The pandemic has pushed many businesses to implement work-from-home arrangements to ensure the safety of their employees. Fortunately, technology has made it possible for people to work remotely through platforms like Fiverr. But how can you ensure that your team embodies a culture of virtual collaboration? In this article, you'll learn some tips for implementing a collaborative work culture in spite of the physical distance. Let’s get started.
When you’re working alone in your bedroom, it can be difficult to feel part of a team. Your extroverted team members may feel isolated and depressed so create spaces for conversation. For example, Zapier implements a pair buddy system. This involves a random pairing of two workmates who engage in a 10 to 15-minute conversation. Rather than work, they’re encouraged to share their thoughts on their personal or professional lives. While the process seems simple, teammates can get to know each other better and de-stress. You can utilize this strategy by getting everyone to attend a Google Hangout meeting to discuss a particular topic. This way, your team can bond and build relationships.
The next step is to show empathy. While the pandemic may not have a big impact on your life, other employees might not feel the same. Their spouse may have lost their job or they may be experiencing anxiety due to their elderly parents who are at risk. As a team leader, it’s your job to be empathic about their situation and see how you can help. This may seem insignificant but empathy can increase employee retention in the long-run. It’s natural for people to remember your kind gestures. In return, they’ll repay it through loyalty and improved outputs.
Despite the pandemic, learning will never end. Employees are on the lookout for ways to boost their performance or improve their skills. After all, you don’t just work for the money, but you also seek learning opportunities. That said, managers should hold weekly meetings with every team member online. Conduct structured one-on-one meetings where you provide feedback about your teammate's performance. Ask if they’ve experienced any difficulties with the tasks that they’ve been given then offer actionable advice. It only takes several minutes to call your co-workers, but the knowledge that they’ll learn from the conversation may be invaluable. Alternatively, you can schedule a team meeting and give everyone the opportunity to give feedback to their teammates. Since everyone is transitioning to remote work, you may have issues with message response time and the time it takes to finish a task.
All work and no play is no fun at all for your teammates. As a result, make time for team building games to foster collaboration with employees. There are a lot of remote activities that you can do to foster work relationships. For example, “The Photo of Your Life” game involves sharing a picture of anything about your life. It can be the view outside your window, your lunch, or even a screenshot of your favorite show. Afterward, you can share the story behind the image and hear the stories of others. This icebreaker could be one way you can start or end a meeting. After all, no one wants to be serious all the time, even in the office.
There are a lot of ways you can foster a culture of collaboration. However, in the end, it all comes down to appropriate communication. Even if your team is far away from each other, make time for casual conversation. Encourage people to share their thoughts and understand the situations that they’re facing. When everyone is more open, the collaboration will gradually happen. Need help in building a remote team? If you're in need of a remote freelancer for your business, then you can check out Fiverr to hire experienced professionals.
.jpeg)
.png)
