How do you use feedback and recognition to motivate your remote team?

1 Why feedback and recognition matter

Feedback and recognition are distinct yet equally essential for remote teams. Feedback is the data given or received about the quality, progress, or effect of work. Recognition is the appreciation shown or received for accomplishments, contributions, or strengths. Feedback and recognition can help remote teams to align their goals and expectations, enhance their abilities and performance, celebrate their successes and learn from their failures, build trust and rapport, and feel valued and motivated.

2 How to give feedback

Giving feedback to your remote team can be challenging, but it is possible. To make your feedback constructive, timely, and relevant, you need to follow some best practices. Use the right tools for the type of feedback you want to give; video calls for more sensitive or complex feedback, and chat messages or email for more casual or routine feedback. Be specific and objective in your statements; focus on facts and behaviors instead of personal opinions or judgments. Additionally, be positive and balanced in your comments; start and end with positive comments, and sandwich negative or corrective feedback in between. When giving feedback, also be clear and actionable; explain why you are giving the feedback, how it relates to the team's objectives and standards, and provide clear and realistic suggestions for improvement. Agree on the next steps and follow-up to ensure that your team understands the feedback given.

3 How to receive feedback

Receiving feedback from your remote team can be both challenging and beneficial. To make the most of the feedback, it’s important to be open-minded, respectful, and curious. Listen actively and attentively, and avoid interrupting or defending yourself. Ask questions and clarify to ensure you understand the expectations and goals of the feedback. Show your gratitude for the feedback, and express your willingness to act on it. Share your progress and results with your team to show that you appreciate their efforts.

4 How to show recognition

Showing recognition to your remote team can be simple yet powerful. Genuineness, consistency, and creativity are essential to effectively express your appreciation and admiration for your team's work and character. To do this, choose the right tools for your recognition, such as video calls for formal or public recognition and chat messages/email for informal or private recognition. Additionally, be specific and personal when expressing your recognition; avoid generic statements and focus on the achievements, contributions, or strengths of your team members. Furthermore, be timely and frequent with your recognition; don’t wait too long or too rarely to show it, seize opportunities to celebrate successes and milestones, recognize team members individually and collectively, and vary the frequency and intensity of your recognition according to the situation and person.

5 How to foster a culture of feedback and recognition

Feedback and recognition are not one-time occurrences, but rather an ongoing process that requires a supportive and positive atmosphere. To foster a culture of feedback and recognition in your remote team, you need to demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes you expect from your team, such as giving and receiving feedback and recognition regularly, respectfully, and constructively. Additionally, create a safe environment for your team members to share their feedback and recognition openly and honestly. You should also recognize and reward your team members for providing feedback and recognition. Finally, track the outcomes of your feedback and recognition practices to measure performance, satisfaction, engagement, and retention. Gather data from your team members to use in improving your practices and culture.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?