New research by Insights shows 92 %of teams are more hybrid since the pandemic. The research also found that 72 per cent of people want hybrid to continue in the future world of work, citing benefits including more family time, less time commuting, cost savings, and flexible time management.
However hybrid working can also present challenges including feeling disconnected, a lack of social connection and missed casual conversations. One in five hybrid managers said they struggled with feelings of loneliness, while 76 per cent found it harder to build authentic social connections with colleagues. Elsewhere, almost one-third felt pressured to prove their worth because they felt invisible and, therefore, didn’t always feel valued.
Grouped together under the banner of ‘loneliness’ these are major workplace issues that can result in isolation, falling self-worth, and reduced performance. Here are five tips to help you ensure loneliness doesn’t derail your life and career.
Take charge of digital learning
In the new world of work, people are more physically distant than ever before – but that doesn’t necessarily mean socially distant. There are some fantastic digital collaboration tools that are simple-to-use and great for enabling connection. My favourite digital whiteboards are Miro and Jamboard; they are simple, intuitive and a great place to start collaborating. For a more project management approach for workflows, sprints, tasks etc., then I’ve found tools like Monday.com and Jira to be effective.
So, take control of your digital learning, upskill, and build confidence. The ability to successfully use the tools available– regardless of working location – will help increase connection and collaboration and prevent loneliness.
Invest in relationships
One of the issues raised by the new research is the difficulty in establishing genuine connections with colleagues which generally comes more naturally in an office environment.
Developing human skills – like communication, empathy, and collaboration – will help build and strengthen relationships at all levels, better equipping everyone to navigate and mitigate the physical distance that comes with hybrid working.
That all starts with investing in awareness. Better understanding yourself and others is a sure-fire way to build stronger relationships and combat workplace loneliness. As one example, at Insights, we use Insights Discovery’s common language of colour to help make it easier and more memorable for people to understand themselves and others.
Developing self-awareness in particular is key. People will experience loneliness in different ways and with different triggers. For example, an introvert can still be introverted in a crowd and an extravert can still be extraverted on their own. Equally, one does not need to be alone to feel lonely and one can also feel lonely whilst surrounded by others. Awareness of yourself and engagement with meaningful relationships at the right time is essential.
Redefine, don’t replicate hybrid
Just as every person is different, so is every team – and every business. So, don’t try to replicate the physical workplace in a virtual world, or copy what works elsewhere.
The research found that the most highly valued skills for hybrid teams were effective communication, followed by empathy, adaptability and collaboration, and finally, conflict resolution and virtual connection building. Bring everyone together and explore these skills – what works best for everyone and aligns with the needs of the business?
Understanding how team dynamics can be harnessed to personalise the hybrid workplace will improve team culture and also highlight where employees or managers may feel lonely or isolated.
Manage burnout
Almost one-third of hybrid managers we surveyed to felt pressured to prove their worth and be more visible. This can often manifest in additional hours working away in isolation, creating unnecessary pressure, stress, overwork and feelings of loneliness.
Manage burnout by dedicating time at the start of every day to identify and map daily priorities. Order these priorities, beginning with the most and finishing with the least important. Work through the list without distraction – but build in mini rewards once each task is completed.
Importantly, switch off the computer at the end of every day and carve out deliberate time to be present with family/friends.
Embrace wellness initiatives
People spend so much time at work or thinking about work – so embracing wellness initiatives is essential wellbeing and preventing feelings of loneliness.
This could be time every morning to get centred before starting work. It could be ‘check-ins’ before the start of any meeting to create space for people to be authentic and vulnerable, before getting down to business. It could be actively seeking out group initiatives that support physical fitness, mental health and wellbeing, nutrition, and lifestyle.
Wellness initiatives don’t have to be ‘one size fits all’ – but whatever they are, embrace them! For example at Insights we have run an abundance of initiatives to support wellness including virtual mindfulness sessions and Mental Health for Managers sessions.
Loneliness is a major issue in the new hybrid world of work – but it doesn’t have to be all-consuming. Consider these tips to help avoid feelings of isolation and loneliness.
