Working from home is a big change. It’s also a big opportunity. When you’re working in the same place where you used to unwind with your family, it can be hard to flip a switch and establish a new boundary between work and personal life.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, more employees are working remotely than ever before. This new work situation is an adjustment for everyone, but it’s important to make the best of it.
What’s the best way to get the job done from your living room? Here are some of our team’s best tips for working from home.
1. Have a daily check-in
In an office, you’re constantly running into your coworkers and chatting about what’s going on. When you’re remote, you don’t have that same opportunity.
That’s why it’s important to create a daily check-in where everyone on the team can connect. This doesn’t have to be a long meeting. It can be a quick 15-minute call to discuss what’s on the agenda for the day.
If you have a larger team, you can break this up into smaller groups so that everyone has a chance to speak.
2. Leverage video conferencing
It’s easier to communicate when you can see the person you’re talking to. Video conferencing can help remote team members feel more connected to one another.
Use video conferencing for team meetings, one-on-one meetings, and even casual conversations. You can use it to talk about work-related topics, or you can use it to get to know your team members better.
Seeing your colleagues’ faces can help you build stronger relationships. And it can help you feel like you’re part of a team, even if you’re miles apart.
3. Schedule one-on-one meetings
You can also use the same principle to schedule one-on-one meetings with your team members.
One-on-one meetings are a great way to check in with your team members and see how they are doing. They are also a great way to give feedback and to get anonymous feedback formfrom your team members.
Scheduling one-on-one meetings with your team members is a great way to stay connected and to make sure that everyone on your team feels valued and heard.
4. Have a dedicated chat tool
Emails, text messages, and phone calls are all great ways to communicate with your team. But if you want to keep the conversation flowing and make sure everyone feels included, you need a dedicated chat tool.
Chat tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Flock are a great way to keep the conversation going throughout the day. You can create different channels for different topics, and you can even use emojis and GIFs to keep things fun and lighthearted.
5. Establish a routine
Working remotely can be isolating, even for those who prefer to work alone. One way to combat this is by establishing a routine that helps your team stay connected and on the same page.
For example, you might decide to have a daily standup meeting on Slack, or you might schedule a weekly video conference to discuss goals and progress. Whatever you decide, make sure everyone on your team knows what to expect and when to expect it.
6. Have a virtual water cooler
One of the biggest downsides of remote work is the lack of casual conversation. It’s hard to have a quick chat with a colleague when you’re all working from different places.
However, casual conversation is a great way to build relationships with your coworkers, and it can even help boost creativity and productivity.
To make up for the lack of casual conversation on remote teams, have a virtual water cooler. This could be a dedicated Slack channel or a Zoom meeting where team members can drop in and chat about whatever they want.
7. Recognize achievements
Remote work can make it difficult to see the hard work your team members are putting in. After all, you can’t just pop by their desk and offer a quick “thank you” or “good job.”
But recognizing achievements is a great way to boost morale and help your team members feel more connected to each other and the company.
You can recognize achievements in a number of ways, such as sending a quick message, giving a shoutout in a data team meeting, or even sending a small gift.
The important thing is to make sure your team members know that you see and appreciate their hard work. Together, these strategies form the foundation of strong employee life cycle management, supporting your team from onboarding to ongoing engagement and retention.
8. Share feedback
The most successful teams are those that communicate well and often. This is especially true when it comes to sharing feedback.
If you’re not in the same room as your team, it can be easy to let feedback slide. But it’s important to let your team know how they’re doing and to give them the opportunity to share their thoughts, too.
Regular feedback helps to build trust, improve performance, and keep everyone on the same page. It can also help to prevent small problems from turning into big ones.
9. Have a virtual all-hands meeting
Just like you would in an office, it’s important to have a regular all-hands meeting with your remote team. This is a chance for everyone to come together and get on the same page.
During the meeting, you can discuss company news, updates, and goals. You can also use this time to recognize employees for their hard work, and to get feedback from your team.
This is a great way to make sure everyone feels included and connected, and it can help to build trust and camaraderie on your team.
10. Meet in person
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of remote work and forget that you’re part of a team of real people. But it’s important to remember that you are.
Meeting up in person, even just once a year, can be an incredibly powerful way to build connections with your teammates. It can also help to break down the barriers that can sometimes exist between remote and in-office workers.
If you’re unable to meet in person, you can still build connections by using video chat and other communication tools that allow you to see and hear your teammates or host a team event like a virtual escape room.
11. Provide professional development opportunities
One of the biggest challenges of managing a remote team is making sure that everyone has the opportunity to grow and develop professionally. In an office setting, it’s easy to identify team members who are ready to take on more responsibility and provide them with opportunities to do so. However, when your team is spread out, it can be difficult to identify who is ready to take the next step.
To address this challenge, make professional development a priority and provide your team with a variety of opportunities to grow. This could include offering online courses, providing access to a mentor, or giving team members the opportunity to take on new projects. By providing professional development opportunities, you can help your team members grow and succeed, no matter where they are located.
Create a culture of connectedness
When you’re not in the same place, it’s easy for people to feel isolated. To combat this, make sure you’re creating a culture of connectedness on your team.
You can do this by setting the tone yourself. Make it a point to say hello to everyone on your team at the beginning of a meeting, and encourage them to do the same. You can also share a little bit about yourself, so your team members get to know you as a person, not just as their boss.
Conclusion
Remote work can be a great way for your team to stay productive and healthy. With the right tools and strategies, you can keep your team connected and working together no matter where they are.
