Managing a Hybrid Team: Driving Engagement and Performance
As the way we work continues to evolve, the hybrid model has become a staple in modern organizations. What started as a temporary response to the global pandemic has now become a long-term reality. Today, more and more companies and employees are embracing hybrid work—and managers need to learn how to make it work to everyone’s advantage.
The Shift Toward Hybrid Work
While hybrid work existed before the pandemic, 2020 marked a turning point. Office closures pushed businesses to pivot to remote work almost overnight. What was meant to be a short-term fix quickly revealed long-term benefits: employees reported steady productivity and a healthier work-life balance.
By 2021, hybrid work—blending remote and in-office time—was gaining traction. Employees appreciated the flexibility while still having opportunities for in-person collaboration, striking a balance between performance and satisfaction.
By 2023, Hybrid Work Became the New Normal
Hybrid work became standard practice in 2023, supported by flexible policies in organizations of all sizes. A Canadian survey found that 91% of companies with 50 or more employees had implemented hybrid work arrangements for at least part of their workforce. This shift was made easier by advances in technology—especially communication and collaboration tools—that help teams stay productive no matter where they are.
The Challenges of Hybrid Work
Despite its advantages, hybrid work brings its share of challenges:
- For recruiters: It can be tricky to find candidates eager to work in hybrid settings, particularly in industries where remote work was already well-established before the pandemic.
- For managers: It’s not easy to keep teams engaged and cohesive, or to ensure fairness in workloads and opportunities between remote and on-site employees.
- For employees: Trust is sometimes an issue—28% of workers believe their managers don’t fully trust them to be productive at home.
In response to these challenges, some companies are pushing for a return to the office, but that often sparks resistance and debate about whether going back to pre-pandemic models makes sense.
Flexible Work Is Here to Stay
According to the 2023 Workmonitor report, work-life balance now ranks as more important than salary for the first time in 22 years (83% vs. 82%). This underscores the importance of maintaining hybrid work options—while addressing the challenges they bring.
Successful organizations are the ones that stay adaptable. Listening to employees, refining policies, and focusing on outcomes rather than hours are all key strategies for thriving in a hybrid environment.
Rethinking the Way We Manage
In our conversations with leaders, we’ve seen many companies try to apply traditional management approaches to hybrid teams—without adapting them. But copy-paste leadership doesn’t work in a world that’s changed this much.
Managers often look for quick fixes, but the real key lies in going back to basics, taking a step back, and letting go of outdated practices. Leading in a hybrid world requires new tools and a fresh mindset.
That’s why Afi U. – School of Business and Technology created the microprogram Managing a team in hybrid mode: combining mobilization and efficiency. This program equips leaders with a deep understanding of hybrid challenges and practical strategies to help their teams succeed in this new reality.
Final Thoughts
Hybrid work has transformed the way we think about work, offering employees greater freedom and flexibility. While it’s not without challenges, the organizations that prioritize strong strategies and people-first approaches will be the ones to lead the way in this new era.
Source :
- Randstad, Work-life balance tops pay: randstad’s workmonitor reveals new workplace baseline, 2025.