How managers should work with interpersonal learners

Business meetings get a bad rap sometimes, but they are necessary, particularly if your employees are interpersonal learners. These individuals like group discussions, lively debates and aren't afraid of any topic, particularly if it's going to engage the group and assist with the learning process.

Group brainstorming sessions are a great way to stimulate interpersonal learners. Asking each member of your group to bring ideas to the discussion can spark valuable conversations, even if those ideas ultimately are not accepted by the group at large. Most people at your organization can bring something unique to the table. Interpersonal learners will capitalize on this, by facilitating engaging discussions and creating better employees as a  result. 

A Huffington Post article explains this idea further. Anne Loehr, the article's author, says that managers can introduce topics to the group with the intention of generating an intense discussion. It is an effective way to get employees to retain information.

"Dynamic conversations can be a fantastic way of explaining concepts, especially when dealing with sensitive topics," Loehr writes. "Discussions can integrate other engaging activities, such as role-play or games to get the discussion going. Planning ahead is necessary to achieve the desired outcomes."

How can managers do this? One way is to ask open ended questions that allow group members to give their own thoughts on the matter. Some may disagree, but the debate will be a valuable experience. Of course, these situations have the potential to get off track quickly, so it's imperative that managers always maintain control of the meeting. Businesses must make sure they find managers who can do this. Working with an executive search firm can help with this process.