Hybrid and remote work: 3 new leadership rules

I‘m always on the lookout for articles with the potential to positively change a business. What’s your take on the following points I came across recently?

In 2020, most companies empowered their employees to work from their homes, ushering in an era of remote work. While this work model has been met with challenges, it has also become a welcome shift for workers looking for flexibility and a new way to manage work/life balance.

Because some tasks can only be accomplished in-office and some employees enjoy the resources and socialization that an office provides, many companies have also adopted a hybrid work model. Enterprise leaders must learn to embrace this new style of work and determine the best practices that will create a healthy, thriving culture, even when employees are in and out of the office or scattered across time zones.

What guidelines should you implement for the hybrid workforce? Let’s look at three and discuss how to best approach each one.

1. Build a framework for work/life balance

Remote work has brought many benefits, but it has also resulted in unintended consequences, primarily the loss of structure that an office setting provides. Working in an office offers a set, daily routine that has proven difficult for many to replicate while working at home. Working from home gives employees the flexibility to manage their personal lives and work as they want, but the downside is that employees working from home tend to start work earlier, sign off later, and take fewer breaks throughout the day – all of which can be detrimental to well-being. Maintaining healthy practices and making a clear distinction between work and home life has challenged even the most diligent and structured people.

2. Create a sense of belonging

Hybrid and remote work can break down an employee’s sense of belonging and connection to a group and can negatively impact team cohesion. This is especially true for newer team members who may have experienced a fully remote onboarding process during the pandemic. While Zoom socials can be enjoyable and help coworkers reconnect, they cannot entirely replicate the sense of community that in-person interactions provide.

3. Learn to accommodate employees' lifestyles

Companies that promote a well-adjusted work/life balance need to ensure that they deliver on their promises. Employees are increasingly looking for companies that will accommodate their lifestyles and habits and are unwilling to adjust their lifestyles to match a corporate culture.

I’d be really interested to know your opinion. Check out the full article here and then I’d be happy to discuss with you by email at [email protected].