Many businesses continue to evolve and learn the new world of hybrid work.
Teams have proven for many years that on-site work works.
During the pandemic, teams proved all-remote work works.
Now, the challenge is to blend the best of the two and achieve successful hybrid work.
Policies are being developed requiring days of week in the office or core hours in the office, but there has been less conversation about when and why to be on-site vs. off-site.
My Perspective – Map the Work
For all work, there are two decisions to be made:
- Does the work require people to be working at the same time (synchronous) or can individuals be working at different times (asynchronous)?
- Is the work better in person or is it equally productive in a live online environment?
These two questions can fit nicely into a four-box design. Your team could use this tool to talk about specific work situations and where they fit on the grid.
Below is an example chart with some common work activities:
Once the grid is made, the team can more intentionally plan their week with days of the week in the office focused primarily on synchronous / in-person activities.
Your Turn
Are you or your team struggling with finding the right balance of work in a hybrid environment?
What parts of your role fit well into each of the boxes on the grid?
Could this chart foster good dialogue with your manager or team about your hybrid solution?