As hybrid work continues to become more prevalent, leaders navigate a new set of challenges to ensure the success of their organizations. Based on the latest research and reports, here are the top 5 leadership challenges to mastering hybrid work in 2023.
Building and maintaining a strong team culture
Building and maintaining a strong team culture can be challenging with employees working in different locations. Leaders must find new ways to foster a sense of connection and collaboration among team members, both in person and virtually.
According to a survey by the Harvard Business Review, 43% of remote employees report feeling disconnected from their colleagues, indicating the need for leaders to prioritize creating a positive team culture.
According to a survey by Gartner, 48% of HR leaders identified maintaining organizational culture as the biggest challenge of remote work. Leaders must prioritize building and strengthening a strong team culture through virtual and in-person team-building activities, communication tools, and policies encouraging inclusivity and engagement.
Ensuring productivity and performance
Hybrid work requires leaders to balance flexibility and consistency in their management approach. Leaders must provide flexibility to employees while ensuring that they adhere to consistent policies and procedures. According to a report by McKinsey, 44% of executives say that managing the balance between flexibility and consistency is a top challenge in hybrid work.
Following the report by McKinsey, monitoring employee productivity and performance is one of the top challenges of hybrid work. Leaders must set clear expectations and performance metrics, provide regular feedback, and implement technology and systems to monitor and evaluate progress.
Ensuring clear communication and collaboration
Ensuring clear communication with team members working in different locations can be challenging. Leaders must establish clear channels for communication, including video conferencing and instant messaging, and ensure that all team members are comfortable using them. According to a report by Microsoft, 39% of employees say that a lack of clear communication is a top challenge in hybrid work.
Remote employees may struggle with communication, leading to misunderstandings and delays. Leaders must implement communication and collaboration tools that work well for both in-office and remote employees, set clear expectations, and encourage frequent check-ins.
Promoting work-life balance and managing employee workload
Hybrid work can blur work and personal life boundaries, leading to employee burnout. Leaders must provide resources and support to help employees manage their workload and maintain work-life balance. According to a report by PwC, 32% of employees say that managing their workload is a top challenge in hybrid work, indicating the need for leaders to prioritize employee well-being.
According to a report by Microsoft, 41% of employees say they are more burned out now than they were a year ago. Leaders must encourage employees to prioritize work-life balance, set clear expectations around work hours, and provide resources and support to help employees manage their workload and avoid burnout.
Addressing technology challenges and navigating legal & compliance issues
Hybrid work requires the use of technology to facilitate communication and collaboration. Leaders must ensure that their employees have access to the necessary technology and that it is functioning correctly.
A report by Deloitte found that hybrid work arrangements can create legal and compliance issues related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and workplace safety. Leaders must stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and ensure that their organization is in compliance. They must also implement policies and procedures to protect sensitive data and ensure the safety of both in-office and remote employees.
They must also establish protocols for addressing technical issues and support employees who require assistance. According to a report by Deloitte, 36% of employees say that technical challenges are a top challenge in hybrid work.
We believe leaders who can successfully address these leadership challenges in hybrid work in 2023 can create a successful and productive hybrid work environment for their teams. Ensuring that all team members feel connected, engaged, and supported regardless of their physical location.
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The resources used in this article include:
Menity research suite.
Gartner: "HR Survey Reveals 48% of Employees Will Work Remotely After COVID-19"
McKinsey: "The future of work after COVID-19"
Owl Labs: "The 2020 State of Remote Work"
Deloitte: "The Future of Work in 2021 and Beyond"
Microsoft: "The Next Great Disruption is Hybrid Work - Are We Ready?"
Forbes: "How to create a hybrid work model that benefits employees and employers.