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  • Published Jan 26, 2025

Creating Meaningful Connections in a Hybrid Workforce: POWER's Playbook

Learn how POWER uses Happy to prioritize clear communication and team cohesion to drive success in a hybrid work environment.

Happy Companies
Happy Companies

Happy Companies

Image of POWER's Gina Jahn, and the POWER logo with the name of the podcast series "How I Use Happy"

Strong workplace relationships are at the core of successful teams. POWER, a media company specializing in automotive content and producing automotive events, understands that fostering collaboration, engagement, and connection isn't just a goal—it's an essential part of its culture. As a largely remote team, it recognizes the unique challenges that come with maintaining strong connections across distances.

In a recent episode of How I Use Happy, Happy Ambassador, Christine Passo talked to Gina Jahn, the Office Manager and HR leader at Power, and explored how their team is leveraging Happy to strengthen connections and enhance their work together.

Creating Meaningful Connections from the Start

POWER has integrated Happy into their onboarding process to help new hires better understand their colleagues' workstyles and communication preferences. Gina explained how this approach has been instrumental in creating a smoother transition for new employees, allowing them to quickly adapt and feel connected, even in a remote setting. Providing new hires access to their coworkers' Happy Profiles from day one encourages early engagement and meaningful interactions. This approach helps employees feel more confident in their roles and builds a sense of belonging from the outset. Team members are better equipped to recognize different work styles, helping them to adjust their approach and work more effectively with one another.

Members of the POWER team volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

Members of the POWER team volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

Additionally, Gina highlighted how Happy's insights have been particularly valuable in a remote environment, where building connections can often take longer without in-person interactions. The

ability to quickly understand a teammate's preferred communication style helps bridge the gap, making collaboration more seamless from the start.

What you can do: Introduce Happy into the onboarding process to give new employees instant access to their coworkers' Happy profiles. These profiles act as a personalized 'user manual,' helping new hires quickly understand their team's workstyles and communication preferences, setting them up for success from day one.

Strengthening Communication Across the Organization

Maintaining effective communication can be challenging with a mix of in-office and remote employees. Gina shared how POWER relies on Happy to create a more transparent and connected work environment, helping team members bridge communication gaps that often arise in a hybrid setting. The platform provides valuable insights into individual communication styles and preferences, making it easier for employees to align their interactions and collaborate more effectively, regardless of location.

Members of the POWER team participate in the SAK Comedy Lab "Improv 4 Buzness" program, meant to teach teams the tools of improv comedy in order to enhance communication and collaboration.

Members of the POWER team participate in the SAK Comedy Lab "Improv 4 Buzness" program.

Christine and Gina discussed how Happy's Daily Coach plays a crucial role in keeping communication in mind. These insights provide gentle reminders about workstyle differences, helping employees stay mindful of how they engage with colleagues. Whether adapting their approach to better suit a teammate's preferences or becoming more intentional with their communication, employees are better equipped to navigate conversations productively.

Gina also shared how the platform has helped build a culture of openness by encouraging employees to share their workstyle profiles and communication preferences. This visibility has led to more thoughtful interactions, reduced misunderstandings, and ensured that teams remain aligned across different departments and time zones.

What you can do: Use Happy Coach to enhance communication, improve team alignment, and proactively identify and address potential gaps, ensuring smoother collaboration across the organization.

Enhancing Collaboration at All Levels

Happy has played a significant role in facilitating collaboration across different teams and leadership levels at POWER. Using the Happy platform to better understand each person's preferred working style has helped their team approach collaboration with greater intentionality. Whether planning meetings, coordinating projects, or addressing challenges, visibility into how colleagues work best allows smoother workflows and more productive interactions.

Gina shared how Happy has personally helped her collaborate more effectively across different teams and projects. "On any given day," Gina shared, "I could be working with the CEO, I could be working with our content team, I could be collaborating on events. I think Happy has given me greater ability to communicate more effectively with each style of person and each level of person in the company." This tailored approach has helped break down silos between departments, enabling teams to work more cohesively across different functions. By using the side-by-side behavioral comparison of team members on Happy's Insights, employees can anticipate potential friction points and adjust their collaboration strategies to complement one another's strengths. This has proven especially useful in cross-functional projects, where clear communication and alignment are crucial to achieving shared goals.

Arial view of Mustang Week 2025 in Myrtle Beach, produced by POWER.

Arial view of Mustang Week 2025 in Myrtle Beach, produced by POWER.

Gina also pointed out that the POWER leadership team has embraced these insights to foster a more supportive and productive work environment. By understanding their team's diverse workstyles, leaders are better equipped to provide guidance and support, ensuring everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. This proactive use of Happy has enhanced collaboration and strengthened trust and morale within the organization.

What you can do: Leverage Happy to tailor communication and collaboration strategies based on team workstyles, integrating these insights into project planning to streamline workflows and boost efficiency.

Aligning Workstyles with Company Values

POWER's company values—such as community, authenticity, and drive—are deeply ingrained in its culture. For Gina, one of the most powerful aspects of using Happy is how it has provided a structured way to bring these values to life in everyday interactions, ensuring that employees stay aligned with the company's vision. By offering personalized insights into workstyles and communication preferences, Happy helps employees become more mindful of how they engage with one another, reinforcing a culture built on respect and collaboration.

“The evolution of how we work together has changed significantly—technology has made it easier, and tools like Happy help us communicate more effectively and efficiently.” Quote by Gina Jahn, Power Office Manager & HR Leader

The platform is a practical tool for maintaining these values across teams, especially in a largely remote environment where interactions may lack the spontaneity of in-person office settings. With Happy, employees are reminded of the importance of communication and empathy, helping them approach their work relationships with greater awareness and intentionality.

What you can do: Utilize Happy as a tool to reinforce core values, align behaviors with company culture, and empower teams to enhance respect and collaboration through deeper understanding.

Making Happy Part of the Everyday Workflow

At POWER, Happy has seamlessly integrated into the team's daily operations, becoming a valuable resource that employees rely on to stay connected and aligned. Gina explained how the platform has evolved from useful to essential, helping team members navigate their work relationships more confidently and efficiently. By regularly using Happy's platform, employees gain a deeper understanding of their colleagues' Happy Workstyle and learn their work preferences, creating smoother collaboration and stronger connections.

Members of POWER's leadership team present to the team for their annual all hands event POWERUP.

Members of POWER's leadership team present to the team for their annual all hands event POWERUP.

Gina believes that the best way to use Happy is to use it consistently. She highlights for new employees how daily engagement with the platform is the best way to get the most value out of it. Whether it's through routine check-ins, project planning, or day-to-day interactions, employees can use Happy to anticipate potential challenges and proactively adjust their approach. This ongoing awareness has helped minimize misunderstandings and ensure everyone stays on the same page, regardless of location.

By integrating Happy into key touch points—such as team meetings and performance discussions—employees are reminded of the value of staying mindful of their communication styles and team dynamics. As a result, Happy has played a pivotal role in enhancing workplace relationships and reinforcing a shared commitment to effective teamwork.

What you can do: Integrate Happy into regular team check-ins and meetings to reinforce its value and foster a culture of connection and collaboration through consistent use.

Creating Lasting Change

POWER's experience with Happy highlights how understanding workstyles can create a more connected and productive workplace. By embracing Happy's insights and tools, organizations can enhance communication, collaboration, and engagement, leading to a stronger, more cohesive team.

Discover how Happy can help your team work better together and create a culture where everyone thrives.

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