Thanks. This lesson has really helped me reflect on overlapping styles. I appreciate the response.
Great observations, Josh. Overlapping styles is a great way to approach communication amongst different groups. This allows you to appeal to a variety of styles and avoiding assuming a "one style fits all" approach.
I think almost everyone is a combination of a couple of different "groups", and it is helpful, and one has a better chance of communicating effectively, when overlapping styles of communication are implemented. I do not feel that hindered by overlapping styles in any way.
It's so nice to get the students that want to talk to us, isn't it? And you're absolutely right to ask open-ended questions to re-engage or dig a little deeper with a student. Great insight.
You know when you've made the connection by the student's feedback or "lack of feedback". Questions & conversation is a good sign. Short answers to questions and little feedback shows no connection or lack of interest.
A good way to overcome the negative situation is to ask open ended questions like, "Once you graduate from the program describe for me the perfect job for you in your new career?"
This is so true. There are positives and negatives with each style. I'm curious, how will you know you've "reached" your student? What will you do differently if you find yourself making assumptions?
I think by overlapping styles of communicating with students it helps them to identify with me and me with them. It allows me to explain or describe things in a way that allows them to understand easily. It may also hinder me by making assumptions and giving analogys that may be incorrect.
