Developing Leadership Talent During the
NEW NORMAL of Remote Learning BY PAUL ECCHER
The concept of working from home (WFH) may seem like the latest novelty fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. For some companies that needed to outfit employees with home-based offices for the first time, this may be true. However, the statistics show that the percentage of remote workers has been steadily climbing over the past decade. An analysis from FlexJobs and Global Workplace Analytics1 found that between 2005 and 2017, there was a whopping 159% increase in remote work in the U.S. Upwork’s “Future Workforce Report”2 predicts that 73% of businesses will have remote workers on their teams by 2028. WFH is not a novelty. Its roots, in fact, go way back in time to the 11th century in Europe, when banking dynasties opened their luxurious homes to conduct business. In Medieval Europe, artisans and craftsmen used their residences as workshops for anything from baking bread to making shoes. So, in a way, home-based offices are actually riding a “back to the future” wave. The bigger question is, are remote workforces part of our future? Without a doubt, yes. WFH isn’t just a trend or a passing fad, but a reality that’s here to stay. Technology continues to enable dispersed teams, and there’s a growing realization that employees can be just as productive—and, in some instances, even more productive—WFH than
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in a traditional office-based setting. No matter where organizations were on their journey toward embracing the concept of WFH before the coronavirus outbreak, now almost all have had to adopt this model to some degree. Learning how to involve, manage, and grow team members that work remotely poses many challenges, but by following proven principles and best practices, employers can create highly engaged, focused teams. One thing is for certain: Development and training of high-potential workers should not stop just because employees are offsite. One could argue that now more than ever, nurturing and engaging leadership talent is even more important to position an organization for what’s to come. Let’s take a closer look at some best practices for developing and cultivating future leaders in the new normal of the virtual business community.
BENEFITS OF REMOTE LEADERSHIP TRAINING First, what are the benefits of remote learning programs to employees?3 Compared to traditional leadership training, which is typically delivered onsite through a workshop or classroom-style format, virtual education gives employees a
