Understanding How You Learn Best: The Key to Effective Learning in Any Industry

The Importance of Personalized Learning

In today’s fast-paced world, where industries evolve rapidly and new skills are constantly in demand, the ability to learn effectively is more important than ever. However, many people approach learning with a one-size-fits-all mentality, often struggling to retain information or apply new concepts efficiently. One of the keys to mastering any profession lies in understanding how you learn best and adapting your education accordingly.

As an educator for nearly a decade and someone who has been involved in different industries across the globe, teaching all ages, all levels, and a variety of different topics, I’ve learned that individuals absorb information in vastly different ways. Too often, we focus solely on the content, not realizing the importance of understanding how students or team members process information. Just because you provide a document or a worksheet doesn’t mean every person will learn the same way.

To put this into perspective, we recognize this about ourselves when studying for a test. Some individuals need to read information out loud, while others need to write down what they are trying to learn or memorize. Understanding your personal learning style is essential to being an effective learner. Likewise, if you’re guiding a team or a classroom, knowing how your students or team members absorb information will lead to much better engagement and significantly improved results.

When I began teaching, I frequently had parents ask me how their child could become a better student or professionals inquire about how they could improve their conversational skills. The common theme I noticed was that many of them didn’t know how they learned best. There is no single rule that applies to everyone, but there is a general guideline to help individuals identify their most effective learning method. If I had understood this about myself while in school, I know it would have had a significant impact on my grades and saved me a great deal of time.

I’ve come to realize that the students who consistently achieved top grades weren’t just hardworking—they were effective learners. They understood how to absorb and process information efficiently, allowing them to retain and utilize twice as much knowledge as many of their peers who struggled. Recognizing and leveraging one’s optimal learning method is not just beneficial—it is transformative.

The Different Learning Styles and Their Prevalence

People process information in different ways, and recognizing your own learning style can significantly impact how quickly and effectively you acquire new knowledge.

Some common learning styles include:

• Visual Learners (The Seers) – Absorb information best through images, charts, videos, and written instructions. Approximately 65% of adults prefer visual learning. Professions that attract visual learners include architects, engineers, pilots, graphic designers, and surgeons.

• Auditory Learners (The Listeners) – Retain concepts more effectively when hearing them explained. This style is prevalent among musicians, speech therapists, counselors, and customer service representatives.

• Kinesthetic Learners (The Doers) – Learn best through hands-on experiences and real-world applications. Around 37.6% of students favor kinesthetic learning, making it common among athletes, dancers, physical therapists, surgeons, and mechanics.

• Reading/Writing Learners (The Note-Takers) – Prefer processing information through written words, lists, and structured documentation. About 33.7% of students prefer this method, which suits professions in writing, law, research, and academia.

The Power of the 70:20:10 Learning Model in the Workplace

Through further research, I discovered that my observations aligned with established findings. The 70:20:10 model is a foundational principle in professional development, emphasizing the critical role of personalized learning in real-world settings:

• 70% from practical, hands-on experiences (on-the-job training), where professionals refine their skills through real-world problem-solving and job responsibilities.

• 20% from developmental relationships, including mentorship and coaching, which help refine skills and provide crucial career guidance.

• 10% from formal coursework and structured training, such as degrees and workshops, which provide foundational knowledge but require real-world application for mastery.

The success of this model emphasizes that professional growth is not just about formal education but about continuous learning, mentoring, and real-world application. Adaptive learning in the workplace ensures that employees maximize their potential by recognizing how they learn best and applying this model to develop the necessary skills efficiently.

Formal Education and Critical Thinking

Furthermore, a Pew Research Center study also found that among workers who prioritize critical thinking skills:

• 19% acquired critical thinking skills through formal education

• 46% developed these skills on the job through real-world decision-making and adaptation

  
  

This suggests that while formal education introduces foundational concepts, most practical critical thinking is refined through job experience.

Continuous Skill Development

Also, the same Pew Research Center study indicated that:

• 45% of employed adults pursued additional training in the past year to enhance job-related skills, showing the growing need for ongoing education and professional development beyond initial schooling.

This highlights the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability, and skill refinement.

The Role of Developmental Relationships

I also wanted to further highlight the 20% in the 70:20:10 model, which refers to learning from mentors, managers, coaches, and peers who help shape professional growth.

These relationships contribute significantly to:

• Learning industry best practices through mentorship.

• Enhancing problem-solving skills by collaborating with experienced colleagues.

• Developing leadership and soft skills through peer learning and coaching.

These findings highlight that while formal education provides foundational knowledge, a significant portion of job-specific skills are developed through practical, on-the-job experiences and continuous learning initiatives. The traditional education-to-career pipeline is evolving, making adaptive learning and skill development a necessity for long-term career success.

The Role of Adaptive Learning in the Workplace

Adaptability is a cornerstone of long-term success in any profession. Organizations that embrace diverse learning approaches empower their employees to develop new skills in ways that align with their strengths. By investing in personalized training programs, mentorship opportunities, and continuous learning initiatives, companies cultivate an environment where employees can thrive and allow them to be more coachable. I particularly appreciate companies that offer professional development allowances, as they demonstrate a commitment to ongoing growth and career advancement. They walk the talk!

Understanding employees' learning preferences enables managers to design more effective training programs, foster innovation, and enhance productivity. The traditional one-size-fits-all learning model is no longer sufficient—modern workplaces must implement adaptive learning strategies to unlock their workforce’s full potential.

Becoming a Lifelong Learner

Recognizing how you learn best is just the beginning. True mastery comes from continuously refining your approach, staying curious, and leveraging resources that align with your learning style. Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, understanding how you learn is a fundamental pillar of long-term success. In my opinion, it enhances coachability and adaptability—two critical traits for growth in any industry.

Education isn’t just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about mastering the process of learning itself. When you tailor your learning to your strengths, you unlock the ability to adapt, evolve, and stay ahead in an ever-changing world.

Just some food for thought. Thanks for reading!

Sources

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8. American Psychological Association. (2019). Learning Styles Myth: Why Categorization May Not Improve Learning Outcomes. apa.org

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