You're working remotely and feeling disconnected. How can you stay connected with your colleagues?

There are several ways to stay connected with colleagues while working remotely: -Regular communication, stay updated on work progress, and discuss any challenges. -Virtual team meetings, to discuss projects, and encourage everyone to actively participate. -Collaborative platforms, utilize a platform like Microsoft Teams to share your screen, collaborate on projects in real-time, and foster a sense of teamwork. -Create dedicated social channels for non-work-related conversations. It helps recreate the informal interactions that often occur in an office. -Celebrate milestones and achievements. Recognizing and appreciating each other's accomplishments helps maintain a positive and connected work environment.

In staffing, we will have recruiters pair off for a call block. In this, they each make calls unmuted, but will have their sound turned off. If they are between calls, they can turn sound back on to listen to their colleague and how they address different situations with candidates. It enables them to learn from each other and also captures the accountability aspect of making the calls and delivering the highest level of customer service to their candidate.

Embracing video calls in remote work settings proves invaluable for enhancing focus and fostering a stronger sense of connection with colleagues. Simply switching into professional attire and activating your camera during these calls can significantly enhance the feeling of closeness and collaboration. Let's leverage this effective tool to maximize productivity and maintain meaningful connections in our virtual workspaces. ??????

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One way I can think of is to establish virtual "watercooler" meetings. These are informal gatherings where colleagues can chat about non-work-related topics, just like they would if they bumped into each other in the office kitchen or hallway. You can set up dedicated channels on messaging platforms like Microsoft Teams for these conversations, or schedule brief video calls specifically for socializing. This way, you can maintain a sense of community and connection with your coworkers even when you're not discussing work-related matters.

Another way to stay connected with your colleagues is to create a share space. Staff should create a platform whereby they come together, and share their different opinions towards their job and landed in one objectives of the organization Also keep them together as one family whereby continuous improvement and ideas are share this way they can never feel disconnected where communication is active

Try to initiate conversation with your team members on frequent basis, even if its not related to work. This way you might get to know more about your colleagues personally. You can schedule team meetings(one-to-one or a group call). Appreciate there efforts towards the work, keep a positive approach and be a good listener too.

Creating a shared space fosters a sense of community and collaboration that is crucial for remote teams. In my experience, using tools like Slack for communication and Trello for project management has significantly improved team dynamics.

I view a shared space also as a problem that we are tackling as a team. It's the same concept we see in team sports. A common 'enemy' builds cohesion. I would suggest a collaborative effort of 1 issue per week that 2 or more team members tackle as a team.

Engaging in non-work-related conversations is a strategic approach to creative problem-solving. It fosters a culture of open communication where team members feel valued beyond their work roles. These interactions can lead to a deeper understanding of each other's thought processes and problem-solving styles, which is invaluable when collaborating on complex projects.

If you're experiencing a sense of disconnection, it's likely your colleagues are too. Be proactive—make the first move. Your conversations don't have to be centered on work—something as simple as asking about their weekend plans or future trips can be a great conversation starter.

Pulling like-minded people together to support each other in the same types of challenges is a great idea. I started a LinkedIn Local for my area, which allowed me to connect with people I chat with on LinkedIn in person too. I shared some best practices.And we had some great discussions about how to support each other in our professional journeys.

Slack is a great platform for building office culture. You can create channels based on your interests. My company has a Song of the Day channel, for song recommendations or a Pet channel where people would share photos of their pets. This received a lot of positive feedback and was something people looked forward to in the day.

Joining or starting a group can indeed be a powerful way to stay connected, especially in a remote work setting. It's important to remember that these groups should be inclusive and diverse to foster a wide range of perspectives and ideas. Additionally, it's not just about joining a group but actively participating and contributing to it. This active engagement can lead to more meaningful connections and learning experiences.

Think about joining or creating a group—whether it’s a LinkedIn group, a book club, or participating in podcast discussions. Engaging with people who share your interests can significantly help in overcoming feelings of disconnection.

"...in the multitude of counsellors, there is victory." Cognitive & emotional buoyancy in turbulent nor tranquil waters is optimised through collective wisdom.

Gratitude is one of the noblest attitudes of human beings and practicing it always brings human value. As we say in Spain, "it is well born to be grateful".

Showing appreciation is indeed a powerful tool in maintaining connection and fostering a positive work environment, even in remote settings. It's important to note that appreciation should be genuine and specific to be effective. For instance, instead of just saying "good job," specify what the person did well. This not only boosts morale but also encourages the repetition of the appreciated behavior. Additionally, creating a regular platform or forum for appreciation can ensure it becomes part of the team's culture.

Embrace your authenticity. Genuine self-expression naturally draws in those who resonate with your true self. By being authentically you, you not only create a positive impression but also build a sense of belonging.

An example i have seen is to make sacrifices by going extra mile to putting a call across to the central control communication system and keep the parties involved abreast of your unprecedented disconnection. Team spirit comes first before anything else.

In the world of remote work, where being far apart can sometimes make us feel distant, we have a special chance to change how we stay connected with our colleagues. Games come to our rescue in this digital world, giving us a space where laughter fills the air and we build friendships through online board games and group challenges. During virtual game nights, we rediscover the happiness of companionship, finding comfort in knowing that even though we're physically apart, we share the same experiences and dreams. In these moments, we laugh, have fun, and learn together, building connections that make remote work feel more like a shared adventure. It's a reminder that even in the online world, we can make our human connections shine brightly.

Remote work has been proven to be great for mental health and productivity; however, that doesn't mean it can't feel isolating at times if you spend all 8 working hours every day in your own company. The main thing to consider is what type of connection you're craving; are you out of the loop work-wise, or do you miss daily social interactions? Once you know this, your first step should be to talk to your manager to figure out a solution. For work, weekly/monthly update meetings can easily be done online, ensuring remote and hybrid workers stay in the loop. For the social aspect, office events, quizzes, meetings and chats can be scheduled to include a virtual link for remote workers.

One thing I have found helpful is the value of being oneself. Authentic interactions are always organic and welcoming. Consciously create a warm space to interact beyond the necessary and make a point to deliver genuine compliment, appreciation and gratitude. Also, going above and beyond to be helpful creates a space that can make a virtual environment connected almost realistically.

Social Events: Plan virtual social events like happy hours, birthday celebrations, or holiday parties to maintain social connections and boost morale.

We are adults so let's entertain the possibility that sometimes, circumstances are too complicated for an easy simple solution. Maybe we might have to learn how to successfully adapt and adjust to feeling disconnected. How do we continue to be a productive team member despite disconnection?