When done right, the hybrid model can strike the perfect balance
As the dust settles following the pandemic-induced remote work revolution, businesses face a new challenge: How to balance the convenience and flexibility of working from home with the undeniable benefits of in-person collaboration?
Hybrid often gets a bad reputation, and in some cases, that bad reputation is well-earned. However, it does not have to be that way! By embracing a hybrid work model, companies can tap into the benefits of both work-from-home and in-office models.
Big important note: The value in bringing team members back into the office lies not in the mundane replication of work your team can do at home. It’s in fostering human connections and meaningful collaboration.
Let’s go through some of the benefits of the hybrid model that I’ve experienced at my own company.
1. Creating value through connection and collaboration
At my company, one crucial lesson we’ve learned is that simply bringing people into the office isn’t enough; we must make this time together truly valuable.
Recognizing that the essence of office collaboration lies in connection and cooperation, we’ve engineered a set agenda of topics and meetings for in-office team members to experience collectively. By doing so, we promote dynamic brainstorming sessions, problem-solving dialogues and collective decision-making — all of which thrive in a face-to-face setting.
To preserve the learnings and outcomes of our in-person interactions, we maintain shared Google documents that record what we worked on and the key takeaways. These shared documents are a reference for future discussions and generate valuable artifacts from our collaborative efforts.
You can try this yourself by ensuring you communicate the goals of the in-person collaboration day ahead of time, and have a set agenda that brings all team members together.
2. Transparency and team unity
For successful implementation, my team agrees on specific in-office cadences tailored to different roles. That helps ensure transparency for all team members. These cadences are shared, fostering a sense of unity and clear expectations.
Additionally, we make it a point to share pictures of our in-office gatherings on social media, in newsletters and in company communications. Witnessing others embrace and enjoy the in-office experience has sparked interest and enthusiasm among our team, further reinforcing the value of in-person interactions. We’ve also found that sharing pictures from in-office days can make taking part less scary for team members who fell out of the office routine during the mandated work-from-home period.
Consider taking photos or sharing key takeaways throughout your organization after a successful in-person collaboration day to encourage more team members to participate.
3. Upholding standards and nurturing a vibrant culture
Consistency is critical to sustain the hybrid model. If we expect team members to be in the office on certain days, it’s crucial to maintain those expectations. Flexibility on in-office days should be balanced with a commitment to preserve the flow of collaboration and communication.
There will be variance from organization to organization when it comes to finding the cadence that works. Leaders should strive to be clear about expectations and maintain an open dialogue that invites discussion and change.
4. A blend of work and fun
One great way to encourage people to come for a collaboration day is to make it fun; consider kicking off your hybrid experiment with an activity or volunteer outing. Not only could this help make the experience positive in the minds of your team, it could also help team members get reacquainted if it has been a while since they’ve seen each other in person.
My company has embraced the concept of “walking meetings.” This means walking outside, sometimes taking a hike and sometimes doing litter pickup around the neighborhood. We like getting fresh air whenever possible! These meetings can be one-on-one or in small groups, providing a change of scenery and an opportunity for ideas to flow freely. Walking meetings also offer a more relaxed setting for private conversations when office space is at a premium.
We also occasionally utilize “office time” to engage in volunteering activities or take on group projects that positively impact our communities and the planet. These initiatives energize our team, support our core values and foster a sense of unity and purpose outside daily work responsibilities.
5. Expanding the circle
We know many organizations are grappling with change, and your clients are likely no different. Consider reaching out and inviting them in for coffee or lunch as a way to discuss challenges they’re facing or ideas they might try. This could turn into an epic brainstorming session and add depth to your working relationship.
As part of my company’s commitment to human connection and collaboration, we invite clients and other small business owners to work alongside us or share insights with our team via roundtable discussions. This inclusive approach has proven to be a resounding success. Not only does it nurture a deeper understanding of our clients’ needs, it also strengthens professional relationships in our communities.
Final thoughts
As we continue to navigate the pandemic-influenced landscape, embracing a hybrid work model allows businesses to strike a balance between remote work and full-time in-office collaboration.
While my company’s teams have loved the flexibility and accessibility of working from home, they have also voiced that they missed the innovation and energy from collaborating in person, so we continue to seek a balance through hybrid work. We’ve achieved success by making our time together valuable and remaining focused, holding high standards and having a bit of fun to help us all stay engaged.
We will continue experimenting and invite you to do the same; we do not believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution. The world will keep changing, and we should stay nimble and be ready to experiment. Together, we can reimagine the way we work and combine the best of both hybrid and remote work.
Originally published at https://www.bizjournals.com.
