For decades before covid, were were already using a hybrid model. We’d outsource part of our development teams to other countries, like India. We’d then have part of our teams collocated in our offices and some people calling in from that other country.
What we’d find is that the people in the room would speak up and say their piece and share their opinions and the people in India would largely be quiet. For years, I was told that this was a cultural diffence and that I should just expect them to be quieter.
Then I went to India to teach some classes for one of my clients and I discovered that the people there are far more like us than I’d ever imagined. They were smart and motivated. They spoke up and asked good questions.
So what was the difference. Why did they behave so differently in person than that I had over a video or audio call?
While there certainly are cultural differences, could it be that the bigger difference wasn’t cultural at all? That perhaps it was our technology choices and how we set up the hybrid environment that caused them to be quiet and reserved?
Is it possible that having a bunch of people in a room together and then having a couple of people only calling in, would actively discourage the remote people from talking?
If you’re still skeptical then try calling in to a meeting where you’re the only one remote. I have and it’s not good.
I want to be very clear that this is not a problem with REMOTE. This is a problem with HYBRID, where some people are together and some people are not. When everyone is remote, we don’t have these problems.
If you’re in a hybrid environment like this now, as so many of us are now, pay attention to how often the remote people contribute to the conversation. Notice how often we even forget that they’re on the call and only remember the people we can see.
I haven’t seen any formal studies on this but I’ve been observing it for years. Well before covid.
What’s your experience?