Teamwork makes the hybrid dream work

4 calls-to-action from Microsoft’s New Future of Work Report 2022 related to teamwork

1. Establish 2-3 set meeting-free days per week

2. When you do meet, pick the right format for the meeting’s objective

3. Fix the “leaf blower problem” by giving employees quiet, private spaces on-site for calls

4. Retrofit social spaces in the office — foster lasting relationships

1.   Establish 2-3 meeting-free days per week

Data highlighted in the report shows that established meeting-free days can offer a multitude of benefits. Three meeting-free days per week is the sweet spot, improving autonomy by 83%, productivity by 73%, satisfaction by 65%, communication by 61%, and engagement by 41%.

3 meeting-free days/week can decrease stress by about 57% and micromanaging by about 68%.

This is the conclusion of a 2022 survey referenced in the report. Microsoft’s own research on the topic shows similar findings; 73% of those surveyed said no-meeting Fridays benefited their well-being, while 77% said it gave them more time for concentrative work.

Of course, if you hold less meetings, every single one must hit its mark.

A tight agenda. A democratic approach to decision-making. A superb meeting space (like the hushMeet.S portable pod for 2). Appropriate focus, approach, and atmosphere are the trifecta for meeting flow. Check out our list of 16 more tips for hybrid meetings, too.

The most compelling stats on the benefits of set meeting-free days regard productivity and stress. Three set meeting-free days can increase productivity by an astounding 73% and decrease stress by an equally astounding 57%. This alone is terrific. When we limit meeting days we also force ourselves to capitalize on each meeting, being that there are less of them. Flawless meeting spaces are an essential support here. Consider a solution like the hushMeet team pod for 4 or the hushMeet.L modular pod for as many as 8. Both are acoustic and equipped with power, adjustable lighting and ventilation, and comfortable furniture

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

2.   When you do meet, pick the right format for the meeting’s objective

Microsoft’s report makes the point that it’s critical to pick meeting formats wisely in order to reduce video-conferencing fatigue.

When to connect via phone, video, or in-office? See the graph on p.32 of the report.

It posits that voice and screen-sharing — but not necessarily video — is vital to all meeting types. But video is necessary for conflict-resolution and trust-building meetings specifically since it gives us gestures and expressions. So the hybrid office must feature stellar video call spaces.

Video calls can be more inclusive than phone calls.

Particularly when attendees are deaf or hard of hearing (as video allows lip-reading). Hence primo video call pods like hushHybrid can also help accommodate neurodiversity — they’re part and parcel of a more inclusive workplace.

Ward off video-call fatigue by luring your team back to the office.

Equip the office with hybrid essentials like space dividers and meeting pods/booths. Your fully functional digs will lure people back. They’ll be together more often, meeting in-person as frequently as they do virtually, finding a healthy balance between “virtual” and “IRL.”

3.   Fix the “leaf blower problem” by giving employees quiet, private spaces on-site for calls

Microsoft has cleverly coined the term “leaf blower problem” describing a new issue unique to video calls.

What’s the “leaf blower problem”?

Say Brad is on a call in the office. He’s distracted by Eric, a peer who’s talking through a problem out loud nearby. Remote colleagues on Brad’s call aren’t aware that the source of Brad’s distraction is John, not disinterest. They may take Brad to be rude since his attention seems to be split.

The “leaf blower problem” is a function of acoustic and visual distractions.

Microsoft calls it the “leaf blower problem” because the scenario happened on the homefront wherein, say, Brad was distracted by a leaf blower sounding off outside his apartment. Fellow attendees weren’t getting the whole picture, only Brad’s seeming preoccupation.

We can’t afford to pay the cost of the “leaf blower problem” playing out in the office.

Employees must have a choice of sweet meeting spaces on-site which are free of chaos. Otherwise, they’ll be sidetracked during their calls, missing key information, potentially turning off prospects and partners (should a lack of commitment or awareness be deduced).

Privacy pods are a fix. They eliminate interruptions, cocooning you in a haven of focus.

