Hybrid teams are the new normal.
Casual observers may believe the coronavirus pandemic prompted the explosion in employees working from home, but it was merely an accelerant.
Remote workers and hybrid teams grew in popularity before the planet turned upside down.
As a result, the post-pandemic world isn’t going to suffer from a dip in hybrid team numbers. This approach, a combination of in-office and remote staff, is here to stay. After all, it boasts several benefits for both your business and your personnel.
Yet, it also poses several challenges. Get it wrong, and you can face unhappy, isolated employees and an inefficient workforce.
To help with your leadership development in this area, here are five ways to lead a successful hybrid team.
1. Inclusion is key
Trying to include every staff member, ensuring they are provided with the fairness and respect they deserve, is tricky when everyone is working in-house. The task becomes even more complicated when dealing with a hybrid team.
However, it’s not impossible.
There are ways to prevent remote workers from feeling isolated and less involved with the group.
This starts by including all office-bound and remote participants within team meetings. In addition, all team members need to receive equal access to one-to-one meetings with leaders, and these should be conducted over video for remote workers. Regarding the latter, and according to Zoom, 82% of people feel greater trust when video is utilised.
2. Regular, clear communication
You know the importance of communication. There are two communication aspects to consider with hybrid teams: practical and personal needs.
With practical needs, it’s your job to make sure everyone is on the right page. This includes everyone knowing how to collaborate and communicate, considering the requirements of both in-person and remote team members.
As for personal needs, communication is more than just daily check-ins. For instance, in-office brainstorming sessions naturally happen between team members, but remote workers miss out on these valuable discussions. Summarise these conversations and share them with remote team members to enhance engagement.
3. Drive accountability
It’s essential everyone is aware of their tasks and responsibilities. This accountability helps with work getting completed and avoids confusion about who is doing what at your company.
One way of delegating tasks is by using specialist software – Trello is a good one – to manage projects.
4. Invest in the right tools
Physical tools like computers, webcams, and headsets are obvious for remote workers. However, investing in the right tools also expands into selecting the right software for collaboration and communication.
Consider the unique situation of each team member and ensure they have everything necessary to function without issue.
5. Demonstrate empathy
As a leader, it’s your job to remain vigilant and understand how your staff members feel about their role and work-life balance.
This is why a routine of asking them how they’re feeling, demonstrating empathy and care can help keep morale up. It also allows you to spot any employee-related concerns before they become more significant problems.
