Creating a knowledge-sharing culture in a hybrid workplace

The shift to hybrid work has fundamentally changed how teams connect, collaborate, and share what they know. Fully remote workers are the most likely to be engaged at work (31%), compared with hybrid (23%), on-site remote-capable (23%) and on-site non-remote-capable (19%). However, they are less likely to be thriving in their lives overall (36%) than hybrid workers (42%). While digital tools have made it easier than ever to find information across an organization, many companies still struggle with getting employees to actively share their expertise—especially when some team members are in the office while others work remotely.

The shift to hybrid work has fundamentally changed how teams connect, collaborate, and share what they know. Recent Stanford research found that hybrid workers perform just as well as their fully in-office peers and are 33% less likely to quit; the six-month study of 1,612 employees highlights hybrid work as a win-win-win for productivity, performance, and retention. While digital tools have made it easier than ever to find information across an organization, many companies still struggle with getting employees to actively share their expertise—especially when some team members are in the office while others work remotely.

Building a thriving knowledge-sharing culture isn't just about having the right technology. It's about creating an environment where sharing insights feels natural, valuable, and rewarding for everyone involved.

What is a knowledge-sharing culture?

A knowledge-sharing culture is an environment where employees actively exchange information, insights, and expertise as part of their daily work. It's more than just documenting processes—it's about creating connections between people and ideas across the organization.

In hybrid workplaces, this culture becomes the bridge between remote and in-office staff. When knowledge flows freely, location becomes irrelevant. Teams stay aligned, new employees ramp up faster, and innovative solutions emerge from unexpected collaborations.

How to foster knowledge sharing in a hybrid work environment

Leadership plays a crucial role in nurturing this environment. By demonstrating openness and actively engaging in conversations, leaders can set a precedent for transparency. Research synthesis reveals that an organizational culture based on psychological safety and a non-monetary incentive system increases the intensity of knowledge sharing by 40%. The dominance of the collaborative culture dimension facilitates knowledge sharing, while authoritarian leadership plays an ambivalent role. Valuing diverse perspectives and incorporating them into decision-making fosters a culture where communication is ingrained in the organizational fabric, driving creativity and efficiency.

1. Encourage open communication

Facilitating effective communication is vital for knowledge sharing in a hybrid work environment. Establish diverse channels that promote the free exchange of ideas and feedback. This means creating platforms that support both structured meetings and casual interactions, ensuring inclusivity and engagement for all team members.

To achieve this, integrate systems that cater to different communication needs. Implement tools that enable both quick updates and in-depth project discussions. Encourage spontaneous virtual gatherings and informal chats to strengthen connections between remote and in-office employees. This approach not only enhances collaboration but also builds a supportive community where employees feel comfortable sharing insights and seeking assistance.

Leadership plays a crucial role in nurturing this environment. By demonstrating openness and actively engaging in conversations, leaders can set a precedent for transparency. Valuing diverse perspectives and incorporating them into decision-making fosters a culture where communication is ingrained in the organizational fabric, driving creativity and efficiency.

2. Implement knowledge management tools

Prioritize security and user permissions. Ensure that the chosen tools safeguard data integrity, offering tailored access to critical information. By implementing a system that respects these boundaries, organizations can foster trust and encourage more open knowledge sharing. For a company of just 150 employees with average salaries of $60,000, reducing information search time by half yields annual savings of $750,000. Organizations with robust knowledge management practices experience approximately 25% improvement in productivity and 15% increase in employee satisfaction.

Choose platforms with advanced retrieval features and user-friendly interfaces. McKinsey research indicates that employees spend approximately 1.8 hours per day searching for relevant information, representing 20% of their day looking for information they need to do their jobs. Additionally, employees spend approximately 2 hours weekly recreating information that already exists elsewhere in their organization. This empowers employees to locate and access information swiftly, enhancing efficiency and informed decision-making. Features such as context-aware suggestions and dynamic categorization can further aid by bringing relevant content to users based on their unique needs and actions.

Choose platforms with advanced retrieval features and user-friendly interfaces. This empowers employees to locate and access information swiftly, enhancing efficiency and informed decision-making. Features such as context-aware suggestions and dynamic categorization can further aid by bringing relevant content to users based on their unique needs and actions.

