Ledarskap i hybrida arbetsmiljöer : En kvalitativ studie

This qualitative study explores managers and employees experiences of leadership in hybrid work environments. In other words, these are environments where a significant portion, or even almost all, of the contact between managers and employees occurs through digital channels due to geographical separation. Focusing on subjective experiences, the study aims to deepen the understanding of how leadership is shaped, challenged, and perceived in a context where physical and digital contact coexist. The study utilizes empirical phenomenology and semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. Thematic analysis with an abductive approach was used to interpret the collected data. The results indicate that while flexibility is appreciated, it demands clear goals from leaders to support employees self-leadership. Communication is a key challenge, requiring increased clarity and structure, as non-verbal cues and well-being are harder to see remotely. Trust is fundamental, often evidenced by performance and delivery, although building trust with distant managers can be more challenging. Structured follow-up and performance evaluation are crucial, with concerns raised about the visibility and fair assessment of work performed remotely. Physical meetings remain important for team dynamics and culture, and challenges exist in bridging cultural differences and preventing isolation.