The return to the physical workplace (again!) with new and improved flexibility is on the horizon for many.
If you’re feeling stumped about how to have a conversation that gives your team a say on how to successfully charter a new way of hybrid working, then give this framework a try. It’s easy to use and will spark some great insights on how to keep your team connected, engaged and productive!
Before the meeting, let the team know you want to discuss the return to the office space and that you want to co-create what would work for all to be successful in a hybrid environment.
Email everyone the framework below, ask them to fill it out on their own and bring it to the next team meeting. Everyone will reflect on what to:
Keep – What’s worked well for you to keep you engaged in your work that you want to keep doing? (i.e., weekly team meetings that have an agenda and finish on time, flexibility that works for all)
Chuck – What hasn’t worked at all that you don’t want to bring back to the workplace (i.e., endless emails that could have been a phone call or a chat at our desks, lack of team lunches and social interactions)
Change – We need to tweak these and then they’ll be right (i.e., the structure of our 1-to-1s. Can we do a walking meeting or head to a café instead?)
Add – What’s missing? What would you like to see more of that would help you be more engaged in your work and connected to your peers? (i.e., getting to work on projects outside of my area, planned fun)
Doing this face-to-face? You’ll need a room, a flip chart paper with the framework drawn on it and post it notes and pens. Going virtual? Check out interactive tools like Mural.
Take turns adding the contributions, ask questions, be curious and seek to understand. You might not nail the new way of working in the first go, however this exercise will lead to great conversations and deeper understanding of what’s important for the individuals on your team.
Thank you to the Embracing Change Ted Talk for the inspiration to turn this tool into action.
