“The future of work is hybrid.” This is the bold claim from a recent Wharton article.
As hybrid quickly becomes the new buzzword for organizations planning their post-pandemic workplaces, I’ve been thinking about the additional strain this transition will place on team leaders. Even more complex than the fully remote work we’ve experienced over the last year, this new arrangement will require thoughtful planning and clear communication to be successful. While a hybrid model appears to be the preference of most employees, implementing it in a way that prevents damage to team morale, cohesion, and productivity will be the responsibility of team leaders.
Establishing a new set of team ground rules is key to assuring a smooth transition to the hybrid work environment. Here are ten questions team leaders should ask themselves and then discuss with their team members and executive leaders to help clarify expectations and create a new set of shared team norms.
- Who gets to work from home and when/how often?
- What specific meetings or events will require team members to be present in the office?
- What’s the value of the team being together in the office?
- What’s the value of allowing team members to work from home?
- Will one-on-one meetings take place virtually or in person?
- How will we handle meetings when some members are at home and others are in the office?
- Do we expect cameras to be turned on during virtual meetings?
- What will we say to job applicants and new employees about working from home?
- What is our plan for onboarding new employees, both in person and virtually?
- How will we evaluate these ground rules and make changes to them if necessary?
It’s clear that the hybrid workplace is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future. Understanding the benefits and pitfalls of this model is imperative for success. Tackling these ten questions will help your team leaders make things a little less complicated as they decide whether the hybrid model works for them!
