Twelve Brain Science Insights to Making Your Training Stick

I recently read a fascinating book with twelve tips for becoming a better communicator. Jared Horvath’s book Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 Insights from Brain Science to Make Your Message Stick provides research-based principles on enhancing communication through neuroscience. The author does a great job of making complex science both understandable and immediately applicable. As I read the book, I made notes on how to apply the principles to creating learning.

?

1. Keep It Simple

Training sessions often contain extensive information, yet Horvath emphasizes that simplicity enhances retention. Streamlining the content to highlight core concepts while avoiding jargon or excessive details is advisable. A clear and concise message aids learners in absorbing and recalling essential points.

Application Tip: Focus on the main takeaway of your training. Use bullet points, summaries, and simple language to reinforce it.

?

2. Use Emotion to Drive Memory

People remember content better when it evokes emotion. To enhance lessons, use stories or examples that emotionally resonate with learners.

Application Tip: Begin training with a relevant story or case study to engage learners and enhance learning emotionally.

?

3. Leverage the Power of Storytelling

Horvath highlights that stories engage multiple brain regions, improving comprehension and memory. To illustrate concepts, turn dry facts into engaging narratives.

Application Tip: Use real-world examples or personal anecdotes along with some statistics. This makes the session engaging and shows practical applications.

?

4. Engage, Don’t Lecture

Passive learning has limitations. To enhance training effectiveness and ensure learners internalize the information, incorporate interactive activities, questions, and discussions.

Application Tip: To ensure active participation, consider incorporating polls, breakout discussions, or group exercises. Additionally, encourage learners to ask questions and share their perspectives.

?

5. Use Repetition and Spacing

Repetition boosts memory, but cramming is ineffective. Spaced repetition enhances learning and long-term retention.

?Application Tip: To keep essential knowledge fresh, periodically revisit key points during training using follow-up emails or brief recap sessions.

?

6. Integrate Visuals Thoughtfully

Visual aids enhance understanding since images are processed faster than text. However, they must be purposeful and clear.

Application Tip: Use relevant infographics, diagrams, or charts. Keep slides uncluttered and focus on one idea at a time for maximum impact.

?

7. Avoid Cognitive Overload

Horvath notes that too much information can overwhelm the brain, reducing comprehension. You can focus on essential content and present it in manageable pieces.

Application Tip: Structure training into concise, targeted modules. Implement short learning sessions with interactive exercises or breaks in between to sustain attention.

?

8. Incorporate Feedback and Reflection

Reflection reinforces learning by enabling learners to connect new information with existing knowledge. Feedback provides guidance, assisting learners in achieving a deeper understanding.

Application Tip: Allow learners time to reflect on their learning and its application. Regularly collect feedback to tailor the training to participants' needs.

?

9. Surprise and Delight Learners

Unexpected elements capture attention and improve memory retention. A surprising fact or interactive twist can engage learners effectively.

Application Tip: Include a video clip, interactive quiz, or statistic to keep engagement and refresh attention.

?

10. Make It Personally Relevant

Training that resonates with personal experiences is more effective, as the brain prioritizes relatable information.

Application Tip: Tailor examples to the audience's job roles. Ask questions that help learners connect new information to their work.

?

11. Master Nonverbal Communication

Body language, facial expressions, and tone significantly impact message reception. Enthusiastic and confident delivery boosts learning.

Application Tip: Maintain eye contact, use purposeful gestures, and vary your tone to emphasize key points. Nonverbal cues convey passion and keep learners engaged.

?

12. Adapt and Be Flexible

Training must be adaptable. Adjust your approach based on audience feedback to maintain engagement.

?Application Tip: Observe body language, participation, and feedback during training to adjust strategies as needed. Being flexible shows that you value learning and builds trust.

?

You likely already use the twelve principles in your training. Horvath’s book engagingly presents these principles, blending lessons on brain anatomy with current research. His takeaways are to simplify content, harness emotion, foster interaction, and stay flexible to create memorable learning experiences. Apply these neuroscience-based strategies to enhance retention and application for your training programs.