Imagine How the World Would Change By Knowing What Type ofLea er You Are

Imagine How the World Would Change By Knowing What Type ofLea
er You Are

President John Kennedy was a reader and writer. PresidentLyndon Johnson was a listener. President Johnson didn't dowell as he could in the White House because he thought hehad to follow Kennedy’s way of learning and absorbeverything through writing. As well written as thosereports were, he couldn't comprehend them as well asKennedy. It wasn't until many years after the White Housethat Johnson learned what type of learner he was. Now, allwe can do is think of the possibilities of how different theUnited 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 inwriting prior to each press event. His press events,outstanding and memorable because of his ability to processin writing, opened his path to Washington. In Washington,Eisenhower, now required to be a listener and respond on thespot, found it very difficult to learn and think. Thislimitation did affect his decision making, thus the world’sprogress, and especially America’s success. His country nolonger had the full benefit of his evolutionary learning –his brilliance.

Our school system teaches by listening and reading and notwriting. This is why many writers’ in high school andcollege do poorly in lecture-type classes. When required totest based on lecture they usually receive an inadequategrade for their level. When allowed to read and submit areport, they flourish. When allowed to process theinformation in writing they add to classroom conversationsin outstanding ways. Many times moving the information inevolutionary new ways or depths. Writers need to designtheir study through the writing process. Writer’s learn andperform by writing not listening.

What type of learner are you? Your child? Significantother? Customers you attract? How does this affect howthey learn from you, how they process, and how they succeed?

The way they learn affects them in everything they do intheir life and yours.

For instance, are you an entrepreneur? Today, it is popularfor entrepreneurs to deliver their information throughteleclasses and teleseminars. I know, I'm a certifiedteleclass leader, and offer these regularly.

Most individuals who attend these events learn best throughlistening. The majority of the attendees are listeners.Does this mean that readers/writers aren't able to learnthrough this manner? Not, necessarily. Their success doesdepend on the leader and the event’s structure.

If you are a reader/writer and you are registering for ateleseminar – 98% listening design – then you will need pre-session prep notes, a recording of the session, and to setaside additional time to process the information in writingafterwards in order to maximize your learning. The leade
eeds to all writing time, exercises, during the session.The event needs to provide preparation and follow upmaterials, such as notes. And encourage continuedprocessing through writing afterwards. An important skillrequired for leaders of both learners is learning thedelicate balance between giving space for writing and notletting listeners fall zone out.

Are the type of customers you attract listeners orreader/writers? Because of the law of attraction, likeattracts like, and quantum physics, it is natural forlisteners to attract listeners. And readers/writers attractthe same. This does not necessarily mean listener learnerscan't attract readers/writers. It does mean that to attractthe oppose you will need to learn and practice theopposite’s way of learning. If you are listener, learn toprocess through writing. If you are a writer, learn andpractice listening and language skills. An acting class isan excellent place to start.

Attracting the opposite is a choice. It will require bothextended patience and practice. The payoff can be enormousin making revenue. There isn't a right or wrong in this,just awareness, observation, and choice. If you are acompany that wants to attract the opposite for a wider setof prospects, hire the right learner, and have the patienceto work with them knowing their benefit for the company.

If someone is standing before you, you can easily tell ifthey are a listener just by watching their brain process asyou verbalize. If they need to write it down, let them, youalso have the answer on how they learn.

Listeners who want to write something, love to talk theirway through what they want to write first verbally beforewriting. Or they want someone to listen as they process aspot they make be stuck on in their writing. Ask them totape record their part of the conversation. They willprobably not need to hear it again but the safety net willprovide calm in their writing process.

This is why writers prefer to tape record interviews. Theyaren't natural listeners and need that additional support toprocess. After years of conducting interviews, the writer’slistening skills have increased to higher levels and theyrely less on the tape recorder as support.

Knowing your learning style does determine life, career andrelationship performance. It can affect your jobevaluations, who you attract in life, success and results.If your boss is a listener and you a writer, it can be a bigdifference 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 theywere just a different type of learner than yourself, andthis tried your patience. I know I can find a few when Iwas an early employer. I bet you can too.

If you are in a high position, it could affect America oreven the world. Who knows, someone reading this today maybe President years from now and a single decision like goingto war may be made outside the scope of their learning stylethat can cost America much.

Be brilliant at who you are by knowing how you learn. Andthen doing it your way!

Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Coach, specializesin infoproduct development. Newsletters and additionalarticles available: http://www.abundancecenter.comblog: http://abundance.blogs.com/inthelight