Thoughts on the New Normal Office Environment

- from kitchen table of Michael Legut, PhD. Key Takeaways The new normal of hybrid working changes the social aspect of how work gets done. Boundaries between the office and home have become very flexible. The company culture (norms, values and beliefs) now includes more “at-home” culture. A hybrid office may reduce collaborative and cooperative team behaviors. Leaders who micro-manage employees will likely be uncomfortable with a hybrid office. Leaders should adjust their personal style to meet hybrid office social challenges. Use the in-office time for individual feedback and to promote collaboration. Many leaders think that once the pandemic is officially under control, things in the office will get back to normal. But what is the new normal? Those brief hallway interactions may be less frequent, “meetings for coffee” may be virtual, and the lunch brainstorming sessions will be harder to arrange. While many office tasks will be the same, there will be change...