Your learning style may show more focus, have better success and reap greater rewards if you take up the mantle of teaching or mentoring someone. The concept of teaching-as-learning goes back to Roman philosopher Seneca who said, "by teaching, we learn." When you share experiences with other people, you learn something about yourself in the process.
Start by examining your own learning style and how you enjoy picking up a new skill or a new nugget of knowledge. Do you like to take copious notes on a subject and then ace a test, or do you immerse yourself in a hands-on task to hone an appreciation of a new experience? As you prepare to teach someone, do a little research along the way. That research turns into soul-searching and learning.
Teaching does not have to include a formal setting in a lecture hall. When you teach your kids how to make pancakes, draw within the lines, take care of the family pet or drive a car, you impart knowledge to someone else. Your learning style can remain as simple as thinking of your students as children whose brains relish new knowledge. Teaching someone may mean taking a new employee under your wing or training staff on some concept at the office. The best part about teaching comes from getting as much out of the experience as your students. That's because you learn about the topic and about other people at the same time.
Imparting knowledge, no matter how it happens, improves your learning style through several ways. Gain a deeper understanding of the topic and your own personality as you learn to apply a certain skill to your own life. Teaching an individual or a group increases participation, observation and interpersonal skills. Ascertain the best presentation methods that keep your pupils' attention throughout the lesson. In the end, learn different communication styles and cultural backgrounds as you improve communication methods with those around you.
As you thoroughly investigate a topic, whether it's sales tactics or flipping pancakes, the learning style comes through to your students. Enjoy the topic, and your enthusiasm spreads to the rest of the class. Open your mind to what students contribute to the lesson, and you may add new concepts to future lesson plans.
Mentoring someone, similar to teaching, also happens in many ways. You may mentor someone just a few years younger who starts out in the same position you currently have as an entry-level worker. Teach that person the ropes so he avoids the same pitfalls you fell into when you began your job. As a supervisor, you may see a spark, gleam or passion for the job that you had as a green underling. Fostering that sense of wonderment turns into teachable moments where you learn about the newbie and about yourself.
A learning style, just like anything else in the working world, evolves with time. As you grow in your teaching regimen, forge new ideas and new relationships that help you on your own journey of fulfillment as you help others achieve their full potential.
Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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