5 ways to keep your team connected
Wednesday 19th January 2022
As hybrid working continues to rise in popularity within organisations up and down the country, it’s more important than ever for business leaders to invest time and energy into ensuring their team remains engaged and feel as connected as ever to colleagues — and the organisation as a whole.
Keeping a remote team together is an important skill for a boss to possess — as well as recognising the signs early on if someone is becoming isolated or lonely. Getting creative is a key piece to the puzzle, so here are some of our top suggestions…
5 ways to keep your team connected:
- Diarise regular check-ins
- Plan virtual social events
- Celebrate the achievements
- Host 'get to know you' sessions
- Introduce breakfast clubs and lunchtime sessions
1. Diarise regular check-ins
In the absence of face-to-face contact, colleagues can be prone to ‘suffering in silence’ when it comes to managing workplace stresses — which can sometimes lead to bigger issues arising, such as burnout.
Make the time to give teammates a call, see how they’re doing, and give them the opportunity to ask questions or voice concerns. These short check-ins may feel formal at first, but they will help your employees feel valued, and encourage a culture of sharing — whether at home or in the office.
2. Plan virtual social events
Arranging virtual book clubs, yoga sessions, happy hours, or pub quizzes helps to see colleagues out of the conventional work environment and inject some fun.
Nominate a different team member to organise an activity each time so it pulls on a variety of interests and engages the whole group.
3. Celebrate the achievements
Take the time to give ‘success shoutouts’ — whether via video calls, instant messages, or emails.
When your colleagues feel appreciated for the hard work they’re putting in, they’ll be more likely to engage in future projects and have pride in their role.
4. Host 'get to know you' sessions
Starting a new job is always a challenge, never mind being inducted remotely. Holding informal virtual calls with the whole team will ease recruits into the team with less pressure than a professional meeting.
5. Introduce breakfast and lunchtime sessions
Take ten minutes in the morning for a laid-back breakfast chat and a chance to talk about the new Netflix series, weekend plans, or what you had for tea last night. These informal conversations are often what remote workers miss in the absence of ‘water cooler moments’ and will help to start the working day off with a smile.
