Use your learning style on the job

You’ve heard it before…everyone absorbs information best in different ways. This is often referred to as your “learning style.” Understanding your learning style, and those of your colleagues around you, can help create a working environment that is more productive and efficient, collaborative and creative, inclusive and diverse, and growth-focused.

What's your style?

There are four primary types of learning styles: tactile, visual, reader/writer, and auditory. Which one are you?

1. Tactile or kinesthetic. You learn best through movement and by doing.
2. Visual. You need to “see” what’s being explained instead of “talked at.”
3. Reader/writer. You prefer to receive information as text or words.
4. Auditory. You prefer to hear or repeat instructions/tasks.

Easy ways to apply your style to the workplace

If you’re a tactile learner, try to incorporate demonstrations or simulation exercises, role-playing scenarios, and other “hands on” activities. Think about creating employee examples and applying whatever you’re explaining to “real life.” Also, be sure to give your body plenty of movement throughout the day, whether it’s taking a break for a walk around the block or incorporating a fidget toy underneath your desk during conference calls.

If you’re a visual learner, search out charts, graphs, diagrams, flow charts, and maps when you’re trying to process information. Consider buying different colored paper or markers to color code concepts as an easy way to differentiate tasks.

Some considerations for other learning styles include:

• Readers and writers love email and written guides and directions. You thrive at writing reports or essays.
• Auditory learners could incorporate soft background music into their working environment, and benefit from videos, conversations, discussions, and breakout sessions at work.

Sources:
“Learning styles in the workplace: Do they really matter?” Mike Glover (https://dblx.co.uk/learning-styles-in-the-workplace)