Reimagine: Hybrid

Welcome to Work Reimagined, the newsletter where we reimagine the way we work and live. 

This week’s newsletter is all about five common–but preventable–Hybrid mistakes.

A few key takeaways, since I know you’re busy: 

• 83% of workers prefer a Hybrid work model

• Hybrid workplaces can be effective, productive, and engaging for employees, but only when done right

• There are many ways to do Hybrid, but a few ways to not do Hybrid, including neglecting team-building, failing to establish boundaries, and providing insufficient feedback. 

But I hope you’ll read on to see if you’re making any of these common Hybrid mistakes, learn the #1 mistake Hybrid leaders make, and most importantly–learn how to fix these Hybrid pitfalls!

Five Common Hybrid Mistakes–And How to Avoid Them

#5. Neglecting Team-Building

While it isn’t impossible to build team culture in a Hybrid or remote environment, it’s not natural to us yet. And we like to avoid things that don’t feel natural. 

Instead of avoiding team-building, invest in team-building activities that cross in-person and remote lines.

#4. Failing to Establish Boundaries

Everyone–organizations and individual employees alike–failed to establish good Hybrid boundaries early on. 

Instead of waiting for Hybrid to “figure itself out,” make a plan, communicate it, provide enough flexibility, and adapt as needed.

#3. Providing Insufficient Performance Feedback

It can feel difficult to share feedback in a virtual or remote environment, leading managers to avoid sharing important perspectives with their teams–positive and negative. 

Instead of avoiding performance conversations, prioritize opportunities for connection and train all employees on effective feedback.

#2. Keeping Policies Inconsistent

Hybrid plans, if they exist at all, are largely built around personal preference (of either the employer or the employee). That’s a tough way to run an organization.

Instead of using haphazard policies at best, create unifying policies and apply them equally across the organization. If employees need accommodation, create a formal accommodation structure applied consistently. 

And finally, the NUMBER ONE Hybrid mistake is…

#1. Resisting Change

It’s true! Being stubborn about “how we always do things” means you aren’t willing to make the necessary tweaks to your workplace to do Hybrid right. Hybrid workplaces can be extraordinarily effective and productive, but only if leaders let go of old assumptions and ways of working.

Instead, foster a culture of openness to change and innovation within your organization–starting with yourself.

Working Well and Living Well

Last week I spoke to the Federally Employed Women chapter at the Census - Census Women Count. The talk was in honor of Women’s History Month, and we were talking about “Hybrid Harmony” - how to find harmony on an organizational level and a personal level. (Shout out to Michelle Mehta who addressed personal “fit”)

I’d love to hear how you are reimagining work so you can work well and live well! Send me a note with what’s going on in your world, or share your own “working well and living well!”

Keep reimagining!

Elizabeth

P.S. If you could use support implementing a new approach to personal change, or are feeling “stuck” in one area of your work or life, you can learn more about my coaching offerings and schedule a 1-hour coaching session with me at matchpace.as.me.