Working remotely can have many benefits, such as flexibility, autonomy, and productivity. However, it can also pose some challenges, such as isolation, communication, and collaboration. How can you build strong and meaningful relationships with your remote employees and foster a sense of team spirit and trust? Here are some creative ways to do so.
One of the most important ways to build relationships with remote employees is to communicate with them frequently and consistently. Schedule regular check-ins, preferably via video calls, to catch up on their work progress, challenges, and feedback. Show genuine interest in their personal and professional well-being, and ask open-ended questions to encourage dialogue. Check-ins can also be a good opportunity to recognize and appreciate their achievements and contributions.
??Pro Tip: Schedule different check-ins, including work-related catch-ups, personal development sessions, and virtual social events. The holistic approach strengthens professional bonds between peers while nurturing personal connections, making remote employees feel a stronger connection with the rest of the team. ??? Useful???
Another way to build relationships with remote employees is to create a virtual space where they can chat informally and casually. This can be a dedicated channel on a communication platform, such as Slack, where they can share jokes, memes, hobbies, and interests. You can also initiate some fun topics, such as trivia, polls, or icebreakers, to spark conversations and laughter. A virtual water cooler can help remote employees feel more connected and engaged with each other and the company culture.
??Creating a virtual space for remote employees to socialize is crucial for relationship building. It fosters camaraderie, relieves isolation, and strengthens the team. ??Fun Tip: Establish diverse virtual channels like a "Netflix and Chill??" space or a "Sports?" channel where employees can bond over shared interests. This encourages connections beyond work-related discussions and enhances the sense of belonging in a remote team. Useful???
We have seen many companies use gamification to get employee engagement, and naturally build the collaboration of teams. 89% of respondents claimed that if a task is gamified, they feel eager to complete it. Plus, the activity will place them in a competitive mood and mindset. 90% of employees feel more productive when using gamification. 89% of employees would feel more engaged in the workplace if there were gamified activities. 96% of employees enjoy gaming elements in their tasks. I mean I am biased but the data doesn’t lie.
A third way to build relationships with remote employees is to organize online team-building activities that are fun, interactive, and collaborative. These can be games, quizzes, challenges, or projects that require teamwork and creativity. For example, you can play online versions of popular board games, such as Codenames or Pictionary, or use tools, such as Miro or Jamboard, to create virtual whiteboards for brainstorming and problem-solving. Online team-building activities can help remote employees bond, learn, and have fun together.
Here are some Team Building Activity ideas: ??Virtual trivia or quiz. ??Online escape rooms. ??Collaborative hands-on charity project. ??Virtual Charades. ??Draw Battle. ??Tip: Offer incentives or acknowledge contributors to encourage engagement, reward winners and select a different event host each week so everyone gets involved. ?? Useful???
Team building virtually is essential to help bring your team together. Having the ability to get your team together is a great reward and an even better connection. Having games and activities helps with engagement.
A fourth way to build relationships with remote employees is to celebrate milestones and events that are meaningful and relevant to them. These can be work-related, such as project completions, promotions, or anniversaries, or personal, such as birthdays, weddings, or graduations. You can send them cards, gifts, or vouchers to show your appreciation and recognition, or host a virtual party or toast to share the joy and excitement. Celebrating milestones and events can help remote employees feel valued and supported.
Make group cards for special occasions and get everyone to sign them! There are great (free!) options to do this, like Lumhaa, GroupTogether, Kudoboard, and more :)
A fifth way to build relationships with remote employees is to encourage peer-to-peer feedback that is constructive and positive. Feedback can help remote employees improve their performance, learn from their mistakes, and grow their skills. It can also help them build trust, respect, and rapport with each other. You can create a feedback culture by setting clear expectations, providing guidelines, and facilitating feedback sessions. You can also use tools, such as Lattice or 15Five, to streamline the feedback process.
A sixth way to build relationships with remote employees is to offer learning and development opportunities that are relevant and accessible to them. Learning and development can help remote employees enhance their knowledge, skills, and competencies. It can also help them feel motivated, challenged, and empowered. You can offer learning and development opportunities by providing online courses, webinars, podcasts, or books, or by creating mentoring, coaching, or shadowing programs.
?? Offer development sessions by senior team members to show investment in your employees' growth and foster their sense of belonging. ?? ?? Pro Tip: Organise a series of hyper-focused 15-minute sessions, addressing specific pain points and sharing real-world examples. Eg. How to use free online AI tools, or Breathing techniques for public speaking. ?? Useful???
Here are a couple of simple tips: Use Video Conferencing for Regular Check-ins: and encourage folks to be on camera. In person is better or course, but seeing people on camera and being able to listen to them and laugh with them, is a great way to feel connected. Encourage Team Building Activities: Foster a sense of team spirit by organizing regular virtual team building activities. We do a regular "holi-yay" meeting, to recognize people and to just have fun! Send Personalized Gifts: Sending personalized gifts to your online employees can be a great way to show your appreciation and build a personal connection. This can be something as simple as a handwritten note, a gift card, or a care package. What other tips/thoughts do you have?
A couple examples of online, team activities are candle making (and other crafts), baking together and quizzes. But it's important not to force these on people. Employees can offer their own suggestions, too. At the end of the day, making an effort to do something counts and shows that people care.