Managing Hybrid and Remote Teams: 5 Essential Tips

Flexible is here to stay – so managers need to adapt.

This means facing new challenges in maintaining productivity, trust, and cohesion.

Managing hybrid and remote teams demands a blend of strong communication, thoughtful leadership, and strategic planning.

This guide provides practical tips and insights to help line managers succeed in today’s evolving work environment.

1. Establish Clear Expectations and Norms

Hybrid teams operate best when everyone understands what is expected.

As we teach on our line manager courses, a good manager always makes sure they are understood.

Define clear communication protocols, availability hours, meeting etiquette, and response time expectations.

Document these in a shared space and revisit them regularly.

Tip: Use the first team meeting each month to refresh team norms and discuss improvements.

2. Foster Inclusive Communication

In hybrid teams, remote members can easily feel excluded.

Use video calls for all meetings to level the playing field and ensure remote voices are heard.

You should also make use of active listening, even on video calls.

Rotate meeting times if you have international team members, and avoid side conversations that remote workers can’t participate in.

3. Prioritise Outcomes Over Activity

Avoid micromanaging. Instead of tracking hours or keyboard activity, focus on what your team delivers.

Set clear objectives and use project management tools to track progress.

Recommended Tools: Asana, Trello, Monday.com for visibility and accountability.

4. Create Regular Connection Rituals

Remote work can lead to isolation.

Foster a sense of community with recurring rituals like virtual coffee breaks, end-of-week roundups, or monthly team celebrations.

These informal moments can build trust and rapport in your team.

Idea: Set up a rotating “virtual lunch buddy” schedule to encourage one-on-one chats.

5. Invest in the Right Tools

Ensure your team has access to reliable digital tools for collaboration, communication, and documentation.

Poor tech hampers productivity and frustrates employees.

Checklist – Make sure you have these!

• Video conferencing software (e.g., Zoom, Teams)
• Instant messaging (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Document sharing (e.g., Google Drive, SharePoint

Final Thoughts

Managing hybrid and remote teams isn’t just about logistics – it’s about leadership.

The best line managers are those who adapt, listen, and lead with clarity and compassion.

As the nature of work continues to evolve, embracing these strategies will keep your team connected, productive, and thriving.