Ways of working continue to evolve. During the pandemic, we all got used to working remotely. We grappled with different online tools. We worked out the best way to run online meetings until we got pretty good at them. Then in a post-pandemic world, we started to experiment with hybrid workshops. That strange combination of having people both in the room (IRL) and people online.

A common conversation I have with clients nowadays is what’s the best way of working in this post-pandemic world?

People have strong opinions. They range from  - ‘everyone has to come back into the office nowadays’ to ‘we’ve shown we can work better from home – why can’t we continue working remotely?’

We’re all searching for the ideal model. An approach that combines the best of both. There are no easy answers. However, this is what I’ve learnt over the past couple of years.

1 Creative Work is More Effective Face to Face

I’ve ran virtual creative sessions and I’ve ran in real life sessions. Without a doubt, people prefer IRL creative sessions. There’s more of a buzz, there’s more spontaneity, and its much more fun. Of course, we have the tools to run online sessions successfully. But given a choice, run a face-to-face session.

If you’ve got a creative partner, or you’re working on a creative assignment, its much easier to spark and build ideas in a real-life setting.

If your team’s work is around creativity, then it’s best to be in the same space as often as possible.

2 Certain Tasks or Roles Don’t Need to be in a real office

I’ve just read a book called ‘Deep Work’ by Cal Newport. One of the key themes he talks about is the challenge of avoiding distraction when working. We need to be intensely focused to make progress, particularly with challenging assignments. Deep work is particularly difficult in an open-plan office. People wander by to say hello. You end up going to meetings. Tasks that require concentration and focus are best done away from the hurly-burly of an office.

Also, certain roles don’t benefit you when sitting next to colleagues. For example, if you’re working with international clients sitting next to someone is neither here nor there.

For some people, the time and cost of going to an office are worth the effort. Instead, it makes them less effective. They’d much rather continue working from home.

3 If You Want to Build Team Cohesion, You Need Face time

People bond when they meet up physically. The chance to eat, drink, and laugh together can’t be replicated as easily online. A Zoom quiz is fine, but can only take you so far. Plus you get to communicate more completely and see a whole 3-D person, not just a headshot or an avatar.

If you want to get to know people well, it’s much easier when you’re sharing a real office. You overhear conversations, socialise, enjoy more spontaneous moments.

Therefore if you want to create a true work culture, spend more time together.

4 Don’t Leave Hybrid Working to Chance

However you decide to work, it has to be purposeful and structured. Saying ‘come to the office when you feel like it’ is too random. For example, if you’ve come into the office, but find everyone else has stayed at home, I suspect you’d be disappointed.

There needs to be some process or agreement in place. For example, we all commit to coming in x times a week/month on these days. This is what most organisations try to do. However, I’ve still to see this fully implemented.

So what can we conclude?

We’re used to working from home. We know we can do it. Therefore, it’s important to make coming to the office worthwhile. It’s expensive. It’s time-consuming. It’s stressful. And you’ve got to look presentable. The positives have to outweigh the negatives.

I don’t think anyone has found the perfect hybrid working model. Maybe one doesn’t exist. Some people may simply prefer the buzz and the comradery of coming to the office. Some may feel more comfortable and productive working from home. Not everyone will be 100 % happy. You’ve just got to experiment to find a model that works for most people.

Through trial and error, you may hit upon the perfect model. If you feel you have, please let me know.