Recently at TalentX in Sydney Kathryn MacMillan mentioned using VARK communication Styles when dealing with staff. So let’s unpack what that means and the potential of VARK.
In today’s fast-paced work environment, the ability to communicate effectively is more important than ever. But communication is not one-size-fits-all; different people process and respond to information in various ways.
Enter VARK, a model designed to enhance communication by identifying distinct learning styles. Understanding VARK and adapting your communication approach can help improve relationships, boost productivity, and ensure your message is received and understood the way it’s intended.
What is the VARK Model?
The VARK model, developed by Neil Fleming in the late 1980s, categorises learners into four primary styles based on how they prefer to receive and process information. The acronym VARK stands for:
- Visual: Learners who prefer to see and use images, diagrams, charts, and other visual aids to process information.
- Auditory: Learners who absorb information best through listening, such as via lectures, podcasts, or verbal instructions.
- Reading/Writing: Learners who prefer to engage with written words, whether through notes, manuals, or articles.
- Kinaesthetic: Learners who learn best by doing, engaging in hands-on experiences, physical movement, and real-life application.
By understanding these four learning styles, managers, HR professionals, and team leaders can communicate more effectively with their teams, ensuring that everyone receives the information they need in a way that works best for them.
How VARK Applies in the Workplace
Adapting your communication to meet the needs of various VARK learning styles can lead to better outcomes, whether you’re delivering a presentation, conducting training, or simply sharing important updates. Here’s how the four styles can be applied in different workplace scenarios:
1. Visual Learners: Seeing is Believing
Visual learners are more likely to retain information when it is presented with visuals such as charts, graphs, and images. If you’re preparing a report or a presentation, incorporate diagrams, infographics, and other visual elements to help these team members absorb and understand the data. This also extends to written communication—adding bullet points, headings, and colour-coded elements can make documents more engaging and easier to navigate.
2. Auditory Learners: The Power of Sound
Auditory learners thrive on listening to information. These individuals are likely to remember facts better after discussing them aloud or hearing them in a meeting. If you want to ensure an auditory learner understands something, consider explaining it verbally or using podcasts, videos, or even voice memos. In meetings or training sessions, encourage discussions, and use storytelling or verbal examples to reinforce key points.
3. Reading/Writing Learners: The Written Word
Reading/writing learners prefer to process information through reading and writing. These learners excel with written instructions, reports, and manuals. When communicating with this group, provide detailed written documents or allow them time to take notes. For example, you can send follow-up emails after meetings summarising the key points, or offer detailed written reports and guides to help them grasp complex ideas. If you need to reinforce something in a meeting, providing a handout or a written summary can be highly effective.
4. Kinaesthetic Learners: Learning by Doing
Kinaesthetic learners are hands-on and learn best by actively engaging with the material. These individuals prefer to “learn by doing,” which makes training and learning through real-world applications particularly effective for them. To communicate with kinaesthetic learners, consider offering opportunities for them to participate in activities, simulations, or role-playing exercises that allow them to apply what they’ve learned. For example, if you’re training a new system, let them explore it through interactive sessions, allowing them to experience the process themselves.
VARK in Action: How to Adapt Your Approach
To communicate effectively with all types of learners, it’s essential to tailor your approach. Here are a few examples of how to incorporate VARK into your communication strategies:
- For a Team Meeting: Combine elements from each VARK style. Present key information through a PowerPoint (visual), discuss the content verbally (auditory), provide written summaries or reports (reading/writing), and incorporate interactive elements like live demos or activities (kinaesthetic).
- Training a New Employee: Use a mix of methods: provide them with a detailed training manual (reading/writing), walk them through the tasks verbally (auditory), show them visual aids such as flowcharts (visual), and allow them to practice the tasks in a real-world scenario (kinaesthetic).
- Email Communication: For teams with diverse learning styles, follow up with clear, well-organised written communication that highlights key points (reading/writing) and consider adding links to videos or audio resources for auditory learners, or infographics for visual learners.
Key Takeaways for Effective Communication Using VARK
- Adapt Your Approach: Recognise that not everyone processes information in the same way. Tailor your communication style to the needs of your team members to improve understanding and engagement.
- Incorporate Multiple Styles: Whenever possible, use a combination of visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinaesthetic elements to communicate with a wider range of learners.
- Foster a More Inclusive Environment: By embracing VARK, you create an environment that acknowledges diverse learning preferences, promoting better team cohesion and more effective knowledge sharing.
- Use Tools and Resources: Leverage a variety of tools such as diagrams, videos, hands-on activities, and written content to ensure your message reaches all team members in the most effective way.
The VARK communication model is a simple yet powerful framework that can help leaders and HR professionals in all industries enhance communication, boost team performance, and ultimately drive success. By recognising and respecting the different ways in which people process information, you can create a more inclusive, efficient, and engaging work environment.
This approach can greatly benefit teams in recruitment, training, and performance management, enabling HR professionals to ensure that all members receive and retain information effectively, leading to better outcomes for both individuals and organisations.
