Learning Style
How does the individual interact with situations he or she faces? Are they detail-oriented, or are they more comfortable with the overall project? Some rare individuals are comfortable in both arenas, but usually, one has strengths in one area and not the other. It can be helpful for managers to understand this as a strength, and make efforts to provide the correct assignments or opportunities. It is amazing how much productivity will increase when people are placed in their comfort zones.
Learning Style explains how the individual interacts with new information. There
are two extremes: the GLOBAL learning style and the
ANALYTICAL learning style. No person is bound by
one learning style. However, even though individuals find themselves in both
categories, they gravitate toward just one style. A GLOBAL
learner sees the big picture or overall view, while the
ANALYTICAL learner focuses on the parts that make up the big picture.
GLOBAL learners hear new information by listening
to the "gist" of what is being communicated, quickly getting the main idea or
topic. Remembering the details may be somewhat difficult. In following
directions the GLOBAL learner listens for "what is
supposed to be done", not necessarily "how to do it". In contrast to the
GLOBAL, an ANALYTICAL
learner hears new information and tends to listen for specific details. Getting
the overall concept that the details describe may be sometimes difficult for the
ANALYTICAL learner. In following directions, the
ANALYST listens for details and may become
particularly frustrated if instructions are repeated.
This person's primary learning style is GLOBAL
| Characteristics of the Global Learner • Learns by discussion and cooperates in group efforts • Does several things at once and may skip steps/details • Sees the big picture and relationships between ideas • Reads between the lines and sees many options • Works hard to please and tries to avoid conflict • Goes with the flow and is generally flexible • Tends to avoid individual competition • Paraphrases in explaining a perspective |
Characteristics of the Analytical Learner • Likes going step-by-step in a sequential order • Typically self-motivated, logical, and focused • Must be prepared and needs to know what to expect • Pays close attention to details and specifics • Can find the facts but may miss the main idea • Often values facts over intuition and feelings • Remembers specifics and prefers organization • Prefers to finish one thing at a time • Has a sense of fairness • May prefer direct answers |
| Frustrations of the Global Learner • Having to show the steps used to arrive at a particular answer • Accepting criticism of others without taking it personally • Not knowing the purpose for doing a particular task • Not receiving enough credit for the efforts made • Having to explain something analytically and in detail • Having to go step-by-step without knowing the outcome • People who are insensitive to the feelings of others • Not getting a fair chance to explain oneself |
Frustrations of the Analytical Learner • Listening to a long explanation when all that is needed is a simple "yes" or "no" response • Listening to an overview without knowing the steps involved • Not understanding how an employer/instructor evaluates • Not finishing one task before going on to the next • Having opinions expressed as fact without evidence • Not having an understanding of the purpose of the task • Dealing with broad generalities and not having the specifics |