Do you quietly reflect until your ideas are neatly formed, or do you find clarity as you speak aloud? I’ve discovered that I firmly belong in the second group—I “talk to think.”
If you’re someone who “thinks to talk,” you likely keep your thoughts private until they’re clear. But if you’re like me and “talk to think,” you process ideas by verbalizing them, asking questions, and engaging in conversations. Speaking ideas aloud—especially through dialogue—is how I best integrate knowledge, build understanding, and gain clarity.
“Talk-to-thinkers” are valuable members of a team and organization: we’re adept at generating ideas and learning through dialogue. However, as fellow talk-to-thinkers know, this habit can create messiness and test our collaborators’ patience. Here are some practices I’ve found helpful to honor my communication style while minimizing chaos for myself and others.
Be Transparent About Your Intent
I’ve long been aware that my talk-to-think approach can overwhelm teammates. Sometimes saying, “I’m just thinking out loud” isn’t enough to help alleviate the overwhelm.
A tech lead on my team shared that our conversations sometimes exhausted them, even though I usually felt energized and inspired. Recognizing this imbalance, I began showing up differently to our pairing sessions with with simple, but clear goals: “let’s generate ideas” or “let’s decide on a path of action.” This adjustment significantly improved collaboration and deepened our partnership.
Clearly stating your conversational goals ensures colleagues benefit too. With mutual respect and thoughtful structure, everyone thrives.
Record and Reflect
Talk-to-thinkers can quickly cycle through ideas but risk prematurely discarding valuable thoughts. Writing notes or journaling and revisiting these records later is powerful for reflection. Recently, I’ve found transcribed voice memos especially useful for unpacking complex ideas.
I’ve used voice recordings to capture and clarify my thoughts since I was in graduate school. Although speaking aloud to oneself might feel odd initially, it soon becomes natural. Verbalizing ideas — even when anxious or uncertain — helps me overcome hesitation.
Currently, my favorite tool is Granola AI, which transcribes speech captured by my laptop’s microphone. It maintains a legible transcript and transforms the transcript into structured notes that are easy to reference and drive reflection. It helps me revisit and deepen my thinking—it even helped me get started on this post!
Talk It Out with GenAI
There is no shortage of willing thought partners and idea explorers at Atomic, but sometimes, I need to explore new ideas with a knowledgeable foil. Generative AI can help.
You’ve heard of rubber ducky programming—consider GenAI your digital ducky. I use generative AI to iterate phrasing, explore analogies, and refine points quickly while planning or writing. It can also be parse a lot of raw data, such as retro notes, and generate ideas about things the team might try to improve the outcomes of their sprint. It provides immediate feedback without burdening colleagues. However, stay mindful—generative AI can confidently present inaccuracies or oversimplify nuanced topics. Always verify critical insights and ensure your ideas remain authentic.
Embrace Your Communication Style
Understanding your thinking style is key to effective collaboration and productivity. If you talk to think, acknowledging and structuring your approach can reduce friction and increase clarity. Being intentional about your conversations, recording your thoughts, and strategically using generative AI are all great ways to honor your natural communication style and foster productive interactions. Your voice—literally and figuratively—is your most powerful tool. Use it intentionally, reflectively, and creatively.