How learning styles improve communication

Have you ever considered why some individuals seem to comprehend new concepts with ease, while others require additional time? Or why specific communication methods are seemingly effective for some, but not for everyone?

One hypothesis is that individual learning styles play a role in how well information is transferred and absorbed in the workplace. So keep reading if you're curious to learn more about the various learning styles, understand the research (or lack thereof) around them, and discover how an awareness of the different learning styles can improve communication in the workplace. 

What are learning styles?

Various models exist, but it's generally agreed upon that there are four main learning styles:

1. Visual learners

Visual learners process information best when it is presented visually, such as through diagrams, charts, graphs, or illustrations. They can quickly understand complex concepts when they are displayed in a visual format and often excel at spatial reasoning. (In other words, visual learners are quickly able to look at a shape and imagine what it would look like from another angle or if it were cut in half.) 

2. Auditory learners

Auditory learners prefer to learn through listening and verbal communication. They benefit from lectures, group discussions, and podcasts. These individuals have strong auditory memory skills and can recall spoken information more easily than written material.

3. Kinesthetic learners

Kinesthetic learners learn most effectively by engaging in hands-on activities or physical movement. They tend to excel in fields that require manual dexterity or bodily coordination, such as sports or dance. These individuals may find it challenging to sit still for long periods and prefer experiential learning methods.

4. Written learners

Written learners comprehend information best when it is presented through the written word. They enjoy reading books, articles, and essays, as well as writing notes or summaries to reinforce their understanding of new material. This learning style is closely related to traditional academic settings where text-based resources are often the primary mode of instruction.

The controversy surrounding learning styles

Despite the popularity of learning styles, it is important to acknowledge that numerous studies have found little to no evidence supporting the idea that instruction tailored to an individual's preferred learning style leads to improved learning outcomes in academic settings. 

In other words, research has consistently failed to find a significant correlation between matching teaching methods to students' preferred learning styles and improved academic performance. 

How understanding individual learning styles can improve communication

That said, there can still be some real-world benefits to learning how to recognize and adapt to individual learning styles when communicating with others in your day-to-day life and in the workplace. 

By tailoring your message to suit the preferred learning style of your audience, you can positively enhance engagement. That's because people are much more likely to focus and pay attention when information is presented to them in a way that naturally makes sense to them. And this increased engagement and attention can potentially lead to improved comprehension, retention, and action.

Understanding various learning styles also enables you to adapt your communication approach depending on the context or specific needs of your audience. This flexibility allows for more effective collaboration and problem-solving within diverse teams.

Strategies for adapting communication methods to different learning styles

By considering others' unique learning styles and preferences, you can foster more effective communication in the workplace. Here are some tips to help you adapt your communication methods for various situations and audiences:

Combine visual and verbal information

When presenting information, aim to include both visual and verbal elements to cater to visual and auditory learners. For example, use slides with images, charts, or graphs while also providing a spoken explanation of the content. This combination ensures that both types of learners can engage with the material effectively.

Incorporate hands-on activities

For kinesthetic learners, try incorporating hands-on activities or physical demonstrations into your presentations or discussions. Encourage active participation through group conversations, activities, or simulations that allow individuals to learn by doing.

Provide written resources

To support reading/writing learners, offer written materials such as handouts, articles, or summaries that complement your verbal presentation. Providing these resources allows these individuals to review and reinforce their understanding of the material at their own pace.

Use varied examples and analogies

Present information using diverse examples and analogies that tap into different learning styles. For instance, use real-life examples that involve movement or touch for kinesthetic learners while utilizing vivid imagery for visual learners.

Encourage group discussions

Facilitate group discussions where participants can share their thoughts and ideas verbally. This approach not only benefits auditory and kinesthetic learners but also fosters collaboration and active engagement among all members of the group.

Assign different roles

In meetings, encourage active participation from all members by assigning roles or tasks that cater to each person's learning preferences. For example, assign a visual learner the task of creating an infographic summarizing the meeting's key points, while asking an auditory learner to present updates verbally.

Offer opportunities for reflection

Give individuals time to reflect on what they have learned by asking open-ended questions or prompting them to write short summaries about the key points discussed. This reflection process caters to both reading/writing and auditory learners while reinforcing comprehension for everyone involved.

By incorporating these strategies into your communication methods at work, you can create an inclusive environment that accommodates various learning styles while promoting engagement and adaptability among your audience members.

Play fun brain games to improve your communication skills

If you'd like to improve how you communicate verbally, visually, and audibly in the workplace, check out the Elevate brain training app. It has 40+ fun, interactive games that can level up all forms of communication and cater to all learning style preferences. 

So don't wait: Download Elevate on iOS or Android today, try it free for a week, and see for yourself all the different ways it can improve your workplace communication skills.