Tips for Hybrid Team Work - what does work for you?

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Hybrid work is here to stay (read here why). And this is a good thing. It does however require everyone in a hybrid team to adapt and embrace new ways of collaborating and sharing. Building the team is a key responsibility of any leadership but it doesn’t stop there. Each member of a team is responsible to play a part in creating a trusting and performing team culture. In the article below I would like to share some practical tips that have been shown to work well across hybrid teams.

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1.????????Communication is Key:

Communication is the cornerstone of any successful team. In a hybrid work environment, this means communication with colleagues, regardless of where they are working from.

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One practical tip is to establish a regular communication schedule with your colleagues, where you can have weekly or bi-weekly check-ins. During these check-ins, also take some time to chat about non-work related topics. This will help to build rap-port and establish a personal connection with your colleagues.

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Another best practice is to use the camera on during meetings. Seeing each other's facial expressions and body language helps to build a better connection and understanding between colleagues.

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2.????????Foster a Culture of Trust and Transparency:

Trust is built through consistent and transparent communication, setting clear expectations, and following through on commitments.

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It supports building trust to ensure that all team members have access to the same information and resources. This can be achieved through the use of cloud-based platforms like ?Teams” being used to its full capabilities (and not just as a video call tool) where everyone collaborates on the same documents and has access to the latest versions and updates. The channel function is very handy to create an environment where it’s easy to give instant feedback and foster participation.

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Another approach that has proven to work well is to establish clear goals and expectations for each team member, and to provide regular feedback on their performance. This can be done through regular one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, or even informal check-ins.

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3.????????Encourage Collaboration:

Collaboration is an essential component of any successful team, and it becomes even more important in a hybrid work environment.

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One best practice is to establish regular virtual brainstorming sessions. Using collaborative whiteboard tools, where team members can share their ideas and work together to develop solutions to complex problems.

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4.????????Create Opportunities for Social Interaction:

It is challenging to establish social connections with colleagues in the hybrid age, especially for those who are working remotely. Creating opportunities for social interactions help to build stronger bonds and foster a sense of belonging within the team.

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One practical tip is to organize virtual team-building activities, such as online games or team challenges. These activities help to break down barriers and create a more relaxed and informal atmosphere where colleagues can get to know each other better.

Another tip is to establish a social communication channel, such as a group chat or a virtual water cooler. This allows team members to share news and personal updates, creating a more social and connected environment.

Building strong bonding teams requires effort, communication, and collaboration. By following some tested and proven approaches and best practices, hybrid teams can establish a culture of trust, encourage collaboration, and create opportunities for social interaction. This will not only help to build stronger relationships between colleagues, but also improve productivity, morale, and job satisfaction. And is the basis to then move on to the next stage: the high performing team.

What did work in your teams? What didn’t? Would be great if you share your experience and insights in the comments how to make the hybrid work environment a successful, inclusive and respectful place.