Hybrid working: Team building measures

Working from home has its advantages. There are no long journeys to the office, time management becomes even more flexible and many people are able to balance their professional and private lives even better. However, after the initial euphoria, it is also clear that many employees feel a growing need to get closer to their team again. Leaders are also faced with the major challenge of shaping leadership digitally while dispensing with face-to-face communication. Hybrid working combines working from home and in person and must face up to the question: If everyone comes and goes as they please, how can a team still be led to success together?

Hybrid working must meet various requirements

Every company sets its own rules for hybrid working. It is often agreed that employees can work two days in the office and the rest remotely. These models offer maximum flexibility without completely losing the local connection to the company. But how is teamwork organized in these models? The individual team members often do not see each other in person for weeks at a time. However, team building thrives on interpersonal contact.

Without regular contact, team cohesion falls by the wayside. Output is also neglected, as the best ideas are usually generated over a quick coffee in the hallway. What's more, hybrid working also fuels the motivation of many highly qualified employees to change jobs. If there is no emotional connection and identification with the company, even small incentives are enough to make them leave for a competitor. This small excerpt shows: Hybrid working must face up to the challenge of maintaining a team spirit, even across geographical boundaries.

Team-building measures in a hybrid working environment

• Arranging virtual coffee breaks
  Developers have recognized the need for togetherness in the hybrid working world and have developed tools that organize virtual coffee breaks. These appointments are organized randomly so that the same people do not always sit together in front of the screen. This has various advantages. The short breaks are associated with a certain thrill, as no one knows in advance who they are meeting with today. In this way, leaders also get to talk to employees with whom they would not have previously sat together in the coffee kitchen.
  
• Organize daily huddles
  Huddles are short, morning team meetings that allow for a brief exchange within a strictly limited time frame. They take place before the start of work and should not last longer than 15 minutes. It is important to adhere to the rules. The meetings only serve to exchange information about the current project status. No discussions may be initiated and the meeting automatically ends when the time is up. Such huddles can just as well be organized digitally.
  
• Organize team building seminars
  Coaches can support teams in developing a common self-image in the hybrid working world. Together they answer fundamental questions such as: What common goals are we working towards? What challenges do individuals see in the hybrid way of working? Where is support needed? Team building seminars can also help managers to actively shape this transition phase and organize good team communication.

Team-building measures in a hybrid working environment can have a big impact. They increase general satisfaction, boost team motivation and performance and improve the working atmosphere. Our coaches will be happy to support you with the implementation.

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