The Future of Work (Part 3): 4 Methods to Build a Successful Hybrid Working Culture.

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Previously, we learned about what hybrid working is and the 4 archetypes of this work model, as well as the benefits and challenges that organizations face when implementing it. This time, let's find out how we can make hybrid working work for your organization.

How do organizations build a successful hybrid work culture?

Flexible work calls for a flexible schedule 

Having a flexible work schedule is considered one of the top priorities of today’s employees. Therefore, an efficient hybrid working model should not demand employees to complete work at the same time and at the same pace. We recommend a blend of asynchronous and synchronous communication methods to ensure spaces for both real-time collaboration and autonomous work to be done. Having a dedicated set time for weekly team meetings, check-ins, and drop-in work sessions would certainly emulate the aspect of in-person working without stripping away employees’ desire for flexibility. 

Flexible Work Calls For Flexible Office Space

Another important aspect of hybrid working is the workspace. Most executives still firmly believe in having employees come to work in the office majority of the time for the sake of productivity and work culture whereas employees are only willing to commute for social connection and collaborations with friends and peers. 

To compromise on these desires, office hoteling (hot desking) allows organizations to rent an office/ coworking space for a given day or period without committing to a space that would rather be ghosted for most of the month. With the flexibility and convenience that coworking space offers, setting up in-person biweekly or monthly meetings, and hosting training sessions and collaborative sessions have never been easier. In addition, coworking spaces can be found in multiple locations across the world, therefore geographically dispersed teams can come together more conveniently when needed. Companies like Workden specialize in helping organizations gain access to coworking spaces and reap the benefits of an office without committing to the expenses and logistics of owning one. 

This way, upper management can continue to foster the company’s culture, and get things done without racking up operational expenses while ensuring employees are happy with such a flexible arrangement.

Trust and support from management

Whether an organization’s chosen work arrangement is office-first hybrid working or remote-first hybrid working, always keep in mind that performance is what matters and not the location or hours worked. Therefore, employers need to trust that employees will get their work done regardless of whether they work onsite or from the comfort of their homes, local cafes or coworking spaces. Maintaining transparent communication, welcoming feedback and helping employees prioritize workload is the key to establishing trust, and loyalty and improving performance and productivity in a hybrid working context.

Investing in technologies and tools 

Organizations need to ensure that employees have the right setup to minimize the friction of transitioning from office to home or anywhere they want to get productive. Having a reliable and consistent tool stack to communicate is crucial for collaboration and feedback. In addition, organizations should also invest in virtual assistants and/or IT support to troubleshoot any IT issues that would most likely arise with working away from the office. 

Final thoughts on hybrid working

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to hybrid working. Whether or not organizations adopted hybrid working out of the necessity of the pandemic, hybrid working is here to stay as it is by far the most accommodating working model for everyone’s work styles and preferences. Organizations that already made the transitions should continue to address the key challenges and mitigate the risks of hybrid working. For those who haven’t made the step, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon of hybrid working.

If you would like to reduce or eliminate your office footprint but maintain in-person interaction for your team, consider booking a private meeting space for your next team meeting, training, or team bonding event with Workden.