The Successful Hybrid Team

3The Four-Pillar Framework

Figure 3.1 The four-pillar framework for the successful hybrid team.

What makes a team really successful in hybrid work? There is a lot of information and advice on the Internet about what makes a team successful, and not all advice has been created equally. In fact, there are many myths and misconceptions about what makes a team really successful; I think it is important that we immediately identify bad advice so that we can start with a fresh perspective. Here are some of the most damaging myths about teamwork that can be found on the web:

1. Team members must choose or compromise between getting the job done and treating one another humanely.
2. Teambuilding means taking time away from ‘real work’ at offsite events.
3. A team that starts on the right track stays on the right track.
4. Individuals aren't responsible for the quality of their team experience because teamwork is a group skill.
5. Managers and consultants are responsible for building teams.
6. Team members’ skills are more important than their motivation.
7. For a team to be successful, its members must like one another.
8. Harmony helps. Smooth interaction among collaborators avoids time-wasting debates about how best to proceed.
9. Face-to-face interaction is passé. Now that we have powerful electronic technologies for communication and coordination, teams can do their work much more efficiently at a distance. ...