanding of people and values, this aligns with what matters. Let me articulate why."
When Logic-driven person says: "Here's the most efficient approach." Values-driven person hears: "Stop wasting time." What they mean: "I've optimized this. This path minimizes obstacles."
When Values-driven person says: "Can we talk about this?" Logic-driven person hears: "Prepare for feelings and inefficiency." What they mean: "I need to process this verbally and understand how you're thinking about it."
Communication Strategies That Work
For Project Discussions
❌ The Clash:
Values-driven person: "What if we completely reimagined the whole approach?"
Logic-driven person: "We don't have time for blue-sky thinking. We have a deadline."
✅ The Bridge:
Values-driven person: "I have some alternative approaches I'd like to explore. Could we spend 15 minutes brainstorming before we commit to a plan? I think it might surface some possibilities worth considering."
Logic-driven person: "Okay. 15 minutes of ideation, then we evaluate the top 3 for feasibility and pick one. Deal?"
Why it works:
- Values-driven person gets to brainstorm (need met)
- Logic-driven person gets time boundaries and decision structure (need met)
- Both contribute their strengths
For Giving Feedback
❌ Logic-driven person to Values-driven person: "This is wrong. You didn't follow the process. Fix these 8 things."
❌ Values-driven person to Logic-driven person: "I just feel like maybe this could be, I don't know, different? Like more... warm?"
✅ Logic-driven person to Values-driven person (Better): "I appreciate the effort here. The creative direction is strong. I see 3 technical issues that need fixing before this will work: [specific list]. Want to discuss the best way to address them?"
✅ Values-driven person to Logic-driven person (Better): "The logic here is solid. I'm concerned about how this will land with the team emotionally. Specifically, [concrete concern]. Could we adjust [specific element] to address that?"
Why it works:
- Leads with what's good
- Specific, not vague
- Frames as collaboration
- Values-driven person gives concrete concern, not just "feeling"
- Logic-driven person softens delivery while staying direct
The Strengths Combination
When Logic-driven persons and Values-driven persons stop fighting and start collaborating:
Logic-driven person brings:
- Strategic thinking
- Systems and structure
- Long-term planning
- Logical problem-solving
- Quality control
Values-driven person brings:
- Creative possibilities
- Understanding people
- Motivation and energy
- Adaptability
- Values alignment
Together:
- Logic-driven person provides the framework
- Values-driven person provides the vision
- Logic-driven person spots the flaws
- Values-driven person spots the opportunities
- Logic-driven person optimizes execution
- Values-driven person ensures human-centered outcomes
This combination is powerful when they respect each other's process.
Real Scenario: Planning an Event
❌ The Disaster:
Values-driven person: "Let's do a spontaneous karaoke night! It'll be so fun!"
Logic-driven person: "No. We need 2 weeks notice, venue booking, equipment rental, and participant confirmation."
Values-driven person: "You're killing the spontaneity!"
Logic-driven person: "Your 'spontaneity' is logistical chaos."
[Event doesn't happen, both frustrated]
✅ The Success:
Values-driven person: "I want to create a fun, casual event where people can let loose—something like karaoke. I'm thinking next month?"
Logic-driven person: "Karaoke could work. Give me 3 weeks lead time. I'll handle venue, equipment, and logistics. You handle the vibe, theming, and getting people excited."
Values-driven person: "Perfect! I'll make it feel fun and inclusive. You make sure it actually happens."
[Event succeeds, attendees have great time]
Why it works:
- Values-driven person provided creative vision
- Logic-driven person provided realistic timeline
- Clear division of labor
- Each plays to strengths
Warning Signs You're Not Communicating Well
Logic-driven person signs:
- You're dismissing their ideas as "unrealistic" without exploring them
- You're frustrated by their "emotions" constantly
- You're not explaining your reasoning, just stating conclusions
- You're treating their brainstorming as commitments
Values-driven person signs:
- You're taking their critiques personally
- You're calling them "cold" or "heartless"
- You're avoiding structure and planning entirely
- You're expecting them to read your mind about emotional needs
If you're experiencing these, you're fighting your differences instead of leveraging them.
The 4 Tests for Logic-driven person-Values-driven person Communication
1. SIGNAL: Are we speaking the same language?
Am I translating my communication into terms they understand, or expecting them to think like me?
2. OPPORTUNITY: Are we using our differences as strengths?
Or are we fighting about whose approach is "right"?
3. RISK: Am I dismissing their entire decision-making framework?
Logic-driven persons dismissing feelings, Values-driven persons dismissing logic—both cause breakdown.
4. AFFECT: Does this make them feel respected or frustrated?
Check: Is my communication style honoring their needs or just mine?
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Related Reading
- Why Your Personality Type Makes "Just Be Yourself" Terrible Advice
- The Dark Side of Each MBTI Type's Communication Style
- How to Communicate With Someone Who's Your Opposite Type
About 4Angles: We analyze your writing from 4 psychological perspectives (Signal, Opportunity, Risk, Affect) to help you communicate with confidence. Free analysis available at 4angles.com.
Last Updated: 2025-10-29