How to Increase Trust in Hybrid Meetings

How to Increase Trust in Hybrid Meetings February 15, 2025

Technology-driven trust in hybrid work

In a world that’s rapidly embracing the hybrid model as the norm, the essence of human connection in the workplace is undergoing a profound transformation. My recent conversation with Paul Sephton, Head of Brand Communications at Jabra, brought to light a pioneering study that unveils critical insights into this evolving dynamic. Conducted in collaboration with the London School of Economics, this research peels back the layers on how technology mediates our interactions in a hybrid setting, offering a blueprint for fostering trust and connection in a landscape where physical presence is no longer a constant.

The Technological Catalyst for Trust

The study’s revelation about the impact of technology quality on trust dynamics within hybrid meetings is a clarion call for a reevaluation of our digital interaction tools. The usage of professional-grade video and audio equipment transcends mere enhancements in clarity and engagement; it fundamentally alters the fabric of interpersonal relationships in the virtual workspace. The perceived contribution quality from all involved jumped by 47% when high-quality equipment was uniformly employed, in stark contrast to scenarios utilizing a standard video bar and the built-in audio of a laptop. Examining the aggregate feedback from all meeting attendees, there was a notable enhancement in the technology experience’s overall clarity, showing a 27% improvement. Trust levels among participants saw a 16% uptick, while expressiveness surged by 35%. 

This nuanced understanding of technology as a trust catalyst challenges the traditional paradigm that equates physical presence with the pinnacle of trust-building. Instead, it posits that with meticulously chosen technological enhancements, virtual meetings have the potential not only to mirror but to amplify the depth and authenticity of face-to-face interactions.

The implications of this are far-reaching. Consider the subtle cues of nonverbal communication—gestures, facial expressions, and the timbre of a voice—each a crucial element in the delicate dance of trust-building. High-fidelity audio and crisp, clear video bring these nuances to the forefront in virtual settings, bridging distances and fostering an environment where trust can flourish. This technological empowerment enables a level of expressiveness and mutual understanding that was previously the exclusive domain of in-person interactions, marking a significant leap forward in how we conceive of trust in the digital age.

Navigating Communication in a Hybrid World

The insights gleaned from this study serve as a cornerstone for a strategic approach to communication within the hybrid work model, underscoring the pivotal role of technological quality. This is not merely about the transmission of sound and image; it’s about enhancing the sensory fidelity of our virtual interactions to such a degree that they resonate with the immediacy and intimacy of direct, in-person exchanges.

This approach is encapsulated in a broader communication framework that I’ve advocated for my clients to use for hybrid work, which categorizes communication into three distinct tiers, each evaluated on its potential for trust-building against the backdrop of logistical implications. The top tier, characterized by in-person and synchronous interactions, has traditionally been viewed as the most conducive to trust-building. However, the study’s findings challenge us to expand this framework, recognizing that with the right technological support, virtual synchronous communication can achieve a level of trust-building efficacy that rivals, and in certain dimensions, surpasses, that of in-person engagements.

This paradigm shift calls for a strategic reimagining of our communication practices, urging us to invest in and prioritize technological solutions that elevate the quality of our virtual interactions. It’s about transcending the physical limitations of space and creating a digital environment where every conversation, every meeting, becomes a conduit for deepening trust and fostering robust professional relationships.

Redefining Meeting Equity in the Hybrid Space

The practical ramifications of these insights are particularly pronounced in the realm of hybrid meetings, where as Sephton highlights, the concept of “pixel real estate” emerges as a foundational principle for equitable and inclusive communication. This principle advocates for a meeting environment where every participant, irrespective of their physical location, is afforded equal visibility and presence. This is a radical departure from traditional meeting formats, where remote participants often find themselves relegated to the periphery of the conversation, struggling for visibility and voice amidst their in-person counterparts.

To actualize this vision of meeting equity, a reevaluation of our meeting norms is imperative. The adoption of individual video feeds for each participant, for instance, ensures that the digital space is as vibrant and engaging as the physical boardroom. This not only democratizes participation but also enriches the meeting discourse, ensuring that diverse perspectives are seen and heard. Such practices, underpinned by high-quality technological support, dismantle the barriers that have traditionally segmented participants based on their mode of attendance, fostering a truly inclusive meeting culture.

