Reimagining Leadership for Hybrid Teams

Navigating the world of hybrid work—where physical offices meet virtual spaces—presents a unique challenge for leaders striving to create cohesion and connection within their teams. As leaders move between these spaces with their teams, it's essential to foster an environment that encourages engagement, trust, and collaboration. This is where Gaston Bachelard’s ‘poetics of space’ offers valuable insights.

His ideas illuminate how the spaces we inhabit shape our emotions and interactions with one another. Whether it’s a welcoming nook at home or a structured office, our environments significantly influence the experience of connection. By examining these dynamics through a systems psychodynamic lens, we can uncover the unconscious factors at play, particularly in relation to roles and authority. I am finding that understanding these spatial dynamics is transforming my understanding of leadership in hybrid settings.

By embracing the ‘poetics of space’, together with systems psychodynamics, leaders have the opportunity to enrich the hybrid work experience, fostering more intentional and meaningful connections with their teams—regardless of their physical location.

What Is the 'Poetics of Space'?

In his philosophy, Bachelard explored how the spaces we inhabit—from cozy nooks to expansive landscapes—shape our thoughts, feelings, and connections. It’s not just about managing environments but about understanding the emotional impact these spaces have on us and our teams. In the hybrid world, where physical and virtual spaces overlap, the ‘poetics of space’ invites us to consider how different settings influence engagement, connection, and trust. As Bachelard stated, “The house is one of the greatest powers of integration for the thoughts, memories, and dreams of mankind.” This underscores the profound impact our environments have on our leadership effectiveness.

What Is Systems Psychodynamics?

Systems Psychodynamics is an approach that combines systems theory and psychodynamic concepts to understand and analyse the dynamics within organisations. It focuses on the interplay between conscious and unconscious processes among individuals and groups, exploring how these dynamics influence behaviour, relationships, and organisational culture. By examining patterns of interaction, we can better understand authority relations, power, and group dynamics. For example, the way team members interact in a meeting can reveal underlying power struggles or unspoken rules. Systems psychodynamic coaching helps leaders gain insights into the unconscious motivations that shape organizational life. This perspective emphasizes the importance of both individual and systemic factors in driving change and fostering effective collaboration.

'Poetics of Space' and Systems Psychodynamics in the Workplace

Let’s explore how the concepts of ‘poetics of space’ and systems psychodynamics can be applied in coaching to help leaders bridge the gap between in-person and virtual work. Gaston Bachelard’s insights reveal that the spaces we inhabit can evoke different emotional responses and influence how we connect with others. Simultaneously, a systems psychodynamic perspective allows us to examine the unconscious processes that shape our experience of these spaces.

 1. Discover Your Comfort Zone

For leaders in hybrid settings, the lines between physical and emotional boundaries can often feel blurred. Coaching provides a space for leaders to explore where they feel most comfortable—or uneasy. Ask yourself: Do you find yourself more relaxed at home, or do you feel a greater sense of control in the office? Reflecting on these environments can reveal different aspects of the “self” you bring to work.

For instance, a leader might find it easier to engage in challenging discussions in a structured office environment, where authority is more palpable. In contrast, virtual meetings may offer a sense of control that’s harder to achieve in person. By becoming aware of unconscious processes and how these impact leadership and authority relations, you can discover new ways to adapt and create more intentional connections with your team across all spaces.

Reflection Prompt: Take a moment to think about your comfort zones in both environments. What specific aspects contribute to your feelings of ease or discomfort?

2. Crossing the Threshold: Moving Between Virtual and Physical Spaces

Hybrid work involves frequent transitions between online and in-person settings, almost like crossing a threshold each time. Bachelard viewed thresholds as symbolic of entering new psychological territories. Systems psychodynamics pays attention to boundaries, as they are significant for understanding where the system starts and ends, who is in and who is out, and how work happens.

For instance, shifting from focused solo work at home to engaging in a lively team meeting at the office can feel significant. You might feel energized in the office but struggle to carry that same energy into virtual meetings. What is happening at the boundary, in the space between spaces? Imagine this scenario: after a dynamic brainstorming session in person, you struggle to replicate that excitement during a Zoom call. 

