While many employees find themselves back in the office a great deal of the time, remote and hybrid work remain defining features of the modern workplace. Whether you work from home full-time or split your week between home and the office, success depends on intentionally managing technology, routines, and communication.

The HBS Career & Professional Development (CPD) office shares practical tips to help you and your team thrive. When you’re ready to hire MBA talent with the skills to lead in any environment, explore our resources for recruiting HBS talent.

Technology: Use It, Don't Let It Use You

Remote collaboration is easier than ever thanks to platforms like Zoom, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and other communication and collaboration tools. But more tools don’t automatically lead to more productivity. In fact, too many platforms can become distractions if not used intentionally.

Be deliberate about which technologies you use and how you use them. Establish clear team norms—such as Slack or Teams for quick updates, Zoom for complex discussions, and email for formal communication—and discourage multitasking during meetings. Encourage your team to stay present during meetings and hold one another accountable when distractions arise. Focus is a team practice.

Tip: Set “focus hours” with notifications off and use shared calendars to signal availability. This helps reinforce boundaries and protect time for deep work.

Routines: Structure That Supports Productivity

Working from home offers flexibility —but without routine, the line between work and life can blur quickly. Establishing a schedule creates a needed structure and helps you stay energized and effective.

Mirror the rhythms of your in-office days: take short breaks, block time for focused work, and build in physical activity. Simple habits like standing during meetings or taking a walk during phone calls can replace the “micro-movements” of office life and help maintain energy throughout the day.

Tip: Repurpose former commuting time as a mental reset—stretch, take a walk, or reflect—to ease the transition between personal and professional time.

Health & Wellness: Support the Whole Person

A sustainable work-from-home setup supports both physical comfort and mental health. Avoid working from the couch or kitchen counter long-term. Set up an ergonomic workspace that supports good posture and reduces strain. Even small investments—like a proper chair, external monitor, or adjustable laptop stand—can make a difference.

Equally important is mental well-being. Remote workers may experience isolation or burnout, especially those balancing caregiving responsibilities or living with roommates. Create a sense of connection through regular check-ins, virtual team touchpoints, and open dialogue about challenges.

Tip: Plan meals and snacks in advance to stay nourished and avoid unhealthy habits. Keep a water bottle at your desk and stock healthy food to fuel your day.

Communication: Clarity and Connection Matter

Clear, consistent communication is essential for remote team success. Without the ease of daily hallway chats, teams must be intentional about how and when they communicate.

Set expectations around preferred channels and response times. Define team goals and check in regularly as priorities evolve. Use simple frameworks—like PPP: Progress, Plans, Problems—in weekly one-on-ones or team meetings to surface blockers, manage capacity, and identify growth opportunities.

Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of informal communication. A spontaneous message like “great job” or “how are you doing?” helps build connection and trust. Use in-person time to build camaraderie.

Hire Talent Ready to Lead in a Flexible Future

Remote and hybrid environments require more than adaptability—they demand clarity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to lead through change. These are strengths HBS MBA students bring to the table.

Whether managing distributed teams, launching new initiatives from home, or building team culture across time zones, HBS students are trained to lead in dynamic environments.

If your team is growing and you're looking for talent that thrives in flexible work settings, HBS Career & Professional Development offers several ways to connect with qualified MBA candidates:

  • Create an account in the HBS recruiting platform 12twenty: Post jobs visible to HBS students and alumni, organize networking events, and more.
  • Explore Resume Books: Use filters to identify candidates aligned with your needs—by industry, function, location, and even club involvement.
  • Partner with Student Clubs: Collaborate on events, speak at conferences, or participate in career treks with over 50 active, career-focused clubs on campus.
  • Work with CPD on a Custom Strategy: Reach out for personalized guidance on how to build or adapt your recruiting approach for hybrid and remote teams.

HBS students don’t just adapt to change—they lead through it. Let us help you find your next great hire.