HP Innovation Issue 20: Spring 2022 | Page 30

EMPLOYEE- FIRST MANAGING & HIRING

TO BUILD THE BEST workplace experience , everything — from creating camaraderie and energy to driving innovation and retaining talent — must be centered around the employee . Experts agree that hybrid work has to be formalized , with rules for email response times , Slack-use cases , Zoom cameras , hours on the clock , and every other minor detail we never thought about , so there is no room for ambiguity .
Smart hiring managers can build unique workflows around specific roles . Technology enables companies to offer contextual and personalized work experiences so that employees feel nurtured and heard and have schedules that accommodate their needs . “ Someone who is a big power user , like an engineer , has different needs than a support person who may be interacting with clients all day , versus a knowledge worker ,” Li-Sevilla explains . “ Everybody ’ s looking for the best place to work . And if they find companies that aren ’ t flexible , they ’ re going to go and find another company .”
Approaching hybrid work from an employee-centric perspective will ensure that everyone feels a sense of professional identity both at home and in the office and will result in talent that self-selects into companies that align with their values and career goals .
Rosenberg , who leads workshops on respect in the workplace , says everyone needs to be open — and trained — to think differently about work , most especially leaders . Engaging in regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports is critical even if you have nothing specific to discuss , to learn about their career goals , connect them with a mentor , or just to listen .
“ People want to know that their bosses are paying attention to what they are doing well and that they ’ re paying attention to career development ,” says Northern Illinois University ’ s Finkelstein . “ Leaders should devote the same amount of time to people whether they are only online or in person so that they don ’ t start to feel that they are hitting ‘ the Zoom Ceiling ’”— when home workers are being passed up because they
NEW SPACES Employees will interact in areas like this roof terrace in an office building in East Austin , Texas . A turnkey video conference space from ROOM , HP , and Zoom , lower right .
aren ’ t being recognized for their work . Such a scenario is more likely to affect women , people of color , and people with disabilities .
Remote workers ’ fears aren ’ t unfounded : One survey showed that they are promoted at a rate roughly half that of their in-office counterparts .
“ The successful manager of the past was all about making sure that you ’ re overseeing the output of the team ,” Li-Sevilla says . “ Now , the best managers are empathetic and have the social skills and emotional intelligence to be able to network .”
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