Building Stronger Hybrid Teams: Key Insights and Best Practices
The world of work has undergone a significant shift in recent years, especially in terms of how teams collaborate. Hybrid teams — groups that are not physically together but work across different locations, often in different time zones — have become a defining feature of modern workplaces. While hybrid working arrangements were a concept that many organisations explored before 2020, they are now the norm for a large portion of the workforce.
But with this shift, many companies are grappling with the question: how do we build strong, cohesive teams when we're not all in the same room? While some leaders advocate for a return to the office, there’s no denying that the hybrid model offers flexibility that employees increasingly value. So, how can businesses ensure their teams remain effective, engaged, and connected, even if they're not in the same physical space?
In this post, we'll explore how to nurture relationships in hybrid teams, maintain strong communication, and build a culture of collaboration — whether your team is working in-person, remotely, or somewhere in between.
1. The Power of Relationships in Hybrid Teams
In any team, relationships are the glue that holds everything together. Strong, healthy connections between team members are essential for fostering trust, communication, and collaboration. This holds true for hybrid teams as much as it does for traditional, co-located teams.
However, many organisations still hold onto the belief that strong relationships can only be built when team members are physically together. The reality is, that's simply not true. While face-to-face interaction may make it easier to build rapport and establish connections, it’s not the only way. Through thoughtful practices and intentional effort, hybrid teams can establish just as strong a sense of camaraderie.
2. Addressing the Tension: Hybrid vs. In-Office Work
There is ongoing tension in many organisations between leadership that wants employees back in the office and workers who are reluctant to return. As we’ve seen, many companies are rethinking what it means to work "together," and some employees are now more interested in the flexibility of hybrid or fully remote models.
As leaders, it’s important to acknowledge this divide and understand that the future of work will likely never be fully in the office for many teams. This means that companies need to stop expecting teams to be physically together five days a week, and instead focus on what makes a team successful, regardless of where they’re located.
3. Intentional Collaboration in a Hybrid World
A key challenge with hybrid teams is ensuring that collaboration remains effective and productive. In a traditional office, spontaneous conversations often happen as a result of proximity — a chat at the coffee machine, a brief exchange of ideas between meetings. These informal interactions can have a big impact on team cohesion and problem-solving.
In a hybrid or remote environment, it’s crucial to deliberately create these opportunities for collaboration. One helpful tool for this is the "Intentional Collaboration in a Hybrid World" matrix, which helps teams think about the different types of tasks they’re working on and how to approach them in a hybrid context.
The matrix breaks down collaboration into four key areas:
Working Together, In-Person: This is the classic team meeting, where everyone is in the same room, brainstorming and collaborating in real-time. This scenario is typically high-energy and fosters informal bonding.
Working Alone, In-Person: Here, team members are physically together but working independently. While this may seem counterproductive, there’s value in having colleagues nearby to ask quick questions or exchange ideas informally.
Working Together, Apart: In hybrid teams, this is the equivalent of a virtual team meeting. Tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Slack enable team members to collaborate effectively from different locations. Using online tools like Miro or virtual whiteboards can help replicate the in-person experience and keep the creative juices flowing.
Working Alone, Apart: When team members are working independently, perhaps from home, it’s important to respect the need for focus time. Tasks like writing reports, analysing data, or completing administrative work are best tackled in a quiet, uninterrupted environment.
4. Building Team Cohesion with Intentional Practices
One of the most effective ways to ensure hybrid teams thrive is by intentionally setting aside time for team bonding and relationship-building. A strong team culture is not something that happens by accident; it’s the result of continuous effort. Here are a few practical ways to support your team in building strong relationships:
Team Charters: A team charter is a simple but powerful document that outlines how a team will work together. It includes key elements such as team values, working hours, expectations for communication, and agreed-upon behaviours. It helps teams establish shared goals and principles, ensuring everyone is aligned and understands the team's approach to work.
Regular Check-Ins: Even in hybrid environments, regular team meetings are essential for maintaining connection and alignment. These meetings should focus not only on progress updates but also on relationship-building. Casual "coffee chats" or social video calls can be scheduled to allow team members to get to know each other outside of work tasks.
Use Technology Thoughtfully: In hybrid teams, leveraging the right tools is critical. Collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom can help maintain communication, while virtual whiteboards like Miro or Mural can recreate the collaborative environment of in-person brainstorming sessions. The key is to ensure everyone knows how to use the tools effectively and that they’re integrated into everyday team workflows.
Create Opportunities for Informal Interaction: One of the unique aspects of in-office work is the spontaneous interactions that happen throughout the day. In a hybrid setting, it’s important to create space for these types of connections. Encourage teams to set up virtual "water cooler" moments or casual hangouts to keep the conversation flowing.
5. Investing in Team Development
To really ensure that your hybrid team thrives, ongoing team development is essential. Investing in team coaching or professional development sessions can provide teams with the tools and frameworks they need to function at their best.
One approach that’s proven to be effective is team coaching. Whether done in-person or remotely, team coaching helps teams establish clear goals, align on purpose, and develop strategies for overcoming challenges. It encourages honest conversations about what’s working and what needs improvement, helping teams grow and evolve over time.
Final thought: Hybrid Teams Can Be Just as Strong
While hybrid teams face unique challenges, they also present exciting opportunities for innovation, flexibility, and productivity. The key to success is being intentional about how teams collaborate, communicate, and nurture relationships.
By adopting tools and practices that support both team cohesion and individual productivity, businesses can build hybrid teams that are just as effective — if not more so — than traditional in-office teams. Whether you’re working together in the same space or remotely, it’s the intentionality behind how a team functions that will determine its success.
Remember, it’s not about where your team works — it’s about how they work together. With the right approach, hybrid teams can be stronger, more engaged, and more aligned than ever before.