13 July 2023
68% of Companies Are Making This Critical Mistake in Their Approach to Hybrid Work — Are You?
Picture this. You're assembling a piece of furniture from a box, but the instruction manual is missing. You have all the tools, all the parts, but you're at a loss about where to start. This is what a hybrid work model without proper documentation feels like. It's like being in a spaceship without a navigation system.
Recent research conducted by McKinsey has shown that a whopping 68% of companies lack a structured "playbook" to guide their hybrid work model. I was surprised to see this, as I always work with clients who I help develop a hybrid work model on a clear and transparent playbook for them to use going forward, which later formed the basis for my best-selling book on hybrid work.
With the Covid-19 pandemic sparking an unprecedented shift to remote and hybrid work environments, it is paramount for businesses to iron out their approach. The old adage, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," holds true now more than ever.
Dissecting the survey
The McKinsey survey assessed how well companies implemented 12 identified key practices for an effective and sustainable hybrid work model. Interestingly, a major pitfall for most companies lay in creating an equilibrium between on-site and remote work — a "true hybrid" model, if you will.
In a sense, it's like trying to play a symphony with a missing sheet of music. The performers have their instruments, they're keen, they're talented, but without the conductor's guidance, they're unable to synchronize their efforts. It's a clear miss on performance improvements and efficient real estate utilization, akin to leaving money on the table at a poker game.
