One of the big changes brought about by the pandemic has been observed Transformation of work models. Employees working from home have made us think about the way companies work. But the shift has also opened up big questions about the business culture, which for many started far away.

Thus, many companies today are at the crossroads of returning to face-to-face work, remote mode or keeping bets on a hybrid system, with some days in the office and others at home. But this dilemma, for some experts, should be seen from another perspective, which goes beyond of an employee working from his place of residence: should be based Building and strengthening an open and collaborative culture Can offer flexibility, strengthen connections, improve engagement and promote a good employee experience.

to make it red hat A world leader in open source business solutions and one of the pioneer companies in bringing the backbone of open source technology to the corporate market, believes that collaboration plays a central role in this system, as Facilitates exchange of experiences to generate better ideas.

“At Red Hat, we’ve always believed in flexibility. Before the pandemic, more than 30% of our employees were already working remotely. We don’t believe a team needs to be in an office to be successful, because over the years we’ve seen the importance and value of providing flexibility,” said Jennifer Dadek, Red Hat’s senior vice president and chief human resources officer.

Flexibility: the key to the future of work

A study conducted by Atlassian in partnership with PwC of more than 6,000 employees in various countries found that 78% of respondents believe that A flexible work model is essential to stay in work.

In this sense, experts say, it’s important to start seeing flexibility not just as another way of working, but as focusing on different options. Promote the well-being of each employee. Thus, by offering independence and balance between personal and professional life, it also fosters a culture of trust and mutual respect that helps retain team loyalty and attract new talent.

“You have to be clear that nothing will ever be the same again. While it’s possible to bring an entire paycheck back to the office, professionals come away with a new perspective on work. And equating personal goals with company goals goes beyond the definition of operating models: requires a review and restoration of the organizational culture”says Alexander Duarte, VP of Customer Success for Latin America at Red Hat.

Similarly, Duarte adds that culture is not tied to the physical workplace, so contrary to popular belief, it can be enhanced in remote/hybrid environments.

“The challenge is to create enjoyable and meaningful experiences for employees, prioritizing collaboration, tolerance for mistakes, inclusion, empathy and the exchange of ideas that generate innovation. “Companies need to change the way they work to foster a committed team and a sustainable and adaptable business,” he says.

But if you create An open and collaborative culture doesn’t happen overnightexperts red hat It was established that Leadership is what must ultimately be the engine of change And this, as such, should be reflected in all company processes. In this sense, they emphasize the importance of employee participation in decisions and the promotion of feedback, because only in this way can a solid culture be built.

Humanization, recognition and solutions

Red Hat recently implemented An “open decision center” that allows leaders to make decisions transparently, involving employees in processes that directly affect their work. The company has also expanded its open office concepts, with spaces designed for integration and collaboration with teams as well as clients.

“The idea is to give our associates a place to connect with the Red Hat culture, collaborate and fully interact. An open and collaborative culture is at the heart of our identity and essence. It defines us and influences the way we interact with the world, a commitment that must be reflected in our decisions and the way we live, work and create,” explains Olivia Salas, Red Hat Marketing Director for the Latin North Region. America (NoLA).

Another initiative to strengthen the culture is the campaign “Red is more than a color”, which seeks to reinforce the organization’s principles, values ​​and goals. Inspired by the idea of ​​building a diverse, integrated, inclusive and committed work network, it promotes collaboration and strives to bring out the best in each employee.

With this sequence of ideas, it becomes easier to envision the future of work, because with freedom of expression, constructive responsible opinions and the inclusion of knowledge and technological innovation, it is possible not only to change the way companies operate, but also to create a positive impact on people and society.

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