The issue that many of us often overlook when training employees and team members is that intelligence comes in many forms and shapes. We all learn in a variety of ways and from various learning styles, our approach to how we like to learn is unique, and our skills and abilities vary from person to person.
So making training programs effective can be a challenge but one theory that can greatly help us is Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligencess Theory. This framework is useful for trying to design training that will hit the mark for every learner.
Who is Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner is a Harvard University professor of Psychology and he is the person who came up with the Theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983.
Gardner stepped away from the idea of using IQ tests because he considered that they provide a narrow range through which to measure our cognitive abilities.
Indeed, Gardner argued that intelligence is multifaceted and context-dependent and in response, he identified 8 types of intelligence that he crafted into the multiple intelligences theory that he used to explain the different ways in which people process information and solve problems.
Benefits of Understanding Multiple Intelligences at Work
Every single one of us as an employee is different and we learn differently because we differ in terms of our:
- Background and upbringing
- Experience and qualifications to date
- Preferred way of learning and experiencing
- Motivation and reason for being in a certain job
- Long-term goals
In fact we do not just learn in one way with one style i.e. through listening or through doing, but each of us learns through a mix of different learning styles.
From a company point of view, creating training for managers and employees that really resonates and helps learners to attain knowledge is hard.
But awareness of these different learner attributes and with training designed to cater to all learning styles, your training programs can help and these points are worth considering:
- Increase and Improve Engagement: Employees are more likely to really engage and thrive when they have some kind of buy-in to the training (i.e. some motivation that matches the training)
- Tailored Training and Retention: Tailoring training to the individual learner is one way to build stronger learner engagement.
- Promote Inclusivity: Acknowledging diverse intelligences ensures that everyone’s learning style is valued.
Using Multiple Intelligences for Workplace Training Design
Let’s take a look at each of the types of intelligence that Gardner hypothesised.
1. Linguistic Intelligence
- Definition: Sensitivity to the meaning, structure, and function of language.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Finds writing, speaking, and the written word interesting.
- Ability to learn languages easily.
- Enjoys reading, writing, storytelling, and debating.
- Examples: Writers, poets, journalists, teachers, lawyers.
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
- Definition: Capacity for logical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving using numbers and abstract patterns.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Strong mathematical and scientific abilities.
- Enjoys puzzles, experiments, and strategy games.
- Skilled at recognizing relationships and connections.
- Examples: Scientists, engineers, accountants, computer programmers.
3. Spatial Intelligence
- Definition: Ability to think in three dimensions and visualize spatial relationships.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Good at interpreting maps, charts, and diagrams.
- Likes creative things such as drawing, painting, or designing.
- Examples: Architects, graphic designers, pilots, and photographers.
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
- Definition: Proficiency in using the body as a way to solve problems and to find ways to create products.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Good at physical coordination and control.
- Learns best through hands-on activities.
- Skilled at building, crafting, or performing physical tasks.
- Examples: Athletes, dancers, surgeons, carpenters.
5. Musical Intelligence
- Definition: Sensitivity to sound, rhythm, tone, and music.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Recognizes and creates musical patterns.
- Enjoys singing, playing instruments, or composing music.
- Can remember melodies and rhythms easily.
- Examples: Musicians, composers, sound engineers.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence
- Definition: Ability to understand, interact and communicate naturally with others.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Examples: Teachers, counsellors, salespeople, and leaders.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence
- Definition: Deep understanding of one’s own emotions, motivations, and goals.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Strong self-awareness and introspection.
- Ability to analyse ones self and to work to self improve and learn.
- Often independent and self-motivated.
- Examples: Psychologists, philosophers, writers.
8. Naturalist Intelligence
- Definition: Ability to identify patterns in nature and connect with the natural world.
- Skills and Characteristics:
- Good at recognizing plants, animals, and environmental patterns.
- Enjoys outdoor activities such as rambling, gardening, or botany.
- Skilled at categorizing and organizing information about nature.
- Examples: Biologists, conservationists, farmers, naturalists.
How to Incorporate Multiple Intelligences Theory in Training
The great thing about Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences is that the theory has many applications when designing workplace training for employees.
Having a good awareness of the multiple intelligences theory means that you can adapt, design, and leverage training to incorporate these intelligences into the learning and this in turn will provide a much greater employee experience for those using the meaning.
Let’s just look at the key areas where we can use these intelligences in relation to the workplace:
1. Education
- Greate Diversity in the Teaching/Training Materials: As a trainer, you can design lessons that cater to various intelligences, such as by using activities that include music for musical learners or group discussions for interpersonal learners. Training and teaching activities really help in this respect.
- Personalised Assessments: Rather than just using tests, employees can demonstrate understanding through projects, presentations, performances, or by other creative means.
- Inclusive Classrooms: Acknowledging diverse learning styles help the employees you are training to thrive, including those who may not excel in traditional learning settings.
2. Corporate Training
- Tailored Learning Modules:
- Use visual aids and infographics for spatial learners.
- Include hands-on workshops for bodily-kinesthetic learners.
- Design collaborative activities for interpersonal learners.
- Enhanced Employee Engagement: Training programs that address diverse intelligences keep participants more engaged and invested.
- Improves Retention: By using a variety of methods (videos, discussions, simulations), there is a much greater chance for employees to retain knowledge better.
3. Leadership and Team Building
- Building Balanced Teams: Leaders can form teams with members whose strengths span multiple intelligences, ensuring diverse approaches to problem-solving.
- Personalized Motivation: Understanding employees’ intelligences can help managers tailor their motivational strategies (e.g., recognizing achievements publicly for interpersonal learners or offering self-reflective opportunities for intrapersonal learners).
- Effective Communication: Leaders can adapt their communication styles to resonate with different team members.
4. Personal Development
- Self-Assessment and Growth: Individuals can identify their dominant intelligences to choose careers, hobbies, or activities that align with their strengths.
- Lifelong Learning: Knowing one’s preferred learning style (e.g., auditory, visual, kinesthetic) can enhance the effectiveness of personal development efforts.
- Goal Setting: Intrapersonal intelligence can be leveraged to reflect on personal goals and motivations, leading to more purposeful planning.
5. Creative and Innovation Work
- Brainstorming Techniques: Encourage diverse problem-solving approaches by incorporating visual thinking, storytelling, and physical prototypes.
- Product Development: Understand consumer preferences by considering different intelligences in user experience design (e.g., visual appeal, ease of use, interactive elements).
- Artistic Collaboration: Teams in creative industries can leverage musical, spatial, or bodily-kinesthetic intelligences to produce innovative work.
Teaching Methods
Thank you for reading this post on the theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner.
If you are interested in education and learning more about teaching methods then you might be interested in the Train the Trainer course you can do online and that is taught by Dr Valeria Lo Iacono.
Paul is Co-Founder of Symonds Research and is a qualified researcher with a PhD in wayfinding. Paul helps the team at Symonds Research build and focus on providing high-quality training materials packages and programs for trainers, classroom teachers and HR departments.