Following the coaching session discussed in the previous blog, when Roberta and her coach Lisa again met, Roberta shared with Lisa what she learned from reading about coaching session. Lisa provided perspective from her own coach training on how different people communicate differently based on, among other things, learning styles.
Roberta stated that she felt she was still missing the foundational links to her own interactions. Lisa and Roberta discussed options for Roberta to learn more about the communication process based on learning styles. The options Roberta thought of included reading, online research, taking a class, and hiring a consultant. Lisa shared that if Roberta wanted, she could switch to the role of a trainer for 10-15 minutes and provide some information, and then switch back to coaching. Roberta appreciated this option because of her own hectic schedule. Lisa provided some basic insight on how different learning styles process information, and how vocabulary is often based on the learning style. Back in the coaching role, Lisa asked Roberta what thoughts she had on the information. Roberta shared that she was realizing her own preference was auditory learning and that it seemed her direct reports were either visual or kinesthetic learners.
Building on the awareness created through Roberta’s research, the perspective Lisa provided, and the mini-training, Lisa asked Roberta her ideas for how to apply the information. Roberta thought out loud about how her own learning style was a factor in engaging her direct reports. Lisa asked Roberta how she could express herself in a way her direct reports could understand. Roberta asked Lisa if together they could create vocabulary lists based on learning styles for future reference. The vocabulary list became a tool Roberta used starting in her next meeting. Roberta later reported back to Lisa that she was very cognizant of the difference in the conversation because of the change in her word choices.
