How do virtual team building activities boost employee engagement and morale?

1 Why virtual team building matters

Working remotely can have many benefits, such as flexibility, autonomy, and cost savings. However, it can also pose some challenges, such as isolation, communication gaps, and lack of social interaction. These factors can affect employee engagement and morale, which are crucial for performance, retention, and satisfaction. Virtual team building activities can help bridge the distance and foster a sense of connection, collaboration, and trust among remote workers.

2 How virtual team building boosts engagement

Employee engagement is the degree to which employees feel committed, motivated, and involved in their work and organization. Engaged employees are more productive, loyal, and innovative. Virtual team building activities can boost engagement by providing opportunities for employees to interact, share, and learn from each other. They can also help employees align with the organization's vision, values, and goals, and feel recognized and appreciated for their contributions.

3 How virtual team building boosts morale

Employee morale is the overall mood, attitude, and satisfaction of employees towards their work and workplace. High morale can lead to higher performance, lower turnover, and better customer service. Low morale can lead to lower performance, higher absenteeism, and higher turnover. Virtual team building activities can boost morale by creating a positive and supportive work environment, where employees can have fun, express themselves, and celebrate their achievements.

4 What types of virtual team building activities to try

There are many types of virtual team building activities you can try with your team to meet your objectives, preferences, and budget. Icebreakers are a great way to get employees to know each other better, break the ice, and warm up for a meeting or a project. Examples include asking employees to share a fun fact, a personal story, or a hobby. Games are also a great way to have fun and bond with each other; examples include trivia, bingo, or charades. Challenges are creative and collaborative activities that help employees solve problems, brainstorm ideas, or complete tasks together. Workshops are educational and skill-building activities that help employees learn something new, improve their skills, or develop their potential. Finally, events are special and celebratory activities that help employees mark milestones, recognize achievements, or appreciate each other; examples include virtual happy hours, virtual awards ceremonies, or virtual gratitude sessions.

5 How to plan and run virtual team building activities

Planning and running virtual team building activities can be a challenge, but with the right steps, they can be successful. Before choosing an activity, consider what you want to achieve, what your team needs, and what your team enjoys. Depending on the activity, you may need different tools and platforms to facilitate it. It's important to communicate your expectations to your team before starting, such as the time, the rules, the roles, and the outcomes. During the activity, make sure to engage your team by encouraging participation, providing feedback, asking questions, and showing enthusiasm. After the activity is complete, follow up with your team by thanking them, sharing the results, asking for feedback, and applying any learnings. Virtual team building activities can help boost employee engagement and morale in remote work settings. With thoughtful planning and execution of different activities, you can create a stronger and happier remote team.

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?