Communication Strategies to Win in the Hybrid Workplace
If you or anyone on your team has felt they needed better communication strategies to navigate the “new normal” and hybrid workplace, then this is for you. Recently, I’ve heard from managers that when they ask their direct report “How are you?” they are getting short, surface level, responses something along the lines of…
“Hangin’ in there…”
Between the ongoing pandemic, a chaotic return to work situation, and everyday stressors, it’s fair to say that “hangin’ in there” is quite the understatement. So how can we check in on one another in more meaningful ways?
It’s important to remember that people’s feelings, productivity, motivation and successes will ebb and flow over time, so leaders need to have a clear communication strategy right now to dig into the direction and support each person on their team needs.
We’ve compiled a list of check-in questions that can help you not only do a temperature check on employee well-being, but inform strategy - now and in the future.
Language You Can Use to Check-In With Your Team and Communicate Better Today
What type of support do you need right now?
You might follow up on a worry or concern they expressed before (or at the beginning of the pandemic), and see how they’re feeling about it now.
On a scale of 1-10, how are you feeling about hybrid work?
Asking scale questions will help both you and them assess their feelings towards the current state and then you can ask specific follow up questions. So if they rate their feelings a 6, you can ask "why not lower?" (which acknowledges some successes). You can also ask, what would make this a 7/8? What would a 10 look like? Overall, this approach helps you both use a solutions-focused approach and visualize a better future together.
How do you think we can foster trust among teammates moving forward?
Bringing up trust, shows your employee that you are aware and intentional about creating a cohesive team. Instead of going ahead and scheduling that virtual lunch or happy hour, ask your employees for their ideas and suggestions and give them the opportunity to be part of the solution.
Are you experiencing any tech exhaustion?
We love this question which comes from this HBR article 12 Questions about Hybrid Work, Answered. Complaints of headaches from too much video conferencing and no time between meetings is real. Along with the big-picture questions, getting specific about current challenges will demonstrate a level of awareness and compassion that can go a long way.
Actionable Steps to Move Forward In the Hybrid Workplace
Sometimes, we just need to listen. Other times, we need a trusted partner who can help us figure out a strategy, path forward, and ways to help employees thrive despite all odds. Whatever your need, it helps having the language to both identify it, and explain it. We cover all this and more in our signature program and leadership training, Activate.
Just checking in! How are you holding up? Join the conversation over on Instagram @getleadology. We love hearing from you!
