Dealing With Difficult Learners: Part IV

TeamOJT Tip of the Month for February, 2007

February's Tip of the Month is a continuation of the four part series on dealing with difficult learners (November, 2006 through February, 2007).

Keep in mind as you work with difficult learners to always go with their style. Remember the rule of thumb - if you don't know what to do, do the unexpected - or do nothing!

The fourth type of difficult learner is the Driver. The following is a description of some typical behavior you might expect from a trainee with this style, followed by tips for dealing with Drivers.

The DRIVERS

The Problem

Discouraged learners with the style of Driver are super-strivers. They try to fit in and find a sense of belonging through achievement. They have two mottos: "The difficult I do right away; the impossible a little later," and "Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." They pay the price of feeling overwhelmed, yet their biggest fear is inactivity, leisure, and meaninglessness. As hard as they work, they never complete all of their tasks or assignments. After all, they would have nothing to do tomorrow.

Training is a common proving ground - the perfect chance to show their superiority. Training is regarded as something to be conquered, and probably you too. During training they feel entitled to boundless recognition and believe there is no obstacle that they can't overcome through willpower or superior faculties. No task will be too difficult. Any criticism is felt as a hostile attack. They will evaluate their own performance and totally disregard your evaluation of them unless it coincides with their own evaluation. They strive to be number one - best or worst, but always first. If they can't succeed at being number one, they will try to be superior by being the worst. Drivers seek areas where no one challenges. Many adopt asocial ways of being superior because they believe there's room for only one at the top. They try to be superior in whatever way works. Juvenile delinquents and gang leaders are examples of people trying to be superior in a negative direction. They work hard at being rotten. Organized crime is filled with Drivers.

Since their worth depends on achievement, they believe, "The more I do, the more I'm worth." They are like pole-vaulters - when they get over the bar, they say raise the bar. They are jugglers with ten balls in motion at one time. They can never relax because they may drop a ball. Drivers may incur the wrath of less productive peers.

Tips for Dealing With Drivers

1. To show acceptance establish a sense of equality; never assume a "superior" position or attitude, especially with Drivers. They will try to be more superior.
2. Empathize with them by understanding that they feel they carry the "weight of the world" on their shoulders.
3. To show confidence, recognize their skills and abilities; remind them that they don't have to accomplish everything in one day.
4. Build on strengths by recognizing their many accomplishments and the importance of what they've done; they are most concerned about being perceived as a success by others. When encouraged, they can achieve great things.
5. Recognize improvement; don't compare to prior performance. They are very competitive even with themselves, always trying for a new record.
6. Align with their goal of achievement - encourage them to meet their expectations, but also help them be realistic. Prevent further discouragement by not asking them to do meaningless tasks or to learn anything that they can't use immediately; instead, point out the importance of what they are doing and learning.
7. Set realistic learning goals. Make sure they don't try to take on too much. Never say that they could accomplish more. Avoid pointing out how well a peer does something. They will try to do it better!
8. When coaching, offer alternatives like, "Why don't you try this approach?" Look for ways to help them feel less burdened. Don't challenge their "superiority."
9. When giving feedback, recognize their hard work and effort - they feel entitled to the recognition. Never attempt to debate with them. Under stress, they will hold out no matter what.
10. Your evaluation of their performance should only point out what they did well. Make sure nothing comes across as critical. You will be in for a battle.
11. For their self-evaluation, allow lots of time for Drivers. They might insist on it anyway.
12. For your own encouragement, don't give in to their attempts to conquer you or show their superiority. Be kind but firm. Realize that around drivers you may feel "inadequate," but don't agree with them!

For more detailed information, download my article, Modifying Motivation: Encouraging Difficult Learners.

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