When we think about learning, we refer to the concept of acquiring knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This process can take place in different ways—whether through observation, habit, study, or interaction with others—and in different learning environments, such as the classroom, school, park, meeting room, and library, among others.  

Therefore, we need to start with the concepts of what learning is and why learning is important. 

Regarding the first question, some studies show that motivation is the key to learning; therefore, based on this idea, in order to gain expertise, we must recognize that acquiring new skills is extremely important for our lives. When we are learning, our brain is able to increase the number and concentration of chemical signals between neurons, leading to changes in neural connections. This is what we call “neuroplasticity,” which is the brain’s ability to learn and reprogram itself. New synapses form and alter the neural communication network, and, as a result, new learning occurs.

Moving on to the second question, our focus shifts to the world in which we live. We learn to adapt to a new world of change—the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution—a time when technologies converge, blurring the boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological realms. According to Klaus Schuab, the originator of this concept, “we need to shape a future that works for all of us, putting people first and empowering them.” In this context, learning becomes imperative in the face of a paradigm shift that is transforming personal and professional relationships. 

We are living in a world that is constantly changing. According to the 2020 report “The Future of Jobs,” 85 million jobs will be eliminated and 97 million new positions will be created over the next five years, but there will be a shortage of skilled workers. Today, if we stop to think about it, what are the new roles in the job market? Social media manager, artificial intelligence specialist, data scientist, privacy analyst—among many other positions that don’t even exist yet. 

However, the essence of learning lies not only in the development of hard skills, but above all in soft skills, since emotional intelligence and innovation have been the cornerstones of all professions. 

If we consider the most important skills to be developed in institutions in the face of a volatile and uncertain world, we must start with analytical thinking—the ability to reason effectively, based on data and logic—move on to innovation, which involves developing new ideas to solve problems creatively, and finally arrive at the development of active learners who seek new learning strategies, transform, ask questions, solve problems, teach others, and apply knowledge—and do so in all areas of life. 

According to Juan Ignacio Pozo, “we need to learn to ride the wave of knowledge transformation,” given the emergence of new generations with new mindsets—the “perennials”—people driven by curiosity, open-minded, who never stop learning and starting over, and who view life as a network of connections and experiences. 

Therefore, we are facing a new culture of learning that involves going beyond the boundaries of information to attain meaningful knowledge, engaging with uncertainty, and understanding that learning is a continuous process that takes place within a network. 

Organizations need to think about and prioritize the development of their people and incorporate practical actions into their daily work routines that are aimed at achieving the objectives mentioned above. This involves both personal and institutional change, bringing to the forefront the discussion about mindset —patterns of thought, psychological predispositions, and the way each person views life, relationships with others, professional goals, and their career. 

Learning involves developing a growth mindset —a concept explored by author Carol Duek—which is associated with the mindset of those who are always seeking to improve themselves and view challenges and adversity as opportunities for growth. A fixed mindset, on the other hand, is characterized by a pattern of thinking in which people believe they are incapable of developing skills, give up on challenges, and remain stagnant. 

The challenge of the modern world is to go beyond the limitations of hard skills and recognize the importance of lifelong learning—of constant learning. It means changing the notion that we need to be taught; it means opening ourselves up to extrinsic motivation, to the discovery and pleasure inherent in learning. It means recognizing that learning can take place in different contexts, through curiosity and collaboration. 

When we take a trip, we bring back memories. That’s what learning is: it’s having experiences that bring about lasting change; it’s applying knowledge to different situations; it is experiencing the Kolb Cycle—named after the Harvard professor and Ph.D.—which teaches us that learning involves a cycle that begins with concrete experience, moves through reflective observation of that experience, proceeds to the formulation of hypotheses and logical thinking as an abstract contextualization of the initial problem, and culminates in active experimentation through the planning of practical actions to solve the initial problem and make decisions. 

Learning is connection; it is fundamentally social and is woven into the fabric of community life. It is an act of engagement and empowerment. We must recognize that we already live in a world where people engage in lifelong learning. 

And how can this be done in practice? On an individual level, it’s important to set life goals, read extensively, be curious, stay up to date, keep pace with changes, develop soft skills, and cultivate emotional intelligence. Institutions, on the other hand, need to focus on developing performance evaluations for their employees, providing one-on-one feedback, offering opportunities for individual development plans, conducting workshops, and implementing many other strategies for personal growth. 

There’s a saying that goes: we are so fleeting that we aren’t—we simply are. And that’s the premise: we are learners… we learn from our mistakes, from our differences, from beauty, from the new… we will always be learning! 

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*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bett Brasil.