Hybridized

Featured in Pause + Reflect

The hybrid model we’ve been talking about for months now—a mix of remote and in-person work—now seems poised to make the jump from theory to practice. What does this mean for marketing leaders? Let’s take a moment to pause and reflect.

  • This past week, Google laid out some specifics of their approach to hybrid work. Key point: they’re suggesting people spend three days in the office each week and two days “wherever they work best”.
  • It feels like a signal. After months of theorizing, the hybrid model is becoming real.
  • So what does this shift mean to you as a marketing leader? There’s a lot to consider—and much of it holds true beyond the marketing world.
  • First, give details of your hybrid model careful consideration. What works for Google might not work for you and your team. The folks at GitLab have thought all of this through very pragmatically.
  • Next, make a point of fostering social connections among your team. Use in-person days to bring people together, sparking connections that can continue on remote days. And be patient—we’re all re-learning how to socialize.
  • Watch out for “distance bias“. As a leader, be careful not to give power or preference to workers who are in-person more often.
  • Think of the right mindset as “location diversity and inclusion”.
  • Getting there will require vigilance. Push back if you notice employees making judgments based on how often team-members are present or subtly pressuring each other to be in-person more often.
  • In more practical terms, there are some new skills you’ll need to develop to lead your team effectively in the hybrid world. For example, delivering an inspiring presentation that mixes in-person and remote attendees.
  • New skills and pitfalls aside, a hybrid workplace has a lot of potential upsides. Marketing work is highly collaborative. Done right, the hybrid model enables stronger teamwork by putting “everyone you collaborate with at an equally close distance”.
  • And then there’s creativity. Our business relies on fresh ideas. The return of interactions and ideation in a shared space is sure to be welcome—and impactful. Once we all remember how to interact with people outside our household.
Issue #118
May 16, 2021

Further Reading