Meet the Owl: Tick’s serious bird type

Owls are the serious folks. You know the types. You get what you see. There's no ulterior motive, nuance or needing to read between the lines. No game playing.

Owls need to be on guard at all times. Everything needs to be safe and in order.

Structures and systems are their religion. Decisions are thought through carefully. Owls understand the world through facts, stats, and data. This is their psychological safety.

Sound familiar? Maybe you or a close person in your life is an Owl. Here are some telltale signs.

The traits of an Owl

Style: Cool, withdrawn, and conservative

Face: Poker face, little expression

Voice: Quiet and monotoned

Body Language: Very little

Clothes: Ultra-conservative, usually brown, fawn, or autumn colours

Life View: 'What can go wrong, will go wrong.’

Attitude: ‘What's the catch?’ Aloof and ‘offish’, they always seem to give the impression that they would rather be doing something else than be talking to you.

Sayings: ‘Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread’

Car: A good safe, reliable car, usually brown, or white. They love the Volvo.

How to engage with an Owl

Do be sensitive to their need for solitude

Do give them plenty of time to make decisions

Do appreciate they would rather stay home than go out

Do communicate in a slower structured way

Do be fussy about details

Do take an intellectual approach

Do accept the fact that tasks come before people

Don't try and push them into quick decisions

Don't suggest anything that may appear (to them) risky

Don't expect them to be comfortable in an unpredictable environment

Don't expect any displays of emotion

Don't expect them to know what you want - be specific

Don't expect them to be optimistic - they will always give you several excellent reasons why something won't work or can't be done

Don't expect them to be big partygoers or socialisers

The cautious 'this could go wrong' type

Shy, yet cool and collected, Owls never push the limits (at least not without forethought). Critical thinkers and sometimes withdrawn, Owls are quietly uncooperative. They go within, first. If someone is causing an Owl stress, they'll avoid them. Expect to be told, ‘do what you want to do, but leave me out of it.’

Owls think before they do. This personality type is helpful to have on your team or in your life.

Understanding an Owl

While Owls might seem distant or overly cautious, they bring invaluable qualities to any team or relationship. Their methodical nature means they're the ones who catch errors others miss, who remember to back up important files, and who actually read the fine print before signing contracts.

In professional settings, Owls excel at roles requiring precision: quality control, data analysis, research, compliance, and financial planning. They create comprehensive documentation, maintain organised systems, and ask the important questions that prevent costly mistakes.

Beneath their reserved exterior, Owls are deeply thoughtful with rich inner lives. They're not being difficult when they need time to decide – they're genuinely processing information thoroughly. Their pessimism is a protective mechanism born from anticipating problems before they occur.

The Owl's greatest strength can also be their challenge. They may miss opportunities through over-analysis. Their need for certainty can lead to paralysis. Learning to balance natural caution with calculated risk-taking is often a lifelong journey for Owls.

Understanding this serious bird types – whether in ourselves or others – makes for stronger teams and better relationships.

Learn which Tick bird type you are and how to use the new insights in your work and home life.