Managing Hybrid Teams Effectively
The hybrid working model is still evolving, offering both opportunities and challenges for businesses. While traditional work structures have been around for decades, hybrid work is only in its early stages, with 71% of respondents in a recent Forbes Advisor survey stating they work in hybrid or remote roles. With this trend showing no signs of slowing down, how can businesses effectively manage hybrid teams?
What is a Hybrid Team?
A hybrid team includes remote workers (those who work entirely from home or another location) and hybrid workers (those who split their time between the office and remote locations). Managing such a team requires a strategic approach that ensures productivity, engagement, and a strong company culture.
Who Can Benefit from Hybrid Working?
Not every industry can fully adopt hybrid models, but many sectors—including healthcare, education, legal services, and real estate—have successfully integrated remote work. Even traditionally in-person roles, such as healthcare consulting or real estate planning, have found ways to operate effectively outside a central office. Businesses should assess how hybrid models can maintain or improve productivity while fostering a strong team culture.
Key Strategies for Managing Hybrid Teams
1. Plan Communication Meticulously
Communication is the foundation of an effective hybrid team. Without proper communication, remote employees can feel disconnected, and in-office staff may become the default decision-makers. To prevent this, businesses should:
• Establish clear guidelines for communication channels (e.g., Slack for quick updates, email for formal communications, and video calls for team meetings).
• Set expectations around availability and response times.
• Include remote employees in decision-making discussions and brainstorming sessions.
• Conduct regular one-on-one and team check-ins to maintain alignment and engagement.
• Foster transparency by ensuring that important company information is accessible to all employees, regardless of location.
2. Set Clear and Measurable Goals
Remote work thrives on well-defined objectives. A structured goal-setting system:
• Provides employees with clarity on what is expected of them.
• Ensures accountability and performance tracking.
• Helps recognise achievements and maintain motivation.
• Allows for fair evaluations during performance reviews, ensuring remote employees are not overlooked.
Employers should use key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess productivity rather than relying on monitoring working hours. This results-based approach fosters trust and autonomy within hybrid teams.
3. Utilise Collaborative Tools
Technology bridges the gap between remote and in-office workers. Two essential tool types are:
Task Management Systems: Platforms like Asana, Trello, or Monday.com provide real-time project tracking, document sharing, and open communication.
HR Tools: Software such as BambooHR or PeopleHR helps manage appraisals, training, and holiday tracking to maintain engagement and organisation.
By integrating these tools, teams can work cohesively regardless of physical location.
4. Foster Team Culture
One of the biggest challenges of hybrid work is ensuring remote employees feel connected to the company culture. To strengthen team bonds:
Celebrate achievements and milestones with public recognition.
Organise virtual and in-person team-building activities.
Encourage casual conversations and non-work-related interactions.
Assign mentors or buddies to new hires to help them integrate into the team.
When employees feel part of a cohesive team, they are more likely to remain engaged and motivated.
5. Invest in the Right Equipment
A poor virtual setup can hinder communication and engagement. Businesses should:
Provide remote staff with quality audio-visual tools, including noise-canceling headphones and high-quality webcams.
Ensure office spaces are equipped for seamless hybrid meetings, including large screens, high-quality microphones, and reliable internet.
Use interactive software such as Miro or MURAL for collaborative brainstorming sessions.
When employees can see, hear, and interact without barriers, meetings become more inclusive and productive.
6. Monitor Employee Wellbeing
Hybrid work offers flexibility, but it can also lead to isolation and burnout. To support employees:
Conduct regular check-ins to discuss both work progress and mental wellbeing.
Provide access to wellness programs, such as virtual fitness sessions or mental health resources.
Encourage employees to set boundaries to prevent overworking.
Offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate different working styles and personal circumstances.
Employee wellbeing should be a priority, as a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.
7. Bring Teams Together Physically
While remote work is convenient, in-person interactions strengthen team cohesion. Companies should:
• Organise quarterly or annual meetups for brainstorming and strategy sessions.
• Schedule occasional in-office days for collaboration.
• Plan social events such as team lunches or retreats.
If team members are spread across different regions, consider hosting local gatherings in multiple locations to make participation easier.
8. Trust Your Team
Hybrid teams thrive on trust rather than micromanagement. Once systems are in place:
• Allow employees to work independently and focus on deliverables rather than hours logged.
• Encourage creativity and self-driven problem-solving.
• Establish an outcome-based approach to measure success.
Trust leads to higher job satisfaction and better overall team performance.
Get Ahead of the Hybrid Curve
As hybrid working becomes the norm, businesses must implement strategies to manage dispersed teams effectively. At Dolen HR, we’ve helped numerous organisations across North Wales transition smoothly to hybrid models.
If you need expert guidance in optimising hybrid work strategies, setting clear objectives, or enhancing employee engagement, contact us today to build a more efficient and cohesive team.