People who always think before they speak share these 8 unique personality traits

Most people like sharing whatever’s on their minds, especially when it comes to topics that they feel strongly about. 

Among the people I’ve met and had conversations with, the majority of them are usually waiting for their turn to speak – they’re not listening to what you have to say. 

But for the handful that take the time to listen, think, and share their opinion, I find them a lot more enjoyable to converse with.

Here are some personality traits these people tend to share.

1) Open-mindedness

We all have our own opinions on various topics, whether it’s religion, politics, gender, and even the economy. Pull out a news article and we immediately have an opinion on it.

And this is completely okay. Our worldview is shaped by our upbringing, education, and the people we hang out with.

But it’s one thing to have an opinion and another to voice it out regardless of the situation.

Others may not share the same views as us – and people who think before they speak recognize this. 

That’s why they tend to pause and digest the information they receive, before sharing what’s on their mind. 

Regardless of where they stand on the topic, if they agree or disagree, they’ll handle the situation with an open mind.

And this stems from their…

2) Respect for others

People who think before they speak possess this characteristic and this influences everything that they think and do.

They’re respectful of everyone regardless of who they are and where they come from. They believe that everyone deserves to be seen and heard.

Thus, with this mindset, they naturally withhold their judgment when they interact with others. They’re intent on forging positive relationships and understand that one wrong word can ruin a person’s impression of someone. 

Worse still, it has the potential to ruin relationships as well.

Even if they disagree with the other person, they will state their opinion respectfully.

3) Thoughtfulness

This is a personality trait that not everyone has unless you’re someone who’s emotionally mature.

Usually, people who have a certain level of maturity are willing to take the time to reflect on their decisions, thoughts, and opinions.

Rather than forming an opinion based on what the majority of people are saying or on impulse, they tend to gather all the facts before making a decision. 

They take the time to consider different perspectives before expressing their thoughts, rather than respond based on feelings or emotions. 

This allows them to provide nuanced opinions that consider both sides and it makes discussions and conversations a lot richer.

4) Self-control

One important characteristic that people who think before they speak share is self-control. 

When we’re in a heated discussion either online or in person, it’s extremely easy to fire away at what’s on our minds. 

This is a result of heightened emotions and the desire to either 1) defend our opinion or 2) agree with the other person who’s validating our view.

But we could all benefit from some self-control, where we take a step back and consider our opinions before sharing them – especially when we’re in a professional setting or when the discussion is becoming increasingly heated.

The last thing anyone wants is to say something in the heat of the moment, as this can result in serious consequences. It’s tough to take back things that have been said as well.

5) Diplomacy

People who think before they speak usually try to find common ground with the other person as much as possible, to avoid starting on the wrong foot. 

To avoid unnecessary conflict, they will try to understand the perspectives of different parties before making a decision or sharing their opinion. 

Even in tense situations, they’re able to navigate these interactions tactfully, without offending the parties involved as much as possible.

If they need to say something that may offend the other person, they know how to do it in the gentlest way possible. That’s also another good outcome of considering one’s words before saying anything.

6) Empathy

Thoughtful communicators are the way they are because they’re empathetic individuals. They not only understand the impact their words can have on the other person but are able to empathize with the emotions that their words may elicit.

Should they say something rash, it’s likely that the other party will respond negatively and they would prefer avoiding this as much as possible.

They care for the other person’s feelings and will try to approach conversations with an open mind, especially in prickly situations that need to be dealt with a lot of care. 

7) Attention to detail

Those who carefully consider their words before they speak are often detail-oriented.

When they’re conversing with someone, they’re paying attention to not only the things the other person is saying, but the way their words are being conveyed. 

They take note of the other person’s nonverbal cues – from the tone of their voice, and the way they stand, to their facial expressions. 

This enables them to better understand that person’s thoughts and emotions that would have been missed. Sometimes when someone says something, they may mean another thing – and they’ll show it (often unconsciously) with their actions.

It may be a slight frown, a clenched jaw, or just the folding of the arms. Although small, these actions speak many words.

8) Cautious decision-making

Another trait they share is cautious decision-making. They extend their consideration beyond words to the choices they make, whether big or small.

They may not spend a super long time thinking about it, but they will ensure that they weigh the potential consequences before making a more informed decision.

Some may find that this takes up too much time and that it’s a lot easier and faster to make quick decisions, but overall, this helps prevent unwanted consequences that can be avoided by adding just a few more minutes of consideration.

Concluding thoughts

If you want to become a better communicator, the trick is to think before you speak. However, this requires a lot of practice and an understanding of why this is important.

Striving to embody the above-mentioned traits, will bring you a step closer to being a more thoughtful communicator.