Managing a team has always been challenging. However, managing a hybrid team can be even more difficult.
A hybrid team is one where some team members work from the office while others work from home. As each team member focuses on completing their work as it best suits them, managers can have difficulty managing them in different spaces due to the different work dynamics.
However, some tips and tricks can help managers managing a hybrid team. Let’s take a look at them:
Prioritize Communication on Schedules
Managing a hybrid team can often bring together team members who work at different times. This situation can be especially tough for managers. However, it can also impact the productivity of team members when they are dependent on each other’s input to proceed with the project.
In such a scenario, managers need to communicate schedules with team members. Managers should not hesitate in asking employees working from home to manage their schedule as per the project deadlines. Managers can effectively convince team members to work more on some days by allowing them to compensate for the work hours later in the month.
Focus on Accountability
Setting up schedules cannot be enough at times. Daily accountability can help laid-back employees take the schedule more seriously and manage their productivity. Managers managing a hybrid team might also need to prioritize checking up on their employees’ input on the project every day.
However, this tip must be applied to all team members. Those working from the office must also be answerable to deliver required data on time. Managers should also keep themselves accountable by managing the project alongside their team.
Measure Performance Fairly
Managing a hybrid team can sometimes create biases against the team members who don’t share the same work setting as the manager. Managers can resent those working from home for having greater freedom or those working from the office for greater collaboration and access to resources.
But managers should realize that each work setup has pros and cons. They should acknowledge the advantages and disadvantages of both work settings and measure their team members’ performance accordingly.
Encourage Communication between Team Members
Managing a hybrid team can become more accessible for managers when there is a greater understanding between the team members. Managers managing a hybrid team should encourage communication between their team members in a common digital space to make the workflow smoother and faster. Even if all the team members are not present in the same physical space, they can be present in the same digital space.
Managers can schedule team members’ physical presence at the workplace. Bringing all team members together can break the ice between them and allow them to get to know each other. Managers can also make the most of this opportunity by building in-person communication with their team members, leading to greater productivity.
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Managers managing a hybrid team should prioritize their work-life balance. The challenges of maintaining communication and making deadlines with a hybrid team can disrupt their routines and impact their health. Hence, it is important for managers managing a hybrid team to create a strict working schedule for themselves to end their working day as it suits them, even if some team members work on different schedules.
