Learning from others is remote
The 70-20-10 model of learning and development (L&D) has been around for a long time, with learning broken down into 3%. 70% of learning is from practical experience, 20% of social interaction, 10% from formal education. Remote work has made 70% relatively easy, but as we are still working, the 20% we are learning from others is very careful. This is because remote workers can’t walk around the office and start conversations, or cover up their peers to learn more about projects and tasks.
Learning from others is not that big of a thing, so you might think it’s worth sacrificeing it. But let’s explore why it’s not true. Social learning is one of the most effective ways to grow professionally, as you learn things that are important in real time, not just in courses and textbooks. However, this aspect often fades when working remotely. Without a physical presence, it can be isolated, disconnected and easy to grasp things on their own. So it’s important to learn from others.
Additionally, social learning increases engagement. This can be difficult to maintain remotely. People are more likely to get involved when they feel supported and connected by their colleagues. What they learn from social interactions sticks to them when they discuss and apply it. These online interactions can also defeat the loneliness that comes with remote work. So, these are all definitely great perks, but when we are all working remotely, how can we continue to learn from others? Below we explore all the ways your company can encourage remote social learning and provide the gift of knowledge sharing.
Five ways to practice social learning as a remote worker
1. Virtual Mentorship
Having a mentor can really make a difference in your career. Whether you’re leveling up your skills, overcoming challenges, or simply feeling confident in your role, mentor tips and guidance are invaluable. However, in remote areas, mentorship looks a little different. Without face-to-face interactions, it may take more time to build a connection. To speed up the process, do regular check-in every other week or month. Next, try a video call. Looking at each other makes the argument more personal. Collaboration tools also help you track progress and share resources easily. However, the most important thing is to set clear learning goals. What do you want to achieve? Improve your skills, learn new tools, or move to a new role? Whatever your goals, by defining them, you will stay more focused and make your mentorship program more effective.
2. Online Peer Learning
Just because you work remotely doesn’t mean you need to learn on your own. Peer learning, which involves sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues, is as effective online as it is in-person. In fact, remote locations can also help with quarantine. So, what does it involve? Start by realizing that everyone on your team has unique skills and ways to get closer to problems. Peer-to-peer learning allows you to use that collective knowledge to gain fresh perspectives and new ideas that you may not have considered otherwise. Furthermore, what you learn from your colleagues is more approachable and relevant than formal training sessions. To encourage this, try a virtual coworking session where team members “work together” on Zoom. You can also schedule skill-sharing meetings where employees can teach each other new things. And don’t forget to have a communication channel where people can ask simple questions and comment on things in real time.
3. Feedback loop
Feedback is important in learning. Because it helps you go smoothly, improve things and therefore reach your goals faster. However, in a remote configuration, you may need another process to provide and receive feedback. This is because without face-to-face interactions, it is easy for messages to be misunderstood or forgotten. One of the biggest challenges is not looking at other people’s body language or expressions. Therefore, use the video to avoid misunderstanding of the feedback loop online. Another important tip is to make feedback concrete and feasible. Instead of comments like “You can improve your presentation,” try “The slides were great, but you might use less distracting colors.” Finally, find a balance between written and verbal feedback. Fast and positive comments in the chat are great, but you should also include more detailed feedback for formal reasons. If done correctly, feedback doesn’t just correct mistakes. It also helps your team grow wherever you are in the world.
4. Virtual Brainstorming Session
Brainstorming in a remote configuration can sometimes feel a bit troubling. Usually, during a brainstorming session in the office, you will have a whiteboard, keep notes and exchange ideas directly. Thankfully there are plenty of interactive tools to mimic that energy from afar. These virtual whiteboard platforms allow everyone to contribute in real time, not only to share ideas, but also to sketch diagrams to illustrate concepts, or design projects. They replicate the sense of in-person brainstorming experience with all their spontaneity, but no one talks to each other. One of the best parts is that you don’t lose your ideas. In traditional meetings, someone may forget to take notes or quickly erase the board. However, with these tools, everything remains saved and you can check it out again. Additionally, features such as sticky notes, voting tools, and maps make it easy to organize your thoughts and discussions.
5. Online Learning Community
Without face-to-face chats and casual discussions in the break room, it’s easy to feel like you’re learning and working alone. That’s where online learning communities come in and create spaces where people can share their knowledge, support each other and grow together. A strong learning community should make people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their opinions, and learning from each other. Therefore, your company should choose a platform to create such a knowledge hub and encourage employee-driven initiatives there. For example, you can create clubs and channels for a variety of interests and skills, such as book clubs and data analysis channels. You can also establish a virtual coworking space within the platform and create casual video calls where you and your peers collaborate. This is perfect for shared projects and training sessions.
Conclusion
When you learn from others as a remote worker, you don’t have to overwhelm yourself with all of these mentorship programs and feedback sessions. Start with something simple, like reaching out to the colleagues you admire and asking if they want to attend a meeting with you to ask a few questions with you. The key is consistent. Set your goal to have a social learning moment each week for insights and useful tips. Over time, these small acts will contribute to your overall growth and relationships with your colleagues. So don’t hesitate to send a message to your more veteran colleagues and start learning from them.
