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What is hybrid management?
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Johanna
01/07/2024
Corporate culture
What is hybrid management?
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The professional world is constantly evolving, and with it, work management methods. With the growing adoption of flexible office configurations such as the flex office, and the increase in telecommuting, managers are faced with the challenge of adapting their practices to these new realities. Hybrid management is a response to this evolution, offering unprecedented flexibility while maintaining team efficiency and productivity.
Definition of hybrid management
Hybrid management is an approach to team management that combines management practices adapted to both face-to-face and remote working. This form of management has become essential with the rise of telecommuting, propelled in particular by the COVID-19 pandemic. It represents a viable solution for maintaining business continuity while respecting the new constraints and expectations of employees.
Best practices in hybrid management
To successfully navigate the complex environment of hybrid management, managers need to adopt a series of tried-and-tested practices. These practices not only address the challenges of managing remote and face-to-face teams, they also foster a culture of collaborative, productive and balanced working.
1. Mastery of digital tools
In the context of hybrid management, a key skill for managers is mastering online communication and collaboration technologies. Effective use of these tools is essential to coordinate remote teams and ensure that all members can collaborate as effectively as if they were in the same physical space.
It is also crucial to master flex office applications, which enable shared workspaces to be managed and office attendance to be planned seamlessly. Knowing how to use these applications is essential for effectively managing hybrid teams, ensuring optimum management of resources and time within the company.
2. Flexibility and adaptability
Adaptability is key to navigating diverse work environments and responding to changing employee needs. Whether adjusting schedules, accommodating new working methods or managing unforeseen situations, a hybrid manager needs to be flexible to maintain productivity and morale.
3. Clear and regular communication
Maintaining open lines of communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that every team member stays informed. Regular communication helps reinforce a sense of belonging and align collective efforts towards common goals.
In a hybrid work organization, where team members may be in different locations, clear and regular communication is vital. This will ensure that all employees, whether working remotely or face-to-face, are fully informed, engaged and integrated into team dynamics and corporate objectives.
4. Promoting work-life balance
It's important to encourage a culture that respects the boundaries between work and private life. Managers need to be vigilant to avoid overworking their teams, especially in a model where the boundaries between home and office can become blurred. Establishing and respecting boundaries is beneficial for employees' long-term health and performance.
5. Exemplarity
A manager's role is not just to lead. He or she must also lead by example, particularly in a hybrid work environment. By effectively practicing hybrid working, showing how to balance flexibility and productivity, and firmly adhering to established policies, the manager leads by example. This is important not only for the adoption of these practices by teams, but also for maintaining a strong corporate culture. Corporate culture fosters team cohesion and a sense of belonging among employees, whether remote or face-to-face.
The benefits of hybrid management
Adopting a hybrid management model offers many advantages. This approach improves coordination and communication between employees, whether in the office or remotely. It also optimizes the use of digital tools, promoting better collaboration. In addition, hybrid management enhances organizational flexibility, enabling rapid adaptation to change and the unexpected. By creating an inclusive and adaptable work environment, hybrid management contributes to greater employee satisfaction and motivation, resulting in increased productivity and reduced turnover. Finally, hybrid management makes organizations more attractive to talent seeking career flexibility, making it easier to attract and retain key skills in a competitive labor market.
The disadvantages of hybrid management
Hybrid management, while effective in many respects, is full of challenges for managers. Communication can become more complicated, as you have to coordinate a geographically dispersed team and maintain team cohesion. This dispersal can also lead to a feeling of isolation among some employees, who may feel disconnected from their colleagues and the company culture, affecting morale and commitment levels.
The separation of work and private life can be difficult for those who work mainly from home. These inconveniences require managers to be particularly attentive and proactive to ensure their team's well-being and efficiency.
Hybrid management: a new operating mode with crucial challenges
Although hybrid management is a relatively recent concept, it is imperative that companies adopt it quickly. Hybrid management is becoming the norm in many organizations.
The challenges associated with good hybrid management are decisive for the long-term success of a company. Managers need to acquire the skills and tools they need to navigate this new paradigm effectively.
Want to dig (even deeper) into the subject? Immerse yourself in our article on what management style to adopt for new ways of working.
