HR Thought Leaders Feedback on Hybrid Leadership Article–IIM Rohtak

♟️The Chess Grand Master vs. The Gardener 🌱 Picture two leaders in today's hybrid world. The Chess Master sees their team as pieces on a board. Every move is strategic, controlled, and aimed at maximizing a pre-defined outcome. They manage through visibility and direct oversight. The Gardener, however, doesn't move pieces—they cultivate an ecosystem. They understand that with the right conditions—trust, nourishment, and connection—their team will grow and flourish in ways they could never have controlled directly. The hybrid revolution has made the Chess Master obsolete. The future belongs to the Gardener or if even more deeply thought, it belongs to a Bonsaist. This is the core argument of an article I recently submitted for the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak's "Call for HR Articles." Before I take it further, I want to share the key concepts and get your invaluable feedback. Btw What is the BIGGEST challenge for leaders in a hybrid model? comment now to see what the peer community thinks about it. My article and independent research about the topic, led me to a new leadership playbook. Following are the 4 non-negotiable pillars that i discussed in my article. 👑 FROM VISIBILITY TO VALUE The old way was leadership by "walking around". The new way is leadership by empowerment. We must shift our focus from monitoring keyboard activity to measuring outcomes. The work itself is the new yardstick. 🧠FROM 'ALWAYS ON' TO 'ALWAYS HUMAN': Hybrid work risks blurring the boundaries between work and home, creating an "always-on" culture that leads to burnout. Great leaders now model and enforce healthy boundaries, making empathy strategic, not optional. It's not just "How's your work?" but "How are you?". ⚖️FROM PROXIMITY TO PRESENCE: One of the biggest dangers is "proximity bias," where in-office employees get preferential treatment. To counter this, we need radical fairness. Think of Microsoft's "one screen, one person" rule for meetings—a simple change that ensures equal voice and visibility for all, fostering true collaboration. 💬FROM MONOLOGUE TO MULTI-MODAL: Communication is the lifeline. Leaders must master both synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (on your own time) communication. This isn't just about efficiency; it's about inclusion, ensuring everyone can contribute regardless of their location or time zone. These ideas are just the beginning. The goal is to build a toolkit for the modern hybrid leader, centered on Trust, Empathy, Inclusion, Adaptability, Digital Fluency, and Well-being. I NEED YOUR EXPERTISE Comment below: I would be incredibly grateful for your feedback on these concepts from my article. Which pillar resonates most with you? Is there a critical element you think is missing? Let's build the future of leadership, together. #HybridWork #FutureOfWork #Leadership #Management #IIMRohtak #HR #CorporateCulture #EmployeeEngagement #DEI #LeadershipDevelopment #Feedback #CallForArticles