How to Lead a Hybrid Team: Tips for Ensuring Productivity, Engagement, and Positivity
At this stage in your career, you’ve learned how to easily navigate shifts and changes. You know that clients come and go, that business goals and aims evolve. Even the way we work has transformed, especially in the years following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Where you might have started in the office 5 days a week, 9 am – 5 pm, hybrid working has become the new norm, blending the benefits of remote work with in-office collaboration. Leading a hybrid team presents unique challenges and opportunities, and as a team leader, it’s crucial to ensure your team remains productive, engaged, and positive.
At Grafter, we see teams of all sizes and industries work across cities, counties, countries, and continents! Here are some of our most valuable tips to help you navigate and excel in managing a hybrid workforce.
Establish Clear Communication Channels
Clear and effective communication is the backbone of any successful team, and it’s even more critical for hybrid teams. With employees split between the home office and the office-office (and perhaps some even further afield!), it’s essential to establish and stick to clear, easily understood, and adaptable communication channels.
Utilise Technology: Leverage tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Asana to keep everyone connected. These platforms facilitate real-time communication, project management, and collaboration, no matter where your team members are logging in from.
Set Expectations: Define clear communication guidelines. Specify the preferred communication methods for different types of interactions – instant messaging for quick updates, email for formal communications, and video calls for detailed discussions.
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular one-on-one and team meetings to stay updated on progress and address any concerns. This helps maintain transparency and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Host Regular Team Building Events
Building a cohesive team culture is challenging when team members are scattered. Regular team-building events can help bridge the gap, fostering stronger relationships – which leads to a happier and more productive team effort.
Virtual Social Events: If your employees are working remotely from various locations, organize virtual coffee breaks, happy hours, or game sessions to encourage informal interactions. These events provide a relaxed environment for team members to connect beyond work-related discussions. Opt for video conferencing software that allows small breakout rooms, to make socialising digitally feel as natural as possible.
In-Person Gatherings: Whenever possible, plan in-person meetups or retreats. These gatherings can significantly enhance team bonding and create lasting memories. Beyond the annual company Christmas do or summer party, try bringing the team along for experiences that offer something for everyone – from paint and prosecco parties to cooking classes.
Team Challenges: Introduce team challenges or competitions that promote collaboration and friendly competition. This could be anything from fitness challenges to virtual escape rooms. Competitions that allow your team to take on the challenge at their own pace – such as a steps challenge – are ideal for remote or hybrid teams.
Re-Evaluate Performance Evaluations
Gone are the days where hanging around the office until the lights go off proves your value to the big boss. Traditional performance evaluations may not be fully effective for hybrid teams. It’s important to re-evaluate and adapt your evaluation methods to suit the hybrid work model, and keep your team motivated and enthusiastic about their performance and career growth opportunities.
Focus on Outcomes: Shift the focus from hours worked to outcomes achieved. Evaluate employees based on their contributions and results rather than their physical presence.
Continuous Feedback: Implement a system of continuous feedback instead of relying solely on annual reviews. Regular feedback helps employees understand their performance and areas for improvement in real-time.
Goal Setting: Set clear, measurable goals and KPIs for each team member. Ensure that these goals are aligned with the overall team objectives and regularly review progress towards these goals.
Utilise Video Conferencing Technology
Video conferencing technology is critical for hybrid teams, enabling seamless communication and collaboration regardless of physical location.
Choose the Right Tools: Invest in reliable video conferencing tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. Ensure that these tools offer features such as screen sharing, recording, and breakout rooms to facilitate effective meetings.
Set Meeting Etiquette: Establish clear meeting etiquette, including guidelines on muting microphones when not speaking, using video whenever possible, and being punctual. Circulating an agenda via email before you log-on will help manage everyone’s expectations around participation.
Maximise Engagement: Encourage active participation during meetings. Use features like polls, Q&A sessions, and breakout rooms to keep everyone engaged and involved in an age when zoning out is as easy as turning the camera off.
Promote Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
A hybrid work model allows employees the flexibility to better balance work and personal life. Embracing this aspect of hybrid working will show your employees you value their wellbeing; as a leader, it’s crucial to support and promote this flexibility.
Flexible Schedules: Allow team members to choose their working hours within reasonable limits. This flexibility can enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
Encourage Breaks: Promote the importance of taking regular breaks and time off. It’s hard enough to get away from the desk in-office. At home, it’s even easier to find you’ve skipped lunch for more hours at the computer. Encourage employees to step away and recharge.
Monitor Workloads: Keep an eye on workloads to ensure that no one is overburdened. Distribute tasks evenly and provide support when needed.
Foster a Culture of Trust and Inclusivity
Hybrid working is only as successful as the trust you have in your employees. As a leader, it’s essential to build and maintain a culture where every team member feels valued and trusted.
Trust Your Team: Trust that your team members are capable of managing their tasks efficiently, whether they’re working remotely or in the office. Avoid micromanaging and focus on empowering your team.
Inclusivity Initiatives: Implement initiatives that promote inclusivity and diversity. Ensure that remote team members are included in all team activities and have equal opportunities for growth and development.
Open Door Policy: We’ve already touched on the importance of clear communication. And it’s so important, we’re bringing it up again: maintain an open-door policy, encouraging your team members to voice their concerns, share ideas, and seek support when needed.
Leading a successful hybrid team requires more than a software update. As a team leader, you need to implement a strategic approach that prioritises clear communication, team cohesion, and flexible performance evaluations.
By fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity, you can ensure that your hybrid team remains productive, engaged, and positive – no matter where they’re based!
Looking for a flexible workspace that supports your hybrid team’s needs? Get in touch with Grafter to explore our luxury workspaces designed for modern, dynamic teams.