Kim Rader How Do We Build Effective Hybrid Teams?
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How Do We Build Effective Hybrid Teams? [Greeting] Effective teams are the cornerstone of great work. One study suggests that camaraderie is more motivating than compensation, finding that 20% of employees feel their peers are the reason they would “go the extra mile.” And motivation isn’t the only benefit: From better problem solving and increased innovation to happier team members and enhanced personal growth, successful teams enjoy wide-ranging personal and professional advantages. However, with as many as 70% of remote-capable employees working exclusively from home during the pandemic, concerns about the impact of remote work on collaboration, mentorship and social connection have been top of mind for our clients. As companies continue to implement hybrid work schedules, how can we help build effective distributed teams? Collaboration in the workplace has grown by 50% since the mid-2000s, along with a vast suite of digital and physical tools to support it. But even the best collaboration tools do not guarantee success; culture, both at the team and organizational level, plays a key role in setting norms and establishing psychological safety to enable effective communication. Regardless of whether team members are in the office or at home, leaders can set the tone by encouraging experimentation and risk-taking, framing mistakes or failures as opportunities to learn and grow. Expressing recognition or praise towards colleagues—in an email or in person—can improve quality of work and reduce absenteeism and turnover. In establishing norms like these from the top-down, all team members can feel included and empowered, regardless of their work location.
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