With the rise in hybrid working models, professionals are reevaluating how they lead. This can lead to significant decisions that have long-lasting implications on a company’s success, culture, and inclusiveness.
Business Insider tapped leadership experts to answer the question of which skills will be especially crucial to leader and managers working in hybrid settings. WorkForce Software’s SVP of Human Resources, Leslie Tarnacki, provided insight into why it is important to build trust with employees.
“The shift toward a hybrid environment has changed the role of the manager – possibly forever,” Tarnacki says.
Leaders need to be willing to model vulnerability if they want their employees to feel comfortable doing the same. A hybrid workplace has the potential to exacerbate inequality – at the same time, it has the potential to reduce it.
Ensuring that employees feel supported requires leaders to be willing to have difficult conversations, admit when they’re wrong, and be sensitive to personal circumstances affecting their team.
“When we aren’t face-to-face with coworkers, loyalty will not necessarily develop as quickly,” Tarnaki says. “By showing employees they care, managers can make sure the team feels valued, which will make them more likely to stay with an organization.”