b'ENGAGE 2024 | HOW AND WHERE WE WORKWhat Does This Mean?The hybrid work model is still the fan favorite, but employers are still working to figure it out. Its difficult to run a smooth operation when managers want in-office work happening 80% of the time, and employees feel most productive when 80% of their time is spent working from elsewhere. It will take time for everyone to settle into any new work model, and empathy will be critical for success.Unexpected by many, companies are slowly pulling their people back to the office. While only 17% of those surveyed last year thought they would fully return to an office, a whopping 51% actually did. Thisunexpectedsurgesignalsanoteworthytrendinworkplacedynamicsandunderscorestheresilienceof organizational adaptability.A strong talent bank is even more important now than ever before. Recruitment is more challenging now than it has been in a long time, and most job candidates have a clear work model preference in mind.Offering a hybrid option certainly helps, but regardless of whether that is a possibility, every employer needs to build and maintain a robust talent bank so they have a deep pool to pull from when they need to.Regardless of their current work model, leaders must strive to understand their people so they can help them function at their best. Every employee has a unique work style and distinctive needs for social interactions at work. Managers today must be highly intentional about knowing their people and building strong relationships so they understand how to put them in situations where they will shine. Organizations need to create a culture that transcends their office space. Regardless of their current work model or the one they predict for the future, culture cannot be dependent on the location where people work.Instead, a culture must be centered around a sense of belonging, purpose, and a12passion for the mission. This deeper engagement allows the team to thrive regardless of their location.'