Digital Marketing - Study Notes:
In recent years, the office based digital team has changed beyond all recognition and has been given new designations; co-location, remote and hybrid. All of these teams are likely to face continuous change to their work practices well into the future.
Never before has the role of team leader been so crucial in creating a positive work environment, driving the fundamentals of building trust and providing support. To effectively manage remote or hybrid teams, team leaders now need to understand that each team member's experience is unique, requiring a flexible approach to building team culture.
While research has shown that remote work can lead to increased productivity, higher job satisfaction and a better work-life balance, remote work setups are also presenting new challenges for team leaders. Some staff members have adapted to this change while others struggle to adjust. Leaders face a variety of new difficulties such as:
- Replicating face-to-face feedback
- Promoting collaboration
- Balancing work and home life
One significant challenge for leaders managing remote and hybrid teams, is how to successfully navigate meetings or group discussions. If meetings can’t be held using a simultaneous conference call, then a considerable amount of additional time may be needed to communicate what was said in individual, scheduled calls. What is not yet clear, is how much more time a team leader may need for leading and managing in a hybrid or remote team as opposed to a co-located work team.
It is important for team leaders to understand, measure and normalize the potential benefits of remote work for both individual job satisfaction and team performance. As businesses across the world are still learning about the benefits, challenges and negatives of these new styles of working, they have become more reliant on technology over ‘real’ in-person relationships.
There is a common assumption that because hybrid or remote working is technology led, it must be viewed as a positive development. This is incorrect. Over-use of technology promotes an ‘always on’ mentality which impacts negatively on productivity and short and long-term work-life balance.
A recent Microsoft survey found that 62% of calls and meetings are unscheduled or ad hoc, and workers are feeling pressure to keep up. Despite chat overload, 50% respond to Teams chats within 5 minutes, proving increased workday intensity and expectations.
Source: ‘The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?’ Microsoft (2021)
Remote work requires a tailored approach and understanding of team member’s experiences to generate benefits. Success in remote teams depends on trust and clear communication. Team leaders may face difficulty in dedicating adequate time for remote work, affecting their personal workload.
Back to TopOlivia Kearney
Olivia is CMO of Microsoft Ireland she is responsible for developing the longer term strategy for the Irish business and leads the marketing strategy across B2B and B2C.
A passionate marketing leader who cultivates big ideas to drive growth and brand distinction and brings her international experience in the Tech and FMCG industry.
Kevin Reid
Kevin is a Senior Training Consultant and the Owner of Personal Skills Training and the Owner and Lead Coach of Kevin J Reid Communications Coaching and the Communications Director of The Counsel.
With over twenty years of experience in Irish and International business with an emphasis on business communications training and coaching, he is a much in demand trainer and clients include CEO’s, general managers, sales teams, individuals and entire organisations.
With deep expertise in interpersonal communication through training and coaching and in a nurturing yet challenging environment, Kevin supports teams and individuals through facilitation and theory instruction to empower themselves to achieve their communication objectives. This empowerment results in creativity, confidence building and the generation of a learning culture of continuous self-improvement.
Bill Phillips
Bill is an international facilitator, trainer, and team coach. He has successfully coached CEOs, board members, directors, executive teams, and team leaders in public and private companies, NGOs, and UN organizations in 15 countries across four continents. He is also the creator of Future-basing®, a highly potent process for building strategy, vision, and cooperation.
