Are you tired of being less productive? The good news is that you’re not alone. The better news is that there are solutions to the productivity traps that most people fall into. By understanding how to recognize and solve these issues, you can get back to being your best self.
1. Failing to set clear expectations
When you don’t set expectations for how your hybrid team will work together, it can lead to confusion and miscommunication. This can cause team members to feel like they’re not on the same page and can make it difficult to hold people accountable.
To avoid this trap, make sure that you have clear expectations for how your hybrid team will communicate, collaborate, and make decisions. You should also set expectations for when and how team members will be available, as well as how you’ll handle time off and unplanned absences.
2. Not creating a consistent work environment
When you have a mix of in-office and remote workers, it can be easy to let the office culture take over.
But, this can make remote team members feel less valued and can also lead to a lack of diversity in thinking and problem-solving.
Make sure you’re creating a consistent work environment no matter where your team is working.
This means setting clear expectations for how and when work gets done, and creating systems that allow for asynchronous communication so no one feels left out.
3. Overlooking the need for team-building
If you don’t make an effort to build relationships and trust between your remote and in-office employees, it’s easy for a “them versus us” mentality to develop.
This can lead to poor communication, lack of collaboration, and decreased productivity. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize team-building activities. This can be as simple as holding regular virtual lunches or team meetings, and scheduling in-person get-togethers.
4. Forgetting to schedule regular check-ins
A lack of communication is one of the most common problems in hybrid teams. To prevent that, it’s important to schedule regular check-ins.
These meetings don’t have to be long, but they should be consistent. They can be used to discuss what’s working, what’s not working, and any changes that need to be made. They can also be used to give everyone a chance to speak up and make sure that everyone’s voice is being heard.
If you’re leading a hybrid team, it’s your job to make sure that everyone feels included and that their opinions are valued. Scheduling regular check-ins is a great way to do that.
5. Not setting up a system for tracking work
One of the most common mistakes hybrid teams make is not having a good system in place for tracking who is working on what, and when.
In a traditional office setting, it’s easy to see who is working on what projects, and when they are working on them. But in a hybrid office, it can be difficult to keep track of who is doing what, and when.
One way to avoid this is by using a project management tool, like Asana or Trello, that allows you to assign tasks to team members, and keep track of deadlines. Another option is to use a time tracking tool, like Toggl or Harvest, that allows team members to log their hours and keep track of what they are working on.
6. Failing to provide the right tools for remote employees
Technology is the glue that holds hybrid teams together. If that technology is outdated, difficult to use, or doesn’t meet the needs of all team members, it can have a significant impact on productivity.
When it comes to remote work, the most important tool is the one that allows team members to communicate and collaborate effectively. That’s why it’s crucial to provide remote employees with the right communication and collaboration tools, like video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software.
But it’s not just remote employees who need the right tools to be productive. In a hybrid team, it’s important to make sure that all team members have access to the same technology, regardless of where they’re working from. This can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working together seamlessly.
For example, if some team members are using project management software, while others are using email to communicate and collaborate, it can create a disconnect between team members and lead to confusion and inefficiency.
For remote employees in your marketing team, this also includes access to the right growth and automation tools. If referral programs, partnerships, or affiliate initiatives are part of your strategy, everyone needs visibility into how those programs work and how performance is tracked. Tools like ReferralCandy make it easy for distributed teams to manage referrals, monitor results, and coordinate campaigns from anywhere, helping remote marketers stay aligned, productive, and focused on driving growth.
7. Overlooking the need for training
Not everyone on your team will be as proficient with remote work tools or as comfortable with remote communication as others. This can lead to misunderstandings, lost time, and frustration.
To prevent this, make sure everyone on your team is properly trained to use the software and tools you rely on for communication, file sharing, and project management. This may include video conferencing software, messaging apps, document sharing platforms, and more.
It’s also a good idea to provide training on best practices for remote communication and collaboration, and to make sure all team members are aware of the specific expectations and guidelines you have in place for your remote and hybrid teams.
8. Not setting up a system for communication
Teams need a communication system that everyone can use, and hybrid teams need this even more. This is because the in-person group can easily talk to each other, but the remote workers can’t be part of these conversations.
There are a few ways you can set up a communication system. You can use a messaging app like Slack or Microsoft Teams, or you can set up a group chat through texting.
Whatever system you choose, make sure that everyone is on the same page and that everyone can use the system.
9. Neglecting to create a process for conflict resolution
Conflict is a normal part of any team dynamic, but when left to fester, it can quickly become a major issue. In a remote or hybrid team, it can be even more challenging to identify and resolve conflicts.
Team leaders should create a process for employees to report conflicts and ensure they are addressed in a timely manner. This could include setting up one-on-one meetings with the employees involved, or bringing in a third party to help mediate the conflict.
The key is to address conflicts head on and ensure they are resolved so they don’t impact the rest of the team.
10. Not setting up a system for feedback
Feedback is the lifeblood of high-performing teams, and it’s easy to let it slip through the cracks when your team isn’t in the same place. Make sure to set up a system for regular feedback, and encourage your team to be proactive about asking for it.
This could be as simple as setting up a weekly one-on-one meeting with each of your team members where you discuss their performance and any concerns they have. You can also use tools like 15Five to collect feedback from your team and to facilitate one-on-one meetings.
11. Failing to create opportunities for advancement
It’s not uncommon for remote employees to feel like they’re being overlooked for promotions and other opportunities for career advancement. This is often due to a lack of visibility and communication between remote and in-office employees.
To prevent this, make sure you’re creating opportunities for advancement for all employees, regardless of where they’re located. Be transparent about what those opportunities look like and how employees can achieve them. And, when you’re considering someone for a promotion, make sure you’re taking into account their performance, not just their location.
12. Forgetting to set up a system for employee recognition
It can be easy for remote team members to feel left out of the loop when it comes to recognizing employees for their hard work. That’s why it’s important to have a system in place for recognizing employees, and to make sure that system includes remote workers.
Make sure that you are recognizing employees for their hard work, and that you are doing so in a way that is visible to the entire team. This will help to keep everyone on the same page, and will help to build a positive team culture.
Conclusion
A hybrid work environment can be the best of both worlds, but it can also be the worst if you let it. Don’t let these traps derail your productivity.
