Leading hybrid teams

Insights from the leadership planet by Eve and Eli

Hybrid teams are here to stay. After the pandemic this is the new normal – mixed teams with team members working on site, hybrid or even remote. More and more companies are though deciding that they want their employees to be more in the office, well at least three days a week. So, hybrid will be the new normal and in this new environment good leaders are critical.

Leaders need to manage hybrid teams, allowing their employees to work both remotely and in the office. They need to execute some leadership traits probably both better as well as clearer.
Therefore, what do you need to think about a bit extra as a leader:

• make sure you establish clear rules of engagement and developing daily rituals so that everyone knows what is expected. Is this new – no – but it become even more important when you do not have the time to see your employees daily.
• avoid virtual micromanagement and trust that employees will get the job done.
• equip you employees with the skills they need to succeed now as well as in the future by providing appropriate development.
• encourage your employees to contribute to the team spirit by connecting with colleagues in the office and with remote colleagues. Leaders cannot be the only glue to create connection and belonging.
• to ensure that employees working remotely have the right tools to be able to do the work in an effective way.
• make sure to handle meeting facilitation effectively by for instance clear agenda, restating, and summarizing office conversations to clarify for those on the phone or video chat.

Finally, leaders need to continue to develop themselves in order to improve retention, engagement and performance behaviors. It will be key to manage the hybrid workplace and hybrid teams in an effective manner.

What do you need to develop to be an effective hybrid leader?

More to come from Insights from the leadership planet by Eve and Eli