Do you feel confident in your company’s hybrid and remote work environment? As a global expert in hybrid and remote work, I am constantly seeking insights from industry leaders to help organizations make a successful transition to remote work. Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tony DiBenedetto, the CEO of Appspace, a company that helps organizations connect and engage with their workforce, no matter where they are located. In this article, I will share some key takeaways from our interview that can help managers create a successful hybrid and remote work environment.

The Importance of Communication and Connection

One of the key themes that emerged from my conversation with DiBenedetto was the importance of communication and connection in a hybrid and remote work environment. DiBenedetto emphasized that communication needs to be intentional and strategic, with a focus on building relationships and fostering collaboration. He stressed the importance of creating opportunities for employees to connect with one another, such as virtual coffee breaks or team building activities.

DiBenedetto also shared his insights on the importance of keeping employees informed and engaged. He explained that companies need to be transparent with their communication and make sure that employees feel connected to the organization's mission and goals. This can be achieved through regular updates, town hall meetings, and other forms of communication that keep employees informed and engaged.

Effective communication is crucial in remote work settings where face-to-face interactions are minimal, and collaboration can be limited. A lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed opportunities, and low morale. Therefore, it is essential for companies to make sure their communication channels are open and easily accessible to employees. Managers should consider using collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams to facilitate communication among remote teams.

In addition to communication, connection is equally important for remote employees. Remote work can often lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from the rest of the team. Therefore, it is crucial for managers to create opportunities for remote employees to connect with their colleagues. This can be achieved through team building activities such as virtual coffee breaks or online games. These activities can help remote employees feel more connected to their colleagues and can also foster a sense of team spirit.

The Role of Technology in Hybrid and Remote Work

Another key takeaway from my interview with DiBenedetto was the role of technology in a hybrid and remote work environment. DiBenedetto emphasized that technology plays a critical role in enabling remote work, but it's important to use the right tools for the job. He explained that companies need to choose technology that is user-friendly, easy to adopt, and meets the needs of their workforce.

In today's remote work environment, technology has become an essential tool for employees to communicate, collaborate, and get their work done. However, it is important to choose technology that is appropriate for the job at hand. Companies should avoid using technology that is too complicated or difficult to use, as this can hinder productivity and cause frustration for employees.

In addition, DiBenedetto emphasized the importance of security when it comes to remote work technology. With remote work becoming increasingly popular, cyber attacks are also on the rise. Therefore, companies need to ensure that their remote work tools are secure and that employees are trained on how to use them safely. This is especially important in light of the recent increase in cyber attacks targeting remote workers.

The Challenges and Benefits of Hybrid and Remote Work

During our conversation, DiBenedetto also shared his insights on the challenges and benefits of hybrid and remote work. He acknowledged that remote work can be challenging for some employees, especially those who are used to working in a traditional office environment. He explained that companies need to be aware of these challenges and provide support to employees as needed.

He also emphasized that hybrid work can be a solution for some of these challenges. By combining remote work with in-person work, companies can provide their employees with the flexibility they need while still maintaining a sense of community and collaboration.

However, there are also many benefits to remote work. DiBenedetto explained that remote work can increase productivity by reducing distractions and allowing employees to work in an environment that suits them best. Additionally, remote work can provide greater flexibility for both employees and employers, as it allows employees to work from anywhere and employers to tap into a global pool of workers.

Another benefit of remote work is that it can help companies attract and retain top talent. By offering remote work options, companies can broaden their search for talent beyond their immediate geographic area. This can help them find the best candidates for the job, regardless of where they are located.

The Future of Hybrid and Remote Work

Finally, I asked DiBenedetto about his thoughts on the future of hybrid and remote work. He predicted that remote work will continue to grow in popularity, as companies realize the many benefits it provides. He also predicted that hybrid work, which combines remote and in-person work, will become more common, as companies seek to strike a balance between flexibility and collaboration.

DiBenedetto also emphasized the need for companies to be agile and adaptable in the face of changing circumstances. He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the importance of being able to pivot quickly and make adjustments as needed. Therefore, companies need to be prepared for whatever the future holds, whether it be a return to the office or a continued remote work environment.

Conclusion

As companies continue to transition to remote work, it's important to keep in mind the importance of communication and connection, the role of technology, the challenges and benefits of remote work, and the future of hybrid and remote work. By understanding these key concepts, managers can create a successful hybrid and remote work environment that meets the needs of both employees and employers.

Key Take-Away

Prioritize communication & connection, choose suitable technology, understand challenges & benefits, embrace future hybrid & remote work...>Click to tweet

Image credit: Marcus Aurelius/Pexels

Originally published in Disaster Avoidance Experts on March 17, 2023.

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Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was lauded as “Office Whisperer” and “Hybrid Expert” by The New York Times for helping leaders use hybrid work to improve retention and productivity while cutting costs. He serves as the CEO of the boutique future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote the first book on returning to the office and leading hybrid teams after the pandemic, his best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage (Intentional Insights, 2021). He authored seven books in total, and is best know for his global bestseller, Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters (Career Press, 2019). His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio. In his free time, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid his personal life turning into a disaster. Contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on LinkedIn @dr-gleb-tsipursky, Twitter @gleb_tsipursky, Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky, Facebook @DrGlebTsipursky, Medium @dr_gleb_tsipursky, YouTube, and RSS, and get a free copy of the Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace by signing up for the free Wise Decision Maker Course at https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/newsletter/.