Leadership development is an investment, and picking the right format — virtual or in-person — can determine how much you get out of it. Some leaders thrive in face-to-face workshops, while others benefit from the flexibility of virtual coaching.
At The Metiss Group, we work with leaders across the country, which means we do plenty of both: virtual coaching sessions over Zoom and in-person leadership workshops. Each has its strengths, and the best choice depends on your goals, schedule, and how you learn best. Let’s break it down.
Pros of In-Person Leadership Development
One of the biggest advantages of in-person leadership development is the connection it builds between participants. Learning alongside others creates a shared experience that sticks.
Take The Customer Insight Builder™ workshop, for example. It’s split into two half-day sessions, and we’ve seen a pattern: after the first session, attendees often grab drinks together, applying what they’ve learned by engaging with strangers in the real world.
When they return for day two, they’re buzzing with insights from their real-world practice, ready to build on what they learned. That kind of spontaneous peer-to-peer learning is hard to replicate in a virtual setting.
Another major perk of in-person leadership development: you’re fully engaged. In-person workshops require you to step away from your desk, emails, and workplace distractions.
With virtual sessions, it’s easy to get sidetracked — checking Slack, responding to an “urgent” email, or just zoning out. In person, you’re physically in a different space, which helps your brain shift into learning mode.
Pros of Virtual Leadership Development
Virtual leadership development has its own unique benefits, and one of the biggest is the feeling of anonymity. Leadership development often requires self-reflection, which can feel vulnerable. Some leaders are more comfortable opening up about their challenges in a virtual setting, knowing they won’t run into their coach in the grocery store.
It’s the same reason people sometimes prefer online therapy — it’s easier to be honest when there’s a little distance.
Another huge advantage of virtual is you can schedule more follow-ups. Many in-person programs are one-and-done: you attend a two-week bootcamp, then you’re on your own.
With virtual coaching, it’s easier to try something out then meet with your coach to discuss what went well/what felt clunky. Growth happens over time, not in a single session. A virtual format makes it simple to check in, get feedback, and refine your leadership skills over weeks or months.
Cons of In-Person Leadership Development
The biggest downside to in-person leadership development is the time commitment. Fully stepping away from your desk isn’t always realistic. An immersive program like the ones at Harvard sounds great in theory, but in reality, pressing pause on work for that long isn’t feasible for everyone.
For companies developing multiple leaders at once, scheduling is another hurdle. If an entire leadership team needs training, pulling them away all at once can disrupt the business.
Virtual programs, on the other hand, offer more flexibility. It’s easier to get in an hour-long coaching call at your desk between meetings — no packed luggage required.
Another drawback of in-person programs is the lack of follow-up. A one-time immersive experience can be powerful, but without ongoing coaching, much of what you’ve learned will fade quickly.
The 70-20-10 learning model suggests leadership development “sticks” best when it combines structured learning, coaching, and practical application. Without reinforcement, even the best in-person programs can become just another “good experience” that doesn’t translate into real change.
Cons of Virtual Leadership Development
Virtual leadership development isn’t perfect either. The most obvious downside is it’s easier to get distracted.
While virtual learning offers flexibility, it also means competing with email notifications, texts, and office distractions. Imagine trying to engage in deep learning, then Sally from accounting waves at you saying she needs your expense report ASAP.
Another challenge with virtual learning is the lack of a cohort experience. Leadership development isn’t just about learning new skills; it’s also about building a network of peers. In-person programs naturally foster those connections, while virtual programs often lack that social component.
That said, some teams have found creative ways to bridge this gap. One of our clients wanted to develop three leaders using The Leadership Essentials Playbook™ virtually. To keep a cohort feel, they watched the pre-recorded videos together in the same room, and then they separately had one-on-one Zoom calls with their leadership coach. This hybrid approach gave them the best of both worlds.
But otherwise, virtual leadership development can feel isolating, especially for leaders going through it alone.
Which Leadership Approach is Right for You?
When considering virtual vs in-person leadership development, it all depends on what you’re hoping to get out of it.
- Need team bonding? Want to break down silos? In-person leadership development is the way to go.
- Short on time? More focused on the core leadership skills than the networking aspect? Virtual is probably your best bet.
Both formats can be effective — it’s all about choosing the one that aligns with your needs.
The Bottom Line
Both virtual and in-person leadership development have their place. In-person programs build strong connections and deep engagement. Virtual programs offer flexibility, anonymity, and better follow-up.
At The Metiss Group, we offer both. Our virtual coaching reaches leaders all over the U.S., while our in-person workshops create powerful, shared experiences. Want the best of both? Many of our programs include a mix of both formats.
Now that you’ve got a clear picture of virtual vs. in-person leadership development, the next step is figuring out which leadership development program fits your needs. Check out The Strategic Leadership Alignment™ vs. The Leadership Essentials Playbook™ to see which one matches your goals.
Topics:
