14 Aug We’re Doing Hybrid All Wrong — Here’s What Needs to Change
Have you noticed that even with all the significant changes like hybrid work and AI, some companies still act like it’s the Stone Age? It’s like they’re stuck in the past, totally ignoring the changes around them. This mismatch between tech advances and old-school work styles is a major problem that needs to be fixed.
We’re living in a whole new world, which means we fundamentally need to rethink how we interact, get work done, and use technology to enhance and speed up our processes. Lately, we’ve seen significant tech advancements, including the widespread integration of AI, yet so many people are still over-working and burning out.
The issue is that we continue to add tools into our arsenal without actually changing the way we approach our work. We’re lacking agility and big-picture thinking.
Though hybrid work used to only be characteristic of big tech companies, it’s now the primary model for countless organizations. Despite this shift, many of these organizations continue to operate as if they’re still fully in office, failing to recognize the immediate impacts of our new reality. When some employees are in the office, the needs of those working from home are often overlooked. This begs the question: How can we intentionally create community and ensure that bonds are developed regardless of physical location?
Here are three ideas to consider.
The Importance of In-Between Moments
In the traditional office setting, spontaneous interactions — like going to the break room, getting water, or passing by someone’s desk — help build a sense of community. It’s moments like these that make people feel like they’re really a part of something bigger than themselves. Replicating these in-between moments in a hybrid environment takes intentional effort. In essence, it’s about being intentional with spontaneity! Set up informal chat rooms where employees can drop in for casual conversations, organize optional coffee breaks where you can join a video call to chat informally or create a “watercooler” channel on Slack or teams for non-work-related conversations about daily life updates. We need to be thinking creatively about how to foster informal interactions that make people feel truly connected, even when they’re miles apart.
Rethinking Office Environments
At the beginning of the pandemic, many believed (myself included) that the shift to remote work would be the best thing since sliced bread. Now, with hybrid models taking the lead, it’s become apparent that we need to be more strategic in creating engaging office environments. Consider implementing movable workstations that can be rearranged for team projects spontaneously. Even if you don’t have big renovation plans for your office, you can still create inviting communal spaces with cafe-style seating to encourage informal interactions when employees are in the office. Some ideas I’ve seen work well include bringing in a barista for the day to set up a coffee bar or hosting interactive events, like having an aura reader or a mentalist provide engaging entertainment. If you are fully remote, take an inspirational page out of Airbnb’s book. Airbnb (historically hybrid) flies employees in from around the nation once a quarter for a week of memorable experiences and team bonding. This is a perfect example of how organizations can rethink real estate costs and reallocate savings to build community outside the physical space.
Building Community Virtually
For fully remote teams, creativity is truly key. Companies can organize virtual events that keep everyone excited to be connected. These events should be something employees look forward to, and feel FOMO if they can’t make it. They can be as simple as digital coffee breaks or weekly virtual co-working sessions where team members work “side by side” via video chat if they like having people around them. One fun idea could be a weekly Wednesday morning Zoom call with Uber Eats delivering breakfast to everyone. Or team-wide book clubs, TV show talk, personal chit-chat, sharing vacation photos, or fun breakout sessions. It’s incredibly important to set aside dedicated time for these events and ensure employees have permission and encouragement to participate without scheduling conflicts. You can take it one step further and embed fun, collaborative challenges and competitions. Engaging employees in challenges and contests can also be a fun way to build community. Different offices can compete to create the funniest industry-related video, share fun facts about their cities during big sports events, or produce silly skits or rap songs to foster collaboration and camaraderie.
Building community in a hybrid world is not easy, but it’s fundamental to the continued success of organizations that have adopted this new model. It requires intentionality, creativity, and a willingness to rethink traditional approaches. By making community-building a priority and experimenting with new ideas, we can create a sense of belonging and collaboration, no matter where our employees are located. I’ve seen first-hand how community building can either make or break a team, so it’s certainly not something we should overlook or minimize.
