Hybrid working is a combination of remote and office-based work, making it an attractive setup for businesses that want to protect their employee’s health but still need to operate during a pandemic. And with more and more businesses going hybrid as they reopen their workplaces, it’s clear that employees must acquire a new set of skills in order to thrive in this novel environment.
The five essential skills in the hybrid work era are digital literacy, adaptability, creativity, communication and collaboration, and time management. Let's inspect each of these skills to see what makes them paramount.
1. Digital literacy
Digital literacy is the capability to use technology effectively in order to achieve desired outcomes. It includes not only the ability to use computers and mobile devices, but also the ability to find, use, create, and create information using technology. This means knowing how to use email, create documents and presentations, search for information online, and leverage social media to reach business goals.
Digital literacy skills also enable employees to use the right tech tools to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues regardless of location. Having strong digital literacy skills will help them stay safe while working online; for instance, these skills can prevent employees from falling for social engineering attacks such as phishing scams.
2. Adaptability
Adaptability is the ability to respond to changes by identifying opportunities and devising a plan. It is a critical skill to have in a hybrid work environment, as employees will need to switch between at least two working environments depending on the task at hand. Those who are adaptable can easily adjust to new circumstances or change their working methods as needed, helping the hybrid work environment succeed.
3. Creativity
Creativity is essential in a hybrid work environment because there are many new situations in this setup that require employees to think outside the box. Creativity requires open-mindedness and flexibility, entailing employees to come up with new ideas and solutions when traditional ways of thinking and doing cannot apply. Creative employees can push company growth, as they can drive their team to quickly respond to changes and solve problems.
4. Communication and collaboration
Strong communication and collaboration skills are critical in a hybrid setup because these allow employees to work effectively with each other regardless of where they are located. Being equipped with these skills helps ensure everyone is on the same page and that tasks are completed efficiently.
In addition, good communication and collaboration skills can help employees feel more connected to their team. With these skills, they can build relationships that extend beyond the workplace and make the hybrid work environment feel more like a traditional office and less like two separate teams working independently of each other.
5. Time management
It is critical that hybrid workers are able to use their time effectively so they can balance work and personal responsibilities. Hybrid workers are often required to be more autonomous than traditional employees, so it is important that they take ownership of their work and be proactive in finding ways to meet their goals. This includes being willing to take on new challenges and tasks and being able to work independently.
By creating a schedule and sticking to it as closely as possible, hybrid employees can better manage their time, stay on track, and avoid distractions. They can also utilize productivity tools and techniques, such as task lists and time management software, to track how they spend their time so they can make the most out of a workday.
By acquiring these critical skills, employees can work more efficiently and lead your business to succeed in the era of hybrid work. For more tips and information on how to manage a distributed workforce, Cutting Edge IT has got you covered. Download our FREE eBook now.
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