Missing something? Top 5 challenges of long term hybrid working

It half seems a blurred memory, being entirely locked up during the pandemic. In reality though, for most of us our working style has changed forever. Although there’s no doubt that there are tangible benefits to being able to work from home, many of my clients have reported a dent in their career confidence or sense of connection and progression compared to before. How might it have affected you?

Being visible

In order to get recognition for our efforts, we need them to be seen. We perhaps didn’t notice how many connections were made in those ‘water cooler moments’, the part before the meeting, grabbing lunch or the quick drink after work.

There’s no doubt that the challenge of being effortlessly noticed has become greater and with it the chance to be recognised and moved up the ladder

Being heard

For sure, in the past, there seemed to be too many meetings that went on too long. Nobody wants to spend longer than they need to in a virtual meeting. In some ways this is a good thing, more to the point, clearer intentions. However on the flip side it is so easy online NOT to say something. I mean, you were going to but somehow it just didn’t come up.

We need to ensure that we are saying what needs to be said, even if feels a little difficult or might prolong the meeting. Innovation is sparked by active conversation, without a space to do this, we’ll find new ideas and problem solving solutions will be in scarce supply

Knowledge expansion

It used to be fairly easy to catch someone in the office and ask them if they’d mind running through that new process they’ve been working on. Or if you were new, stopping by someone’s desk to ask a quick question and automatically being welcomed in and asked if you needed any help with anything. Right now though people are busy and either they’re not there or you aren’t.

We need to create a space for learning. If we don’t, that natural transfer of knowledge will evaporate and new starters will be left out in the cold

Culture and sociability

Think back to the start of the pandemic; there were daily morning team catch ups, virtual ‘pub drinks’ and check ins at the end of each day. Admittedly they became a bit forced and everyone got serious virtual fatigue. However the question is, what is happening instead? Sure you had a team away day. Once. Now what?

We need new ways of building and maintaining our work culture and connections and simply forcing everyone into the office twice a week just won’t cut it

Watch out for burn out

It is ironic that one of the major concerns about home working was a drop in productivity. However, by and large, the opposite seems to be true. So many of us have become used to being glued to our computer screens from 8am to 8pm. In an economic climate that demands a dedicated approach, for many this is the daily reality. If you couple that with the assumption that we are all available and checking emails even when we are supposed to have downed tools for the day, where is the space to switch off? Literally. We need to remember that we require headspace to think and genuine time to reflect and recharge.

It’s time we learnt how to create breathing space again, lower our stress levels - it really is about working smarter and not harder and many of us (or perhaps the organisations we work with-in) seem to have forgotten that

There are so many rich discoveries still to be made about how we maximise performance, output and personal growth in our new working world. One thing is for sure though, people need to be at the heart of it - and it won’t happen by accident. It’s time to move out of survival mode and into a future landscape that will allow us to thrive

If you as an individual or your organisation would benefit from working through the effects of our new hybrid working world, get in touch. One-to-one individual sessions, team talks and organisational consultation are all available from Rachelcoffeycoaching.com