Navigating Leadership in Hybrid or Remote Workplaces: A Systematic Review of Employee Engagement Strategies

Effective leadership has become a critical organizational challenge as remote and hybrid work modes become more prevalent. This systematic literature review examines 36 peer-reviewed articles that address leadership strategies for engaging employees in non-traditional work arrangements. Grounded in the job demands-resources model, self-determination theory, and social exchange theory, we examine the role of leaders as a major driver and mediator of job demands and resources. Our findings highlight that established leadership constructs, such as transformational and LMX, remain effective. In contrast, emerging approaches like e-leadership and family-supportive leadership have become increasingly relevant for guiding flexible work. The review reveals the importance of trust-building, digital competencies, and emotional intelligence in enhancing employee engagement. This review offers actionable insights for leaders and HRD professionals, providing strategies to navigate the challenges of remote and hybrid work. By tailoring leadership approaches to flexible work arrangements, this review contributes to the HRD discourse and sets an agenda for future research in this evolving field.