Fostering Success: Supporting Your Team in a Hybrid Work Environment

As the world of work continues to evolve, many organizations are adopting hybrid work models, combining remote work and in-person office time. 

While there’s a lot of emphasis on how the companies can better adopt these processes and how to be successful as an individual contributor, there’s little conversation about how you can lead effectively in the hybrid environment.

In this guide, we’re sharing our insights and tips on fostering success in a hybrid work environment, so we can all thrive together.

Set Expectations

According to TaskHuman Leadership Coach, Karen Floyd, proper expectations setting is critical to the success of any hybrid team. 

She recommends that teams come together early in their hybrid journey to define how they’ll work, the process they’ll use to solve problems, how they’ll hold each other accountable, and who is responsible for what. 

That way everyone is clear about how they contribute to the team and what’s expected of them.

Communicate and Collaborate

One of the most critical aspects of supporting our teams in a hybrid work environment is ensuring clear and effective communication. 

To do this, we can adapt communication channels for remote and in-office colleagues by using video calls, instant messaging, and email for updates and discussions. 

Encourage regular check-ins and updates to keep everyone in the loop and maintain a sense of team cohesion.

Promoting Inclusivity and Equity

Another important consideration is to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities for all team members, regardless of their work location. 

To address potential biases in performance evaluations, consider objective criteria and avoid making assumptions about remote workers’ dedication or productivity. 

Also, encourage culture inclusivity by encouraging participation from both remote and in-office employees during meetings and brainstorming sessions. 

Encouraging Work-Life Balance

A healthy work-life balance is crucial to employee well-being and productivity. We can support our teams in a hybrid work environment by respecting their boundaries.

Be mindful of your team’s time by scheduling meetings and calls within working hours and understanding that employees may have different commitments outside of work.

Lead by example. If you’re answering messages the moment you get a notification, it shows people, even subtly, that you’re always engaged and you’re not switched off. Some people will feel like they need to do the same.

Offering Emotional Support and Encouragement

In a hybrid work environment, it’s important to recognize that remote colleagues may experience feelings of isolation or disconnection. We can support our colleagues by checking in with them regularly, offering empathy, and showing genuine interest in their well-being. 

It’s amazing how a simple “How are you doing?” can go a long way in fostering a supportive work culture. 

Remember to be genuine. If you’re asking people how they are, but you’re just going through the motions, it’s going to come across as disingenuous, and this will cause problems in itself.

Celebrating Success and Acknowledging Efforts

Take the time to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of your colleagues, both remote and in-office, helps to create a positive work environment. 

When you’re in the office, you have downtime, breaks, and time to connect with the other people that you’re generally spending most of your day with. However, when you’re working remotely, it’s hard to send an email and not make it about work.

Send congratulatory emails, give shout-outs during team meetings, or even organize virtual celebrations to acknowledge our colleagues’ hard work. 

Providing Opportunities for Professional Development

Encouraging skill development and continuous learning can contribute to higher job satisfaction and improved performance.

Regardless of where they work, all team members should have access to resources and opportunities for professional growth. Recommend online courses, workshops, and mentorship programs to support your team’s professional growth while working in a hybrid work environment. 

Conclusion

Supporting our colleagues in a hybrid work environment requires empathy, understanding, and effective communication. 

By setting clear expectations, promoting inclusivity, encouraging work-life balance, offering emotional support, celebrating success, and providing professional development opportunities, we can foster a positive and productive work culture for everyone. 

Need a little help figuring out the best way to lead your hybrid team? Reach out to a TaskHuman coach to get the personalized support you need.