This expanded understanding and application of technology within hybrid meetings not only redefine the parameters of engagement and inclusivity but also pave the way for a more connected, trust-rich professional landscape. As we navigate this hybrid world, the thoughtful integration of technology in our communication practices emerges not just as a logistical necessity but as a strategic imperative, one that holds the key to unlocking deeper, more meaningful connections in the digital age.

The Technological Horizon

As I delved deeper into the conversation with Sephton, the potential of augmented and virtual reality technologies in redefining meeting engagement became increasingly apparent. These technologies promise a future where the sensory limitations of traditional video conferencing are overcome, offering a level of immersion and interaction that closely mirrors physical presence. Imagine a meeting where augmented reality overlays provide real-time data and insights, or where virtual reality transports participants to a shared digital space, enabling a level of collaboration and engagement previously unimaginable.

This vision of augmented meetings represents a seismic shift in how we perceive and conduct virtual interactions. It suggests a future where technology not only facilitates communication but also enhances it, adding layers of richness and depth to the meeting experience. Such technological advancements have the potential to transform mundane conference calls into dynamic, interactive sessions that captivate participants and foster a deeper level of collaboration and understanding.

The Intersection of Technology and Leadership

In this rapidly evolving landscape, the role of leadership is more critical than ever. Leaders are tasked with navigating this transition, embracing technological advancements not as mere tools but as integral components of our communication infrastructure. This requires a forward-thinking mindset, one that views these changes not as compromises but as opportunities to enhance the natural connectivity that underpins effective teamwork and collaboration.

Leaders must possess a nuanced understanding of the technologies at their disposal, discerning which tools and practices will best serve their teams’ needs. Moreover, they must be willing to challenge and reimagine traditional norms, advocating for innovative approaches that align with the demands of a hybrid work environment. By fostering a culture that values adaptability and innovation, leaders can guide their teams through this transition, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of the hybrid work revolution.

The Ethical and Empathetic Use of Technology

As we embrace these new technological paradigms, we must also remain vigilant about the ethical implications of their use. The integration of advanced technologies into our work practices must be undertaken with a deep respect for individual privacy and autonomy. It is imperative that these tools are employed to enhance human interaction, not to surveil or diminish the individual.

Leaders and organizations must establish clear guidelines and ethical standards for the use of technology, ensuring that it serves to empower and uplift rather than to control or marginalize. This includes being transparent about data collection and usage, respecting user consent, and prioritizing security and privacy in every aspect of technology deployment. By adhering to these principles, we can ensure that our reliance on technology strengthens, rather than undermines, the fabric of trust and mutual respect that binds our teams together.

Conclusion: Embracing the Hybrid Future

The insights from my conversation with Paul Sephton offer a compelling narrative on the evolving nature of trust and connection in the hybrid workplace. They underscore the pivotal role of technology in bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms, offering a new paradigm for human interaction in the professional sphere. As we navigate this complex landscape, let us embrace these technological advancements with a sense of purpose and optimism, recognizing their potential to enrich our professional lives and deepen our connections with one another. In this hybrid future, our ability to adapt, innovate, and connect will define the quality of our professional relationships and, by extension, the success of our collective endeavors.

Key Take-Away

High-quality technology is more than a convenience in hybrid work—it’s a catalyst for trust, connection, and inclusivity. Investing in the right tools can elevate virtual interactions to rival in-person engagement…>Click to tweet

 

Image credit: MART PRODUCTION/pexels


Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was lauded as “Office Whisperer” and “Hybrid Expert” by The New York Times for helping leaders use hybrid work to improve retention and productivity while cutting costs. He serves as the CEO of the boutique future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote the first book on returning to the office and leading hybrid teams after the pandemic, his best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage (Intentional Insights, 2021). He authored seven books in total, and is best know for his global bestseller, Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters (Career Press, 2019). His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio. In his free time, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid his personal life turning into a disaster. Contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on LinkedIn @dr-gleb-tsipursky, Twitter @gleb_tsipursky, Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky, Facebook @DrGlebTsipursky, Medium @dr_gleb_tsipursky, YouTube, and RSS, and get a free copy of the Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace by signing up for the free Wise Decision Maker Course at https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/newsletter/.

