How You Learn Is How You Live: Using Nine Ways of Learning to Transform Your Life

by Kay Peterson, David A. Kolb

What's Your Learning Style?
Being a lifelong learner is one of the secrets to happiness, success, and personal fulfillment. But what's the best way to become one? Kay Peterson and David Kolb have the answer. They offer deep, research-based insights into the ideal process of learning and guide you in identifying your dominant style. You'll discover how knowing your learning style can help you with all kinds of everyday challenges, from remembering someone's name to adding a crucial professional skill to your repertoire. This book is a guide to awakening the power of learning that lies within each of us.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Education, Professional Development, Audiobook, Productivity

232 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2017

Reviews

[Lisa Kosak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a lifelong learning geek. I enjoy learning new information and absorb it with a thirst for reading, taking online MOOCS, and watching videos. I've always known that I am a visual learner and have tried to gear my learning to my style. The new book How You Learn Is How You Live – Using Nine Ways of Learning to Transform your Life by Kay Peterson, and David A. Kolb was an eye-opening read for me.

Most of what we learn and retain is from experience and hands-on learning. We all embrace a defined method of learning, and for some of us, it's tough to change how we learn. We are introduced to the learning way which is an "awakening life force that's in all of us. We grow and develop by learning". Few of us even realize that there is a process for learning. To be effective learners, we need to view learning as a continuous ongoing process whereby we not only learn new skills but learn to apply existing skills to new situations.

The authors stress how critical it is to discover our personal learning style so that we better understand ourselves and how we best respond. Moreover, they encourage us to learn all of the learning styles because we need to remain flexible in our learning and adapt a style based on a particular situation or those around us. There are nine learning styles based on the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI 4.0). Here are the nine learning styles:

Experiencing
Imagining
Reflecting
Analyzing
Thinking
Deciding
Acting
Initiating
Balancing


Peterson and Kolb offer a quick assessment to determine your style along with detailed data on each as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each style. By learning more about all nine styles, you are better equipped to work with others in the style that is comfortable for them. You will have a greater understanding of how to communicate more efficiently with others as well. Caring about the styles of others makes for stronger teams and relationships. Moreover, there are detailed stories and insights about the various methods including how folks have learned about their style the hard way or how they had to adapt their style to a situation or career.

Learning about your style will strengthen your awareness, aid in matching your style preferences to the demands around you, and perhaps give you clues as to why your career performance isn’t where you desire it to be, or explain why some tasks just aren’t interesting to you.

Once you have a better understanding of the nine learning styles, you are ready to embark on learning how to be flexible with the nine styles. Most of us try to stay in our comfort zone when we learn or interact. That doesn't always work. You need to strive to develop strengths in the other learning styles. Effective leaders need to be able to respond differently in situations, and that means changing your style effortlessly. Matching your learning approach by jumping into another style will enable you to influence others and keep you on the path to lifelong learning.
Integrating learning into your life is a commitment that never ends. We should all be deliberate in our practice and follow three key strategies to be effective. They include deep experiencing (mindfulness, intentional attention, and focus), deliberate learning, and start small with just one big thing. Intertwining your key learning style in with these strategies will set you up for success,

How You Learn is How you Live is a must read if you are a driven learner, desire to understand and influence others or want to become more flexible in your learning or unique situations. I enjoyed learning more about the nine styles and how I need to adjust my style to that of others or in different circumstances.

Each chapter includes a learning cycle checklist for action and practice exercise to put the information that we learn to use and to cement the new ideas introduced. I learned best through storytelling and immersed myself in the various stories and situations presented by Kay and David. The various scenarios enabled me to understand the importance of remaining flexible in using different learning styles as well as the need to learn how others learn in situations so that I can adapt to lead or have an impact.

How You Learn is How You Live is a must read for anyone interested in becoming a more active learner, leader, and communicator. This nugget of knowledge will guide the reader along the path of learning with critical information, insightful stories, and self-exploration.

[Pablo María Fernández · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book at ITBA’s university library. First I discovered Kelb’s Learning Style Inventory 3.1 booklet that called my attention and after reading it I saw this book next to it and gave it a try to go deeper into this author’s approach.

Having read about personality types, different profiles, many learning theories and taking several tests (Benziger, Myer-Briggs, etc.) it didn’t sound novel to me. Many times there are the same ideas but each author adds their own subtle twists and gives different names to the same concepts to make them their own. Having said that, I still found a couple of ideas, actionable points or concepts that made it worth reading.

