Learning Styles Inventory

Learning Styles Enthusiastic Learners “Feel It and Do It” Learn by doing Think trial and error is a fine approach Ask: When can we start Dislikes too much detail Likes risk & change to point of impulsiveness Need the opportunity to be involved Imaginative Learners “Feel It and See It” Learn by reflection It can be right the first time Ask: What’s the big picture Dislike moving too fast Look for ways to fit current situation into existing theories & models Need the opportunity to build knowledge

Learning Styles Practical Learners “Think and Act” Learn by testing Looks for shortest route between two points Ask: What will work Dislike anything irrational Need opportunity to prove theory through action Logical Learners “Think and Plan” Learn by plotting the course Think about cause & effect Ask: What’s the goal Dislike insufficient data Need the opportunity to flesh out the details

Discussion Questions For Small Groups Do you find your style a surprise or it it a confirmation of what you had previously sensed to be true? What 1 or 2 strengths are associated with your style? What do people of other styles find challenging in your style How do you feel and behave when you are in a situation with others who share your style How do you feel and behave when a situation requires you to use a style different from your own or work with others whose style is different

How do you think your style impacts your work life interactions: –with your supervisor and/or supervisees –with your peers –with your customers How do you think your style impacts your family and friendships?

Discussion Questions For Entire Group What do these different styles say about the strengths and weaknesses of your current work group? When working on a task, what does each style bring to a task? Pick a current or past project and identify the mix of styles for an effective work group.

Implementation Questions Linked to Group Member Styles Enthusiastics – What ideas, worksheets, etc. might be put to immediate use? Imaginatives – How does what we are doing fit with other organizational development (or teambuilding or project management or ?) theories and practices? Is there anything we failed to consider in the task? Practicals – For what type of organizational (or communication or project management or ?)challenges is what we are doing best suited? Logicals – What further information do you need to feel more comfortable with our direction? Are goals clear & compelling

How Enthusiastics Interact With Other Styles EnthusiasticsImaginativesPracticalsLogicals Encourage another Enthusiastic to meet with others, expand their network, and get involved. Provide them with frequent feedback. Ask an Imaginative what they think and give them ample time to respond. Also, realize that personal relationships and feedback on their ideas are important to them. Give a Practical the latitude and freedom to experiment and test out their ideas. Encourage them to use their detective skills and use reason and logic to meet goals. Provide a Logical with well- organized assignments, facts, resources, and a free reign to accomplish them.

How Imaginatives Interact With Other Styles EnthusiastsImaginativesPracticalsLogicals Involve an Enthusiastic in creating the big picture. Get them to help you define it! Draw on their excitement, inspiration and willingness to jump in. Spend time building relationships with other Imaginatives. Be open to their ideas and share information with. Be sure to describe the vision and goal with a Practical. Give them the resources they need, and then allow them to experiment and test out ideas on their own. Capitalize on and learn from how a Logical gather facts and organizes ideas. Ask for their help to plan, set goals and formulate the best approach to solving the problem.

How Practicals Interact With Other Styles EnthusiastsImaginativesPracticalsLogicals Solicit help from an Enthusiastic to try and test your ideas. Trust their intuition and admire their risk taking. Take time to actively listen to Imaginatives or you'll miss out on good and creative ideas. Also, share your ideas with Imaginatives using visuals (e.g. charts, etc.) Encourage a Practical to seek out input and ideas from others. Help them to reflect on their own progress. Reward them for solving problems. Help a Logical to find the right resources and a working model or process. Give them assurance that they are competent but keep pushing them toward the goal.

How Logicals Interact With Other Styles EnthusiastsImaginativesPracticalsLogicals When communicating with an Enthusiastic, present only the essential facts and ideas in a short well- organized way. With Imaginatives, be sure to identify the link between your ideas and the big picture. Illustrate the many different methods and/or approaches to solving a problem. Understand how a Practical sets and achieves their goals. Observe their detective skills and how they experiment and test out new ideas. See how they use one idea to identify other ideas. Encourage a Logical to share their ideas, resources, and approach to solving problems. Focus on facts and abstract ideas rather than feelings.