Can we get all the convenience, efficiency and wellbeing benefits of hybrid working...

...and still have the collaborative benefits of being with our colleagues in-person 5 days a week?

And crucially, can we still MEET or EXCEED our business objectives?

Yes we can!

According to research from the esteemed IESE Business School, it's all possible as long as we grasp one key premise - PROXIMITY.

What do we mean by Proximity?

Collaboration requires proximity, but it doesn't have to be physical.

First, lets put an end to any confusion - the research supports what those of us who've been in the workforce for years already know - being physically close leads to better communication and collaboration.

Phew, we weren't imagining it!

However, what's new is that social closeness can offset a lack of physical proximity.

This is BIG news.

Think of it like a bank account; you make deposits into the social closeness of your team by doing things that bolster your working relationships and every day you aren't together, you chalk those up as withdrawals from the "relationship bank".

We know this already on some level. It feels right as humans.

We do this instinctively in our personal relationships.

But this research provides the ingredients that are needed to create a the ideal conditions for teamwork in a hybrid workplace.

The Value of Closeness

As Joni Mitchell said, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."

In the haze of the last few years, we haven't really taken stock and fully appreciated what we've lost by spending 40% less time together.

I see how this can take it's toll with some of the teams I work with.

We've sacrificed;

• The likelihood of us reaching out to others.
• The quality of our communication and a resulting weakening in our ability to solve problems.
• Trust - without familiarity we lack a sense of closeness and trust dies on the vine.
• Ease of collaboration - it's all just that bit more awkward, trying to get stuff done and asking of people when you barely know them as people.

But it's all to play for.

This research has got me feeling really positive about our ability to change things for the better.

So how exactly do we do that?

Strong Social Ties can Bridge the Gap

Social ties are defined as, "frequent interactions between people who feel close to each other."

Teams with strong social relations are naturally motivated to work well together and put more time and effort into their interactions and communications.

But the research found that this was even stronger among people who have many contacts in common in their social network.

As is gives them a safe space to build deeper trust, and in turn, positively impacts how well they work together.

Making it work in a hybrid world

The big surprise in the study was that common contacts were as effective in strengthening "trust, reciprocation and cooperation for individuals who are physically distant as those who are physically present."

In other words, as long as people have strong relational, social and shared working relationships with their colleagues, they can compensate for spending less time together in person.

Getting the Social Scaffolding in Place

Getting practical, this adds weight to the importance of putting as much effort into creating social spaces for connection and encouraging employees to build social networks.

Geographically dispersed teams need to be even more intentional.

Successful companies are trying new ideas, leveraging technology and experimenting in a concerted effort to get this right.

I'm currently working with a couple of teams where, after an in-person team session, I now facilitate monthly virtual social experiences for their teams.

This includes art-making, and involves team members sharing successes, vibrant discussions and solving challenges together.

Putting this "social scaffolding" in place has been a great way to make use of their WFH Fridays, has eased pressure on leaders and allowed everyone to join in with the conversations.

The feedback has also been that they appreciate the monthly accountability and peace of mind that even in the busy months, they have time allocated to connect properly as a team.

So do let me know if your team could do with building your social ties whilst getting creative.

I'd love to help you.

This Week's Painting🖼️

This week I've painted an abstracted water lily amongst the lily pads.

Rather than continuously hopping from pad to pad, lets remember to pause, reconnect and take in the beautiful flowers to rejuvenate ourselves.