Build a Better Meeting

If you're space-based, you order things by making a place for them and by breaking ideas into manageable parts. You may illustrate your ideas with flow charts or mind maps.

If you're analogy-based, you tend to liken each idea or situation with others you previously witnessed. You may be an avid storyteller, hearing information by comparing and fitting it into a context of what you've experienced before. Others may hear you relate everything said to something else in your life. "That's just like the time when..."

If you're contradiction-based, you may confront new information by challenging it. You may be a skillful debater who processes information by defining it against its opposite. Others may think you're negative or contrary, when really, you're just seeking a clear distinction and comprehending what something is not.

Recognizing the influence of organizing styles can help you work with people in diplomatic and nonjudgmental ways. For example, instead of saying, "You're getting us sidetracked," try, "Let's shift to another way of looking at this." Instead of, "Why do you always take a negative approach?" consider, "Let's be clear about what we can do."

By appreciating your own learning styles and looking from others' perspectives, you can help strengthen group dynamics and help everyone discover more. Or at least you'll find yourself closer to the end of the meeting. It isn't as if you have the attention span to actually listen to the facilitator drone on a minute more.

Got something to say? Join the discussion!