Unlock the Power of Motivated Teams in a Hybrid Work Environment: Tips for Success

Motivated teams play a crucial role in ensuring they feel valued and minimising mismatches in expectations. As a Finance Director, I experienced firsthand how my team and I had responsibility for significant elements of the business. When we excelled in our jobs, our contribution was invisible—everything ran smoothly, including cash flow, ICT systems, and well-maintained premises. It was essential to communicate our achievements and top priorities to avoid our department being undervalued or overlooked, ensuring early identification of mismatches in expectations and priorities, and highlighting investment requests well in advance.

I recommend that team members proactively communicate their progress and priorities, sharing their plans with managers and relevant colleagues to keep everyone in the loop. This self-driven approach to check-ins and catch-ups can make a significant difference. I recall a book I read 20 years ago that suggested, "imagine you are the owner of your own business, and your employer is your top client." When teams take responsibility for their performance, communicate progress, clarify expectations, propose solutions, and regularly update their mindset and skills, the working relationship becomes more of an equal partnership and less of a traditional top-down hierarchy.

Key Tips for Motivated Teams in a Hybrid Work Environment:

1. Proactively communicate progress and priorities to managers and colleagues.

2. Share plans and updates to keep everyone in the loop.

3. Take ownership of your performance and regularly update your mindset and skills.

4. Embrace the mindset of treating your employer as your top client.

5. Foster an equal partnership between team members and management.

Embracing hybrid working is vital for businesses to thrive in today's dynamic environment. Skillfully managing remote team members, ensuring a sense of value and recognition, and encouraging motivated teams to take the initiative will help organisations navigate the challenges and unlock the potential that hybrid working offers. As leaders, we must adapt our management styles and expectations to create a supportive and productive work setting for all employees, regardless of their chosen work location.