Definitely. One employee in particular was always extremely shy and did not offer much feedback. Once I changed my approach in a way that met his needs, he started opening up and he actually contributes some of the best ideas to our department. He is truly shining where as before no one took notice.
guadalupe, WOW! What a great story. Thank you so much for sharing in the forum!
Dr. Jean Norris
I did not realize how often I faced this issue in everyday work and life. When I am teaching or trying to communicate, I often have to cast what I want to say into various visual and auditory forms. Doing so often helps the other person understand while working with them on a difficult topic. Rarely do I ever face someone who’s “one kind of learner†and I end up mixing visual, auditory, and movement (usually working through a shared example) as to get the “Ah ha!†moment out of someone. Usually I have to mix a presentation, a group example, and then a chat as to appeal to most people and get them engaged. And often, I have to repeat a visual-auditory-activity cycle a few time as to get things to click.
It also appears in everyday life—to my surprise. Many people I know learn and share “by doingâ€. They somehow build a little shared world while working hands on together upon a project.
Without the socially constructed little world of sharing, there’d be little hope of sharing anything. So, I really have to try to talk, do, and show all at the same time as to have the shared context.
But… this makes a lot of sense. It’s not a big surprise because it’s natural. People are adept in all three forms of learning and will use all three on demand. I think the trick is finding simple and sound ways to integrate all three into needed experiences.
Steven, It is amazing then you are aware of communication styles how much you notice it in everyday life! It can be tricky if you cannot identify it, so it's great that you are using a mix. Keep it up!
Dr. Jean Norris
I have realized that every member of my team has different personality. As their personalities are different, so are their communicating styles. A leader needs to identify each of his/her team members learning/communicating style in order to make sure any important information, either for an individual task or team project, is understood completely. I try to conduct my presentations using various tools in order to reach every team member. From power points to short videos and hand outs, I try to give different approaches during my presentation in order to capture everyone's attention. I always ask for any question at the end of my presentation and sometimes have team members explain to me our teams desired goal for our task at hand.
I think by looking more carefully at learning styles I can begin to understand why he/she may feel, think, and react to others in certain ways, and why he/she may feel, think, and react to me in certain ways.
Miriam, It's great to see that you really get to know your team. It is so important to identify all the different learning and communication styles on your team, great job. It's clear you really care!
Dr. Jean Norris
Tiffany, Knowing another's learning styles is important in communication. What about the communication style?
Dr. Jean Norris
Tiffany, Knowing another's learning styles is important in communication. What about the communication style?
Dr. Jean Norris
Is very important to identify co workers or employee behavior. Developing skills such as self awareness, empathy and self-regulation will help with communication at all times to turn into a positive turn around.
Maryolaine, You are correct that self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation will help you with your communication. What can you do specifically to hone these skills?
Dr. Jean Norris
I find myself reverting back to my days as a faculty member trying to understand each of my reports personalities and learning styles. I realize there are some faculty I instinctively guide or direct them though my actions and movements, whereas other I want to draw a schematic or picture to get my point across. Past experience with each is a valuable resource when trying to help them accomplish their goals or assess their product
Miriam, I agree with you 100%. Getting to know each of you team members as individuals is important and effective.
Cheyla, Great awareness! It's very important to not only understand your communication style, but others' as well. What are your practices for learning others' communications styles?
Dr. Jean Norris
Each employee has a different style of learning and communicating. I learn what style works best for each employee, some want you to walk through a process step by step on the computer screen, they need visual training. Other employees learn better by receiving a step by step written procedure with screen shots and want to review the document at their own pace. Other employees want an explanation of what needs to be done, where to find the data and want to learn through research.
Maribeth, It's great that you know so much about your team! How do you feel knowing all this benefits the progress of your team?
Dr. Jean Norris
I agree Miriam, it is very important to have a clear understanding of your team in order to know how to be a great leader for your specific team.
Learning your employees best communication style will help them understand the information your are try to convey more effectively, thus helping them to be more efficient and productive. It makes them see that as a leader you are making an effort to communicate with them more effectively.
Liz, Very true and excellent point. Thank you!
Dr. Jean Norris
It is very important to be aware of the learning/communication style of our staff members. A simple petition to perform a regular every day task, or special project needed, could be completely misinterpreted or misunderstood, and the final goal could most likely be unreached on time, or at all, if we fail to deliver the message using the most appropriate learning/communication style for each staff member.
