LCP LCP LCP
Skip to content

According to a recent study by Gallup, only 23% of remote-capable employees will work in the office full time in 2022 and beyond, leaving a whopping 77% of employees working in hybrid or fully remote settings[i]. This statistic may leave HR directors and training professionals alike wondering if there is still a reason to conduct in-person leadership development training. In fact, initial data suggests in-person training is more critical than ever. There are five major benefits:

1. To fulfill the craving for connection

For more than two years, many individuals have worked with their leaders, peers, and direct reports via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms. Many more have transitioned roles or companies and have undergone the onboarding process virtually. Though there are many benefits to working virtually, there is simply no substitute for meeting a colleague in person, connecting with them on a personal level, and creating a genuine human connection.

Insight Experience recently hosted the first in-person leadership training program in more than two years for a technology company, and we were astounded by what we saw. Not only was everyone on time — they were early! These leaders wanted to meet people and connect. We saw hugs and handshakes and elbow bumps and comments such as: “It’s so nice to meet you in person!” or “You’re so much taller than I imagined.” Bringing people together and intentionally making the space for relationship-building can pay dividends for an organization, while simultaneously feeding the human desire for connection. This is true for front-line workers who may never have worked remotely. These workers value the acknowledgement from their peers and are looking for connections beyond their workspace. Everyone benefits from the intentional space for growth. Leadership development training provides the perfect opportunity to bring people together to connect in person and fulfill that need.

2. To promote cross-organizational networking

Not only does in-person training facilitate the interconnection of team members, but it also facilitates relationship-building across the organization. Many cross-functional relationships and conversations in a virtual environment are based on problems: You may reach out to your peer in a different part of the business only when there is an issue that needs to be solved. There is less opportunity in a virtual environment for more informal relationship-building, which is a powerful lever for building cross-organizational trust and alignment.

Recently we heard a story about a pair of individuals who (by nature of their roles) only connected when there was an issue with a product. As you can imagine, this relationship was somewhat tense and left everyone feeling frustrated. However, once these people came together for an in-person session, they were able to bond, get to know each other on a human level, and truly understand that each of them juggles busy (and sometimes even chaotic) personal lives while raising their young families. This in-person session created the space to improve empathy and relationship-building across the organization.

3. To integrate and onboard new managers into the company

Many of the leadership development programs we facilitate and deliver are designed to reinforce company culture (to highlight values and business practices, launch new company-wide initiatives, and/or communicate leadership expectations). Leadership development programs bring people together to have genuine conversations about how the company culture or leadership expectations can and should show up. These ideas become part of the daily conversation and vernacular of the organization.

Beyond launching new initiatives, these trainings may be the perfect opportunity to introduce new employees to the physical office. No matter how robust onboarding is, there is likely some anxiety from most new employees about the logistics and navigation of the physical office space if they have never seen it. Hosting a mixed group of newly hired and tenured managers also facilitates peer learning and guidance.

4. To boost energy in the organization

Now that we are two years into remote working, the term “Zoom fatigue” has become part of everyday vocabulary. Even a small change to this routine in the virtual workspace can be energizing. What is even more energizing is meeting and working with peers to solve problems, discuss challenges, and crowdsource advice and best practices. Creating the space to share stories makes the training practical and accommodates the transfer of these best practices across the organization.

Learning new leadership frameworks is also invigorating. When participants complete a leadership development training program, they walk away with a new network of peers, new frameworks, and practical approaches to apply back on the job.

5. To have fun

There is something magical about a room full of people laughing together. Often, when someone shares a joke or quick-witted comment in virtual trainings, people are muted. If not, enthusiastic responses can create an uncomfortable audio gap. In person, however, these moments acts as a catalyst for bonding and an energy boost.

