3 Steps To Build A Three-Dimensional Hybrid Workplace

• By creating an environment of collaboration, trust and open communication, organizations can ensure a successful transformation to a learning mindset approach in the hybrid work environment. 
• Peter Miscovich recently sat down with Allwork.Space’s Future of Work Podcast to discuss the benefits of the hybrid workplace, as well as the leading role trust, learning and technology play in successful global collaboration. 
• “We are having another accelerated period of convergence of technology evolution right now that will certainly continue and may continue through this entire decade, but definitely through 2025,” said Miscovich. 

Peter Miscovich, author and Managing Director for Strategy and Innovation at JLL, joined Allwork.Space’s Future of Work Podcast to discuss the benefits of the hybrid workplace, as well as the leading role trust, learning and technology play in successful global collaboration. 

The future of work requires a reliance on technology, but trust issues could hold some companies back.   

Employers already struggle with placing trust in their human employees, so how can they be expected to readily incorporate new tools to prepare for the modern workplace?   

Of course, understanding will be the first step, then the willingness to let go of control for the betterment of a company. 

While it’s easier said than done, Peter Miscovich recently sat down with Allwork.Space’s Future of Work Podcast to discuss the benefits of the hybrid workplace, as well as the leading role trust, learning and technology play in successful global collaboration. 

Miscovich, Managing Director for Strategy and Innovation at JLL and co-author “The Workplace You Need Now: Shaping Spaces for the Future of Work,” has over two decades of managerial consulting experience under his belt.  

This has led him to learn firsthand the importance of trust and transparency in driving innovation and engaging talent, and how technology plays a role in a well-rounded workplace. 

“We are having another accelerated period of convergence of technology evolution right now that will certainly continue and may continue through this entire decade, but definitely through 2025,” said Miscovich.

Anticipate the challenges (and benefits) of hybrid work  

Transitioning to a hybrid workplace means more than implementing a vague workplace policy. 

It requires planning, experimentation and execution — all of which also require anticipating potential problems that can come from this model. By preparing for potential issues that could arise, business leaders can proactively create solutions to prevent potential problems from arising.  

For example, if a business expects that employees may struggle with feeling isolated or disconnected from their colleagues under a hybrid arrangement, they can implement virtual team-building activities or weekly check-in calls to help foster connection and collaboration. 

How to prepare for a technology-driven hybrid workplace    

1. Develop trust and transparency within the organization 

Organizations should strive to create an environment of trust and open communication. This means providing employees with the tools, resources and understanding they need to feel comfortable and safe in their work environment.  

To do this, organizations should actively involve employees in the transformation process, creating an open line for feedback and collaboration. This can be done by creating a forum for employees to share their ideas and experiences. 

Having an effective communication strategy also ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the changes being implemented. This should include both internal and external stakeholders and should provide information on the changes being made, the implications of the metaverse and any other pertinent information.   

From there, organizations should ensure that their goals are in alignment with their employees’ goals and that their transformation strategy is based on employee feedback. By creating an environment of collaboration, trust and open communication, organizations can ensure a successful transformation to a learning mindset approach in the hybrid work environment.   

2. Take a learning mindset approach to workplace transformation 

Taking a learning mindset approach to workplace transformation means being open to experimentation, testing and piloting, while remaining agile and adaptable to the ever-changing landscape of work.  

A learning mindset approach requires organizations to understand how technology is impacting collaboration, and how these changes can be leveraged to a company’s advantage. For instance, understanding tools like the metaverse and holographic meetings can enable greater recruitment of new talent and collaboration.  

“Those organizations and leaders who take [the learning mindset] approach will have, I think, tremendous successful outcomes if they’re willing to have the courage to take that experimentation on at the enterprise level,” said Miscovich. 

Additionally, organizations should keep in mind the importance of cultural differences. It’s essential for companies to remain local and act global, while still understanding the global implications of their actions. 

3. Invest in smart workplace technology and metaverse-enabled environments 

Finally, actually investing in smart tools and metaverse-enabled environments are key to redesigning workspaces and ensuring employees remain engaged. 

Take Accenture for instance. The company has recruited over 100,000 workers through the metaverse, showing just how successful these technologies can be in hiring tactics.    

This will, of course, take trial and error. Outlining policies of who should have access to the metaverse, how it will be used and the type of data collected will be critical for transparency.   

The framework should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its relevance in the ever-changing environment.