I did a speed reading in one hour focusing just on the parts that were of interest for me and taking photos of the most interesting charts or sections to deep dive later. I thought it was going to be more academic but it has a general reader approach without introducing technicalities or complex concepts. He even quotes well-known authors at the beginning of each chapter and is written in an easy-to-read language. I like that he doesn’t hide the origin of some concepts (I don’t know if Daniel Goleman was that generous with Howard Gardner when he created Emotional Intelligence relying heavily on Gardner's multiple intelligences theory). In the Introduction he already mentions his predecessors on experiential learning like John Dewey, William James, Carl Rogers and Jean Piaget. His theory is now forty years old. The booklet I read before (the KLSI 3.1 version) is outdated because he later launched the fourth version that is used in this book that introduces some changes (and I saw on his website that now he moved from KLSI to KELP so his theory keep developing -or changing names at least-).

The KLSI 4.0 learning styles are nine: experiencing, imagining, reflecting, analyzing, thinking, deciding, acting, initiating and balancing. For each of them he provides tips on how to lead, how to start learning new learning styles among other recommendations. Unlike this former 3.1 approach here he takes off from the fixed mindset of predefined personality types (thanks Carol Dweck for your contribution!) and joins in the new wave of growth mindset.

In summary, if you have read some book on this subject probably you can skip this one without missing much. But if you like reading all you can about it or want to learn another way of knowing better your team, your boss, your family and yourself this could be another good tool. Have fun!

A couple of quotes:
“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, pitch manure, solve equations, analyze a new problem, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” (Robert Heinlein)

“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.” (Walt Whitman).

“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.” (William James)

[Fred Cheyunski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Styles Recognized, Optimized, Balanced - Originally seeing this title regarding David Kolb’s work (see my review of his “Experiential Learning”), I finally got a hold of this book by he and Kay Peterson. While considering it fortunate that I read the earlier material first, this book picks up and extends the narrative further regarding application of Kolb Learning Style concepts and tools.

More specifically, the book’s content consists of front matter, six (6) chapters and appendices. Namely, there is a List of Tables and Figures, Foreword, and Introduction, then Chapter One: The Learning Way; Chapter Two: I Am a Learner; Chapter Three: My Learning Style, My Life Path; Chapter Four: Building Style Flexibility; Chapter Five: Learning Flexibility and the Road Ahead; and Chapter Six: What's Next? Deliberate Learning for Life. After the body of the book come Notes, References, Appendix A: The KLSI, The Kolb Learning Style Inventory: Why You Should Take the Inventory to Define Your Style, Appendix B: The Style Sheets: The Nine Styles of Learning at a Glance, and an Index.

Aspects of the book that stood out for me were the expansion of Kolb’s original schema into the nine learning styles and means for working toward balance. Namely, the text briefly alludes to four essential dimensions of the experiential learning process: concrete experience (CE), reflective observation (RO), abstract conceptualization (AC) and active experimentation (AE). It elaborates on how these four dimensions break out into (1) Experiencing, (2) Imagining, (3) Reflecting, (4) Analyzing, (5) Thinking, (6) Deciding, (7) Acting, (8) Initiating, and (9) Balancing. What aspects of this process we tend to emphasize is our “Learning Style” as well as our preferred approach and strength. In order to avoid limitations and get most potential, we are encouraged to expand our abilities in the other areas. Such a direction had me recall other titles such as Siegel’s “Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation,” Schein’s “Career Development,” Johansen and Sibbet’s “Leading Business Teams,” and Weis’s “Lifelong Learning.”

As mentioned above, this brief book builds on the earlier “Experiential Learning” material which is both its biggest asset and liability. It is mostly practice oriented and provides exercises, without all the background of Kolb’s earlier work. Also, some of the suggested web pages referred to in order to complete a learning style profile, now require purchase to do same. Not to worry one can search on-line and find a free version to fill out and many more scholarly articles as one wants further background.

Near the end (pg. 125), the authors say “While the practices of this book will help you improve your performance or learn new content, the goal is to pay attention to your own learning process and become more flexible in managing it. This process allows you to transform your life” If these prospects are of interest, this book may be helpful in your getting a handle on your personal learning style and proceeding accordingly.

[Karen JEC · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's interesting to listen to but the reader had a very deep baritone voice which made it difficult to listen to at high speed or with any ambient noise in the room. (The reader also sounded a bit bored.) Nine different learning styles is interesting but part of me is rankled that there are more sections than my working memory can commit to tracking. Useful life wisdom is always welcome. Perhaps this audiobook could have had some additional processing.

Favourite quotes:

The Learning Cycle: Experience, Reflect, Think, Act

"Learning styles offer insight regarding who might share leadership at various steps of the learning process."

"A focus on learning will eventually allow you to make life a continuous process of learning, rather than worrying about only learning content. You will increase your awareness, have a more sophisticated grasp of the world, and manage yourself in a highly creative way... These shifts also make your life richer and expand your potential."

