What role do managers play in promoting employee engagement during remote work?

Managers play a crucial role in fostering employee engagement during remote work. Setting clear expectations is a key step in this process. This involves defining task scopes, deadlines, and quality standards, as well as communication and collaboration methods. It's also beneficial to establish weekly Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) with employees. During the initial onboarding phase, focus on assessing the individual's capabilities. If they meet expectations, encourage them to set their own weekly OKRs. If not, assist them in time management and improvement areas, while setting achievable OKRs for them. This approach helps clarify roles and responsibilities, reducing confusion and enhancing performance measurement.

I firmly believe that feedback should be an integral part of everyday tasks and interactions, especially in smaller teams and remote work setups. It's not limited to formal occasions; a simple "well done" can be a powerful motivator. This approach not only drives employee development but also fosters a positive and productive in person or remote work environment, benefiting both employees and the organization.

In the realm of remote work, managers serve as key architects of employee engagement by maintaining open lines of communication, providing consistent support, and promoting a sense of connection within the team. Encouraging virtual collaboration, facilitating opportunities for social interaction, and being responsive to individual needs help sustain a positive work environment.

To boost employee engagement in a remote setting, our team emphasizes collaboration and socialization. We facilitate this through our Wednesday Virtual Coffee Chats. In these sessions, employees are paired 1:1 with a colleague, guided to discuss their roles and experiences within the company. This not only helps in building a deeper understanding of different functions but also fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Such interactions are instrumental in creating an inclusive and connected remote work environment, encouraging openness, and stimulating innovation. BTW, we use LEAD.bot in Slack for this initiative and we give people rewards if they have a high participation rate. :)

Managers in distributed environments have a great opportunity to intentionally engage in informal communication. Sharing insights and casual conversations about life outside of work - in any format - will be a welcome conversation starter from your team. This helps build connection and long term engagement, even when across the globe! Some fun ways to try information communication: - Sharing your weekend adventures (and pics!) in slack - Calendar blocks for family fun events - Spend 5 mins at the start of a 1:1 talking about anything but work!