Effective management relies onthe ability to receive and transmit the right information to make informed decisions. However, in the new context of teleworking, these challenges become more complex. Managers have to juggle the need to maintain their team's commitment while ensuring a constant flow of relevant information. The difficulties of remote management are manifold, ranging from reconciling the collective and the individual to the need to maintain a constant rhythm despite the physical distance.

Hybrid ritualization

The meeting

In today's hybrid working environment, where employees juggle between face-to-face and remote work,the meeting is of crucial importance. It's more than just an operational routine, it's a cornerstone of remote management. It helps to strategically align group objectives, reinforce cohesion and maintain a dynamic rhythm.

To achieve this, a clear and effective schedule is essential. A warm opening message sets the tone and motivates employees for the week ahead. A moment of inspiration stimulates creativity and encourages everyone to contribute innovative ideas. Finally, a round-table discussion gives each member the opportunity to express his or her views and share progress and difficulties, encouraging constructive exchanges and collaborative problem-solving.

In short, this hybrid interview is much more than just an operational activity. It represents a true moment of convergence where strategic alignment, group cohesion and ongoing commitment come together, contributing to collective success in a constantly evolving work environment.

Individual interviews (1:1)

In the context of remote working, one-to-one interviews take on particular importance, offering managers the opportunity to maintain a close link with each member of their team asynchronously.

• Establishing a personal connection : 

These interviews go beyond mere formalities, enabling the manager to check in on his or her employee, inquire about his or her well-being and any difficulties, thus reinforcing the feeling of belonging.

• Dealing with sensitive subjects: 

They also provide a confidential framework for discussing sensitive issues such as performance problems or interpersonal conflicts, promoting constructive and respectful resolution.

• Provide constructive feedback: 

These privileged moments also enable us to provide constructive, personalized corrections and feedback, thus contributing to the professional growth of each employee.

• Adapting strategies : 

Finally, individual interviews provide an opportunity to adjust strategies and action plans according to the specific needs of each team member, thus maximizing collective performance.

In short, individual interviews are a valuable tool for cultivating individual bonds, fostering professional growth and optimizing group performance, even in a telecommuting context.

How to manage performance

The art of short- and long-term management

In a hybrid work environment, performance management requires a balanced approach, blending short- and long-term strategies to ensure effective monitoring and continuous improvement.

• Short-term approaches: 

Remote interactions are a key factor in day-to-day performance management. They need to be formal, focused and operationally oriented, using online tools such as video calls or instant messaging to maintain regular contact, clarify expectations and resolve problems quickly.

• Long-term feedback: 

However, some aspects of performance management may require a physical presence. For example, annual appraisals or professional development discussions can benefit from face-to-face interaction for a better understanding of long-term expectations.

• Adaptability and flexibility: 

Managers need to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in managing remote performance. They need to juggle different modes of communication according to the specific needs of each situation and each partner, to maintain a high level of performance and commitment.

In short, for effective performance management, it is essential to adopt balanced short- and long-term approaches, skilfully combining remote interactions with moments of physical presence as required. This flexibility will enable managers to maintain effective monitoring of their team's performance and foster its ongoing development.

Leave no stone unturned

In a hybrid context, where communication can be fragmented and interactions less spontaneous, it's crucial to clear up any grey areas from the outset. To do this, it's essential to carefully frame the project in advance. This involves drawing up exhaustive documents detailing the project's objectives, milestones and responsibilities. In addition, a well-developed FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) helps to answer common questions and anticipate potential obstacles. By adopting this proactive approach, managers can create a climate of transparency and clarity that promotes not only individual performance, but also the cohesion and efficiency of the remote team as a whole.

Hybrid management training

If you want to feel more at ease managing remote teams, there are a number of training levers that can help speed up your day-to-day work.

Understanding the basics of remote management

Before you begin your training, it's important to understand the fundamentals of hybrid management. These include virtual communication, motivating remote teams, time management and building strong relationships with team members.

Training independently 

You can :

• Participate in webinars and online conferences: Attending webinars and virtual conferences on asynchronous management can be a great way to learn new skills and keep up to date with the latest trends and best practices in this field. E-learning can be a great solution for distance management training

• Help yourself to books and additional resources: As a complement to online courses, reading books on the subject can provide additional insights and advice. Look for books recommended by experts in the field. It's always important to gain new knowledge from seasoned specialists and trainers.

Professional training

There are online courses and certification programs to train you on the subject: choose one or more online courses that match your needs and skill level. Look for courses and certification programs that offer in-depth training and the possibility of formal recognition of your asynchronous management skills.

You can also choose to train via a training organization: the program, and in particular the management training offered by NUMA, offers a high-quality yet comprehensive response to these challenges. It enables managers to set up an effective steering system, by adapting individual and collective rituals to the hybrid context. The content of the workshop is designed to provide participants with the tools they need to make a success of remote management. By focusing on the most impactful management rituals, at both collective and individual levels, it offers a practical, concrete approach to meeting these challenges. To find out more about our approach and the structure of our training courses, click here.

Further information

To anchor your new practical management skills, don't forget two key points: 

• Day-to-day practice is essential: don't neglect active learning. Put what you've learned into practice by applying hybrid management principles and techniques to your own work. This can include using virtual communication tools, planning and managing hybrid projects, and developing strategies to motivate and engage your team.
• Ongoing assessment and development: Keep track of your progress and identify areas where you can still improve. Remain open to new ideas and new methods of remote management, and continue to train regularly to keep up to date in this rapidly evolving field.