Communication and collaboration may be the most important skills that individuals need through all aspects of their lives. However, these skills may also be the most difficult skills to master. Communication and collaboration with individuals are difficult skills because of the variety of learning styles and personality types that each individual may have. Understanding different learning styles and personality types can aid in communication and collaboration. By knowing about learning styles and personality types, an individual can adjust communication to a form best received by the other individual. The first step in mastering these skills is to understand learning styles. According to Keys to College Studying, there are eight different learning styles or multiple intelligences. Three of these, and the three that I have heard about most often, are Verbal/Linguistic, Visual/Spatial, and Bodily/Kinesthetic. Verbal/Linguistic learners have the ability to communicate through language. Their strengths include listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Visual/Spatial learners understand spatial relationships and can perceive and create images that assist with their understanding. Bodily/kinesthetic learners have the ability to take in information through bodily sensation. These three learning styles include the people whom learn best by hearing the material, seeing the material, or learning by doing. Each learning style brings its own challenge concerning communication and collaborating with individuals who have different learning styles. I believe the most important strategy in assisting communication is to become aware of the different learning styles that are present. The next step in communication and collaborating with individuals who have different learning styles is to listen critically. Listening with the intent to hear what the other person is trying to express is largely helpful when it comes to diverse groups. When it comes to collaborating with people who have different learning styles, it is important to be aware of the tasks that need to be completed and the learning styles that are represented. If a task has someone listening to interviews, it is best to pick the verbal/linguistic learner for these tasks. If tasks involve reading several articles, it is best to pick a visual/spatial learner. If tasks involve hands-on activities, it is best to choose a bodily/kinesthetic learner. Being aware of the preferred style of the members of the group that a person is working with can assist in the best possible communication and collaboration. The Myers-Briggs type inventory is used to assess personality types, and places individuals into one of 16 personality categories. Keys to College Studying used the Personality Spectrum, which is an easier and simplified personality assessment. The personality spectrum identifies four personality types; thinker, organizer, giver, and adventurer. An individual who has a personality type of a thinker is usually good at solving problems, analytical and abstract thinking, and developing models and systems. A thinker could benefit from finding time to reflect independently on new information and converting material into logical charts. An organizer typically is organized, has attention to detail, and efficient. An individual with this personality benefits from tasks defined and knowing what is required. They prefer a well-structured environment and schedules tasks and dates. A giver is usually an individual who is a peace keeper, openly communicates with others, and enjoys helping others. Givers typically benefit from studying with others and finding ways to express thoughts and feelings clearly and honestly. An adventurer can be spontaneous, and often have a non-traditional style. Adventurers prefer hands-on problem solving and have an ability to negotiate. They can benefit from doing extra tasks or tasks in a more active way. Strategies for communicating and collaborating among different personality styles are similar to strategies for different learning styles. The first strategy is to be aware of the different personality styles and the strengths and weaknesses involved with each style. Much like when dealing with different learning styles, an important strategy for dealing with different personality styles is critical listening. Taking the time to understand what the others are communicating before responding can be a large step toward effective communication and collaborating. Understanding strengths and weaknesses of different personalities can also help collaboration amongst groups. When organizers are involved, it is important to have a timeline of expectations. When thinkers are involved, it is important to allow enough time for tasks to be completed after thinking about the information fully. When a giver is involved, it is best to avoid harsh statements because they are peacekeepers and will try to mend the group relationships before completing tasks. Delegating more actively involved tasks to adventurers will also help with collaborating. By being aware of personalities and taking the time to listen to others, each group should be successful. Reference
Carter, C., Bishop, J., & Kravits, S. L. (2007). Keys to College Studying: Becoming an Active Thinker (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.