Pragmatists
They want shortcuts and tips.
- Pragmatists are keen on trying out ideas, theories, and techniques to see if they work in practice
- They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with applications
- They are the sorts of people who return from management courses brimming with new ideas that they want to try out in practice
- They like to get on with things and act quickly and confidently on ideas that attract them
- They tend to be impatient with ruminating and open-ended discussions
- They are essentially practical, down-to-earth pile who like making practical decisions and solving problems
- They respond to problems and opportunities "as a challenge"
- Their philosophy is: "There is always a better way" and "if it works, it's good."
Strengths
- Keen to test things out in practice.
- Practical, down to earth, realistic.
- Businesslike - gets straight to the point.
- Technique oriented.
Weaknesses
- Tendency to reject anything without an obvious application.
- Not very interested in theory or basic principles.
- Tendency to seize on the first practical solution to a problem.
- Impatient with waffles.
- On balance, they are task-oriented, not people-oriented.
Learns best from...
Pragmatists learn best from activities where:- There is an obvious link between the subject matter and a problem or opportunity on the job.
- They are shown techniques for doing things with obvious practical advantages, i.e., how to save time, make a good first impression, and deal with awkward people.
- They can try and practice techniques with coaching/feedback from a credible expert, i.e., someone who is successful and can do the techniques themselves.
- They are exposed to a model they can emulate, i.e., a respected boss, a demonstration from someone with a proven track record, lots of examples/anecdotes, and a film showing hit's done.
- They are given techniques currently applicable to their job.
- They are given immediate opportunities to implement what they have learned.
- There is a high face validity in the learning activity, i.e., a good simulation, '"real" problems.
- They can concentrate on practical issues, i.e., drawing up action plans with an obvious end product, suggesting shortcuts, and giving tips.
Learns least from...
Pragmatists learn least from and may react against activities where:- The learning is not related to an immediate need they recognize/they cannot see, an immediate relevance/practical benefit.
- Organisers of the learning, or the event itself, seem distant from reality, i.e., "ivory-towered," all theory and general principles, pure "chalk, and talk."
- There is no practice or clear guidelines on how to do it.
- They feel that people are going around in circles and not getting anywhere fast enough.
- There are political, managerial, or personal obstacles to implementation.
- There is no apparent reward from the learning activity, i.e., more sales, shorter meetings, higher bonuses, and promotions.