Mastering the Hybrid Model: A Recipe for Remote and In-Person Team Synergy

Paul Lacey, the Head of Product at Legal OS, shared some valuable insights with us about building high-performing teams in remote work settings. Legal OS has learned a great deal about fostering collaboration, productivity, and creativity within their remote teams, particularly that there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to remote work.

The Perfect Blend of In-Person and Remote Collaboration

At Legal OS, we’ve found that there are unique benefits to both in-person and remote collaboration. Particularly within product engineering, where engineers are very used to working like this, they have a lot of things in place that make it easy. These team members have been accustomed to working remotely and using various tools to communicate and document effectively. They were already ahead of the curve in terms of remote collaboration. 

However, we’ve discovered that a blend of in-person and remote collaboration works wonders for us. We find that our most productive approach involves periodic face-to-face sessions. For instance, we meet about 6 times a year for intense, collaborative, and creative sessions that typically last for two to three days. These in-person sessions have been invaluable for generating fresh ideas and strategic pivots.

Enhancing the Execution Phase

Remote work offers significant advantages, particularly during the execution phase of projects. With remote arrangements, distractions are minimised, eliminating the need to travel long distances and allowing for more productive hours each day. This flexibility enables remote workers to tailor their work around personal commitments, whether it’s taking care of children, fitting in a midday run, or adapting to individual lifestyles. The absence of strict office hours fosters creativity, as employees can work when they feel most inspired, rather than adhering to a rigid 9-to-5 schedule. Embracing remote work during the execution phase not only enhances productivity but also improves work-life balance, allowing individuals to excel both professionally and personally.

Creative In-Person Sessions: A Catalyst for Innovation

Our intense in-person sessions have proven to be game-changers. Earlier this year, we conducted a major iteration that led to significant progress in the last six months. These sessions bring us together to rethink our strategy, identify new opportunities, and reinforce our sense of purpose. The creative energy and alignment we gain from these sessions fuel our remote work during the execution phases.

The Power of Face-to-Face Interaction

While remote work brings many benefits, we’ve recognised the value of face-to-face interaction. We don’t underestimate the importance of in-person meetings, especially for deeply creative work or critical decision-making processes. These sessions recharge our team, foster personal connections, and align us for efficient execution in remote phases.

Overcoming Remote Collaboration Challenges

Navigating remote work culture came with its challenges. One hurdle we faced was sustaining creative momentum during remote sessions. We realised that while remote work allows for focused execution, it can sometimes lack the spontaneity and free-flowing creativity of in-person interactions. To address this, we adopted the “Gather” platform, which replicates an office environment and enables more natural conversations and collaboration.

Another challenge was ensuring candid communication. Being remote can lead to misinterpretations and missed cues. We encourage our team to communicate openly and explicitly to prevent any potential misunderstandings.

A Thriving Remote Work Culture

I think it’s a really interesting subject, and I don’t think there’s an easy answer. If I was to try and summarise in short, the strategy that we found most effective is that there are benefits to both being in person and being remote as well. At Legal OS, we’ve discovered the right blend of remote collaboration and in-person sessions that keeps our teams engaged, productive, and aligned. Combining the intensity of creative face-to-face meetings with focused remote execution has been the key to our success. By leveraging effective communication tools, candid exchanges, and periodic in-person gatherings, we’ve created a thriving remote work culture that empowers our team to excel and deliver remarkable results.

About Legal OS:

Legal OS is a generative AI company that enables in-house teams to automate high frequency legal requests and embed AI bots directly where their teams already work. With a thriving remote work culture, Legal OS is at the forefront of building high-performing teams that deliver excellence in a remote work setting.

Key Quotes from the Interview:

“I think the strategy that we found most effective is that there are benefits to both being in person and being remote as well. Particularly within product engineering, where engineers are very used to working like this, they have in place a lot of things that make it easy.”

“I personally feel that combination of very intense, very creative in-person sessions followed by a month or two of remote working, where you have all the tools necessary to support you in working remotely and you’re delivering on what you’ve come up with in those on-site sessions.”

“I think it’s a really interesting subject, and I don’t think there’s an easy answer. If I was to try and summarise in short, the strategy that we found most effective is that there are benefits to both being in person and being remote as well.”