Virtual vs Face-to-Face Leadership Training: What’s Right for Your Team?

When your schedule is already packed and deadlines are looming, finding time
to shoehorn in leadership training can be a challenge. It may be tempting to
defer the training, but this is not the answer – your team deserves your
investment in their skills development. Instead, you will need to plan an
appropriate time and format for the training to deliver maximum impact with
minimum disruption.

The two main formats for leadership training are virtual and face-to-face,
but which is best for your business?

Virtual training

Virtual training is conducted online, using a mix of video conferencing,
e-learning and webinars to impart delegates with the necessary knowledge to
strengthen their skills and further their careers. Virtual training is
popular with remote teams who may lack sufficient space to co-locate all of
their team to undertake training together.

Virtual training is often praised for its flexibility and accessibility, as
delegates can attend from their usual workplace without the need for special
access arrangements. For this reason, it is also a cost-effective option as
businesses bear no increase in costs, such as for travelling, facilities
rental, catering or overtime, when delegates attend virtual training.

However, virtual training can be challenging for some delegates who find it
hard to focus when they are in their usual workspace and constantly reminded
of other tasks that they must complete.

Face-to-face training

Face-to-face is the traditional method of delivering leadership training. It
requires that all delegates are located in one place in person, and this
format is often praised for increasing delegate familiarity with each other,
strengthening team bonds and building camaraderie. Particularly for remote
working teams who spend little time together, in-person training offers a
valuable opportunity to get to know each other in a less formal environment.

In-person training enables delegates to interact with each other, working in
small groups and even perform role playing activities to put their
theoretical learning into practice. It is typically considered to be a more
immersive experience for delegates, and many enjoy the opportunity to give
and receive feedback in real time.

Some delegates, however, may be overwhelmed by in-person training and prefer
the anonymity of interacting in a virtual environment.

The aim of training

Whether conducted virtually or face-to-face, all leadership training
packages aim to improve delegates’ communication and interpersonal skills,
offer them a safe space in which to ask questions, obtain feedback and hone
their skills.

Irrespective of the delivery format, the training should always support the
organisation’s learning goals and delegates should leave feeling empowered,
confident and well-prepared to put their learning into practice.

Businesses that are unsure as to the most appropriate format of training for
their teams are invited to contact Keystone Training to discuss their
individual needs, preferences and barriers. We can provide you with guidance
to help you to blend both methods, achieving organisational goals while
respecting operational deadlines and allowing your team sufficient time to
assimilate and practice their learning in digestible chunks.