The hybrid working models of the future

The world of work is in a state of upheaval and hybrid working models are on the rise. More and more companies and employees are discovering the advantages of a flexible mix of home office and office presence. But what exactly does a hybrid model look like? And what is important when designing it so that everyone involved benefits? In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about hybrid work and get practical tips for finding your optimal mix.

What exactly is hybrid work?

Let's start with a definition: hybrid work refers to a working model in which employees work flexibly in terms of time and location. This means that they can decide for themselves when and where they complete their tasks – whether at home, in the office, or at another location such as a co-working space.

The key word here is “and”. Because unlike pure home office or the classic office presence, hybrid work combines the best of both worlds. You enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working from home without having to give up the personal interaction and resources of the office.

Imagine the following scenario, for example: You start your day with a few focused hours in your home office, where you can work undisturbed on an important project. In the afternoon, you commute to the office to attend a team meeting and discuss the next steps with your colleagues. Then you use the office infrastructure to print a few things or use specialized software. This way, you combine the peace and quiet and focus of your home office with the advantages of personal interaction and collaboration.

Does that sound appealing to you? Then you're not alone. Studies show that more and more employees want a hybrid model like this. And it can offer many benefits for companies too – from higher productivity and stronger employee retention to savings on office costs. However, hybrid work needs to be carefully designed to reach its full potential.

The prerequisites for successful hybrid working

Before we get to the specific design tips, we need to briefly discuss the basic requirements. Hybrid work is not a sure-fire success, but needs the right framework to function:

Technical infrastructure: The most important thing is reliable technical equipment. Employees need laptops, smartphones, a stable internet connection and access to all the necessary applications and data – no matter where they are working. Cloud-based solutions, VPN connections and collaboration software are the cornerstones here. Companies should also ensure that technical support is provided quickly in the event of a problem.

Corporate culture and leadership: A culture that supports and values hybrid work is just as important. This starts with managers acting as role models and working flexibly themselves. They should trust their employees, lead in a results-oriented manner and proactively maintain contact. At the same time, an open feedback culture and flat hierarchies are needed in which personal responsibility and self-organization are emphasized.

Clear rules and expectations: To ensure that hybrid working is fair and transparent for everyone, uniform rules are needed. These may vary from team to team, but should cover aspects such as core working hours, availability, meeting culture and documentation. It is also important that performance is consistently measured in terms of results and not presence. All of this should be clearly communicated and regularly reviewed.

Health and safety: The health factor should not be forgotten. Companies have a duty of care – even for employees working from home. This starts with ergonomic furniture and extends to regulations on working and rest times, as well as offers of exercise and stress management. Insurance issues related to remote work should also be clarified. The goal must be to enable healthy and sustainable work in all settings.

Once these basics are in place, there is nothing standing in the way of a productive implementation of hybrid work. It is definitely a learning process that requires time, openness and commitment from all sides. At the same time, there are some levers that can be used to set the course for a successful transformation.

5 practical tips for designing your hybrid working environment

Are you ready to optimize your hybrid working model? Then here are a few practical starting points for you:

Find your own rhythm

Flexibility is at the core of hybrid work. Use it to find your personal work rhythm. Think about which activities you do best where. Do you need the peace and quiet of your home office for conceptual tasks? Do you prefer the inspiring atmosphere of an office for creative teamwork? Some people are also more productive when they vary the setting according to how they feel during the day. Try out what works best for you and coordinate with your team.

A little tip: even when working from home, make sure you have a clear structure and plan your day consciously. For example, start with a “routine” when you arrive, get dressed for the office and take active breaks. This will help you stay fit and focused.

Communicate proactively and clearly

Communication plays an even more important role in hybrid settings than it does otherwise. This makes it all the more important to communicate proactively and transparently. Let your team know when and where you are working and how you can best be reached. Use digital tools such as calendars, status displays or chat channels to do this. This way you ensure clarity and reliability.

Clear and binding communication is also required in terms of content. Formulate tasks and expectations as precisely as possible, preferably in writing. If anything is unclear, it's better to ask too much than not enough. And don't be afraid to pick up the phone or set up a video conference – direct communication is often more effective, especially when dealing with more complex topics.

Structure your meetings

Meetings are the lubricant of collaboration – especially in hybrid teams. This makes it all the more important to plan and moderate them carefully. Think carefully about which meetings are really necessary and what you want to achieve with them. Prepare an agenda, define roles and make sure the meetings are the right length and timed well.

If you mix in-person and remote participants, there are also a few technical and moderating tricks to keep in mind. Make sure you have good audio and video quality and position the camera so that remote colleagues also feel well integrated. Address them actively, summarize discussion results, and make sure everyone gets a fair amount of speaking time. With the right preparation and moderation, hybrid meetings can be a success.

Cultivate informal exchanges

A major challenge in hybrid work is the lack of a “grapevine”. After all, informal exchanges are important for building trust, cohesion and new ideas. All the more reason to consciously promote them – both analog and digital.

Use office days for joint coffee breaks, after-work events or team-building activities. Schedule time for personal check-ins during meetings. And even remotely, there are many ways to stay in touch: virtual coffee breaks, shared lunches or after-work get-togethers via video create a sense of closeness. In addition, chat channels for non-work content help to strengthen social cohesion. Be creative and find formats that suit your team.‍

Continuously develop yourself and your model

Hybrid work requires new skills from everyone involved. Whether it's self-management, digital literacy or virtual leadership, invest in developing these skills in a targeted way, both for yourself and for the team. Use training, coaching, learning platforms or moderated exchanges of experiences among colleagues. Continuous learning is the key to long-term success in hybrid work.

The same applies to the continuous development of your hybrid model. Be open to adjustments, regularly seek feedback and make changes where things aren't going well. Use retrospectives and team meetings to think about improvements together. Hybrid work is not a one-time implementation, but a dynamic change process. The more you shape it together, the more sustainable the success will be.

And the great thing is: every change starts small. Perhaps finding your personal hybrid rhythm is a good first step for you. Or invite your team to an open exchange about your collaboration. Often it's the small things that make a big difference. So just get started – right now!

The goal: a hybrid working world that includes and empowers everyone

Hybrid work is not an end in itself, but a means to enable everyone involved to work productively and fulfill their potential. A hybrid working world that is in harmony with people's lives – that is the vision for the future.

However, shaping this change together is a challenge that requires openness, courage and commitment on all sides. It calls for intensive dialog between managers and employees in order to find models that suit individual needs. It requires a willingness to experiment and tolerance for mistakes in order to try out new approaches. And it requires patience and persistence to break down old thought patterns and establish a new culture.

But it's worth it! Because in the end, there will be a working world that combines the best of analog and digital. One that enables flexibility and personal responsibility without neglecting the human factor. One that promotes creativity, collaboration and innovation while also leaving room for concentration and relaxation. In short, a transformation that benefits companies and employees alike.

For this to succeed, we all need to rethink and start setting the course today. Each and every one of us is called upon to get constructively involved and help shape the changes. After all, as the saying goes, even the longest journey begins with the first step.

With this in mind, set out and design your own personal hybrid work journey. Find out what works well for you and your team. Be brave, creative and stay curious. Network with others, share your insights and grow from the experiences. Together, we can shape the working world of tomorrow – one that is humane, flexible and vibrant. It is in our hands. Let's get started!