The Invisible Mentor

Knowledge For a Reason

November 13th, 2009 |

Anyone wishing to succeed personally and professionally must possess the “right” knowledge. Acquiring the “right” knowledge means understanding why you are learning what you are learning. There are specific situations that foster learning: meaningful projects, available support and resources and time to reflect on the tasks at hand, and what has already been done. Also, learning is enhanced when learners know their learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic.

What is your preferred way to consume information?

Visual learners: Want to see how something is done. Benefit most from maps, diagrams, charts, pictures, and films. If you show them, they will understand. They will likely say, “I see what you mean.”
Auditory learners: Prefer to hear explanations and like to talk their way through things. Benefit most from traditional learning techniques, where the leader presents the information. They will likely say, “I hear what you say.”
Kinesthetic learners: Want to get lots of hands-on experience so they can feel how something is done. Learn fastest when they are involved in the activity, such as science labs, drama presentations, skits, and field trips. They will likely say, “I feel what you mean.”

How we learn

A research report by The William Glasser Institute about how we learn indicates that we learn:

10 percent of what we Read
20 percent of what we Hear
30 percent of what we See
50 percent of what we See and Hear
70 percent of what we Discuss with Others
80 percent of what we Experience Personally
95 percent of what we Teach to Others

How can you use this information to your advantage?

To acquire knowledge for a reason, and be able to apply that knowledge, requires developing a learning strategy which uses all the information presented above.

Step 1

In what area do you need to build your knowledge base to become more valuable to your employer, industry and your customers?
Why is it important for you to learn this information? Promotion? Prestige? New job? Start a business?
Identify the unique leaders (invisible mentors) who you can learn things from in the area that you are trying to build up
Start to acquire knowledge in the identified area

Step 2

If you do not know already, take a test to identify your predominant learning style
Consume the information you want to learn in your predominant learning style

Step 3

Apply your new found knowledge by using the information at work
Discuss what you have learned with your peers, and others you know who would be interested
Create a presentation to teach the information to others

By following these three simple steps, you will acquire knowledge for a specific reason, subsequently learning things that really matter to you and that can make a tangible difference in your life.

How might you use this information? Let’s keep the information flowing, please comment.

Video Credit & Definition via Apture