How to make remote teams feel connected

After a year of lockdowns and purely remote working, you may now have ended up with a team of remote workers, possibly combined with staff in the office. And whilst this new way of working can be highly effective and productive, it is important that you as a business leader ensure that all staff feel part of the same team, with clear goals, direction and feedback. So, here are some ways how you can make remote teams feel connected, as you find your working rhythm once more.

1. Have regular physical meetingsave regular physical meetings.

Whether you have a hybrid team or one that is all working remotely, it is important you still meet face to face when you can. This can be done once a month or even once every quarter depending on travel. The important element is that staff have a date in the diary and an opportunity to get together with the whole team. 

If you have a large remote team, you might want to consider a retreat or an ‘away day’ – budgets permitting – or have small teams coming into the office on a given day.

2. Mix it up

When you do meet, make sure it’s a combination of work and social interaction. In fact, it’s likely that ‘work’ will actually be at the bottom of the list: 

• Line managers could have reviews with staff
• Group sessions could be held where you share latest news, releases, updates and plans
• Long lunches would allow people to spend time together and enhancing relationships 

The point is, the day shouldn’t be about doing the day to day work. That gets done when people are at home so use the face-to-face time to do everything else.

3. Buddy up your staff

If you have staff that are geographically close, then encourage them to work together in serviced offices once a week or simply buddy up remotely so they can run their own implementation days.

Either way, having a work ‘buddy’ will mean there is always someone they can reach out to.

4. Give people options

Don’t make it compulsory to work from home. While it works well for some people, it doesn’t for others. Some people need the flexibility, routine and choice.

Choice means happiness and happy workers produce the best work and the best results. Therefore, even if staff are working in the office, it would be beneficial to let them work flexible hours as long as that works for the type of business you have.

Flexibility is what people are looking for right now and if you can meet that demand, then staff retainment will be improved.

5. Listen to and celebrate your staff

Never underestimate that value of being seen and recognised. While your teams are working remotely, communication is extremely important as is celebrating their successes and achievements – no matter how small. 

Praise shouldn’t stop just because you are not face to face. Now is the time to make an even bigger deal of people’s contributions and weekly highlights, as it keeps them motivated. 

Perhaps you could implement a connection day, a weekly roundup or a monthly newsletter where everyone can submit their achievements and celebrate others. 

6. Encourage personal goals

You don’t just have to be a champion of achievements in the ‘work’ environment. Encourage your staff in their home environments too, whether they are fundraising for charity, running marathons or helping out at their children’s schools. 

Not only is this good for your Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) it also encourages your staff to be part of their local communities. This can also act as an outlet for them if they are struggling with not seeing people in the office.

7. Maintain mental health

Maintaining our mental health has never been more important and we should never underestimate the power of resilience. 

Ensuring your staff know they can speak to you or someone in the business if they feel they are struggling, is the first step to helping people open up. Even if your staff work remotely, work should be a safe space for them to discuss how they are feeling or what they need.