Opinions expressed by Business sponsors are their own.
Many offices, like ours at BriteCo, have moved to a permanent hybrid model (or something similar) following the COVID-19 pandemic. We chose a hybrid model to get the best of both worlds, including personal connectivity and home comforts. Encouraging options gives us more control over our lives and our times, which I believe everyone longs for at work and in general.
With these great benefits come pitfalls in terms of collaboration and personal connection. Another important thing that you don’t immediately notice when you are cut off from your team is spontaneity.
Spontaneous thoughts are part of our creativity. However, it is good to encourage peer discussion; however, regular repetition is difficult when done virtually. To combat this, I strongly recommend singles across all categories. Everyone needs to buy into the philosophy, starting at the top.
Related: How to Bridge the Gap Between In-Person and Remote Meetings
I have found that connecting with people early in the morning is important. Even if it’s early, I want to ask how they’re doing and if I can help. Simple “How’s it going?” and “Is there anything you can talk about?” it can be a good exchange, even if it is short. What’s important is that these interactions feel supportive, non-offensive, and ongoing. This creates a tone of collaboration and support, and, like most things, it trickles down and encourages these conversations throughout your team.
For example, we currently have an employee who works remotely from Greece for three weeks, and we make time to coordinate every day despite the time difference. Although there is nothing specific to discuss, that daily point is important for staying connected. Establishing these consistent touchpoints – no matter how brief – can greatly strengthen team cohesion.
When you create an organization, all the pieces need to work together, and you need to do this to ensure that your team is connected. When everything is disconnected, nothing works. Teams need to be able to communicate with each other to work together. When no one talks, you’re very disconnected, and that’s a bad way to build an organization. It is impossible to lead that way.
Related: Why the Hybrid Workforce Needs Your Employees
Additionally, I recommend self-evaluation when group meetings begin. It’s easy to find information on the agenda, but updating everyone on their life outside of work helps build these connections on a daily basis.
When you are completely remote, I think you should make a strong effort to connect people outside of work. Whether you have retreats, meetings, happy hours, going to sports events, or whatever suits your team best. When BriteCo meets in the office a few days a week, we also went to a Chicago Cubs game this summer.
Creating a strong culture that inspires accountability within a remote or collaborative workplace. Accountability is important for maintaining productivity, trust, and overall team unity. In the absence of physical supervision, clear expectations and clear communication become essential to ensure that each team member understands their responsibilities and the impact of their work on shared goals. Even remotely, teams can achieve a harmonious balance of autonomy and collaboration, ultimately improving individual performance and organizational effectiveness.
There is currently a visible movement back to the office, though not entirely. Hybrid models may dominate further, offering flexibility while maintaining individuality. A hybrid approach is the most sustainable way forward. Of course, you can’t do that in all situations, like shopping malls, where people just need to be on site.
For those with remote parts, I believe that the focus of the connection will be on some ongoing events. We had to stop right away, but we’ll probably see companies start planning monthly or quarterly events and offering more frequent meetings. In addition, we can see many companies that offer remote work that involves visiting the office once a month or more.
Related: Why Remote Work and Offshore Talent Are Important for Businesses
Finally, we see the return to travel in a big way, with conferences and expos completely behind. However, for many industries, it is still much weaker than pre-crisis travel. I foresee a future of work that returns to the importance of experiences and opportunities that work best in person.
However, none of the above can be achieved without hiring the right people. The people brought into the organization contribute their unique skills and knowledge – but they also shape the company’s values, behavior and environment in general. Therefore, it is important to select candidates who match the values and core vision of the company. Organizations can foster a culture of shared purpose and mutual respect. However, they can only do this if all employees agree and participate actively. This arrangement ensures that employees are more likely to collaborate, support each other, and work towards common goals in a remote or fully integrated environment.
Hire adults who believe in and understand the importance of these practices. The success of your team will flourish, as will your relationships with others. All of these will feed into spontaneous, creative ideas that will drive the future of your business.
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