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COMMUNICATIONS:
Do
You "Get" What I'm Saying?
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Learning
101
We
assume things:
If
we create a marvelous on-line training course, this
will resolve all our training problems and we can all
go home ... but we will end up missing about half of
our intended audience.
The
reason for this is that people have different strengths
and weaknesses. Some folks need to sit and listen to
a teacher for information to be truly assimilated. Others
need to read about it first. Still others need to do
hands-on work.
And
all of them need to be able to ask questions.
We
assume that if we explain a process at a meeting, that
everyone understood and is now ready to go forth and
implement this process.
We
assume that if we write a document on a new process,
there is no reason why it can't be smoothly implemented.
We
assume that we were crystal clear in our explanations
and only a fool would misunderstand.
We
assume that people are being difficult, lazy or not
too bright if they are taking a long time to learn something
new.
Right?
Wrong.
What
we have to keep in mind is that it is important to deliver
important messages in multiple ways; it is also important
to go back and check that the message sent was the message
received.
Did
you ever play telephone? Something mysterious happens
when we whisper in someone's ear — the message
somehow changes, and by the time the last person receiving
it is ready to give it to the originator, the original
intent of the message has long since vanished.
As
adults, we are not as obvious about our learning style
preferences. What happens is that we tend to forget
that we each have different learning needs.
We
also forget that some among us have learning disabilities
that they have learned to adjust for, so that it's not
necessarily apparent.
The
bottom line is that it's not hard to incorporate some
simple strategies into our day-to-day communications
and learning opportunities to make it more readily absorbed.
By planning for different learning approaches, you set
the stage for everyone's success. The time invested
will pay off dividends by preventing rework and making
your team more efficient.
Start
by visiting Learning
Styles & Multiple Intelligence for some solid
overview information on different learning styles.
Remember
also that learning occurs when we can ask questions
and draw conclusions from the information we are given.
Make sure to give people an open forum to ask questions.
This feedback provides a sanity check for management.
Never be afraid of feedback — it's the lifeblood
of a healthy organization.
Other
good resource links:
SurfAquarium
Innovative Learning
Using
Technology to Teach to the Multiple Intelligences
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