Hybrid work has become a central trend in contemporary labor markets (Eurofound, 2021). While research has largely focused on employee outcomes, far less is known about how line and middle managers experience leading hybrid teams, the organizational factors influencing these experiences, and their consequences. Prior studies suggest that hybrid work intensifies managerial effort and reduces perceived task quality, but the underlying mechanisms remain underexplored.
This study investigates managers' daily experiences of hybrid work and its implications for productivity and well-being. Data were collected from approximately 30 managers across six large knowledge-intensive corporations in Denmark. Participants engaged in a series of workplace Fishbone workshops designed to facilitate collective reflection on the benefits and strains of hybrid leadership.
Findings show that managers experience some of the same advantages as employees, including increased focused time and recognition that hybrid arrangements improve employee satisfaction. At the same time, managers face distinctive challenges. Their work has become increasingly centered on coordination, leaving less time for critical tasks. They report difficulties maintaining oversight of employees' activities and well-being, a loss of community and informal interactions, and an ongoing burden of negotiating hybrid arrangements. These factors generate strain and, in some cases, boredom, despite the broader enthusiasm surrounding flexible work.
The study contributes to ongoing debates on hybrid work by foregrounding the managerial perspective. It highlights the dual role of managers as both facilitators and sufferers of hybrid transitions. The insights provide practical guidance for organizations, emphasizing the need to support managers through clearer structures, enhanced communication practices, and shared responsibility for hybrid arrangements. By addressing these factors, organizations can cultivate healthier workplaces and ensure that managers remain engaged and effective in the evolving world of hybrid work.