How do we build and maintain effective working relationships when our team mates are working from home?
In our experience, most organisations tell us there are five challenges to hybrid/remote working, all based on the most glaring difference from the old ways of working, before 2020: connection, communication, coordination, creativity and culture (see graphic, left). Hybrid working has reimagined the workplace and how we relate to our co- workers. But without water coolers and weekly catch-ups over coffee, there are new challenges when connecting with our team mates. We must all work a lot harder to maintain strong professional relationships and invest heavily in our interpersonal skills to ensure an inclusive and collaborative team culture.
When people are working from home the psychological contract becomes more important than ever. That is an explicit statement of the promises and expectations that drive working relationships. How do we redraw the contract for hybrid workers? By looking at two of its core elements: social and professional generosity.
The key to enable better collaboration and a happy, hard-working team is to create extra connection points, moments of formal and not-so-formal interactions to bring people together and build the all important social bonds that keep the wheels turning. We show our social generosity by making people feel comfortable and included, and giving our work relationships resonance. In the hybrid world of work, we have to be a lot more explicit and organised in creating these connection points. Social generosity might now mean building in time for ice-breakers in Zoom meetings, setting up regular social events, or establishing mentor networks.
We show our professional generosity by taking the time to learn about the roles of others, by doing what we say we will, by helping others to fulfil their responsibilities and achieve their goals. We pay attention to siloed or selfish thinking, keeping an awareness at all times of how the work we do impacts on others and how we can support others in their roles.
Hybrid working has changed the dynamics of professional relationships. We also need to pay particular attention to the role that tech can play in supporting or impeding those relationships. For example, virtual meetings often fail because of unstable connections, poor interaction or an unclear objective. If frustration has set in, ask your colleagues to think about what you are really trying to achieve and reinvent your online meetings. Strong relationships can happen remotely – they just require adaptable, flexible mindsets and a willingness to invest in and embrace the virtual meeting.
In the hybrid workplace, we need to work harder at communication and collaboration. Develop ways to increase connection points amongst team members and promote a culture of social and professional generosity.