Prioritize security and user permissions. Ensure that the chosen tools safeguard data integrity, offering tailored access to critical information. By implementing a system that respects these boundaries, organizations can foster trust and encourage more open knowledge sharing.

3. Foster a collaborative environment

In the digital domain, utilize platforms that enable smooth interaction and cooperation. Opt for tools that support real-time co-authoring, virtual brainstorming sessions, and engaging video meetings. These platforms help unify remote and in-office employees, ensuring equitable participation and contribution from all team members. A study of remote workers found that 47% admit to wandering over to different tabs during video calls, and 21% do so often. Only 12% say they always remain focused on the video calls they participate in.

In the digital domain, utilize platforms that enable smooth interaction and cooperation. Opt for tools that support real-time co-authoring, virtual brainstorming sessions, and engaging video meetings. These platforms help unify remote and in-office employees, ensuring equitable participation and contribution from all team members.

Integrating activities that build connections enhances trust and camaraderie among team members. Initiatives such as interactive workshops, shared learning experiences, and collaborative problem-solving exercises foster a sense of unity and belonging. By emphasizing these efforts, organizations can nurture a culture where collaboration flows effortlessly, driving both creativity and efficiency.

4. Provide training and resources

Prioritizing skill development is essential for enabling employees to thrive in a hybrid work setting. Focus on equipping them with the expertise required to navigate cutting-edge digital tools, ensuring they can efficiently manage and share knowledge. This includes offering targeted training that enhances both technical prowess and communication capabilities.

Design workshops that emphasize hands-on learning and adaptability. Tailor these sessions to reflect current industry challenges, allowing employees to apply newly acquired skills in practical contexts. Regular updates to training materials keep the workforce aligned with the latest technological advancements and work methodologies.

Facilitate ongoing learning by providing a robust selection of educational resources. Assemble a collection of interactive content, such as video tutorials and case studies, accessible to all team members. Encourage collaborative learning opportunities and peer mentoring to reinforce a culture of continuous improvement and shared expertise. This approach fosters an environment where employees are both competent and motivated to partake in a dynamic knowledge-sharing ecosystem.

5. Recognize and reward contributions

Valuing employees who contribute to knowledge sharing is crucial for building a vibrant knowledge ecosystem. Develop a recognition system that appreciates these efforts, emphasizing their importance within the organization. This can include personalized acknowledgments or spotlight features during team gatherings, fostering a culture where sharing is a core value.

Highlighting achievements publicly can significantly boost morale. By demonstrating how shared insights have driven success, organizations can create a ripple effect, encouraging others to contribute. Sharing real-life examples or testimonials that showcase the impact of knowledge sharing can inspire wider engagement.

Incentives play a key role in sustaining motivation. Consider offering opportunities for skill development or tokens of appreciation aligned with organizational values. These rewards not only acknowledge individual contributions but also nurture a culture of ongoing collaboration and growth. By embedding these practices, knowledge sharing becomes an essential part of the organizational ethos, fueling innovation and participation.

Final thoughts

Establishing a culture of knowledge sharing in a hybrid workplace involves deliberate strategies that seamlessly blend into everyday operations. This requires creating an atmosphere where communication and collaboration are not merely encouraged but are integral to the organization's dynamics. By fostering an environment where employees feel motivated to contribute their insights, the collective knowledge of the team is enriched, driving both efficiency and creativity.

The focus should be on embedding these practices into the organizational values, ensuring knowledge sharing becomes an intuitive process. By nurturing a culture of recognition and inclusivity, organizations can develop a workforce that is both adaptable and committed. This approach supports individual development while propelling the organization toward its strategic objectives.

The journey to creating a knowledge-sharing culture in your hybrid workplace starts with understanding that technology and human connection must work hand in hand. When you combine the right tools with intentional culture-building practices, knowledge flows naturally across your organization—regardless of where your team members work.

Ready to see how AI can accelerate knowledge sharing in your organization? Request a demo to explore how Glean and AI can transform your workplace and discover how we can help you build a more connected, collaborative future.