A systems psychodynamic approach can help unpack these experiences, exploring how unconscious processes—such as group dynamics and emotional responses—impact these transitions. This awareness can lead to smoother shifts between spaces, allowing you to show up fully, regardless of the setting.

Visualization Exercise: Imagine a doorway symbolizing the transition from virtual to physical space. What do you see as you cross this threshold? What feelings arise during this transition?

3. Psychological Rooms: The Emotional Impact of Spaces

Each space we occupy shapes not only how we feel but also how we engage with others. Perhaps your office embodies authority, while your home workspace feels more relaxed, akin to a creative retreat. Understanding your own ‘psychological rooms’ can provide insight into how you form connections and engage with others. Similarly, as you become aware of others' spaces and their emotional impacts, you can recognize how these factors contribute to group dynamics. Acknowledging these dynamics is essential for fostering meaningful change within your team.

For example, a leader may realize that while their physical office reinforces a sense of authority, it can also create psychological distance from remote team members. By recognizing the unconscious processes at play—such as the perception of authority and the expression of uncertainty and anxiety—they can deepen their understanding of the dynamics affecting team cohesiveness and effectiveness. Systems psychodynamic coaching can assist leaders in navigating these complexities, enabling them to adapt their approaches and cultivate a sense of openness and collaboration across all platforms.

Scenario Reflection: Think of a recent team interaction. How did the physical or virtual setting influence the emotional atmosphere? Did it foster connection or create distance? 

4. Creating Connection in Hybrid Spaces

Hybrid teams often struggle with feeling fully connected—the “space” between team members can feel like a gulf. The ‘poetics of space’ provides leaders with a framework to bridge this distance by intentionally creating shared virtual environments that feel inclusive and engaging.

For example, a leader might convene a consistent virtual check-in at the start of each week to establish a common “room” where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, regardless of whether they are on-site or remote. However, it’s not just about the space; how people transition in and out of these environments is crucial for fostering connection.

Leaders can implement specific rituals and activities to support intentional transitions between hybrid spaces. These might include structured entry and exit routines for meetings, such as setting aside a few minutes at the beginning for informal catch-up or reflections on the past week. Additionally, rituals like virtual coffee breaks, team-building activities, and ‘virtual office hours’ allow team members to drop in and chat informally, facilitating deeper connections. These practices can foster a sense of belonging among team members while creating opportunities to clarify and address dynamics across the team. By focusing on both person-to-person and role-to-role relations, leaders can cultivate an environment where individuals feel valued and understood.

Reflection Prompt: Reflect on a recent hybrid meeting. How did you facilitate connection among team members? What strategies worked, and what could be improved?

Case Studies: Real-World Applications

To illustrate these concepts, consider two leaders navigating hybrid environments. 

Leader A, a project manager in a tech firm, found that her home office's relaxed atmosphere allowed for creative brainstorming but struggled with maintaining authority in virtual meetings. After engaging in systems psychodynamic coaching, she recognized her unconscious association of authority with physical spaces. By implementing a structured agenda and visual cues in her virtual meetings, she was able to bridge the emotional gap, making remote team members feel more engaged and respected.

Leader B, a director in a non-profit organization, felt energized by in-person interactions but faced challenges during virtual team retreats. Through exploring his comfort zones and the emotional impact of his home office, he realized that his cluttered environment dampened his enthusiasm during online meetings. After reorganizing his workspace and creating intentional rituals for virtual gatherings—encompassing entry, during, and exit of meetings—he was able to engage his authority more effectively in his role, fostering a more inclusive atmosphere that encouraged team collaboration across all platforms.

Rethink Your Hybrid Leadership Approach

As a leader navigating hybrid work, consider the environments you create—both physical and virtual. How do these spaces impact your team's connection, engagement, and trust? Are you aware of the unconscious processes at play during transitions between different settings?

If you're interested in exploring how coaching can deepen your understanding of these influences, let’s connect. With expertise in systems psychodynamic coaching and the aesthetics of work, I can help you reflect on the spaces you create and how they shape team dynamics. Together, we can ensure that the environments you foster cultivate a culture of belonging and engagement, ultimately supporting both individual and collective success.