Have you ever thought about why it’s easier for you to learn some things and extremely difficult for you to learn other things? Lifelong learning is no longer optional if you plan to remain relevant in the new economy. So, understanding how you learn and the best channels for you to learn will be crucial to your success moving forward.
To start, we all have learning modalities. These are our preferred methods for taking in information and sharing it back into the world.
The three main learning modes are:
- Auditory
- Visual
- Kinesthetic (or Tactile)
I’m what you would call a highly Auditory learner. That means I prefer to “hear” what I’m learning. I like to listen to voices explain complex and even basic information to me. When I first started my business career, most business was done by phone, which really benefited my learning style. Now that we tend to use email and other written modes, I’ve had to evolve and adapt to keep my business moving forward.
The second type is called Visual learners. These individuals would prefer to “see” the information or read written instructions. They are very good at taking written words and applying them in the real world. Things like a car owner’s manual or instructions on how to put something together are great ways for this type of learner to absorb information. Visual learners can look at a set of blueprints or schematics and have a good sense of the finished product. They have an easier time buying physical objects online, like clothing, furniture, or even motorized vehicles, because they can visualize how it will look once they have it.
Finally, we have Kinesthetic, or Tactile, learners. As you can probably guess, these people prefer to actually “do” something or go through the physical process of using their hands to complete the task. They trust their gut feelings when making decisions because it either feels right or it does not. Once tactile learners complete the task by “doing it,” they have an easier time learning, grasping the concept, and ultimately retaining the information.
My youngest son is a highly tactile learner. When he was younger, he wore certain clothes because of how they felt on his skin. We often had to cut off tags from his clothes because he didn’t like the way they felt. He wouldn’t eat certain foods because he didn’t like the texture, not because they didn’t taste good.
You are probably starting to think about your own learning preferences, and maybe you feel as though you have more than one. You are probably correct. Most of us have a dominant style and then a secondary. For example, I’m auditory first with Kinesthetic as a secondary. That means I prefer to hear something first, then do it second. This doesn’t mean I can’t learn visually, but I have to work a bit harder and focus my attention for longer periods. I’ve already given you the example of how I’ve had to train myself to be more of a visual learner when it comes to emailing my clients. It took me years to get comfortable, and I still miss being able to call them on the phone, but that just isn’t how things work in the modern economy.
One of the reasons video content is so compelling these days is that it tends to hit all three styles. First, you can see and hear the video, which hits those two styles, but good video content can also make you feel something, which connects with Tactile learners as well.
Ultimately, understanding your own learning preferences is key to finding the most efficient ways to process and learn new information. To take it to the next level, start paying attention to the learning styles of those around you. Your teams, clients, and families all have different learning styles, so if you share information in their preferred modes, you’ll have a much better chance of connecting and conveying your message, which can lead them to take action.
Ask yourself this week:
What is my preferred learning style?
What is the learning mode of those around me?
How can I adjust or adapt to be more effective with my own learning and with those that I’m communicating with daily.