Leading Effectively in a Hybrid Work Environment

The?hybrid/remote work structure has changed the way organizations operate. Leading amid such change brings its own obstacles and benefits — while creating many new opportunities. In continuing my conversation about leadership, I recently asked leaders to share their views on the best way to lead a team in a hybrid work environment. Here are some practical answers we can all learn from.

Maryann Holloway, CPA, RMA, PSA , senior manager at Bowman & Company, LLP, says:

Leading in a hybrid environment can be a delicate balancing act. It's essential to provide staff with the autonomy to complete their work in conditions that suit their varied needs while still achieving the team's goals. One significant lesson I learned during the pandemic is that silence isn't always golden. I had a staff member who I trusted to work independently, but she was struggling without voicing her difficulties. I assumed she was managing her tasks and juggling multiple assignments for different managers. However, she was spending an excessive amount of time on one challenging task, which only came to my attention through reports indicating high billable hours for a single client.

In a hybrid work environment, regular and ongoing meetings with staff are crucial. These can be conducted via video conference, but if the environment leans more towards remote work, it's important to seize opportunities to bring the team together in person, such as through team lunches. Don't assume everyone thrives in a remote setting. It's rare for there to be no questions on assignments, so ensure you interact with each team member individually. Achieving balance in this juggling act is possible without becoming a micromanager.

Suha Uddin, CPA, MST , a tax partner at RRBB Advisors, LLC, says:

Key factors in successfully leading a team are significantly similar in a hybrid and traditional office work environment. The most important aspects are effective and ongoing communication, setting up realistic expectations and holding all parties accountable. Depending on the career path, but more importantly, in public accounting, collaboration among team members should not be impacted by the physical location and working remotely should not be treated as having limited access or an alternative work schedule. Leaders must demonstrate this by making themselves equally accessible, regardless of the work location and also making sure that team members have the needed technology to facilitate effective and timely collaboration and communication. It is also crucial to have face time on the in-office days to address or resolve any pending issues and maintain a strong working relationship.

What are your thoughts on effectively leading in a hybrid environment and what effect do you think mandatory return-to-office (RTO) policies will have on various organizations?