Good enough is no longer good enough.” There is a high probability that most employees are thinking this and not saying it to the C-Suite. According to The Microsoft Work Trend Index, business leaders are faring better than their employees in the hybrid workplace.

It is critical that leaders recognize the challenges their teams face in the new world of hybrid work and lead with an empathetic mindset. According to the Achievers Work Index 2021 Engagement and Retention Report, 71% more people are disengaged in 2021 than in 2020. Data suggests that a major contributor to this is poor hybrid work experiences.

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Before, if meeting or collaboration technologies weren’t available or working it may not have been a big deal. Now, attendees need to not only participate in meetings, but facilitate, present, and work on any device from anywhere. With hybrid work now the norm, the bar has been raised. It is key that you prioritize digital experiences and include high-quality and immersive options to bring teams together in a productive and engaging way.

It is even more important to understand the need for these improvements runs deeper than you may be considering. For example, several people in every organization likely struggle with visual or auditory impairments, language barriers, or need assistance dealing with disruptions and noisy backgrounds.

Many organizations don’t realize they may already own capabilities in platforms like Microsoft Teams to overcome these challenges with HD audio devices, live captioning, and live translation to name a few.

According to the Achievers Report, 33% of employees think leadership is “just okay” at acting based on their feedback, and 19% think leadership is “horrible” at this. With all the options to consider, it’s possible you and your team may experience some decision paralysis. But at some point, you need to decide and take action.

The amount of digital transformation that would have happened in a matter of years has happened in just months. Accepting this, try for better, not perfect. We’re all on a journey of trying new things and learning lessons. Communicating this to your employees will not only let them know you’re taking action, but will foster a culture of trust in your organization.

The future of work has arrived, and your team is looking to you to make the changes necessary for positive hybrid work experiences. The clock is ticking, contact us at hybridwork@apexdigital.com to talk about how to make it happen.

**This article was originally published with Crain’s Detroit Business in their August 23rd Publication and on their website as part of the Future of Work Thought Leadership forum. View the original article.

About the Author

Jason Lambiris is the CEO at Apex Digital Solutions. He founded the organization in 1998 with the purpose to empower people to make a positive difference in the lives of others. He often consults with business leaders about their organization’s transformation journey.