11 Signs Of A Person Who Seems Slow But Is Actually Brilliant
Truly brilliant people don't need to brag about their intelligence.
Krakenimages.com | Shutterstock People who are highly intelligent don't always announce their intelligence to the rest of the world. They're often content to sit back and observe others, instead of jumping in with answers or explanations. It's easy to misinterpret the signs of a person who seems slow but is actually brilliant, but making assumptions about people undermines their value and worth.
Someone who seems slow but is actually brilliant doesn't make the inner workings of their mind public information. When a person is truly confident in their abilities, they don't need external validation to bolster their self-worth. They know who they are, and that's enough.
Here are 11 signs of a person who seems slow but is actually brilliant
1. They ask a lot of questions
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When people are secure in their intelligence, they ask a lot of questions. They're not concerned about other people's assessments, because they know how smart they really are.
Speaking up and asking questions is a sign that a person is actually brilliant, even if they seem slow. While some people equate questions with a lack of understanding, in reality, asking questions shows that a person's mind is operating at a deeper level.
A brilliant person who seems slow might seem like they're unsure, but they want to access all the information they can, which is why they ask so many questions. From the outside, it looks like they have a hard time forming a definitive opinion, yet their quest for knowledge opens doors that other people keep closed.
They're guided by an intense curiosity about how the world works. They're not satisfied just knowing the "what," they also want to know "why" and "how."
2. They don't give immediate responses
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A person who seems slow but is actually brilliant won't always answer right away. They understand that words hold power, which is why they take their time before making any statements.
It's common for people to think that someone who takes a long time to think before they speak is slow, but actually, they're brilliant. They process information with care and consider what they're going to say before they say anything at all. They care about other people, and they care about how their words might impact them.
It's easy to confuse someone's silence with complacency or a lack of understanding. When a brilliant person who seems slow pauses before sharing what they think, their silence is a sign that they're giving their full attention to the conversation at hand. And as research presented by the American Psychological Association explains, these high-quality conversations can strengthen relationships and improve conflict resolution.
3. They appear absent-minded
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Someone who seems slow but is actually brilliant often appears flaky to the outside world. They might forget the little things, but that's because they're focused on bigger picture issues. The gears of their minds are moving at a faster pace than other people's, which gives off the impression that they're spaced-out.
Really, their inner landscape is a complex place and they get lost in the maze of their own minds. Other people might define them as absent-minded, but their lack of attention to their surroundings is a sign of how vivid their thoughts are.
4. They have a hard time with small talk
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A person who seems slow but is actually brilliant is always thinking about things on a more profound level. They come off as socially awkward or aloof, which is one way their brilliance holds them back from making connections with other people.
They have a hard time understanding why people want to talk about the weather or what they did over the weekend, when there are so many other issues going on in the world. Even though it's hard for them, small talk serves an important purpose. Not every conversation can be a deep, philosophical discussion, even though that's often more comfortable for brilliant people to engage in.
Learning how to make small talk is a hugely beneficial social skill. People who have a hard time with small talk can rely on the "FORM" method to ease their way into surface-level conversations. The acronym FORM stands for Family and Friends, Occupation, Recreation, and Motivation.
While these subjects might not seem important, they're what give our lives meaning. Talking about these topics offers an introduction into what other people hold valuable, which provides a foundation for the deep connection brilliant people seek out.
5. They're quiet in group settings
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Someone who seems slow but is actually brilliant tends to fall into the background in group settings. They feel no need to compete for attention, and their quiet nature often gets overpowered by other people, especially those who are trying to prove themselves.
They tend to hold their tongue and keep their opinions close to their chest. It's not because they don't believe in them, but because they don't need anyone to know how smart they really are.
They flourish in smaller groups, especially one-on-one environments, which provide space to get to know each other. And according to career coach Jamie Birt, having one-on-one conversations in the workplace, specifically, provides more focused conflict resolution, improves workplace relationships, and boosts morale, all of which can be applied to life outside of work.
6. They daydream a lot
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An active imagination is often a sign of hidden brilliance, but it can make people seem slow. Someone who spaces out during class or meetings might seem like they're not paying attention, but oftentimes, their penchant for daydreaming is a sign they're actually brilliant.
According to a study from Neuropsychologia, frequent daydreamers also had high intellectual and creative abilities.
As psychology professor and study co-author Eric Schumacher explained, "People with efficient brains may have too much brain capacity to stop their minds from wandering... People tend to think of mind wandering as something that is bad. You try to pay attention and you can't. Our data are consistent with the idea that this isn't always true. Some people have more efficient brains."
7. They like to be alone
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Enjoying solitude is a sign that a person is actually brilliant, even if they seem slow. They spend a lot of time alone, which is different from feeling lonely. As psychologist Thuy-Vy Nguyen explained, "Researchers define loneliness as a distressed feeling that we experience when we don't have, or are unable to get, the kind of social connections or relationships we hope for."
She shared that solitude can help people process difficult emotions, gain self-awareness, and understand themselves better. "A key benefit of going solo is the opportunity to find calm, and having the freedom to choose what to do and how to do it," Nguyen pointed out. "To overcome our fear of solitude, we need to recognise its benefits and see it as a positive choice — not something that happens to us."
8. They seem distracted
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When someone seems slow but is actually brilliant, they often appear distracted, like they're not paying attention to the people around them. While it might seem like they're not listening, the truth is, they're listening on a deeper level.
They might not make eye contact or vocally affirm that they hear you, but really, they're focusing on what you're saying and what lies underneath your words.
While research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General found that people report that their minds wander about 24% of the time while listening, brilliant people are making connections between the conversation they're having and larger social issues. They want to provide solid guidance, so they reach into their minds to find sources of solace they can share.
9. They don't always follow directions
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Following directions is often upheld as an indication that someone is smart, but someone who seems slow yet is actually brilliant won't always do things according to the rules. They want to do things right, but they also know that there's more than one way to get a correct answer. They don't break the rules out of disrespect, but rather, because they're always seeking new ways to do things.
Other people might interpret their inability to follow directions as a sign that they're not smart, but they're just exploring alternate paths to come up with a solution no one's thought of before.
10. They're not motivated by external rewards
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It might seem strange that a person who seems slow but is actually brilliant doesn't care about getting good grades or high test scores, but they're not motivated by external factors. Their passion and curiosity is what pushes them to learn, not any outside accolades. They want to learn for the sake of learning, not because they need to be congratulated for how much they know.
The concept of intrinsic motivation can be described as "the inherent tendency to seek out novelty and challenges, to extend and exercise one's capacities, to explore, and to learn." A brilliant person who seems slow isn't motivated by money or promotions. They engage in their work on a deeper level, because it provides them a sense of satisfaction that they can't get from material possessions.
11. They trust their intuition
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Being attuned to their intuition shows that someone is actually brilliant, despite seeming like they're not. According to intuitive clairvoyant teacher Aimee Leigh, intuition is "a spontaneous and instinctive understanding or insight without the need for conscious reasoning."
She further shared, "Our ability to know what our intuition is, how it speaks to us, interpret the messages, and act on what we become aware of is the shift from living in fear and disconnection to love, certainty, and empowerment. This is when we are truly free and are living an intuitive life."
A brilliant person who lets their intuition guide them might seem slow, because they're operating on a spiritual level, which other people aren't always accustomed to. They trust themselves to know the right way forward, even when the future is uncertain.
"When we listen to the nudge and to our inner voice, we allow our gut, visions, and knowingness to lead the way," Leigh concluded.
Alexandra Blogier, MFA, is a staff writer who covers psychology, social issues, relationships, self-help topics, and human interest stories.