Seven Reasons Why Employers Should Support Digital Nomadism

Digital nomadism, or working from abroad, is an exciting way of living that employers could also benefit from, writes Äripäev columnist, communications expert, work-life consultant, and meditation teacher Heleri Michalski.

Digital nomadism, remote work, workation, and other work phenomena that have gained momentum in the post-pandemic era are sparking more and more discussion. This is not only from a labour law perspective but also because there are no established terms for digital nomadism yet.

Nevertheless, for an increasing number of people, this has become a lifestyle, and for many, a dream. In an era where building a personal brand is unavoidable and where likes have become currency, this way of life offers new ways to enhance one’s social media presence daily.

Societal developments have also fuelled the desire to pursue such a lifestyle, which is why I recommend employers consider enabling it. Here are seven reasons why.

* The article also features contributions from digital nomads Lindsey Hehman, a public policy economist and yoga teacher from South Africa, and Ben Walker, a psychologist from Australia. Heleri herself has been a digital nomad in India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

1. They Will Go Anyway

Focusing on personal development is no longer just a way to maintain a certain professional level; for many, it is a crucial part of their identity (and personal brand, which they share with the world). According to a McKinsey study, in addition to self-development, as many as two-thirds of Generation Z respondents consider important a following unprecedented aspect: spiritual well-being in the workplace, characterized by mission and meaningfulness in work content and tasks.

Gaining new experiences and placing oneself in environments where one consciously adapts and thereby cultivates essential stress tolerance is part of this kind of self-development.

With some bright exceptions, the lifestyle of remote work is mainly pursued by generations Z and Y. When Generation Y used live abroad during their “gap years” (after high school or university), they typically worked or studied there. Generation Z, oscillating between yoga retreats, pub crawls, interim work, and detox retreats, has created a way of living that is much more flexible and format-free. By making acquaintances with like-minded people, their kick-off is at the point where Generation Y had to “work their way up” to. 

Many publications mention the emergence of a so-called global talent pool. Incidentally, both families with children and solo travellers – most of whom, in my personal observation, are women – have set out to capture the freedom-laden wind of the digital nomad lifestyle. Other reasons: 2. They Work (From Anywhere) 3. They Focus 4. They Create Opportunities 5. They Create Economic Freedom 6. They Come Back 7. They Need It

2. They Work (From Anywhere)

The primary concern of employers – and rightfully so – is that remote-working team members will “slack off” and do only the bare minimum. This can, in turn, make on-site colleagues feel unjustly treated and increase a victim mentality within the team. Digital nomads also contribute to this “workcation” image themselves by presenting the more glamorous side of the experience on social media, which is far from reality.

During my journey, I did not encounter a single toes-in-the-water-laptop-on-the-knees individual. All of them had fled to air-conditioned rooms with desks that looked just like those in any office.

Depending on the country and season in which nomading takes place, at least in Asia, it is usually so hot during the daytime that being outside is unbearable after 10 a.m., making it sensible to go out only before dark, around 6 p.m. The time in between is ideal...for working!

3. They Focus

In a familiar environment, a person engages more with everything, following even the (ir)relevant news. The remote worker, however, is suddenly free from all of this. Or if not entirely free, then at least for a moment, it all seems a bit more distant. Even ads don’t bombard them, as they do not resonate; digital nomads are not easy to target just yet.

Thus, they can focus on what matters to them, and it is surprising to note that, during certain periods of working remotely, it is actually possible to concentrate on work.

The common belief that remote workers tend to vacation rather than work seems more like a myth. Autonomy fosters responsibility, resulting in high motivation and productivity among remote workers, as they must convincingly demonstrate their ability to balance work and personal life daily.

Independent workers who have taken up the challenge of a traveling lifestyle are also, by nature, capable (time) planners. They are curious about life and must foresee certain risks. All these qualities can be developed further through this lifestyle, providing a solid foundation for innovation.

