Thinking Out Loud » learning styles http://communicationstyles.us/blog Changing your world- one conversation at a time Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:40:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Following the Beat http://communicationstyles.us/blog/following-the-beat/ http://communicationstyles.us/blog/following-the-beat/#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:33:46 +0000 Bob http://communicationstyles.us/blog/?p=257

Many years ago when I was first discovering the value of learning styles, I became keenly aware of my auditory sense. For me, hearing is the gateway to understanding. I easily hear emotion in sound, whether it is words or music (other sounds, too). Therefore, talking on the phone is easy for me. I like it. I don’t feel cut off from information the way those who are more strongly visual do. It is my most reliable sense. I trust it.

As I focused more on the auditory sense, I realized how frequently I hear music in my head, especially when I’m alone. For days, I sing a part of a song or orchestral piece, both internally and externally. My body seems attuned to the rhythm of the piece. Often I try to make sense of it: why this theme? Why these words? Why this beat? I never come up with an answer. Does it reflect my mood? Does it keep me focused? Does it guide me in some way? I have no idea, and I know there is no point trying to figure it out. It’s just how I work (process) and it seems to work for me without effort.

Music is powerful—the sound, the beat, the rhythm and timbre. It is integral to culture. A world without music seems and probably is impossible. My world, in some way, revolves around it. My movements are usually in synch with the music in my head.

When I listen to others, I feel the beat and rhythm. I hear the cadence and timbre in the voice. It communicates something vital to me as I absorb communication and try to understand what is of importance. Sometimes I want to close my eyes so I can listen more intently but don’t, for fear others will find it disconcerting.

The auditory sense is vital for most people, yet some of us are clearly more connected through it and with it. It is a rich source of information and essential in guiding us toward understanding and achieving effective communication. The auditory component is, of course, a part of everyone’s communication style. Like other components that are directly related to one of our senses, it is so natural we don’t often think about it, unless we have a physical problem that compromises our use of that particular sense.

Recently I had someone say to me: “I have to remember to directly listen with my ears, because I’m so focused on seeing and feeling.” I often remind myself to pay attention to what I’m seeing because it is so easy and natural for me to only focus on what I’m feeling and hearing.

]]> http://communicationstyles.us/blog/following-the-beat/feed/ 1 Whole to Part or Part to Whole http://communicationstyles.us/blog/whole-to-part-or-part-to-whole/ http://communicationstyles.us/blog/whole-to-part-or-part-to-whole/#comments Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:29:40 +0000 Bob http://communicationstyles.us/blog/?p=45

In my study of learning styles, I came across the whole to part and part to whole concept. As with all learning style paradigms, this has a strong connection to communication styles, and it particularly intrigued me because I could immediately identify with it.

I am a whole-to-part learner: I need to understand the overarching concept before getting the details. Moving in the opposite direction (receiving the details first), leaves me confused and feeling adrift. Those who are part-to-whole learners need to take in the parts that lead to the whole concept they are learning. Being presented with a whole concept first leaves them overwhelmed because the concept seems arbitrary.

I often want to know what a movie or book is all about before encountering it. I don’t mind hearing how it ends . . . in fact, I want to know the ending so I have an organizing concept and will often read the last part of a book first. The unfolding process is essential for those moving from part to whole and provides much enjoyment. Knowing the punch line from the start spoils the fun.

How does all of this relate to communication styles? Here’s an illustration: Julia is a very active, hands-on sixteen-year-old. She loves sports, doesn’t like to read, has a strong work ethic, is good with people, and is distractible. Because of the distractibility, her parents and teachers are always trying to get her attention, which they do by explaining things step by step. This seems logical—and it is—but it doesn’t work with Julia because she is a whole-to-part learner. She needs the punch line first and not work toward it.

Saying, for example, “Julia, this is probably the biggest event of the year for your mother, so we really need your help” gets her attention. Giving her a specific task to do (“Julia, we’d like you to tidy up the patio and then pick up some stuff in town.”) doesn’t. This approach is specific and incremental, which can help some who are easily distracted, but for a whole-to-part person like Julia, the requests seem random. Getting Julia’s attention by giving her the bottom line—the larger concept—first is more effective. She needs to know what this is all about before she can get connected to it.

The whole-to-part and part-to-whole axis is another tool for achieving effective communication that I’ve shared with many parents, couples, and business leaders who have found it useful. As always, though, it is best to understand how it works for you before applying it to others in your relational world.

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