Training Industry Magazine - July/August 2021 - 49

MICHELLE EGGLESTON SCHWARTZ, CPTM
LEARNER
MINDSET
LEADING A HYBRID TEAM
The role of the leader continues to evolve
to keep pace with the needs of the
business - from perfecting the efficiency
of the assembly line during the industrial
revolution to ethically leveraging
the use of artificial intelligence and
machine learning to predict consumer
behaviors in the 21st century. As the
work environment changes, so must our
approach to leadership.
During the COVID-19 pandemic,
many organizations shifted to remote
workforces. Now, as employees begin
to migrate back to the office, companies
are adapting to a hybrid workplace.
With some employees located in the
office and others working remotely,
this presents challenges for many
leaders. Learning and development
(L&D) has an opportunity to guide their
organizations' leaders through these
transitions to bring stability to the
organization as they find their feet in
this uncertain economic climate.
HYBRID LEADERSHIP SKILLS
There has been a multitude of changes
and disruptions in business over the
last 18 months. As employees were
sent home, leaders needed to quickly
learn how to manage in a remote
environment. Just as leaders gained
confidence in their remote leadership
skills, however, some employees
began returning to the office -
requiring hybrid leadership skills.
Leaders are facing new challenges as
they enter this new world of work -
from sustaining the company culture to
maintaining clear communication and
expectations regardless of location.
Leaders must unify a dispersed
workforce and align the team around
shared goals and objectives.
To support employees in a hybrid work
environment, here are few things for
leaders to consider:
SETTING EXPECTATIONS
This new world of work requires new
processes
and
procedures.
Teams
should discuss how and when they're
going to communicate, who needs
to attend meetings, who has access
to information and where to turn for
guidance. Managers should also
discuss with employees how they
will structure their day, ensuring both
remote and in-office employees have
access to the same tools, resources
and flexibility to meet goals.
MAINTAINING FLEXIBILITY
The onset of the pandemic may be in
the rearview mirror, but employees are
still navigating uncertainty. Flexibility
has become a critical skill for leaders
and employees as they navigate a
new world of work. A flexible mindset
will enable leaders to adjust goals as
needed. Prioritizing tasks and projects
can help the team focus on what
matters most if plans need to shift.
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Communication has always been a
critical leadership skill, but hybrid
work requires clear communication
for success. Leaders must structure
individual and team meetings to
ensure participation by all employees,
REDEFINING COMPANY CULTURE
The pandemic required many leaders
to essentially tear up their plans and
start from scratch. Business models
shifted in response to the changing
market - altering processes and
procedures, eliminating outdated
products and adding new offerings
to the business portfolio. We're at a
turning point in business to redefine
our company's culture. This is an
opportunity for leaders to tune in to
what employees need and create a
culture that nurtures and supports
talent so that the company can achieve
its short- and long-term goals.
MOVING FORWARD
The world of work is evolving - and
so is leadership. As hybrid work
environments continue to gain traction,
leaders need to be prepared with new
skills and a new mindset. Leaders must
work to unify their dispersed team and
create a shared vision for success.
Michelle Eggleston Schwartz, CPTM, is
the editorial director at Training Industry,
Inc. Email Michelle.
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - ELEVATING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
| 49
regardless of location. Leaders should
ask for feedback from their employees
on the format of meetings, challenges
of a hybrid team and how the team can
improve processes and procedures.
THE WORLD OF WORK
IS EVOLVING - AND SO
IS LEADERSHIP.

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Training Industry Magazine - July/August 2021

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