When new associates join Collabera, they’re often overwhelmed with what they need to learn and how fast they’re expected to learn it. Some are fresh out of college. Some are stepping into their first corporate role. Regardless of their background, almost all of them ask the same question early on: “How do I get better at this?”. And my answer is always the same: first, figure out how your brain works.

Everyone learns differently, but few people have taken the time to really think about what kind of learner they are. That’s where we start. Are you someone who learns best by listening? Watching? Doing? Most people are a combination of styles, but the sooner you figure out your dominant learning type, the more effectively you can absorb information and the less time you waste trying to fit into someone else’s method.

If you’re an auditory learner, podcasts or walking through a process out loud might be your key to clarity. Visual learners benefit most from diagrams, charts, and videos. Kinesthetic learners need to get their hands on something, literally. Mapping out the recruitment life cycle on a whiteboard or role-playing cold calls might be the most effective path for them, even if it’s uncomfortable at first.

There’s no “better” or “faster” style. The most effective learning method is whatever helps you retain, apply, and evolve your knowledge. But to get there, you have to be willing to test, observe, and adjust. That means paying attention to what sticks, asking for the type of training you need, and resisting the urge to blame the process when something doesn’t click right away.

It also means pushing past the fear of getting it wrong. Especially for perfectionists, hands-on learning can be tough. You don’t want to take the first swing and miss. You don’t want to stumble in front of others. But that fear of imperfection can stall your growth before it ever begins. One of the biggest breakthroughs I’ve seen with associates is when they stop trying to be perfect on the first try and instead, focus on the learning process!

The truth is that our brains don’t grow through constant input; they need reflection, rest, and repetition. Yet, in today’s world, most of us are used to filling every quiet moment with noise. We scroll during commercial breaks, play music while we shower, and rely on content to fill every quiet moment. However, the best ideas often emerge when you turn the noise off and let your thoughts breathe.