How to Keep Your
Hybrid Team
Connected &
Engaged
Dear Spark Family,
If you’re leading a hybrid team, you know the unique challenges that come with it. I’m in the same boat. My team is scattered across states and time zones and I’ve spent the last 4.5 years trying different strategies and approaches to create that authentic connection that builds a cohesive, effective, and happy team. Successful hybrid leadership is not for the faint of heart, but the outcome is worth every ounce of effort!
It boils down to this: “How can I keep that sense of team when people aren’t physically together?”
Here’s the reality: Connection and trust don’t require everyone crammed around a conference table. They just need intention. With a few deliberate shifts, you can foster a deeply connected, trusting team—even if half of them are working from their couch with their pet as their co-worker.
Connection Doesn’t Happen
by Chance
Gone are the days of spontaneous break room chats or lunch catch-ups where you’d learn that Jeff has five new ferrets or that Ellen’s a weekend roller skating champion. But connection doesn’t rely on physical proximity; it’s about how you show up—as a leader, as a listener, as someone who genuinely cares.
The key? Intentional communication. This isn’t about scheduling endless video calls or sending “just checking in!” messages every hour. Instead, make each interaction count. Maybe it’s a 15-minute check-in that’s less about projects and more about them. How are they really doing? What’s on their mind? When you ask these questions, you’re showing them that you see them, that they matter. And trust me, people don’t need to be in the same room to feel that.
Trust Comes from Consistency,
Not Proximity
Trust doesn’t magically appear just because you’re in the same office. It’s built on showing up—consistently—whether you’re on a Zoom call or sitting across a conference table. And here’s the secret: transparency. Your team wants to know what’s going on—the wins, the challenges, and even the “we’re still figuring this out” moments.
In this hybrid world, psychological safety is everything. This is something we work on with nearly all of our clients. Your team needs to feel they can speak up, share ideas, and even make mistakes without fear of being judged or shut down. When they know their voice matters, trust grows. And as trust grows, so do engagement, creativity, and performance.
What You Can Do Right Now
So, how do you create a connected, trusting team when you’re miles apart? Here are a few strategies that have worked wonders for me and our clients:
Check In with Intent: Make regular 1:1s a priority, but not just for task updates. Ask how they’re really doing, what’s weighing on them, and how you can support them. Genuine care goes a long way.
Create Opportunities for Collaboration: Even if your team’s remote, find ways to bring them together on projects that matter. Collaboration builds bonds and keeps the team energy alive, no matter where they are.
Lead with Openness: Don’t let distance create a gap in information. Be open and honest about what’s happening within the company. When your team knows what’s going on, they feel part of something bigger.
Building connection and trust in hybrid teams takes effort, but it’s 100% worth it. When your team feels connected, they’re more engaged, more productive, and more invested in each other’s success—whether they’re in the office, at home, or on a walk with their canine coworker. 😉
🌟 Let’s Chat:
I know many of you are navigating this hybrid world too—what’s working for you? How are you keeping your team connected and engaged? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so hit reply and let’s keep the conversation going.
Stay connected,
Jackie
P.S – Got a leadership story or a meme that made you laugh? I’d love to hear it — send me a DM on Instagram!
