The Challenges and Opportunities of Hybrid Work for Leaders

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many organizations to pivot to hybrid work models, combining in-person and remote work. While these models offer some benefits, they also present a number of challenges for leaders. In this blog, we will explore some of the key challenges and opportunities of hybrid work for leaders and discuss strategies for managing them effectively.

One major challenge of hybrid work is the difficulty in balancing the expectations of leadership with those of employees. In a recent study conducted by Microsoft in Latin America, 43% of managers reported feeling trapped between these expectations. On the one hand, leadership may have expectations for productivity and performance, but on the other hand, employees may have different expectations for flexibility and work-life balance. Finding a way to meet these competing expectations can be a challenge for leaders.

One strategy for addressing this challenge is to have open and honest communication with employees about their expectations and needs. This can involve setting clear goals and objectives, as well as regularly checking in with employees to see how they are doing and what support they may need. It can also be helpful to establish flexible policies that allow employees to choose the work arrangements that best suit their needs, whether that be fully remote, fully in-person, or a combination of both.

Another challenge of hybrid work is the impact on productivity. While many employees have reported maintaining or improving their productivity in the hybrid work model, leaders have reported a different experience. In the study, 39% of leaders felt that productivity had declined since the adoption of hybrid work models.

One potential reason for this difference in perception is the difficulty in measuring productivity in a hybrid work model. In an in-person work environment, it is easier to see when employees are working and how much they are getting done. However, in a hybrid model, it can be more difficult to track productivity, particularly when employees are working remotely. This can be especially challenging for leaders who may be used to more traditional models of measurement.

One way to address this challenge is to focus on outcomes rather than inputs. Rather than trying to track how much time employees are spending on specific tasks, leaders can focus on the results that employees are able to achieve. This can involve setting clear goals and objectives, as well as regularly reviewing progress and providing feedback to employees.

Another challenge of hybrid work is the issue of communication and collaboration. With the shift to remote work, employees may be feeling isolated and disconnected from their coworkers. This can make it difficult to foster a sense of teamwork and collaboration, which is essential for the success of any organization.

To address this challenge, leaders can make an effort to foster a sense of connection and community. In the words of Microsoft Corporate VP Jared Spataro, “You can’t erase the lived experience and impact of the last two years since flexibility and well-being have become non-negotiable for the employee”. By adopting and adapting to these new expectations, organizations can prepare for long-term success.

And here’s where BPO outsourcing companies can play a big role in supporting your next-level work model. Ultimately, business process outsourcing provides a profitable and results-based approach to handling all business processes and personalizing the customer experience within your organization. Anexa – a BPO industry leader – has a carefully curated pool of talented, technology-savvy agents who have been trained to recognize that ‘one-size-fits-all’ is an outdated, ineffective customer service model. These customer-centric specialists support the concept of reaching the right person at the right time on behalf of your company.

To learn more about how Anexa can help to manage your various business processes and personalize the customer experiences originating at your help desks and related customer-facing departments, contact us today.