You’re in a hybrid work environment. How can you develop your teamwork skills?

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first steps to successful teamwork in a hybrid setting is to establish clear expectations for your role, responsibilities, and deliverables. This will help you avoid confusion, frustration, and missed deadlines. You should also communicate your availability, preferred mode of contact, and work schedule to your team members and managers. This will help you respect each other's time, boundaries, and work styles.

2 Use the right tools

Another key factor for teamwork in a hybrid work environment is to use the right tools to facilitate collaboration, communication, and feedback. You should leverage the technology that your organization provides, such as video conferencing, instant messaging, cloud storage, and project management software. You should also familiarize yourself with the features and functions of these tools, and follow the best practices for using them effectively. For example, you should test your audio and video quality before a meeting, mute yourself when not speaking, and share your screen when presenting.

3 Build trust and rapport

Working in a hybrid team can make it harder to build trust and rapport with your colleagues, especially if you rarely see them in person. However, trust and rapport are essential for teamwork, as they foster a sense of belonging, mutual support, and accountability. To build trust and rapport in a hybrid team, you should make an effort to get to know your team members on a personal level, share your opinions and ideas openly, acknowledge and appreciate their contributions, and address any issues or conflicts constructively.

4 Be flexible and adaptable

Working in a hybrid team can also require you to be flexible and adaptable to changing situations, expectations, and needs. You may have to adjust your work style, schedule, or priorities depending on the project, task, or client. You may also have to deal with unexpected challenges, such as technical glitches, miscommunication, or delays. To be flexible and adaptable in a hybrid team, you should be open to feedback, willing to learn new skills, and ready to embrace new opportunities.

5 Seek and offer support

Finally, working in a hybrid team can also demand you to seek and offer support to your team members, managers, and clients. You may face some difficulties or challenges that affect your performance, motivation, or well-being. You may also encounter some situations where you need help or guidance from others. To seek and offer support in a hybrid team, you should not hesitate to ask for help when you need it, offer help when you can, and express your gratitude and recognition for the support you receive.