About Dr. Gleb Tsipursky
Known as the Disaster Avoidance Expert, Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is on a mission to protect leaders from dangerous judgment errors known as cognitive biases, which devastate bottom lines and bring down high-flying careers. His expertise and passion is developing the most effective and profitable decision-making strategies, based on pragmatic business experience and cutting-edge behavioral economics and cognitive neuroscience, to empower leaders to avoid business disasters and maximize their bottom lines. You can learn more here https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/glebtsipursky/ The bestselling author of several books, Dr. Tsipursky is best known for his national bestseller on avoiding disasters and achieving success in business and other life areas, The Truth Seeker’s Handbook: A Science-Based Guide. His next book, Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters, is forthcoming with Career Press in November 2019. It’s the first book to focus on cognitive biases in business leadership and reveal how leaders can overcome these dangerous judgment errors effectively. After that he’s publishing The Blindspots Between Us: How to Overcome Unconscious Cognitive Bias and Build Better Relationships with New Harbinger in April 2020, the first book to focus on cognitive biases in professional and personal relationships and illustrate how we can defeat these dangerous judgment errors in our relationships. See more information here https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/author-page/ Dr. Tsipursky’s cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 400 articles he published and over 350 interviews he gave to popular venues that include Fast Company, CBS News, Time, Scientific American, Psychology Today, The Conversation, Business Insider, Government Executive, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Inc. Magazine, and many others, as you can see here https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/media/ Dr. Tsipursky's expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, speaking, and training for businesses and nonprofits. He serves as the CEO of the boutique consulting, coaching, and training firm Disaster Avoidance Experts, which uses a proprietary methodology based on groundbreaking research to help leaders and organizations maximize their bottom lines by addressing potential threats, seizing unexpected opportunities, and resolving persistent personnel problems. His clients include Aflac, Balance Employment Assistance Provider, Edison Welding Institute, Fifth Third Bank, Honda, IBM, International Coaches Federation, Ohio Hospitals Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, Sentinel Real Estate, The Society for Human Resource Management, RealManage, The Columbus Foundation, Vistage, Wells Fargo, the World Wildlife Fund, and over a hundred others who achieve outstanding client results. You can learn more about that here: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/about Dr. Tsipursky also has a strong research and teaching background in behavioral economics and cognitive neuroscience with over 15 years in academia, including 7 years as a professor at the Ohio State University and before that a Fellow at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. His dozens of peer-reviewed academic publications include journals such as Behavior and Social Issues, Journal of Social and Political Psychology, and International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy. His civic service includes over 4 years as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Intentional Insights, an educational nonprofit advocating for research-based decision-making in all life areas. He also co-founded the Pro-Truth Pledge, a civic project to promote truthfulness and integrity for individual professionals and leaders in the same way that the Better Business Bureau serves as a commitment for businesses. He serves on the Advisory Board of Canonical Debate Lab and Planet Purpose, and is on the Editorial Board of the peer-reviewed journal Behavior and Social Issues. A highly in-demand international speaker, Dr. Tsipursky has over two decades of professional speaking experience across North America, Europe, and Australia. He gets top marks from audiences for his highly facilitative, interactive, and humor-filled speaking style and the way he thoroughly customizes speeches for diverse audiences. Meeting planners describe Dr. Tsipursky as "very relatable," as "a snap to work with," and as someone who "does everything that you would want a speaker to do." Drawing on best practices in adult learning, his programs address the wide spectrum of diverse learning styles, as attested by enthusiastic client testimonials and references. He regularly shares the stage with prominent leaders, for example recently speaking on a roundtable panel with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Elhadj As Sy, Chancellor of Austria Brigitte Bierlein, CEO of Penguin Random House Markus Dohle, and billionaire philanthropist and Chair of the Bertelsmann Management Company Liz Mohn. You can learn more about his speaking and see videos here: https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/speaking/ Dr. Tsipursky earned his PhD in the History of Behavioral Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2011, his M.A. at Harvard University in 2004, and his B.A. at New York University in 2002. He lives in and travels from Columbus, OH. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, hiking, and playing with his two cats, and most importantly, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid disasters in his personal life. Learn more about him at https://DisasterAvoidanceExperts.com/GlebTsipursky, contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky and Twitter @gleb_tsipursky. Most importantly, help yourself avoid disasters and maximize success, and get a free copy of the “Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace,” by signing up for his free Wise Decision Maker Course at https:// DisasterAvoidanceExperts.com/Subscribe You can read more about the author here.
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