How to lead yourself to deliver outstanding results in a hybrid work structure – Embracing hybrid work structure – Episode IV

“Your potential to lead others is a direct result of how you lead yourself.” – Craig Groeschel
This month, we have held three conversations on Hybrid Work Structure as follows (A) The impact of hybrid work structure on driving peak performance by considering both sides of the argument; (B) The Pitfalls of Hybrid Working Structure and How To Avoid Them; and (C) How You Can Effectively Lead Hybrid Teams. This week we conclude the series with How You Can Lead Yourself To Deliver Outstanding Results in a Hybrid Work Structure.

Before we get into it, I want to take a moment to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who reached out to wish me Happy birthday yesterday 26th February 2024. May we celebrate more years together.

Let’s run a little exercise and think of everything that you might expect a great CEO or a leader to do. They organize and motivate teams and individuals in pursuit of a shared goal. The journey toward every ambitious goal is riddled with obstacles and setbacks. But when those struggles present themselves, this CEO steps forward to support, encourage, and direct others. They strategize, sacrifice, and find ways to overcome even as others get overwhelmed, frustrated, and quit.

Well, self-leadership requires you to do the same for yourself. You set your mind to goals or objectives that are of great value and then influence your thinking to stimulate the right actions for success.
When you step into leading yourself, you’re responsible for meeting challenges head-on and finding ways around obstacles. That doesn’t mean you know it all or that you can make every decision on your own. But it may mean seeking out knowledge, educating yourself, and finding trustworthy mentors as you guide yourself through some of the most challenging times of your life.

The big problem that self-leadership solves is the inefficiency and limitations of traditional hierarchical management structures by fostering an environment where individuals take ownership, responsibility, and accountability for their actions, to promote agility, resilience, and peak performance and organizational growth.

In remote and hybrid settings, Self-Leadership takes on an added layer of significance because it is about your capability to manage and motivate yourself while contributing positively to the organization’s objectives. It involves self-motivation, self-direction, and a proactive approach to problem-solving,while fostering an internal locus of control and a commitment to personal growth and development.

As we already know, the world of work is evolving, and the concept of the office has undergone a profound transformation. The rise of hybrid working stands as a defining feature of the modern workplace because it combines the best of both worlds, which allows employees to blend the convenience of remote work with the collaboration and camaraderie of office life.

If we want to maximize Hybrid Work Structure, here a few points we must note:

1. All Tasks Are Not The Same
Not all tasks are created equal, and not all environments are equally conducive to them. It’s essential to align your tasks with the most suitable workspaces. It’s safe to say that your office space will be better for certain tasks, over others. Hence, it can be helpful to plan your week and tasks ahead to suit your environment. For instance, if you have a complex report to draft or any task demanding intense concentration, your home office might be the ideal setting to immerse yourself in creativity. On the flip side, planning sessions, or collaborative team efforts often find their most fertile ground in the office. Strategically scheduling your tasks in alignment with your work environment ensures that you make the most of both worlds.

2. Leveraging Technology
Hybrid working relies heavily on technology, and sometimes, it can be a double-edged sword. The transition from the office to your home office may bring unexpected tech challenges, from Wi-Fi disruptions to power outages. In navigating these hurdles successfully, co-working spaces can offer a viable solution by offering reliable infrastructure, in order to create a smoother transition from one workspace to another. Additionally, collaborating with your IT department to ensure seamless access to all necessary tools and resources from both your home and office environments is a proactive step towards overcoming tech-related obstacles. Where possible, it can be helpful to ensure your IT department assists you with ensuring you have access to everything you have in the office, at home too. This demonstrates a proactive step towards overcoming tech-related obstacles.

3.Set Appropriate Boundaries
Working from home can sometimes blur the lines between personal life and professional commitments. Sometimes it can be challenging to set the boundaries you need to ensure work doesn’t creep into your downtime. Working from home can go one of two ways for people: Some may find the home environment distracting – from unexpected deliveries and unplanned visits, Wi-Fi interruptions, to competing for workspace with a partner who also works remotely, or family members who may have expectations for you to handle domestic chores during your “breaks.” The key to success is setting clear boundaries. From strict working hours to creating a dedicated workspace, implementing a routine is effective in reinforcing boundaries. Be firm with yourself (and others) about your working from home days.

4.You Are Still Social Organism
Working from home can sometimes leave you craving some real, human interaction. You might not even notice it until you’re back in the office, but face-to-face connections are essential for healthy working life. Sometimes working from home can feel a little isolating– especially if you’re an extrovert. Having in-person connections with others is so important, and a co-working space could offer a middle ground between office and home for those who enjoy a hybrid way of working. When you are working from home, find other ways to make those connections such as going to the gym after work, meeting a friend for lunch, going for a meeting over coffee. Never underestimate the importance of in-person contact. Even if you don’t think you’re missing it.

To further position your leaders for peak performance, you can download a free copy of the latest edition of The Peak Performer Magazine at www.thepeakperformer.africa You can also enroll your Mid-level Leadership Team for the Made4More Accelerator Program https://abiolachamp.com/m4m-accelerator and your Senior Leadership Team for the Dr. Abiola Salami International Leadership Bootcamp MOMBASA 2024 https://abiolachamp.com/international-bootcamp/ We also have an upcoming training for leaders in public service www.abiolachamp.com/depips/

About Dr. Abiola Salami
Dr. Abiola Salami is the Convener of Dr Abiola Salami International Leadership Bootcamp and The Peak PerformerTM. He is the Principal Performance Strategist at CHAMP – a full scale professional services firm trusted by high performing business leaders for providing Executive Coaching, Workforce Development & Advisory Services to improve performance. You can reach his team on [email protected] and connect with him @abiolachamp on all social media platforms.