Blog 20 — Filters & Styles

The Beginning…

In our early years, our families instill in us values that have echoed through generations. As infants, we are akin to blank canvases, our innocence unmarked. Our first educators, our parents and family members, begin the task of painting our minds with knowledge and memories. This familial upbringing lays the cornerstone of our individual perceptions and life approaches.

As we step into the schooling phase, our education shifts to a more academic focus. The emphasis is on hard work, not just for knowledge but as a means to secure future stability in higher education and eventually in the corporate world. School exposes us to a diverse array of people, each with their unique perspectives and life approaches. Our interactions with peers, educators, and later, colleagues, are a mix of both pleasant and challenging experiences. These moments shape our personal filters and responses to the world around us, influencing our behavior and reactions.

Learning Style & Its Impact…

Each person’s learning style is a product of these experiences. Some may find visual and auditory methods effective, while others, like myself with an engineering background, lean towards logical and practical approaches. My preference for detailed, hands-on experience helped me excel in my corporate career. However, there is a catch to this individualized learning. Our innate filters can lead us to selectively process information, potentially missing crucial insights from our clients. This selectivity can result in misunderstandings, judgments, or even generalizations based on limited personal experiences, which might inadvertently disrespect our clients’ stories.

The Realization & Awareness…

Recognizing and understanding our own learning styles and filters is crucial. Equally important is the realization that these should not cloud our interactions during coaching. What resonates with us might not hold the same meaning for others. Our role requires a curiosity and openness to each client’s story, acknowledging their unique experiences without our personal biases.

Having understood this theory and acknowledged my own biases and learning styles, I am now contemplating the next step:

How can I discern my client’s learning style?

Could it be through a series of probing questions?

Am I sensitive enough to detect it?

Will staying focused, being present, and actively listening be enough?

As I continue my journey alongside my clients, my commitment is unwavering: to attentively observe and empathetically understand. The support I offer aims to respect and empower their individual paths. This is more than a learning process; it is an opportunity to nurture a space where authentic growth and transformation can thrive, reflecting the unique stories of each person I have the privilege to guide.

Be Respectful, Be Humble and Be Bold!