Introduction

Welcome to the latest episode of Season Four of the Digital Adoption Show, your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and innovative strategies in today’s dynamic work environment. I’m your host, Mayank Arora, Senior Customer Success Manager at Whatfix. Today, we are looking at proven strategies HR leaders can use to drive successful hybrid teams.

Knowing the Guest: Sally Loftis

Joining us today is Sally Loftis, a distinguished human resources consultant who specializes in organization development and social justice. With a master’s degree from Pepperdine University, Sally has focused her expansive career on promoting pay equity and crafting workplaces where everyone feels valued and connected. Sally leads Loftis Partners, where her work spans racial and pay equity, appreciative inquiry, and leveraging human strengths to foster healthier organizational environments. She has partnered with a diverse range of organizations, from Fortune 50 companies to small boutique firms and nonprofit organizations across multiple continents, striving to create a lasting impact.

Her dedication to equity and justice extends to her public speaking engagements, including numerous podcasts like this one, where she discusses crucial topics like pay transparency and systemic inequality. Sally’s hands-on approach and unwavering commitment continue to influence the broader landscape of human resources and social justice.

Digital Pulse: Getting to Know Sally Loftis

Mayank Arora: Welcome to our podcast, Sally. How are you doing today?

Sally Loftis: I’m good. Thank you so much. It’s funny. I hear that bio and I’m like, who is that person? But it’s me. So thank you.

Mayank Arora: Absolutely. And before we dive into our serious discussion, we want to get to know the real Sally behind the multifaceted leader we know today. We have a sweet little segment called the Digital Pulse. This is where we try to get candid with our guests and understand what really drives them. So Sally, is there a passion outside of work that is particularly close to your heart?

Sally Loftis: Ooh, I love being a parent. I also love reading and writing. Anytime I can absorb information or create content around it, I get excited. And I love being with my friends.

Mayank Arora: Interesting. And since you said you like to consume information, do you listen to podcasts as well?

Sally Loftis: Oh, yeah. My family has a joke that I start most sentences with, “Today I heard on a podcast.” I’ve been a podcast person for a good 10 years.

Mayank Arora: High five on that! I feel once I get to that threshold of 10 years, I would probably start doing that as well. We have a fun round that we proudly call Triple Strike, where we ask our guests some fun rapid-fire questions, and they need to answer without thinking too much. Are you ready to be Triple Striked, Sally?

Sally Loftis: Yes.

Triple Strike: Rapid Fire Questions

Mayank Arora: If you had to train a team of animals to lead an organization, what would be your top three picks and why?

Sally Loftis: Oh my goodness. I love animals. So just picking three is tough. Number one, my dog, a Shepadoodle, who is my emotional support consultant or coach. Two, a chimpanzee, because they’re really smart and can do a lot of things humans can do. And three, a peregrine falcon, the fastest bird in the world, for getting things done quickly.

Mayank Arora: Interesting take on that. If they ever made a movie on your life, who would be the main lead?

Sally Loftis: I would want Kate Winslet because she’s about the same age and can bring a lot of depth to a role.

Mayank Arora: Excellent choice. Since we are on Triple Strike, if a genie offered to make you an expert in a field overnight, which field would you choose?

Sally Loftis: Roller skating. It’s a fun activity, and I’d love to be able to do it without worrying about falling and injuring myself.

Mayank Arora: Perfect. That was fun. Now, let’s move to a more serious part of our discussion. We would like to know more about your corporate journey and the idea behind starting a 100% women-owned human resource consulting firm.

Sally Loftis: I’ve had a career in human resources for almost 30 years. I started out in college with a major in human resources, combining my interests in business and working with people. I’ve worked in different environments, including corporate, boutique consulting firms, and nonprofits. At the end of 2019, I decided to start my own firm, which I launched in August 2020. Now, I work with various organizations on their people strategy and pay strategy, especially given the changes in pay models over the last few years.

Exploring the Hybrid Work Model

Mayank Arora: Let’s discuss the big elephant in the HR room: the hybrid work model. Do you think this model is here to stay, or is it a fad that will eventually die down?

Sally Loftis: The hybrid work model existed before the pandemic, but more people were forced into it recently. Some companies are trying to bring people back to the office, but that’s not going well. The hybrid model is here to stay, but how organizations implement it will vary.

Benefits and Challenges of the Hybrid Model

Mayank Arora: Can you share some benefits of adopting a hybrid model for organizations? What are some common challenges in managing a hybrid team, and how do you address those?

Sally Loftis: Benefits include flexibility for employees and the ability to attract and retain talent. Challenges include ensuring equality in access to senior leaders and effective communication. Supervisors need to adapt their management style to fit the hybrid model and promote inclusion to prevent feelings of exclusion among remote employees.

Maintaining High Performance in Hybrid Teams

Mayank Arora: How can HR leaders measure and maintain high performance in a hybrid setup? What are some useful metrics or indicators?

Sally Loftis: Key metrics include employee retention, completion of work, collaboration within the team, and interaction with other departments. It’s essential to focus on team performance rather than just individual performance. Lagging indicators include employee satisfaction, understanding of their work, and opportunities for growth.

Effective Communication in Hybrid Teams

Mayank Arora: Ensuring effective communication is crucial in hybrid teams. Do you have any tips on creating an environment that fosters open dialogue and reduces conflict?

Sally Loftis: Create working agreements with your team on how to share information and make decisions. Encourage dissent and model it yourself. Recognize differing opinions and foster a willingness to fail, which promotes innovation.

Building a Strong Company Culture

Mayank Arora: What strategies can HR leaders employ to build a strong and cohesive company culture in a hybrid environment? How important is company culture to the success of hybrid teams?

Sally Loftis: Company culture is crucial for the success of hybrid teams. Use Edgar Schein’s definition of culture, which includes artefacts, espoused values, and underlying assumptions. Regularly update and align these with your organization’s values. Building connection and trust is vital for a strong culture.

Training Managers for Hybrid Teams

Mayank Arora: What type of training should managers receive to effectively lead hybrid teams? Are there any new skills they need to develop compared to managing traditional teams?

Sally Loftis: Managers need to check their assumptions and be explicit with expectations. Facilitation training is essential to build a container for group dialogue and trust. This is different from the traditional command-and-control leadership style.

Top Strategies for Leading Hybrid Teams

Mayank Arora: Before we wrap up, can you give us three top-of-mind effective strategies for developing and leading a highly successful hybrid team?

Sally Loftis: First, build individual relationships with your team members. Second, create and regularly update team agreements on how you work together. Third, hold quarterly retrospective meetings to review what the team has done well, what can be improved, and how to change for the future.

Conclusion

Mayank Arora: It’s truly been an interesting conversation, Sally. To our listeners, please tune into the Digital Adoption Show across platforms to listen to more intriguing and fun conversations with top minds across the digital space. We are available on Apple, Spotify, Google, and YouTube. Whether you’re at home or on the go, don’t miss out on our latest episodes. Thank you again, Sally, for being a part of this episode. I’m your host, Mayank, signing off.