One of the things that gets mentioned a lot as the downside of people working remote, or hybrid, is how do people get to connect, discuss, brainstorm, etc. on an impromptu basis if they aren't face-to-face? This seems to be a very scary question for many managers and executives.
Well, yes. Change is scary for most people. Change means things don't work the same, they can't be approached the same, new skills may be needed.
In the old schema, groups met around the "water cooler" (figuratively speaking -- it might be snack machines or the company cafeteria). People had impromptu discussions in the restroom. During face-to-face meetings, people speak up and others can use facial expressions and reading of body language to get immediate feedback. Someone is not around? Put a post-it on their monitor so it must be removed first (no guarantee that they'll actually read it). Walking down the hall and seeing someone reminds you of their expertise and a problem you currently have and you discuss it. Of course, it is much different if the need is to physically work together in the laboratory or out on a construction site.
Yes, these old scenarios worked for those for whom it did work. And they are the familiar, comfortable, situations in which you expect to communicate.
But, guess what? These scenarios "worked" because those were the interactions being evaluated. People have diverse communication styles. An introvert may find it very difficult to ask a question in a meeting -- and wouldn't even think about asking someone, whom they met in a hallway, a question. What if you are a different gender and you would not be welcome entering the restroom to join that discussion? Some become invisible, because of personality or because of cultural biases, within a meeting. Certain people -- extraverts and alpha employees -- find it easy to put their ideas out into the pool. But not all.
The basic reality is that the old ways don't work universally well. Yes, they do work -- for some (in some companies, possibly many). But there are many for whom they don't work and never have.
"But that's the way it's always been done." A fact -- and impossible to contradict. But it does NOT mean that it always worked well or that it worked for everyone.
Within all these scenarios, we are talking about communication. How can everyone be heard and acknowledged? How can people notice others and ask those questions, or have a discussion, to speed up work or start on the path to the next bleeding edge product? Perhaps new remote/hybrid viewpoints can be of great help in re-examining our communications and making them better?
We seem to be at a point of business where we have various Cxx positions that are created, change, and disappear. I will not say that yet another executive is needed but someone, or some small group of people truly familiar with the company, its products, and the way it works needs to constantly examine how people interact and how can it be improved. Some methods are most easily used face-to-face. Other methods are independent of location. It does not work to force ALL to use the same methods and conduits. People are unique. They learn differently, think differently, and communicate differently.
There must be alternative conduits encouraged and facilitated. As such are utilized, location becomes less important.
