The current thinking goes like this: Hybrid work is a great compromise between requiring all employees to either be in the office full time or requiring employees to work remote full time. Remote work is a great solution because employees can enjoy the convenience and focus of a home office, then go into the office for the real-world collaboration they can only get in person.

Many large Silicon Valley tech companies are embracing hybrid work, including Google.

It feels like a great solution. But I think the hybrid model may create more problems than it solves over time. So here are the potential issues with hybrid work:

Hybrid work may well be a solution for many organizations. My point here is only to point out that what looks like the best solution now may evolve into a new set of problems.

Avoid thinking about the new world of work as about location alone — where employees work and live. Instead, think about it as a new set of priorities.

In the new world of work, I believe business and organizational success calls for the following priorities in order:

Many companies may learn, over time, that hybrid work arrangements might just be the most challenging way to achieve these priorities and that full remote work for remote-able employees may be the easiest way to achieve them.

AT&T's and Dubber Corporation's State of the Industry: Future of Work survey found that 72% of businesses do not have a hybrid work strategy.

A thoughtful hybrid work strategy is a good place to start. Instead of assuming that it is best because it feels like a compromise, really think through the implications of all employee policies under consideration. Lay out priorities and objectives and work from there.

You may find that hybrid work isn't a solution after all.