5 Ways to Make Hybrid Work for You

Three years into the hybrid work revolution, it is the new norm in U.S. workplaces. According to a February study, 53% of full-time workers are now hybrid, compared to 27% remote, and 21% on-site. Though hybrid workers report better work-life balance and more efficiency, their hybrid schedules come with enormous challenges. Nearly a third complained about low access to equipment and resources; others griped about less connection to the culture, decreased collaboration, and impaired coworker relationships, with particular trouble coordinating schedules, tasks and timelines. “The reality of hybrid work is more complex than meets the eye,” says supply chain expert Seth Steinberg, a Korn Ferry senior client partner. Some colleagues work mostly from home; some are in-office frequently; some travel in from a different hometown, and each scenario presents different challenges for both the employee and peers.

Experts say that it’s best to take hybrid work into your own hands, to personalize your strategies to best fit the needs of you and your team. You want to maximize your enjoyment and efficiency at work, and, critically, avoid the communication and process disruptions that a fifth of employees complain about. We asked our consultants for their best advice at juggling hybrid weeks.  

Smart in-office time begins at home.

If you’re not strategic about your at-home days, your in-office days will be wildly inefficient. Home days should emphasize two types of work: Zoom meetings, and head-down, door-closed work. Radhika Papandreou, president of North America at Korn Ferry, purposely books Zoom-heavy days at home, so that she’s free to interact with coworkers at the office.

Block time to walk the halls.

Going to the office means time to connect with colleagues, says Papandreou. Much of this interaction is casual, which means quite literally walking the halls and chatting—time for which you can put on your calendar. Amato suggests leaving your office door open, or if in a cubicle, taking off your headphones, to encourage interactions.

Book as many face-to-face meetings as you can.

Set meetings with local colleagues or team members, even if that warrants arriving early or staying an extra day, says Steinberg, “without losing focus on the job at hand.” Professional relationships thrive on in-person communication, which builds stronger rapports.

Always do an office lunch date.

At the office, lunch is not just about eating, but an hour to chat with colleagues. “Lunch time at home might be better used for a quick bite, and getting in some exercise,” says organizational strategist Maria Amato, senior client partner at Korn Ferry.

Multitask on commutes.

“Stop off at the gym or make that visit to your mom or aunt’s house,” says Steinberg, or catch a local sports team game in the evening. You’ll feel much better about time spent driving if you make a well-rounded day out of it.

For more expert career advice, connect with a career coach at Korn Ferry Advance.

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