Hybrid working is the new normal. Many workers love the flexibility and convenience of working from home and the office. But how can companies make hybrid working work for everyone? Here are five tips from experts on how to create a hybrid-work strategy that works.
1. Match your strategy to your goals
Athina Kanioura, chief strategy and transformation officer at PepsiCo, says hybrid working is here to stay and she wants to make it work for her team.
Her department is new and growing fast -- from four people to 1,000 in less than a year. She thinks new workers need to meet and bond in person, so she asks them to come to the office three days a week.
"Hybrid is great when you have an established relationship, but not when you are new to the organization. You can't make that work virtually," she says.
She also uses the office time for decision-making and action-taking. "When we make a decision, we have to be together -- because we have to debate, we have to argue, and we have to drive to an ultimate outcome," she says.
For example, when her team was working on a new product launch, they had several brainstorming sessions and workshops in the office to align on the vision, strategy, and execution plan. They also had regular check-ins and feedback sessions online to monitor the progress and resolve any issues.
2. Use your office time for collaboration
Mark O'Brien, senior platform manager at Leeds Building Society, says his organization has found a rhythm -- usually three days in the office and two days at home -- that works for most people.
"I think we've just been flexible around people's needs. One thing homeworking has meant is that you can cope with some things working from home."
But he also sees the value of face-to-face interaction for sharing ideas and solving problems. "There's nothing like being in a room with a whiteboard and a bunch of Post-it notes," he says.
For instance, when his team was developing a new digital platform, they used the office time to co-create the user journey, design the interface, and test the functionality. They also used online tools like Slack and Zoom to communicate and collaborate remotely.
3. Go paperless as much as you can
One way to make hybrid working easier is to reduce the amount of paper you use and rely more on digital tools. This way, you don't have to worry about carrying files back and forth or losing important documents.
Melanie Pinola, author of How to Set Up Your Desk, recommends mirroring your desk setup in both places and investing in mobile accessories. "Buying a second laptop charger and leaving it in my laptop bag changed my life in a small but meaningful way," she says.
She also suggests using cloud-based services like Google Drive or Dropbox to store and access your files from anywhere. "You can also scan receipts, business cards, and other paper items with your phone and store them digitally," she says.
For example, when she was writing a book, she used Google Docs to write and edit her chapters online. She also scanned her notes and research materials with her phone and uploaded them to Google Drive. This way, she could work on her book from anywhere without carrying any paper.
4. Communicate openly and often
Communication is key for any team, but especially for a hybrid one. You need to make sure everyone is on the same page and feels included and valued.
Linda Hill, professor at Harvard Business School and coauthor of Being the Boss: The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader, advises managers to create communication channels for different purposes: updates, feedback, brainstorming, socializing, etc.
She also encourages managers to ask for reviews from their employees and give clear directives on what they expect from them. "You need to be explicit about what you want people to do when they're at home versus when they're at the office," she says.
She also recommends creating personal engagements with your team members, such as virtual coffee chats or check-ins. "You need to show empathy and compassion," she says.
For example, when she was leading a hybrid team of researchers, she used email and Slack for updates and feedback; Zoom for brainstorming and presentations; and phone calls for personal check-ins. She also made sure to clarify her expectations for each communication channel and each work location.
5. Take care of yourself and your team
Hybrid working can be stressful and exhausting. You need to balance your work and personal life, deal with uncertainty and change, and cope with isolation or distraction.
That's why it's important to take care of yourself and your team's well-being. Hill suggests setting boundaries between work and home, taking breaks throughout the day, and finding ways to relax and recharge.
She also urges managers to be supportive of their employees' needs and preferences. "Some people may want more flexibility, some may want more structure. Some may want more social interaction, some may want more privacy. You need to respect that diversity," she says.
For example, when she was working from home, she set a regular schedule and stuck to it. She also took breaks to walk her dog, meditate, or read a book. She also asked her team members about their preferred work style and accommodated them as much as possible.