One of the biggest challenges for leaders of hybrid teams is to be authentic and transparent every day in the “present” moment with all team members, not only physical ones, but also remote ones who work from anywhere.
In any form of communication and collaboration, leaders must articulate the values, passion, commitment, and responsibility that are critical to the success of the entire company. Purely email communication can appear meaningless and useless among hybrid teams, therefore leaders must choose new forms of remote communication, for example via video conferences or corporate platforms Cisco Webex Teams, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangout, Zoom, etc.
Leaders must develop original thinking among hybrid team members during remote communication and collaboration. Because with this approach, they will develop an open informal discussion in people, which will provide a better background for the possible design and implementation of new ideas and innovations.
The art of leading hybrid teams means building a strong corporate culture that also requires recognition of each individual. Leaders must be in tune with their people to meet their current needs while staying true to the company’s goals and purpose. This is because staying in close contact with employees will allow leaders to understand what is working and how best to connect and educate everyone. The key to meaningfully leading hybrid teams is leaders who are constantly learning and adapting to current needs and circumstances.
Example: It cannot be assumed that the way you develop and motivate a hybrid team in Prague will be the same as with a team in Brno or Barcelona. You have to be open, you have to be able to listen, and you have to learn every day how to best get everyone on board.
One proven way to make a difference in any team you lead is to lead by example. Ask yourself a question. “Can each team member see that in my behaviour I am creating what I actually expect from them?”
Leading by example means being responsible and doing what you expect people to do. Every leader of a hybrid team must realize that if they want something to change in the organization or certain values to be fulfilled, they must lead by example and facilitate the shift towards positive change.
Some leaders think they are something special/indispensable/ambitious… and try to create a certain bubble around themselves that unfortunately separates them from other people. Integral to the success of leaders is authentic and inspiring behaviour that is based on practical examples. It is better to create your own natural attitudes and behaviours that you expect from people, because real change, especially of attitudes and values, begins with leaders.
Leading by example can be uncomfortable, but real growth and progress come from stepping out of your own comfort zone and encouraging others to do the same.
The way we do work and lead teams is constantly changing and will continue to change. Leaders must be prepared for change and discomfort. Being “present” and being an example will go a long way in helping leaders build strong interpersonal relationships, no matter where their teams work.
Are you ready for the future of hybrid teams? I recommend watching a video of the Hybrid Conference: The future of Cooperation from Anywhere at www.inspirovanolidmi.cz/spoluprace