Hybrid work is great for businesses and people. Productivity is up, and workers report greater levels of job satisfaction and overall well-being. Excellent stuff.
But the quick pivot to the hybrid model has brought challenges, especially for managers who prefer the more personalised leadership style.
That’s why Brother.co.uk put together the following guide. It features 7 of the best tips on how to become a more effective hybrid-working manager.
Tip 1: Build a good home workspace
Managers should encourage staff to invest in the right home-working equipment, including height-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs to prevent backache, and a reliable Wi-Fi connection. Companies that can afford it should consider providing staff with a personal hybrid working budget to upgrade their equipment at home.
Tip 2: Digital collaboration
Don’t manage a hybrid team via email or, even worse, a WhatsApp group; it will annoy you and your team. Instead, adopt a remote working collaboration tool like Slack or Asana. They ensure everyone is working from the same page and prevent messages from being overlooked or miscommunicated.
Tip 3: Virtual break-out spaces
Feelings of loneliness and isolation are major challenges for some hybrid workers. Create a (virtual) office vibe by scheduling remote coffee catch-up or hang-outs during breaks/lunchtimes. You could even create an #officegossip channel on Slack for casual chats. Just remind your team that all comments will be recorded. Have fun, but remind them to keep it professional!
Tip 4: Focus on targets, not KPIs.
Hybrid working is about giving employers more autonomy over their day. Ditch those micro-managing KPIs and focus on productivity instead. Measure the amount of value-driven work completed per day, rather than how many minutes team members log on for. Your team will love this new approach, and the responsibility of producing work of real value brings out the best in people.
Tip 5: Check-in
Schedule regular catch-ups with your team to see how they’re managing workloads. Keep it casual and super-friendly. The vibe should be something like, “I’m not checking up on you like a school teacher. I trust you to do your work and do it well. I’m just letting you know I’m here to help and support you.”
Tip 6: Be flexible
The hybrid working model is designed around flexibility. So as a manager, you need to be…flexible. Replace the rigid 9-5 office schedule with more personalised timetables that fit around home/work life.
Hybrid workers with young children could log on an hour or so later in the morning. Some staff might prefer an extended lunch/afternoon break, then make the time back up later in the evening. They might even work better this way. After all, that first hour after lunch is never the most productive part of any workday. #carbcoma!
Tip 7: Set some ground rules
People might be working from home, but you still need to foster a professional mindset. Write up a hybrid working policy document outlining processes, eligibility, and expectations, then link the document to a folder/channel all your team can access.
Hybrid work requires a hybrid-management style. Use these tips to up your leadership game and boost your teams’ productivity levels.
