Don’t you love watching how fascinated babies and toddlers are with the simplest things, like a game of peek-a-boo or how wrapping paper can be more thrilling than the gift?  

Children’s brains are wired to learn through exploration and play. 

Then something shifts. We’re introduced to other people’s structures. Our brains get put into systems where we often feel constrained by what others feel we should learn. And, too often, the early joy of learning turns into obligation and drudgery. Educational systems often rely on standardized approaches, telling us what we should learn rather than nurturing our natural curiosities. 

47 Tasks A Virtual Employee Can Do for Your Business 

That’s why we must emphasize to kids that education exists far beyond the classroom. Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and the most meaningful learning happens when we follow what genuinely draws us in. The most successful people never stop learning — they simply redirect their focus to subjects that fascinate them. 

Business owners do well to remember this when thinking about employee engagement.  Instead of rigid training programs, what if we design environments where people can explore and develop skills that align with their natural talents and interests? 

As a Leader, How Do You Inspire Your Employees to Take Charge? 

Here are some approaches to make professional development feel more like play: 

• Create Micro-Learning Challenges: Break larger skills into bite-sized, achievable components that can be mastered in 10-15 minutes. When learning feels manageable rather than overwhelming, people are more likely to engage voluntarily.
• Develop Learning “Quests”: Structure learning pathways as adventures with clear milestones and achievements. This approach taps into our natural desire for progression and mastery.
• Enable Self-Directed Exploration: Provide resources and time for employees to pursue learning that interests them, even if it’s not directly related to their current role. Some of the most innovative business solutions come from unexpected connections between disparate fields.
• Encourage Skill-Sharing: Create platforms where team members can teach others about their passions and expertise. Teaching is one of the most effective ways to solidify knowledge while building community.
• Ask Powerful Questions: Start conversations around what fascinates each team member. What is their “Zone of Genius,” as author Gay Hendricks describes in his influential book, “The Big Leap?” What aspects of their work do they find most engaging? What would they love to learn more about if they had the time? The answers might surprise you — and reveal untapped potential.

This concept of the “Zone of Genius” is transformative in business. Hendricks explains that we operate in four zones: 

1. Zone of Incompetence: Tasks others do better than us
2. Zone of Competence: Tasks we can do adequately but others can do just as well 
3. Zone of Excellence: Tasks we’re skilled at and reliable for 
4. Zone of Genius: Where our unique talents and passions intersect — our highest contribution 

The challenge? Most employees spend their days bogged down in tasks from the first three zones, never reaching their Genius Zone where true innovation happens. 

Innovation: How Do You Picture it for Your Business? 

This is precisely where HireSmart’s virtual employees create tremendous value. By taking on tasks in your team’s Zones of Incompetence and Competence, our VEs free your onsite employees to operate in their Zones of Excellence and Genius. 

Imagine what your business could accomplish if your key team members could spend more time in their Zone of Genius instead of handling routine tasks that don’t leverage their unique talents. The most innovative companies understand this approach.  

For instance, Google famously implemented “20% time,” allowing employees to dedicate one day per week to projects that interest them personally. This policy led to the development of Gmail, Google News, and other successful products. 

At HireSmart, we don’t just provide virtual employees — we provide freedom. Freedom for your onsite team to escape the mundane and pursue what truly energizes them. Our virtual employees excel at handling essential but routine tasks that might be draining your team’s creative energy. 

“Carl often anticipates what managers will need and does it before they can even ask,” said one client about their VE. “He’s also great with correcting mistakes and working to improve.” 

When routine tasks are handled efficiently by our virtual employees, your onsite team can: 

• Develop innovative solutions to longstanding challenges 
• Create new products or service offerings 
• Build deeper relationships with key clients 
• Improve systems and processes 
• Mentor junior team members 
• Focus on high-value strategic initiatives

This is what we’ve observed time and again with our clients. Their business transforms when their key team members can redirect their energy from routine tasks to high-impact work. Multiple clients have reported developing new service offerings, improving client retention, and strengthening their company culture after implementing our virtual employee solutions. 

And perhaps most importantly — team members rediscover the joy in their work. When people spend more time in their Zone of Genius, work feels less like obligation and more like opportunity. Learning becomes natural again, driven by curiosity rather than necessity. 

HireSmart VE Is Always Available for His Family and Profession 

Ask yourself: What percentage of time do your key team members currently spend in their Zone of Genius? What could they accomplish if that percentage increased significantly? And what routine tasks are currently preventing them from operating at their highest level?  

Our natural curiosity and joy don’t disappear in adulthood — they just get buried under tasks that don’t align with our true talents. Retention is all about helping team members find the alignment that suits them. 

Would you like to discuss how our virtual employees could help free your team to find the most meaning in each day? Click here to schedule a free consultation. 

Let’s unlock your team’s highest potential together!