Intentional Learning: Overcoming the reskilling crisis

The need for reskilling has become essential in today’s rapidly changing world to remain relevant in the job market. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has transformed the job market, leading to the need for reskilling over one billion people by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum. Amid this reskilling crisis, McKinsey reports that intentional learning is the most crucial skill to acquire in today’s digital age. 

In this article, we will explore intentional learning, its examples, the core skills of intentional learners, and how you can cultivate these skills and stay ahead in your career.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the idea of stable lifelong employment had slowly started becoming a myth, replaced by burgeoning expectations for employees to continuously keep on refreshing their skills to survive in the job market and continue learning to remain relevant.

Furthermore, technological advances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated massive shifts in the behaviour of the workforce. The pandemic has heightened the need for reskilling. Despite this given scenario, many companies struggle to meet their reskilling goals, and many individuals struggle to learn new and unfamiliar topics effectively.

McKinsey reports that “few adults have been trained in the core skills and mindsets of effective learners” and that intentional learning is the most fundamental skill for professionals to cultivate in the coming decades.

At its heart, intentional learning is about treating every experience as an opportunity to learn. Everyday experiences, conversations, interactions, etc. with different individuals offer tremendous learning opportunities if one is ready to consider every moment as an experience to enhance one’s learning.

Now, let us explore some examples of intentional learning so that we can grasp the concept and appreciate its importance.

Examples of intentional learning

Intentional learning manifests in various forms and contexts. Here are examples that illustrate how individuals can engage in intentional learning across different aspects of life:

• Online Courses and Certifications:

Enrolling in structured online courses or pursuing certifications in specific subjects to acquire new skills and deepen existing knowledge. 

• Professional Development Workshops:

Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences relevant to one’s industry to stay updated on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices.

• Skill-building through Hobbies:

Leveraging hobbies as intentional learning experiences, such as learning to play a musical instrument, developing coding skills, or experimenting with creative pursuits.

• Reading and Research:

Actively reading books, articles, and research papers on topics of interest. Engaging in self-directed research projects to explore new areas and deepen understanding.

• Language Learning:

Taking intentional steps to learn a new language through language apps, courses, or immersion experiences to broaden communication skills and cultural awareness.

• Online Communities and Forums:

Actively participating in online communities and forums related to specific interests or industries, engaging in discussions, and learning from the experiences of others.

5 Reasons That Will Prove Learning Never Stops!

Intentional Learners – Skills 

While the foundation of intentional learning lies in fostering growth and maintaining a curiosity mindset, it is crucial to execute these approaches effectively. 

In this section, we will explore the fundamental skills required for intentional learners. 

These skills are as follows:

1. Set clear, specific goals

Intentional learners always have a clear and specific goal in mind. Whether it is to learn a new language, understand a complex concept, or pass an exam, they know what they want to achieve and have a plan to get there. This clarity of purpose helps them stay motivated and focused, even when the going gets tough.

2. Filter out the noise

There is an abundance of information available to us, and intentional learners know how to separate the wheat from the chaff. They are skilled in critical thinking, analyzing sources, identifying biases, and extracting the most important information. This ability to filter out the noise ensures that their time and energy are spent on learning what matters.

3. Seek feedback

Intentional learners don’t shy away from feedback. They see it as a valuable tool for growth and improvement. They actively seek feedback from mentors, peers, and online communities, and use it to identify areas for improvement, refine their approach, and stay on track.

4. Practice deliberately

Learning is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about putting it into practice. Intentional learners understand this, and they actively seek out opportunities to apply what they have learned. Whether it’s through real-world projects, simulations, or explaining concepts to others, intentional learners solidify their knowledge and turn it into practical skills.

5. Take time to reflect

Intentional learning is not a linear process. It’s a journey of discovery, and intentional learners take the time to reflect on their progress. They ask themselves questions like, “What worked well?” and “What could I do differently next time?” This self-reflection helps them learn from their experiences and continuously improve their learning strategies.

Intentional Learning – Characteristics

Let us take a closer look at intentional learning, which is characterized by actively seeking knowledge. Along with this key trait, intentional learning typically exhibits several other characteristics, including:

1. Goal-oriented navigation: Intentional learners have a clear picture of where they want to go with their learning. Whether it is mastering a new skill or achieving a particular goal, they have a well-defined purpose in mind.
2. Architects of their learning: These learners take full responsibility for their learning, experimenting with different methods, curating resources, and creating personalized study plans to fit their unique needs and learning styles.
3. Curiosity as the driving force: Intentional learners are fueled by their desire to learn and understand. They ask questions, challenge assumptions, and seek deeper understanding.
4. Filters against information overload: In today’s world of information overload, intentional learners are adept at evaluating sources, identifying biases, and filtering out the noise.
5. Action as the key to learning: Intentional learners actively seek opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world situations, turning facts into tangible skills.
6. Feedback as a tool for growth: These learners welcome feedback from mentors, peers, and even their setbacks, using it to improve and grow.
7. Reflection as a means of continuous improvement: Intentional learners take time to reflect on their progress, using their insights to make adjustments and become more effective learners.

If you are wondering how to become an intentional learner, the next few paragraphs will explore some practical tips to help you get started.

Embracing Lifelong Learning – How to Become Intentional Learners

Intentional learners need to embrace lifelong learning, as they consider every moment as an opportunity to enhance their knowledge. They are always on the lookout for learning opportunities in their surroundings and experiences and operate in a mode of continuous learning. In other words, embracing lifelong learning is part of their daily routine.

Intentional learners make an extra effort to learn from their daily experiences and aim to improve their learning experiences as they go about their day. By doing so, they not only learn new things but also grow and develop as individuals.

To become intentional learners, McKinsey suggests two critical mindsets and five core practices. 

Firstly, one must adopt a growth mindset, which means believing that knowledge, skills, and abilities are not fixed points and can be developed. Secondly, embracing curiosity plays a vital role in intentional learning. It suggests that feeding your curiosity or being aware, open to new ideas, and being able to connect two completely different concepts boost your intentional learning efforts.

The five best-practice behaviors recommended by McKinsey are:

• Setting goals
• Protecting time for learning
• Actively seeking feedback
• Conducting deliberate practice
• Evaluate yourself & determine your progress

Investing in learning and education has become more critical than ever. However, learning is a skill that needs to be developed. By unlocking the right mindsets and skills, we can enhance our personal and professional lives and perform better.