Pods solve the open office’s concentration problem by protecting employees from distractions of all kinds. And, well, even the most enlightened among us are disturbed by open floor commotion. Focus is broken. Irritation ensues. Understandable since it takes more than 23 minutes to refocus. Pods are the fix.

4.   Retrofit social spaces in the office — foster lasting relationships

Microsoft’s report is chock-full of data showing that social interaction equals trust and knowledge-sharing. Informally connecting first thing. Randomly checking in with a work friend at noon. Hashing out new takeaways over lunch. All simple things proven to drive constructive work partnerships.

How to set the stage for socialization? Upgrade your office’s main social spaces.

The private break room (hint: hushMeet.L). The buzzing cafe. The bustling lounge with its semi-sound-insulated booth. The flexible hushWall huddle hub. Wherever people seem to be gathering already. Put a bit more love into every touch point for human connection, making each one even more welcoming and convenient.

Encourage your team to form their own social rituals, too.

A mid-morning coffee break. Weekly celebration of a super milestone. Monthly observance of any employee’s outstanding work. Routine rituals do more than allow for regular socialization — they help weave the fabric of a healthy culture.

Frequent socialization equals more seamless hybrid working. Because it offers the humanness that the virtual dimension lacks — humanness we absolutely need. When we connect on a regular basis, we feel closer to colleagues and higher ups, more comfortable with them, more relaxed in general. We’re fine sharing odd ideas, which are often the best. We vent about work stress — the act of which alone relieves it. Worries flow freely in private discussions, and we resolve them together. The benefits are endless. Hence social spaces in the office must be up to snuff — inviting and functional

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

Pods make excellent social/team spaces. Especially for neurodivergents and introverts.

“Isolation” pods can actually make the office more social, not less. Your new intern who have problems to make out speech in noisy spaces? They’ll enjoy team gatherings again in a pod like hushMeet since it deflects noise, clarifying the discussion. Your marketing lead with ADHD? They’ll zero in more effortlessly in hush Meet, with its frosted rear panel acting like a blinder.

Pods are a wonderful asset for the sensory-sensitive who generally prefer a calm and peaceful work atmosphere. They’re mobile, too, making the layout totally adjustable. The hushPhone call booth and hushHybrid video conference booth are both movable by push. Other pods in the Hushoffice collection are movable by pallet jack. So they give employees privacy and quiet while making the layout moldable

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

What do you think? Has your team considered meeting-free days? How do you all go about deciding whether to meet by video, phone, or in person? Has anyone complained of videoconferencing fatigue? Acoustic or visual interruptions on their calls? Most importantly… have you considered Hushoffice pods yet? 🙂 If you have any questions, drop us a line.

4 calls-to-action from Microsoft’s New Future of Work Report 2022 related to teamwork

1. Establish 2-3 set meeting-free days per week

2. When you do meet, pick the right format for the meeting’s objective

3. Fix the “leaf blower problem” by giving employees quiet, private spaces on-site for calls

4. Retrofit social spaces in the office — foster lasting relationships

Hybrid teamwork – frequently asked questions

What is hybrid collaboration?

Hybrid collaboration is when employees work together from different places. One, in the office. The other, at home or from a coffee shop, for instance. Acoustic office pods like hushMeet give hybrid collaboration a boost by shielding the in-office employee(s) from commotion on the open floor in a private environment.

How do you collaborate in a hybrid workplace?

Establish 2-3 set meeting-free days per week, making each meeting highly collaborative and worthwhile. Be sure to pick the right format (video, audio, or in-person) for each objective. This will keep video-call fatigue at bay — balance matters. Give employees quiet, private spaces on-site to collaborate, too, whether in-person (in a multi-person pod like hushMeet.L) or virtually (in a one-person pod like hushHybrid). Lastly, upgrade your office’s social spaces to foster frequent socialization and lasting relationships. Good relationships equal fluid collaboration.

How do office pods promote collaboration?

Pods contain noise. So inside of one, your team can get spirited without worrying about bothering others. This results in better collaboration.