Beata Drzazga – a well-known visionary and entrepreneur who never succumbs to the mainstream – talks about the look at hybrid work as a contentious aspect of modern management. Beata explains that the traditional form of work is more effective than hybrid, and why real-world meetings are the key to creativity and greater team productivity.

There is a lot of discussion today about the superiority of hybrid work over office work. However, you believe that traditional work is more effective than hybrid work?

Above all, I believe that people need physical contact to be more creative and motivated. Working in the office creates opportunities for spontaneous conversations and interactions that often lead to new ideas and solutions. With a computer at home, this kind of inspiration is often missing. I observed this model of work among my employees during Covid-19 and saw its downsides immediately.

One of the biggest is maintaining effective communication and coordination within the team. Working remotely means that contact between employees is limited, which can lead to isolation and a loss of a sense of belonging to the team. Of course, there are some areas where hybrid work can be beneficial. For example, when working on projects that do not require constant presence in the office, a hybrid model may be better. However, I still believe that in many cases traditional work is more effective.

And what benefits do you see in hybrid work?

Of course, I see such too. Everything has its pros and cons, hybrid work too. Above all, it gives us a choice. We can tailor our working hours to our individual needs. For some employees, this may mean more time with family, while for others it may mean more flexibility in planning their day. This also allows us to recruit talent from a variety of locations, regardless of location. It opens the door to flexibility and allows employees to tailor their schedules to their life needs. On the other hand, I sensitize that when part of the team works remotely and part from the office, we need to make sure that everyone feels involved and informed. This requires careful management of communications and the use of remote working tools such as video conferencing platforms.

What steps do you advise to maintain creativity and discipline in a team working in a traditional office?

Personally, I try to organize regular meetings and creative sessions that help employees stay engaged and inspired. This is also what I advise budding entrepreneurs who ask me for advice. In addition, I support the development of interpersonal and communication skills, which are key in teamwork. Realistic meetings and face-to-face cooperation continue to be the foundation of our work. The key to effectively managing a hybrid team is flexibility and communication. You need to be able to combine the different needs of employees and ensure that everyone has access to the necessary tools and information. Regular online meetings and clear goals and expectations are key.

Do you see pros and cons of the hybrid model in the context of work-life balance, the fashionable “work-life-balance” today?

Of course, there are some aspects of hybrid work that can help you maintain a better work-life balance. For some employees, this may mean the opportunity to spend more time with family and reduce commuting to the office. However, I also observe that working remotely can lead to the work-life boundary becoming less clear, which can lead to undue stress and a sense of always-available duty. The pluses of hybrid work in the context of work-life-balance are mainly time flexibility – hybrid work gives employees more control over their working time.

They can tailor the schedule to their individual needs, which helps to better balance professional and personal responsibilities. Saving time on the daily commute to the office is a very big plus not only in terms of time, but also financial savings. On the other hand, the main downsides of hybrid work are the blurring of work-life boundaries. Employees may find it difficult to switch off from work, leading to excessive stress and job burnout. Isolation caused by lack of physical contact between the team. It can affect the quality of interpersonal relationships and the sense of belonging to a group. Remote work often lacks spontaneous conversations or the exchange of ideas, which can affect the enrichment of creativity and innovation.

Source: Wsport biznes