One of the more intuitively self-explanatory themes, Learner is the 2nd most frequent theme out of Gallup’s entire database of people worldwide who have taken the CliftonStrengths as of 2016. They are just behind Achiever at first place. Both themes are also most commonly paired together in the top 5.
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According to Jim Collison, Director of Talent Resourcing at Gallup, it’s likely that the statistic is self-selective since more Learners and Achievers may be drawn to completing this tool voluntarily, or going into personal development programmes. The statistics may be different if we look at the population of 7 billion on earth!
If you are a Learner, you have a natural curiosity and enjoyment of learning experiences that leads to ever-evolving paradigms and ever-expanding perspectives. Learning is a thinking theme, but enjoying the process of learning creates an emotional energy also known as the learner’s high when you’re exposed to new experiences or new concepts. You enjoy learning curves, and being in the learning mode. On the flipside, you may not like it when you’re on a learning plateau since there’s nothing new left to understand. That’s where you start looking for next learning mountain to climb!
Yet while being one of the more ubiquitous themes, what’s marvellous is how Learner takes on different flavours in different people. Learner manifests differently because of varied interests, and the order of the other 4 themes.
We have different preferences in HOW we learn.
A case in point – digital literacy is one of the key skills for the workforce of the future, and my team thought a good way to do that would be to introduce online learning modules in our training programmes. But we weren’t entirely certain about the people’s sentiments to online learning. So we asked everyone: “What’s the best way you learn?”
We all prefer to learn in different ways. Audio learners prefer podcasts or any medium that allows them to verbalize information in their head.
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Visual learners prefer infographics or videos. Experiential learners prefer hands-on activities. Some prefer hardcopy books. Among the respondents, we found that a majority prefer learning in a traditional classroom or workshop more than via online courses.
Learning medium aside, theme dynamics also affect how you learn differently from the people around you. In Gallup’s words, this show the “chemistry of talent themes” — how themes interact with each other. If the following are among your dominant themes:
- Competition: You’ll learn best when it’s for a contest. This gives you the motivation you need to learn well.
- Input: You’ll learn best when you can access the tools necessary for gathering information. You enjoy all the stuff that goes with the process of learning, and this feeds your Learner. You’re a natural student / teacher.
- Restorative: You’ll learn best when you have a problem to fix, whether in your life or in someone else’s life.
- Adaptability: You’re able to shift between learning environments or technology very quickly. Think about how you can be present and credible with people. How can you bring your newness of thinking and understanding to the urgency of a response?
We have different preferences in WHAT and WHY we learn.
Theme dynamics also come into play here.
- Maximizer – You want to know that you’re learning the right things. You are conscious about return on investment, so you tend to be more selective about what you learn, instead of casting a wide net. Maximizers prefer to soak up only the best, and Learner stretches the willingness to consider potential things to learn.
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- Relator – You learn best about people, and deep dive into understanding the people who matter to you.
- Context – You learn best about history, and you enjoy digging more about the background of anything you learn about so that you can appreciate and remember it better.
- Intellection – You are keenly aware of both the external world you live in and the internal world of your own thoughts.
- Deliberative – You take great care in deciding what and how you learn. You are open to new information and experiences, but you want adequate time to study them carefully and thoroughly.
There is no ONE right way to learn. Ask yourself: What’s the best learning environment you’ve ever been in? Where have you learnt the best? Having clarity in this allows you to amplify your learning!
