Leadership Moment

As the world of work continues to evolve, many organizations are embracing the hybrid model—a blend of in-office and remote work. While this approach offers a range of benefits for both employees and employers, it also presents unique challenges. One of the most significant of these is maintaining a strong team culture across physical and digital divides.

Building a cohesive team that operates seamlessly is a key factor in business success, but how can it be achieved when team members are scattered across different locations? There are some practical strategies for navigating the hybrid landscape and fostering a strong team culture that thrives in both office and remote work environments. Whether you’re a manager or an employee, you can build stronger connections with your colleagues and achieve your goals more effectively. So, let’s look at ways we can overcome the challenges of the hybrid model and build a thriving team culture, regardless of where you’re working from.

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

One of the most important things leaders can do to foster relationships and team culture in a hybrid working environment is to communicate effectively. Communication should be a top priority to ensure that everyone feels connected and part of the team. Remote work may require different channels for communication, and leaders should be open to exploring these tools to find what works best for their team (Slack, video chats, phone, email). Additionally, leaders should confirm that team members understand the message and foster an environment where questions are welcomed. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure everyone works towards the same goals.

Establishing clear communication channels is another way to foster team culture and promote open conversation. This means setting expectations around how and when team members will communicate with each other. For example, you might establish a policy that all team members must respond to emails within 24 hours or that all team meetings will occur via video conference. By setting clear expectations around communication, you can reduce the potential for misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Actively Listen

A key part of communication is active listening to ensure that the conveyed message is received and acknowledged and can be acted upon. In addition to effective communication, leaders should prioritize regular one-on-one meetings with team members. These meetings should be focused on listening to the employee’s concerns, challenges, and successes. Leaders should stop notifications and refrain from checking emails during these meetings to show that the employee has their full attention. Additionally, leaders should encourage employees to turn their cameras on during video calls and practice reading body language and tone through video, as this can differ slightly from in-person communication. Periodically, leaders should aim to have in-person one-on-one meetings to add variety to virtual and face-to-face meetings.

In addition, leaders should foster an environment where their employees feel empowered to put their health first and take a step back if needed when things become overwhelming. Here are a few things leaders do to support their team’s well-being:

Encourage team members to take breaks throughout the day. This might mean walking outside or stepping away from the computer for a few minutes.

Provide resources and support for mental health and wellness. This might include access to an employee assistance program or resources for stress management.

Depending on the type of role, it may be possible to establish clear boundaries around work hours and expectations. For example, you might discourage team members from sending work-related emails outside of regular work hours.  If they need to or have chosen to work outside of regular work hours for their role, they can be shown how to delay sending, to not negatively impact other team members that might be on the receiving end.

Recognize Good Work

Recognition for a job well done is crucial in fostering relationships and team culture in a hybrid working environment. Leaders should recognize good work not only privately but also publicly to raise awareness among the wider organization and to show that their hard work is valued. This recognition can be an email, a message on Slack, or a mention at a company-wide meeting. Whatever the form, recognition can boost morale, increase motivation, and foster a sense of camaraderie among team members.

Create Opportunities for Social Time

Creating opportunities for social time, both in one-on-one meetings and team calls, can help build stronger relationships and team culture. Leaders should encourage team members to take a break from work and play games or learn more about each other. This investment of time can help build trust and loyalty among team members, which is crucial in a hybrid working environment. Leaders should be creative in coming up with ways to encourage social time, as it can have a significant impact on team culture. This might include virtual team-building events, such as an online cooking class or a virtual happy hour, or in-person team-building activities, such as retreats or off-site events. By creating opportunities for team members to connect and bond (both virtually and in person), you can build a sense of camaraderie and trust that will translate into better collaboration and productivity.

Ensure Equal Participation and Responsibility

Finally, it is important to ensure that everyone has equal participation and responsibility in contributing to team culture and relationships. It’s not just the responsibility of the leaders to prioritize culture; everyone must pitch in and put in the effort to make it work. This can be achieved by encouraging team members to contribute ideas for social activities, recognizing and celebrating successes, and promoting open communication. By creating a culture where everyone feels valued and included, team members can work together more effectively, regardless of their location.

Conclusion

Fostering relationships and team culture in a hybrid working environment is crucial for the success of any organization. By prioritizing communication, listening, recognizing good work, creating opportunities for social time, and ensuring equal participation and responsibility, leaders can create a positive team culture and a sense of belonging among their team members. By taking these steps, leaders can lead across office landscapes and create a cohesive team, regardless of their location. ◆