A Quick Guide to Maintaining Motivation in a Hybrid Workplace

Hybrid workplaces have been the trend in the business world for several years. This workplace setup combines remote and in-office work, giving employees the best of both worlds. However, as with any work situation, motivation can be a challenge. 
 
After all, employees need to be both physically and mentally present to be productive. Moreover, if they are used to working from home, they may not have the same level of interaction with their colleagues and may not feel as invested in their work.
 
This is where strategic leadership comes into the picture. You want to ensure that your team will stay motivated despite the hybrid workplace arrangement. But how do you do that? Here are some tips you can apply:
 
1. Foster a Sense of Community
 
Make sure your team members feel and understand that they are part of a community. You can do this by creating opportunities for them to interact with each other, such as through regular video calls or online chats. You can also encourage them to participate in company-wide events, even if you hold them online.
 
Another method you can do is to hold a leadership skills development program for those interested in getting involved in as many leadership opportunities as possible. This could include taking on additional responsibilities at work, becoming involved in extracurricular activities, or volunteering for leadership roles in community organisations. 
 
2. Encourage Social Interaction
 
While you want your team to be prolific, you also don't want them to feel isolated. Make sure to encourage social interaction, whether it's through work-related activities or simply catching up with each other. This will help them feel more connected to their colleagues and motivated to do their best work.
 
You can also conduct team-building activities or business coaching sessions to help improve team communication and collaboration. Some examples would be trust exercises, problem-solving exercises, and team sports.
 
3. Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
 
Setting work and personal time boundaries is important when promoting a healthy work-life balance. This means ensuring employees take breaks during the day and offering flexible work hours to give employees more control over their time.
 
Additionally, you can encourage employees to use their vacation days and ensure they understand that taking time off from work is okay. Promoting a healthy work-life balance will create a more rewarding and happier workforce.
 
4. Recognise and Reward Good Work
 
As a manager, it's essential to recognise and reward good work. This shows your appreciation for your team's efforts and motivates them to do their best. You can do this in several ways, such as through verbal praise, public recognition, or financial incentives.
 
No matter which method you choose, be sincere and specific in your praise. This will let your team know that you truly value their work and will help to build a positive and productive work environment.
 
Final Thoughts
 
When trying to maintain motivation in a hybrid workplace, key things to remember are to keep routine, set goals, and stay connected to your team. It's easy to let work slide when you're not in the office, but by following these tips, you can stay on track and be productive no matter where you're working.
 
Stuart Andrews provides high performance leadership coaching programs in Australia for business leaders who want to improve motivation in hybrid workplace arrangements. Get in touch with us today, and check out Stuart Andrews’ book, The Leadership Shift: How to Lead Successful Business Transformations in the New Normal!