Wildly Remote Work

We saw no signs of human life during the two days we rode through the desert. My son Eli just turned 13, and for his birthday, he asked to go on another horse pack trip -- his 30th. The picture above shows one of his first trips at age six. He and his Great-Uncle Bryan both got black eyes on that one.

Eli has spent countless hours listening to adults while riding or sitting around the campfire, absorbing stories and life lessons. Uncle Bryan, who has come along for many adventures, has had a huge impact on him. Watching the two of them talk while they struggled to roll up a tent last week, I was struck by the power of cross-generational learning.

Since the pandemic, there has been a debate raging about whether remote work helps or harms businesses. I’ve experienced both environments in a pretty dramatic way. For 25 years, I went to the office every single day. I honestly can’t recall ever working from home. Then I left corporate America to start my own business and have worked from home ever since. Both environments have their pros and cons. This isn’t a remote vs. office argument.

What does matter is how younger people learn. No matter the work environment a business chooses, leaders must recognize its impact on early-career development. Jamie Dimon has been a vocal advocate for in-person mentorship and apprenticeship. This kind of hands-on learning, through close, in-person interaction with experienced colleagues, “doesn’t happen when you are in a basement on Zoom.” It happens in the saddle riding beside an old codger who knows the trail.