At a recent in-person training session, the room was a buzz the entire two days. When we asked participants to name their simulation teams, we did not get the usual litany of titles like “All Stars” or “Best Team.” Instead, teams developed detailed acronyms and backstories. They genuinely enjoyed collaborating in person, even on this simple task. At each moment in the schedule that we devoted time for this group to chat, we had to insist they stop to take even a short break, because they were so engrossed in conversation.

If you are contemplating the value of in-person training as you look to the future, do not underestimate the power of physically bringing people together (when it’s safe to do so). These opportunities have the power to boost relationships — and energy — for your leaders across the organization. Head here to learn more about how Insight Experience can help design your next leadership development training.

[i] https://www.gallup.com/workplace/390632/future-hybrid-work-key-questions-answered-data.aspx

 

 

 

Subscribe to Our Blog

Let's Talk

We'd love to hear about your leadership development goals.

Leave Comment

Recent Posts

Leveraging Decision Data for Organizational Excellence-featured-image
Leveraging Decision Data for Organizational Excellence
Click to view Leveraging Decision Data for Organizational Excellence

How does your organization quantify leadership effectiveness beyond subjective self-assessment reports and...

Category:-  Featured , Business Simulation , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Leadership Illuminated: A Q&A with Women Shaping the Future-featured-image
Leadership Illuminated: A Q&A with Women Shaping the Future
Click to view Leadership Illuminated: A Q&A with Women Shaping the Future

Four years ago, just before heading back to work after the birth of my second child, I spoke to my close...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Digital Handshakes: Embracing Virtual Networking-featured-image
Digital Handshakes: Embracing Virtual Networking
Click to view Digital Handshakes: Embracing Virtual Networking

In today's evolving professional landscape, virtual networking has become vital for corporate leaders looking...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Your Guide to Bringing Strategic Leadership to Life, Part 2-featured-image
Your Guide to Bringing Strategic Leadership to Life, Part 2
Click to view Your Guide to Bringing Strategic Leadership to Life, Part 2

Back in September, in a blog post titled "Your Guide to Bringing Strategic Leadership to Life," I explored...

Category:-  Featured , Business Simulation

Learn More Click to view blog post
New Offerings to Help Your Leaders Succeed-featured-image
New Offerings to Help Your Leaders Succeed
Click to view New Offerings to Help Your Leaders Succeed

At Insight Experience, we believe in the constant evolution of our offerings to meet our clients'...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Lead from Your Feet: The Leadership Benefits of Taking a Walk-featured-image
Lead from Your Feet: The Leadership Benefits of Taking a Walk
Click to view Lead from Your Feet: The Leadership Benefits of Taking a Walk

Recently, a member of my team asked if they could sign off a bit early to go for a bike ride, “now that it...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Insightful Ideas: 2023 Flashes of Understanding-featured-image
Insightful Ideas: 2023 Flashes of Understanding
Click to view Insightful Ideas: 2023 Flashes of Understanding

A few weeks ago, a colleague sent me this (delightfully) cryptic message via Slack: "Today's NYT crossword...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Winter Wisdom: Reframing Leadership in the Quiet of the Season-featured-image
Winter Wisdom: Reframing Leadership in the Quiet of the Season
Click to view Winter Wisdom: Reframing Leadership in the Quiet of the Season

Note: This is the second blog post in our Season of Leadership series. Look for one about summer here, and...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Why Giving Tuesday Matters-featured-image
Why Giving Tuesday Matters
Click to view Why Giving Tuesday Matters

Today marks the National Day of Giving, more commonly known as Giving Tuesday, which was initiated in 2012 by...

Category:-  Featured , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post
Leadership Express Sims: Interactive Learning in a 2-4 Hour Format-featured-image
Leadership Express Sims: Interactive Learning in a 2-4 Hour Format
Click to view Leadership Express Sims: Interactive Learning in a 2-4 Hour Format

Business simulations bring complex ideas to life. Simulations enable adult learning because they engage...

Category:-  Featured , Business Simulation , Leadership

Learn More Click to view blog post