Nearly half of Singapore’s business leaders are spending at least an hour daily catching up on overdue tasks, highlighting the strain of collaboration challenges in the hybrid work environment, according to a report by Zoom and Morning Consult. Surveying 8,000 full-time knowledge workers across 16 markets, including 750 in Singapore, the report sheds light on the difficulties leaders face compared to employees and their counterparts in the broader Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

As flexible work arrangements become the norm with new guidelines taking effect this December, Singapore leaders report higher levels of collaboration-related strain than employees. From difficulty coordinating schedules to managing back-to-back meetings, leaders are feeling the pressures of hybrid work more acutely.

Leaders Face Heavier Burden in Hybrid Collaboration

The report identifies key hurdles faced by Singapore leaders in day-to-day collaboration, with 85% citing difficulty aligning their schedules with others, and the same percentage indicating insufficient time between meetings to focus on tasks. Over 44% of leaders also reported spending an hour daily on meetings or chats with no clear outcome.

Generational differences add another layer of complexity, with Gen Z leaders globally spending significant time resolving collaboration inefficiencies—almost half dedicate an hour or more daily to project follow-ups.

To counter collaboration inefficiencies, the report advocates for a balanced approach to synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous collaboration. Both leaders and employees in Singapore favor in-person interactions for building relationships and driving engagement, with 77% of leaders preferring real-time communication, above the APAC average. Leaders also noted that canceled meetings often result in more productive time, with 64% citing a preference for alternative uses of meeting time.

The survey also underscores a preference for instant messaging as a primary communication tool, suggesting that streamlined, asynchronous options can alleviate collaboration strain without sacrificing productivity.

App Overload and the Need for Streamlined Platforms

With 62% of Singapore leaders overwhelmed by the number of tools and apps needed for collaboration, the report warns against the risks of “app burnout.” Consolidating to fewer platforms that offer multiple functionalities can reduce context switching and improve productivity, said Ricky Kapur, Head of APAC at Zoom.

Kapur emphasized, “The right platform technology will help reduce friction and increase productivity when collaborating, while not compromising on building human connection and engagement within teams.”

AI as a Key Solution for Enhanced Productivity and Collaboration

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly viewed as a productivity enhancer in Singapore, with 80% of leaders reporting that AI features within collaboration tools improve efficiency. Singapore also ranks among the top countries in AI adoption, with employees using AI daily to save time, brainstorm ideas, and streamline tasks.

Leaders are finding additional benefits in AI for collaboration, including better brainstorming and improved communication across distributed teams. However, the report suggests there is still room for growth in maximizing AI’s potential for collaboration efficiency.

“AI will revolutionise the future of collaboration,” added Kapur. “Organisations need to assess how AI is currently being integrated and explore where else AI can create real impact on both collaboration and productivity.”

The findings reflect a need for Singapore’s workplaces to evolve in response to hybrid work dynamics, leveraging balanced collaboration methods and AI to foster a more efficient, connected environment.