How to strike a work-life balance in a hybrid model

“I like the short-term element of this – the idea of having a singular priority for the week. It really focuses our attention. But we would do well to make sure that there’s a nice balance of work and life priorities across the year.”

Focus on micro habits

If you want to change, start small. “Mostly, we massively overestimate what we can fit into our busy lives, change nothing, then feel bad,” Hooper says. “On the first of January, we say, I’m going to go to the gym six times a week and drink eight glasses of water and start a night-time skincare routine. And we fail.”

Micro habits are tiny, everyday habits that steer you toward big results. Because they aren’t time consuming, they’re easier to incorporate.

“Drink a glass of water before my coffee is a goal, we’re more likely to achieve [that] than trying to drink eight glasses of water per day. When that’s integrated into my life maybe I’ll move to two or three glasses a day, and then maybe I’ll actually get to eight glasses a day. It will be achievable.”

The same goes with forming habits which separate our work and personal lives. Rather than committing to say an hour-long walk each lunch break, begin with small strolls around the house every half-hour – they’ll soon stack up.

Invest in the right tools

At home, you should ensure you have a space where you’re free from interruptions, Hooper says. And wherever you’re working, you should make sure your workspaces are ergonomic.

“This is really important,” she says. “You want to make sure you’re ergonomically set up, both to be productive, and to make sure you don’t get any injuries.”

You also need the right hardware and software to ensure you can work effectively in different environments, collaborate easily with people, and do all the things you could do if you were back in the office, Hooper says. “Having the right tech tools to support you is really critical, particularly in hybrid work.”

HP’s latest product suite has been designed with hybrid work in mind. The HP Spectre Fold, a new 3-in-1 device combines the best features of a laptop, tablet, and desktop in one neat package. In one form, it’s a compact, foldable 12.3-inch laptop – pull the magnetic keyboard back and you enter an expanded mode with a bonus screen that can run separately to the main screen.

The HP Envy Move, a 23.8-inch portable all-in-one PC allows you to move between work stations with ease. Place the full-size keyboard (with built-in touchpad) in the PC’s back pocket, pick the entire machine up by the handle, and off you go. Put it down on any flat surface and the durability-tested kickstand will self-deploy to transform into an instant desktop.

Talk to your colleagues

Communication becomes incredibly important in hybrid environments, Hooper says. “We don’t have those opportunities for the watercooler check-in, the running into each other in the kitchen at lunch.”

Because of this, it’s vital to re-create those moments using technology – and include actual conversations in that communication.

“When we take the face-to-face out of communication, we’re much more likely to misunderstand each other. By talking on the phone, and using video calls, we can make sure we know what’s expected of us, and other people know what we expect of them.”

HP’s research clearly reveals both leaders and employees think a different leadership skillset is necessary to succeed in business today. Senior leaders and managers must demonstrate empathy and stronger emotional intelligence, gaining respect from their employees if they do. The more human, open-style of leadership that grew in prominence during the pandemic should be rediscovered and preserved if leaders – and the relationships with work that they play a key role in fostering – are to thrive going forward.

For more information on the Work Relationship Index, please visit this website and to access the full report, please visit the HP Newsroom.