Imagine How the World Would Change By Knowing What Type of
Learner You Are
President John Kennedy was a reader and writer. President
Lyndon Johnson was a listener. President Johnson didn't do
well as he could in the White House because he thought he
had to follow Kennedy’s way of learning and absorb
everything through writing. As well written as those
reports were, he couldn't comprehend them as well as
Kennedy. It wasn't until many years after the White House
that Johnson learned what type of learner he was. Now, all
we can do is think of the possibilities of how different the
United States would be right now if he learned sooner.
Eisenhower was a reader and writer. During the war,
Eisenhower insisted that all questions be presented in
writing prior to each press event. His press events,
outstanding and memorable because of his ability to process
in writing, opened his path to Washington. In Washington,
Eisenhower, now required to be a listener and respond on the
spot, found it very difficult to learn and think. This
limitation did affect his decision making, thus the world’s
progress, and especially America’s success. His country no
longer had the full benefit of his evolutionary learning –
his brilliance.
Our school system teaches by listening and reading and not
writing. This is why many writers’ in high school and
college do poorly in lecture-type classes. When required to
test based on lecture they usually receive an inadequate
grade for their level. When allowed to read and submit a
report, they flourish. When allowed to process the
information in writing they add to classroom conversations
in outstanding ways. Many times moving the information in
evolutionary new ways or depths. Writers need to design
their study through the writing process. Writer’s learn and
perform by writing not listening.
What type of learner are you? Your child? Significant
other? Customers you attract? How does this affect how
they learn from you, how they process, and how they succeed?
The way they learn affects them in everything they do in
their life and yours.
For instance, are you an entrepreneur? Today, it is popular
for entrepreneurs to deliver their information through
teleclasses and teleseminars. I know, I'm a certified
teleclass leader, and offer these regularly.
Most individuals who attend these events learn best through
listening. The majority of the attendees are listeners.
Does this mean that readers/writers aren't able to learn
through this manner? Not, necessarily. Their success does
depend on the leader and the event’s structure.
If you are a reader/writer and you are registering for a
teleseminar – 98% listening design – then you will need pre-
session prep notes, a recording of the session, and to set
aside additional time to process the information in writing
afterwards in order to maximize your learning. The leader
needs to all writing time, exercises, during the session.
The event needs to provide preparation and follow up
materials, such as notes. And encourage continued
processing through writing afterwards. An important skill
required for leaders of both learners is learning the
delicate balance between giving space for writing and not
letting listeners fall zone out.
Are the type of customers you attract listeners or
reader/writers? Because of the law of attraction, like
attracts like, and quantum physics, it is natural for
listeners to attract listeners. And readers/writers attract
the same. This does not necessarily mean listener learners
can't attract readers/writers. It does mean that to attract
the oppose you will need to learn and practice the
opposite’s way of learning. If you are listener, learn to
process through writing. If you are a writer, learn and
practice listening and language skills. An acting class is
an excellent place to start.
Attracting the opposite is a choice. It will require both
extended patience and practice. The payoff can be enormous
in making revenue. There isn't a right or wrong in this,
just awareness, observation, and choice. If you are a
company that wants to attract the opposite for a wider set
of prospects, hire the right learner, and have the patience
to work with them knowing their benefit for the company.
If someone is standing before you, you can easily tell if
they are a listener just by watching their brain process as
you verbalize. If they need to write it down, let them, you
also have the answer on how they learn.
Listeners who want to write something, love to talk their
way through what they want to write first verbally before
writing. Or they want someone to listen as they process a
spot they make be stuck on in their writing. Ask them to
tape record their part of the conversation. They will
probably not need to hear it again but the safety net will
provide calm in their writing process.
This is why writers prefer to tape record interviews. They
aren't natural listeners and need that additional support to
process. After years of conducting interviews, the writer’s
listening skills have increased to higher levels and they
rely less on the tape recorder as support.
Knowing your learning style does determine life, career and
relationship performance. It can affect your job
evaluations, who you attract in life, success and results.
If your boss is a listener and you a writer, it can be a big
difference in how you get along, frequency of pay increases,
and even whether you are let go.
If you have every let someone go, think back to whether they
were just a different type of learner than yourself, and
this tried your patience. I know I can find a few when I
was an early employer. I bet you can too.
If you are in a high position, it could affect America or
even the world. Who knows, someone reading this today may
be President years from now and a single decision like going
to war may be made outside the scope of their learning style
that can cost America much.
Be brilliant at who you are by knowing how you learn. And
then doing it your way!
Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Coach, specializes
in infoproduct development. Newsletters and additional
articles available: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com/inthelight
About the Author
Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Coach, specializes
in infoproduct development. Newsletters and additional
articles available: http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com/inthelight