Hybrid work exposes generational divides in businesses

Changes in automation and collaboration were observed in hybrid teams.

A recent survey commissioned by Zoom and Morning Consult found inefficient collaboration costs firms $16,491 per manager annually, spotting differences in leadership styles in Singapore, and further underscoring the need for better communication.

"Sixty percent of the time employees spend at work, [they] focus more on work about work," said Ricky Kapur, Head of Asia Pacific at Zoom. He noted that repetitive tasks and inefficiencies in collaboration tools are key obstacles. “A lot of this work can be automated using AI, so that time can be freed up to work on things that matter.”

Associate Professor Trevor Yu from NTU Singapore pointed to the hybrid model’s mix of synchronous and asynchronous collaboration as a key factor in streamlining communication. "Teams are getting used to collaborating in their own time zones and at their own convenience," Yu said.

The rise of hybrid work has also exposed generational differences in collaboration preferences. Kapur noted that Baby Boomers favor in-person meetings, while Gen Z prefers project management software. "Understanding these preferences is critical as Gen Z leaders will comprise a quarter of the region's population by next year," he said.

Jianhan Qiu, Principal for Strategy at Unispace Asia, emphasized the importance of fostering cross-generational understanding. "Leaders need to be aware of different generational work styles within teams," he said, calling for more opportunities for intergenerational interactions through thoughtfully designed office spaces.

Yu added that organizations need to establish clear norms to bridge communication gaps. "A lot of thought has to be put into understanding what the firm culture is with regards to collaboration and communication behaviors," he said.

To bridge generational gaps and tackle inefficiencies, experts suggest blending automation with thoughtful team dynamics. Kapur emphasized the role of employee engagement platforms tailored to multigenerational teams. “We need to provide platforms that meet the natural style for each generation,” he said.

Qiu also stressed the importance of training leaders in hybrid meeting etiquette to better adapt to younger generations’ work preferences. “The more opportunities we create for different groups to mingle, the easier it will be to bridge gaps,” he said.