"We are what we learn."

"Pay attention to your own learning process and become more flexible in managing it."

10000 hours = 20 hrs per week, 50 weeks per year, for 10 years

[Jay French · Rating 2 out of 5]

In reading this, it seems the author is offering up a rehash of Myers Briggs, but including the word learning in as many descriptions as possible. The author includes 9 “ways of learning”, some opposites of others, some overlapping others, with the thought that you prefer to act “to type” as a default but can modify your actions and thoughts to include the other ways in your decision-making process. The ways of learning, such as thinking, acting, and reflecting, (and which are illustrated on the book’s cover) seem to me to be the actions associated with a flowchart that a person might use while making decisions. I like an occasional reminder to think using a process, and this book worked as that, but I didn’t see the tie-in to learning. This is more a general guide to decision-making. It seems to fall in between books describing how people associated with a Myers Briggs type think and a decision-making guide. I could see where this kind of classification could be useful, but it seems one of many, while trying to be something else entirely. The classifications were not crisp, they felt mushy and over-simplified. Not my cup of tea.

[Yoric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning should be both experimental and mental, thus the 4 steps: experience, reflect, think, and act.

Interesting perspective underlining the key difference with learning at school:

"This is quite different from the model of learning where information transferred from the teacher to the learner is meant to be memorized for later recall and testing.
In the linear model, the learner is a passive recipient of information, whereas in the cycle of learning, learners receive information through experiences, reflect on it, think about it abstractly to connect it with related information, and then use it to take action. Here, we are both receivers of information and creators of information."

We are a vast ocean of possibilities, and shape our own lives through the learning experiences:

"We are shaped by our experiences, but through learning we have the transformative power to choose the experiences that are most fulfilling in order to shape our destiny."

[Lance McNeill · Rating 4 out of 5]

You will learn about learning with this good read

I enjoyed the meta read - learning about learning. The learning styles and process are great tools for self awareness and creative problem solving.
The only reason I gave a 4 instead of a 5 is because I believe on authenticity- focusing on strengths as opposed to what we’re not good at. The practical implications of this read guide you toward making yourself more well rounded by focusing on continuous improvement of areas where we’re weak. It’s important to be aware of our blind spots, but I believe you focus on and grow your strengths while collaborating and outsourcing areas of weakness.

[Katya Zhelandovskaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Как бы смешно не звучало, из 5 глав самой полезной показалась первая с общими положениями о том, что развиваться и учиться можно и нужно всегда
Следующие 4 главы развивают сомнительную теорию о 9 видах обучения, по сути связанных с психотипами личности
Огорчило, что повествование стилистически похоже на Д.Карнеги, хотя книга продвигается как науч поп

[Cordelicacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure if this book is properly titled - I felt that it was more about behavior than it was about learning. Regardless, it used a very broad definition of learning. The overall concept is that people can learn (or perhaps behave) in a wide variety of ways, but each of us as individuals may be relying on only a handful of learning approaches (or are they behaviors?) that are easy for us.

Was this book a waste of time or a much needed splash of cold water on my face reminding me to use all forms of learning (or behaviors). Going through some of the book’s exercises may help me make up my mind.

[Ben Wyland · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had some interesting bits about the learning cycle. Overall I think it over emphasized corporate/work application and not everyday life. I also think there was too heavy a humanist world view implying that we are totally in control in our life.

I also feel like the research and view points had no consideration of socioeconomic status or race.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful tool for your life's tool belt. I love utilizing the many different ways we can learn about ourselves, others in our lives and use those tools for the betterment of everyone. Thank you for allowing me to be a Goodreads winner and review this book.

[Soquel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so common sense that I was very bored. Maybe I'm one of the learner types who didn't actually need things spelled out. It could be a useful book for large teams needing new approaches to meetings and the creative process but I didn't find much to apply to my life.

[Pro Mukherjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've used Kolb's learning cycle in my practice and in teaching students. Somehow I didn't quite connect with this expression of learning methods.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend taking the Kolb Learning Style Inventory as a companion to reading this book (see Appendix A). Knowing my own dominant style helped make the analysis and suggestions more useful.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting way of looking at how we do things and how we depend upon one learning type when we can use all. But only if we train ourselves.

[Varia Selina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Скажем так, чуваки решили некую типологию подать как способы обучения. Я бы скорее назвала это образами действия и коммуникации, потому что про обучение и в типах, и в книге мало. Мол, можно быть рефлексивным, а можно действующим, и вот вы по-разному думаете.
Здорово.
Не, можно использовать в жизни, и частично это про уметь учиться, если воспринимать все в жизни как обучение.