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If you’re a leader wrestling with these questions, you’re in good company.
High-profile companies like Microsoft and Apple have recently learned that pushing for full-time office returns can send talented, engaged employees seeking more flexible pastures.
The reality? While you might read headlines suggesting remote work is on its last legs, it’s far from over. The challenge many leaders face today isn’t bringing people back to the office; it’s finding ways to intentionally foster connection, productivity, and maintain transparency across physical distances. It’s about rethinking what makes a team thrive, regardless of location.
Creating an engaged and productive hybrid team doesn’t need to mean mandating a full-time return to the office (and may in fact be counter-productive). Instead, it’s time to rethink how we measure success and approach teamwork in flexible work environments.
From Inputs to Outcomes: Shifting How We Measure Productivity
Traditionally, productivity has often been measured by inputs — time at the desk, visible engagement, or simply “clocking in.” This input-focused mentality centres on how work gets done rather than what’s accomplished. Think of a traditional work environment you may have worked in. Chances are your boss may have popped in at one stage or another to ‘check’ who is at their desk. Maybe even concluding that those at the desk are more productive and dedicated than those not 🤯
But does more face-to-face office time mean more impact? Probably not.
At your desk, doesn’t equate to productivity. Busy doesn’t equate to outcomes.
Leaders and managers need to rethink how we measure work - and it’s about outcomes, not time at desk, not busy, not in office, not even productivity. Outcomes - what are we trying to achieve, are we getting closer to it, and how do we know it's working?
So what’s the difference? Hybrid and remote models invite leaders to focus on outcomes rather than inputs. By evaluating what teams achieve rather than how they achieve it, leaders can unlock better results, deeper engagement, and the flexibility teams crave.
Shifting productivity metrics isn’t an overnight change, but it’s essential for creating a thriving, modern workplace whether that’s remote, hybrid, or in-person.
Not sure how to get started, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some of our practical ‘Twork’ tips below. 👇
These types of inefficiencies can lead to trends such as ‘coffee badging’, i.e. ‘showing up to the office long enough for a coffee or a meeting expressly to fulfil in-office mandates — while primarily continuing to work from home whenever you can and can also leave employees feeling demotivated as their time isn’t valued. 🤯
Introducing Retrospectives: A Simple ‘Twork’ for Remote and Hybrid Teams
One small, practical step to boost team engagement and focus on outcomes is to incorporate retrospectives into your workflow (get your free template here).
But what is a retrospective we hear you ask? 🤔
“With the pace of work these days, we often move on to the next thing before fully finishing out the last. Never mind taking the time to go back and analyse what worked, what didn’t, what did we learn, and what we bring forward from it.
Teams that don’t take the time to reflect on their work and outcomes, risk falling into a pattern of repeating the same mistakes and not improving their work as a team. They are jumping to the next thing, compounding a sense of overwhelm, missing opportunities to learn, and celebrate their successes, and missing out on the most valuable feedback mechanisms for teams that are often overlooked.
Here’s how it works:
Set Aside Time for Reflection: It doesn’t need to be lengthy — a 15-minute check-in can uncover valuable insights. For bigger projects or topics, you can take up to 90 mins. Find a rhythm that suits your team’s schedule and project cycle.
Focus on Outcomes, Not Outputs: Use retrospectives to celebrate successes, identify learnings, and brainstorm improvements. This approach emphasises continuous improvement and values impact over mere clocked hours.
Customise Around Key Themes: Retrospectives can focus on project outcomes, team dynamics, or even hybrid work specifics. Ask questions like, “What’s working in our setup?” and “How are we doing as a team?”
Retrospectives work beautifully in hybrid and remote environments, allowing teams to meet virtually or asynchronously, and they fit seamlessly into diverse schedules as people can fill them out on their own time if needed!
Building a Culture of Trust and Autonomy in Hybrid Teams
Implementing retrospectives is just one piece of the puzzle. Leaders must also create an environment where trust and autonomy flourish. In hybrid settings, there’s a temptation to micromanage, especially when visibility is reduced, but micromanagement can backfire, hindering productivity and eroding trust.
Instead, set clear goals and give your team the freedom to determine how best to meet them. Regular check-ins, retrospectives, and open communication will help sustain motivation and engagement without compromising the trust that’s essential for success and don’t forget, if you need help we’re here for you - reach out now.
A Better Work: How We Support Thriving Hybrid Teams
At A Better Work, we help organisations like yours adapt to the evolving needs of hybrid and remote work by building systems that prioritise outcomes, foster trust, and employ science-backed strategies. We combine strategic insights with practical tools to develop solutions tailored to your team’s unique dynamics.
If you’re ready to unlock your team’s potential and focus on what truly drives success, reach out today. Let’s work together to create a thriving workplace, no matter where your team logs in from.
Take care and stay well!
Michelle Wallace
Founder
A Better Work
At A Better Work we work with our clients to make work better and more fulfilling. It's not about happiness, it's about feeling a sense of accomplishment, and building teams that work brilliantly together in good times and bad.
If you want to elevate your team's performance while creating a more engaged work environment. Check out our new Hybrid but Better workbook which gives you the tools and strategies to unlock your team's true potential.
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