Remote work has several valuable advantages for both the company and the employee. But, there’s no denying that managing a remote team takes a different skill set when it comes to boosting your employees’ morale and productivity. Without the daily face time of an office environment, employees might begin to feel disconnected or isolated from the rest of their team.
To help you engage and support your remote employees, here are seven tips that you can implement right away.
One element of remote work that often lacks is communication. It’s up to you to open the team dialogue as much as you possibly can. When employees aren’t in the office for “water cooler” chat, they miss out on important information that keeps them on the same page as the rest of their team. Try scheduling regular, team-wide check-ins so that your employees can connect with each other and with you. You can use this time to update your team and encourage non-work conversations that bring everyone closer.
Set aside time for your team to connect on a personal level. You might organize a weekly coffee chat, a virtual game night (or afternoon), or whatever type of activity that your team would enjoy. This could also translate to one-on-one time with your team members. If your schedule permits, make time for monthly or quarterly chats with individual employees to connect with them. They will appreciate the dedicated time to discuss whatever is on their mind.
Especially for employees who tend to be quieter or more introverted, it’s important to give them a platform to contribute to team-wide conversations. On video calls or conference calls, you might stop to ask this person directly what they think. They might have something valuable to contribute but haven’t found the right moment to interject or feel too shy to interrupt.
Ensure that your employees understand their goals for the day, week, month, and year. Depending on the person, they may become less motivated without deadlines and goals that are laid out beforehand. By setting goals, you can manage employees—without micromanaging—and help the employee to feel secure knowing that they are fulfilling your expectations.
Create opportunities for members of your team to collaborate on projects. You can use collaborations to promote teamwork and engage your employees. Try creating open-ended projects that encourage creativity and allow the team to express their personalities.
It always feels good to be recognized for a job well done. Take every opportunity you can to point out what your team is doing well and when they’ve gone above and beyond. If a client compliments a product or service, pass those comments along to your team. A positive word can go a long way in boosting morale.
Even the smallest gesture can mean a lot to your employees and show them that you care. This can come in many forms: birthday gifts, handwritten cards, announcements or celebrations, and surprise treats. You can make these gestures even more personal by sending your employees surveys to learn more about their favorite things and hobbies.
Contact us today to learn how LBMC Employment Partners can enhance your employees’ experience, improve morale, and retain your talented team members.
