Managers Want You Back in the Office—Because They’re Not Ready for Hybrid
Despite the clear benefits of hybrid work models, a significant number of managers are pushing for their teams to be back in the office. A KPMG report of responses from 100 CEOs of large companies shows that over a third expect to have all corporate workers back to the office full-time by 2027. While some cite productivity concerns or cultural cohesion as reasons, a deeper look reveals a fundamental issue: many managers lack the training to effectively lead hybrid teams.
The Training Gap: Back in the Office vs. Hybrid Leadership
A recent Gallup survey highlights a stark reality: only 10% of managers have received mandatory training on how to manage employees in a hybrid work environment. An additional 18% have access to optional training, but busy schedules and competing priorities often mean these resources go unused. Without comprehensive, organization-wide training on hybrid work best practices, the vast majority of managers are left to navigate this new landscape on their own.
This training gap has significant implications. Managers who are unprepared to lead hybrid teams often struggle with maintaining productivity, ensuring effective communication, and fostering a cohesive team culture. These challenges can lead to frustration and a natural preference for the familiarity of in-office work, where traditional management techniques feel more applicable.
The Consequences of a Lack of Planning
The same Gallup survey reveals that nearly half (48%) of hybrid workers are on teams that have not discussed an informal or formal plan for how to collaborate effectively in a hybrid environment. This lack of planning exacerbates the difficulties managers face, as without a clear strategy, hybrid work can quickly become chaotic.
Employees on teams with a well-defined hybrid collaboration plan are 2.2 times more likely to report that their organization’s hybrid policy has an extremely positive impact on team collaboration. Additionally, these employees are 66% more likely to be engaged at work and 29% less likely to experience burnout. The absence of such plans leaves managers and their teams struggling to find a rhythm, further driving the desire to revert to traditional office settings.
The Impact on Employee Engagement
Effective hybrid work management is not just a matter of logistics; it has a profound impact on employee engagement and well-being. When managers are equipped with the right tools and training to lead hybrid teams, employees benefit from a more structured and supportive work environment.
Without proper training, managers may unintentionally create conditions that lead to disengagement and burnout. For instance, inconsistent communication can result in employees feeling disconnected from their team and organizational goals. Similarly, unclear expectations around availability and performance can cause stress and reduce job satisfaction. These negative outcomes can be mitigated with the right training and planning, but without them, managers may see a return to the office as the only viable solution.
Bridging the Training Gap: A Path Forward
Addressing the training gap for managers is crucial for the success of hybrid work models. Organizations must invest in comprehensive training programs that equip managers with the skills needed to lead hybrid teams effectively. This includes not only technical skills, such as using digital collaboration tools, but also soft skills like remote communication, team building, and performance management in a dispersed environment.
Mandatory training should be prioritized to ensure all managers are prepared to lead hybrid teams. Optional resources, while beneficial, are insufficient on their own. By making hybrid work training a fundamental part of leadership development, organizations can create a more consistent and effective approach to managing remote and hybrid teams.
Moreover, organizations should encourage the development of formal and informal collaboration plans for hybrid teams. These plans provide a clear framework for how teams will communicate, collaborate, and maintain productivity, reducing the uncertainty and inconsistency that can plague hybrid work arrangements.
Conclusion
The push to return to the office is often rooted in a lack of preparedness among managers to lead hybrid teams. Without proper training and planning, the challenges of managing a dispersed workforce can seem insurmountable, leading managers to prefer the familiarity of in-office work. However, with the right investment in training and the development of clear collaboration plans, organizations can empower their managers to lead hybrid teams effectively, reaping the benefits of flexible work arrangements while maintaining high levels of engagement and productivity.
As the world of work continues to evolve, it is imperative that organizations recognize and address the training gap among managers. By doing so, they can create a more supportive and effective hybrid work environment that benefits both employees and the organization as a whole.
Key Take-Away
A lack of training for hybrid work, with only 10% of managers receiving mandatory instruction, hampers productivity and engagement, leading to a push for back in the office. Share on XImage credit: Yan Krukau/pexels
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was named “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times for helping leaders overcome frustrations with hybrid work and Generative AI. He serves as the CEO of the future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote seven best-selling books, and his two most recent ones are Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams and ChatGPT for Thought Leaders and Content Creators: Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI for Innovative and Effective Content Creation. His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, The New York Times, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, French, Vietnamese, German, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio.