Return to the office or stay at home? There is a third way

How can I enable success with mixed-mode meetings?

Much of the conversation about hybrid work focuses on striking the right balance between the in-person and virtual modes. And we, too, have begun to explore the differences in how leaders need to support teamwork in the in-person and virtual modes. However, it’s increasingly clear that there is a third option – mixed-mode meetings – that presents additional challenges.  

By mixed-mode, we mean meetings in which some participants are together physically while others are virtual. How should leaders balance the potential benefits of having some people present in person against the potential costs of diminished inclusion, connection, and influence for the virtual team members? 

We started with the principle that mixed-mode meetings should happen only when they create concrete business value, and when it’s really not possible for the team to be together fully.  

Here is our guide to how to decide whether and when to allow mixed mode meetings. This chart will help you decide when to schedule a meeting in person, when a Zoom meeting will suffice, and how to help people collaborate in hybrid gatherings.