Digital HR Leaders with David Green cover image

Digital HR Leaders with David Green

What the Impact of Distributed Work on Organisational Networks Tells Us About the Future of Talent Management (an Interview with Michael Arena)

Oct 22, 2024
Michael Arena, a leader in Organizational Network Analysis and former chief talent officer at General Motors, dives into how hybrid work reshapes organizational networks. He discusses the decline of inter-team connections during the pandemic and the balance required between collaboration and individual productivity. Arena highlights optimal team sizes, the integration of social capital with human capital, and the transformative role of AI in talent management. His insights provide HR leaders with actionable strategies for navigating the future of work.
37:09

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The shift to distributed work necessitated intentional collaborative strategies to rebuild essential bridging connections across teams and departments.
  • HR leaders can enhance talent management by utilizing organizational network analysis insights to foster social capital and improve employee engagement.

Deep dives

Evolution of Organizational Networks

Organizational networks have undergone significant changes, particularly prompted by the shift to remote work during the pandemic. While bonding connections within teams remained relatively stable, bridging connections across departments and teams saw a dramatic decline, dropping by approximately 30% month over month initially. This loss negatively impacted collaboration and hindered innovation, as these connections are crucial for exchanging ideas across silos. However, as teams adapted and incorporated new technologies, these bridging connections began to be reforged, illustrating the resilience and dynamism of human interactions in professional settings.

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