During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people had to learn a skill they never thought they would need: the ability to work remotely. Are these socially distanced offices a new way of life? Nobody knows yet. There are, however, many ways to boost team morale and keep your team engaged while working from home.
1. Hold Weekly Meetings
Without regular check-ins, your employees might feel like they’re adrift at sea. Make sure to hold at least a weekly video call with members of your team. Telephone calls, texts, and emails might be enough for some people, but the more extroverted among your team want to see faces and engage socially in real-time meetings. Creating opportunities to socialize, for this demographic, will likely improve their morale as well as productivity.
2. Encourage Personal Communication
If you have downtime that you need to fill, consider using it to connect with your team. Contact team members separately just to see how they are doing, and let them know that your door is open to them. Now is a great time to implement transparency and empathy into your company’s culture.
3. Resist the Urge To Micromanage
We’ve all been there: one of your team members goes AWOL when a big project is in the works. They are usually reliable, but you can’t see any evidence of work—or of them at all—so naturally, you worry. Before you have a panic attack, remember that you appointed this person to the task for a reason. Do they usually turn in work on time? If they do, then micromanaging them will only sour your relationship. If you are truly concerned, speak with them one-on-one in a scheduled meeting.
4. Have Fun
When people lose connection with each other, they often lose motivation as well. Hold chat sessions with team members to discuss the pandemic, working with kids at home, and other pertinent life topics. Consider implementing weekly contests, starting a newsletter, or even trying out new software to manage video chats and due dates for your team members who have a love of technology.
5. Model Success
If you want your team members to stay engaged, you model consistency by checking in frequently and holding virtual meetings. If you want them to finish work on time, you set an example by leading your team in a way that represents your company culture. If you would like your team to be more comfortable in their new home offices, consider these tips:
- Design a home office for yourself that is well-lit, clean, and nice to look at.
- Encourage your team to set up workplaces of their own.
- Hold a “home office” contest for the most creative use of a workspace.
This year has not been easy on anybody. If your team is engaged, able to work remotely, and still making a paycheck at the end of the day, then you can consider your workplace a success. Reach out to New Summit Leadership for more ideas, leadership training programs, and workshops on improving your team culture and building a work environment—in person or virtually—that will benefit everyone.
