Have Hybrid Work Strategies Started to Falter?
In today's era, where hybrid working has become the norm, collaboration has become a difficult task for teams, leaving a feeling of isolation and fragmentation. Adding to that, economic downturns and layoffs are causing teams to shrink, leading to increased workloads and burnout for the remaining members.
However, we expect these teams to continually innovate and grow, driving rapid success. Effective collaboration is crucial to achieving this, as it can result in increased revenue, profits, better solutions, and greater customer satisfaction.
Positive leaders can foster strong innovation and performance among employees, making them more engaged in their work. These leaders are not necessarily charismatic but show considerable compassion, humility, and recognition of their team members' efforts.
In this new working landscape, team leaders are under pressure to deliver on their goals while keeping the team motivated and engaged. Here are three strategies to harness and energize hybrid teams for optimal performance:
Harnessing Team Energy
The problem arises when team members have too many projects to focus on. Team leaders must channel this scattered energy by focusing everyone on a single goal, creating a powerful force. Virtual meetings tend to drain energy, as team members are constantly switching from one meeting to another, leaving little time for actual work. This can lead to misinterpretations, with team leaders assuming the remote worker is lazy and unhelpful, resulting in micro-managing that further demotivates the remote worker. To combat this, team leaders should channel the collective energy towards a common goal.
Fueling Team Energy
The hybrid environment creates a sense of isolation, as remote work tends to minimize face-to-face interaction and bonding. Leaders must take the initiative to generate this bonding and enthusiasm among team members.
To achieve this, leaders should co-create a sense of meaning by showing team members the bigger picture of how their work contributes to the overall success of the organization and its stakeholders. This allows team members to connect their work to a larger purpose, boosting motivation and performance. In addition, leaders should elevate their team members' dignity and self-worth by acknowledging their unique qualities and contributions.
Amplifying Team Energy
This is the most critical step. Leaders should seek out, appreciate, and harness the various talents and strengths of team members. These untapped sources can have a multiplier effect on energy levels, allowing the team to work more cohesively and complete their tasks successfully.
To do this, leaders should reveal each team member's unique abilities, provoking discussions and promoting bonding and collaboration among team members. They should also notice the unseen profiles of team members, sparking discussions about their unique characteristics and viewpoints. Leaders should encourage a culture of learning and growth, trusting their team members to utilize their unique strengths to achieve the team's goals.
By implementing these strategies, leaders can maintain positive energy and collaboration in their hybrid teams while preventing burnout and driving innovation.
Article source: "Is Your Hybrid Team Losing Steam?" by Heidi K. Gardner (HBR 2023/05)
Leveraging Advanced Communication Platforms
To ensure that all team members are connected and can collaborate effectively, it's essential to invest in robust communication platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom. These tools provide instant messaging, video conferencing, and file-sharing capabilities[1].
Encouraging Remote Participation and Inclusivity
Leaders can promote remote team member participation by:- Sharing agendas early- Using chats or polls during meetings- Recording meetings for those who cannot attend, keeping everyone informed and included[2].
Implementing Flexible Work Arrangements
Offer preference-based or time-based hybrid models that cater to employees' personal needs, leading to higher satisfaction and productivity[5].
Fostering a Collaborative Culture
Promote organizational values that support collaboration and inclusivity by:- Establishing clear values that emphasize inclusivity and collaboration- Encouraging regular feedback to identify areas for improvement and ensure that everyone feels valued[1].
Balancing In-Office and Remote Work
Achieve a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility by adopting a model that requires employees to spend a few days in the office for face-to-face interaction while also working remotely for flexibility[3].
Promoting Work-Life Balance
Ensure that team members maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting realistic expectations and providing resources to manage work-related stress[3]. By implementing these strategies, organizations can create a hybrid work environment that supports collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being.
In the pursuit of fostering innovation and growth, team leaders must harness, fuel, and amplify the energy within their hybrid teams by focusing collective efforts on a single goal, generating a sense of meaning, and leveraging the unique talents and strengths of each team member, respectively.
Effective communication platforms such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom help streamline communication and collaboration among team members, while flexible work arrangements and inclusive meeting practices encourage engagement and productivity from remote team members. By adopting a well-balanced approach that fosters a collaborative culture, emphasizes work-life balance, and effectively blends in-office and remote work, organizations can create a hybrid work environment that supports both individual well-being and collective success.
