Creating connection

How to recreate spontaneous interactions in hybrid teams

5 minutes

Managing hybrid teams means balancing remote and in-person work effectively. This is to ensure that both in-person and remote employees have sufficient opportunities to collaborate, network, and bond.

Here are some strategies to ensure that your team members get a lot of opportunities to interact:

Define your working hours

Encourage the team to set their schedules so that other members know when you are available for communication and collaboration. It avoids misunderstandings and allows for more spontaneous interactions within overlapping work hours.

Schedule regular in-person meetings and events

Whether they are team-building activities, brainstorming sessions, or casual gatherings, these opportunities allow team members to connect face-to-face.

Designate an Office Day

By using this question, you are empowering the person towards identifying and taking accountability for asking for the support they need. You can download these questions in our Coach in your pocket guide. Keep it handy the next time you see an opportunity to coach rather than tell!

Engage in social activities

This can be done both in-person and virtually. You can hold virtual coffee breaks, online games, or team challenges that encourage informal interactions. In-person social activities can range from team lunches to after-work outings.

Use the right collaboration tools

Instant messaging platforms, virtual whiteboards, and video conferencing tools with breakout rooms can be effective in recreating the unplanned interactions that often happen in a physical office setting. Some platforms, like Microsoft Teams, let you coordinate your schedule with the team so you know whether they are working from home or in the office and which hours they are available. This allows you to schedule meetings at a convenient time for everyone.

Establish casual communication channels on chat and messaging platforms.

This encourages team members to share non-work-related content. Work channels can be boring and they might be hesitant to interact using the company channel. Unofficial chat groups give your team members the opportunity to join in spontaneous, random, and fun conversations. The use of emojis, GIFs, and polls makes these daily interactions more fun and engaging.

Remember, the key to fostering a culture that values spontaneous interactions is to create opportunities for both virtual and face-to-face engagements. The more opportunities you create for them, the higher and better the team’s interactions will be, regardless of whether they’re working remotely or in the office.

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