An innovative UK pilot scheme designed to teach managers how to navigate the evolving world of hybrid and flexible work has found that bosses lack confidence in motivating their teams, running meetings and managing conflict remotely.

The two-month programme was led by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Timewise, with full details available on the CMI website.

It was introduced ahead of new legislation, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act 2023, which gave employees the legal right to request flexible working from their first day in a new job with effect from 6 April 2024.

Conducted from September to October 2023, the trial brought together leaders from 30 organisations in a wide range of sectors, from health and social work to construction, manufacturing and law enforcement.

While CMI research found that 86% of managers say their organisation operates in a hybrid way, research from the University of Birmingham found that only 43% of managers have training to manage hybrid teams.

Following the pilot, CMI evaluated its impact and found a significant difference in skills before and after the initiative. It found that, with regard to keeping their teams motivated, 43% were confident prior and 89% after the pilot.

Similarly, with regard to resolving conflict and having difficult conversations online, the figures were 46% before and 86% after the pilot.

Amy Butterworth, Consultancy Director at Timewise, said: “Flexible working has mainstreamed — but, for many, the experience still feels a little rough around the edges. During the pandemic-response years of 2020 and 2021 everyone adapted at pace, learning however they could. As a result, a myriad of ways to work in a hybrid way took root — not all of them good.”

Fundamentally, she concluded, it is important to realise that managing hybrid teams is a core business discipline for the 21st century, with a skill set that has to be learnt.

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