“I’m taking a gap year.” Some undergraduate students are taking a year off because they are not getting the “college experience.” Learning can take place in a virtual environment, but it is proving to be very sterile. Personal growth and development are enriched when students are exposed to a combination of academic, social, and cultural experiences on a brick and mortar campus.
The same can be said for an employee’s “work experience.” Tasks and projects can be completed in a virtual environment but, for some, it can become a very numbing experience. Professional growth and development are similarly enriched when employees are exposed to a combination of work, social, and cultural experiences in the workplace.
For most of your people, taking a gap year is not an option…nor is going to the office to work alongside their fellow employees. While the benefits of working virtually are being widely touted, the negative effects are just beginning to be felt…and unfortunately getting very little press. It is imperative, therefore, that leaders design creative solutions to ensure their employees’ work experience does not become an endless list of tasks, assignments and Zoom meetings. They deserve more.
Be intentional about it…
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