4. They Create Opportunities

The interim period between few decades and now has somewhat battered the idea of “diversity enriches,” which Generation Y (in Eastern Europe) grew up with. However, in the anticipation of continuing success stories in the IT and technology sectors, it is essential to develop the practical communication skills of employees. A prejudice-free attitude is a prerequisite in international teams, and as Estonians, we take pride in our startup environment, believing we are fully prepared for professional engagement on an international level.

Looking back, it is surprising to realise how many people warned me of scammers when I went to India. Some podcasts I listened to during my research also revealed that you might get ripped off before even reaching a taxi stand at the airport.

My reality turned out to be 180 degrees opposite. Dealing with a foreign currency in an unfamiliar environment, I would have voluntarily overpaid merchants on several occasions. They repeatedly chose not to “take advantage of the opportunity.” When I asked them about it, they explained that in India, people do not wish to incur bad karma by keeping someone else’s money “in their possession.” A mindset increasingly rare here in “the safe Europe.”

Yes, I have also heard that a large share of the so-called scam factories is located in India. However, it is crucial to recognise the limiting effect of prejudice on business activities and to be pleasantly surprised by the opposite.

Besides developing interactive skills, studies have shown that employees who value flexibility exhibit increased productivity within the digital nomad lifestyle. In addition, companies can benefit from reduced organisational costs.

The main argument in the long run, however, is that digital nomadism increases innovation and competitiveness in companies. Remote work has also brought about rapid changes in consumer behaviour, creating several new potential business forms in the market.

5. They Create Economic Freedom

The nature of work has also changed due to macroeconomic decisions and trends. An increasing number of countries – over 50, including Estonia – offer visas to digital nomads.

Rising living costs, which correlate with economic downturns and overworking, affect the decline of well-being in stationary working environments. On one hand, this poses threats to the global economy, but it also presents endless possibilities.

The World Economic Forum’s April (and January) 2024 editions analyse the global potential of digital jobs, highlighting the opportunity that, in the age of technology, such jobs can help balance deficiencies in different economies and foster global growth.

Freedom naturally gives wings to individuals, and those wings, in turn, provide (creative) freedom. This presents a good opportunity for societal self-reflection – why do so many choose to live and work in environments other than their homeland?

Besides economic reasons, a change of environment also plays a significant role. Psychologists (and grandmothers) commonly advise taking a break from stressful environments. The rejuvenating escape benefits both one’s well-being and the emergence of innovative ideas, providing a boost to productivity.

Most importantly, it feels good to leave knowing there is a place to come back to.

6. They Come Back

In the course of remote working, the initial excitement often quickly gives way to an inexplicable feeling of loneliness and a lack of belonging, which inevitably impacts everyday well-being. Friends and colleagues back home, struggling with the daily grind, are also not overly eager to hear adventure tales from seven lands and seas away, as it might touch on their own existential sore points.

Isolation is one of the main downsides of the digital nomad lifestyle. The World Economic Forum’s publication, also previously mentioned, underscores the importance of consciously addressing and skilfully managing them. The thorniness of the situation is further compounded by unstable internet connections and the simplest of everyday inconveniences.

Additionally, digital nomads need to be aware of the emergence of the so-called plateau effect, as climbing a career ladder remotely is even harder than doing it on-site. It is just like certain video games, which cannot be played while streaming, because locality provides an advantage due to connection speed.

7. They Need It

The pandemic added something new to the baggage of personal fears that, before the state of the emergency, would have been considered irrational – a feeling that what if an upcoming flight will be the last one for a while. From a societal point of view, it will certainly be interesting to closely study the generation that spent their formative social years behind the screens.

A new generation of decision-makers is emerging globally, experiencing the world’s smallness and vastness as they move around more smoothly than ever before. They are creating a global talent axis and are influencing the world already today. As a communications expert and observer, I advise decision-makers not to take this opportunity away from them. * The article was originally published in Äripäev, the largest Estonian digital journal focused on entrepreneurs. * I use flashbacks from my digital nomad life that inspired me to write these articles and made me think about work (environments) on a broader scale. Sometimes a foreign scene helps us think and see things we otherwise hardly notice or take for granted.

Illustration: Digital nomads working behind the tables.