Remote Teamwork: Fostering Camaraderie while Working from Home (Part 1)
As businesses and individuals continue to adjust to the new “normal” brought about by the pandemic that the world faces, managers who oversee staff working from home might find it challenging to keep them engaged and positively dedicated to the organization’s goals. There’s a mood that lingers around individuals who are suddenly isolated and removed from their physical workspace. Some individuals may feel they’ve been uprooted from a routine that keeps their minds engaged and active. While some may find working from home more suited to their lifestyle. Either way, bringing individuals together virtually and keeping their hopes and spirits up might be a daunting task for managers. So how can managers engage their teams, foster camaraderie while everyone’s sitting behind their laptops, isolated and feeling uninspired?
1. Schedule an all-in online team huddle
This is not about calling a skype meeting and having a one-way lecture to tell staff what managers expect and what needs to be done for the week. This is an opportunity to have people talk about their feelings, their priorities and the general challenges they face while working remotely. It should be clear that the discussion should be towards activities and challenges that affect the team as a whole and individual concerns may be raised in another one-on-one session with the manager. Depending on the size of the team, limit the meeting to one hour and allot a time for every individual to share three things abbreviated as “TAC”: (1)Thoughts, (2)Achievements, and (3)Challenges in the past week or month. Then, a manager may ask specific individuals to talk about “TIC” or (1)Targets, (2)Ideas, and (3)Commitments. More about TAC and TIC in PART 2 of this blog.
2. Meet separately with groups for specific projects
After a general meeting, managers should take note of specific projects which need immediate attention and support. A manager could, then, touch base with the team involved with this project and dive deeper into the challenges encountered while working remotely. It may be unresponsive clients, inter-department lapses in communication, or even a lack of sense of direction. With things being put on hold due to the indefinite city-wide or even nationwide lockdowns, projects may be put on hold and may even be shelved. It is important for managers to communicate the expectations clearly. If a project needs to be shelved, the manager should be straightforward with the team and encourage the team members to refocus time, resources, and attention to other initiatives which may be more immediate. The critical point to drive across is that there is leadership on this project, and the leaders where to go with the project. Whether to put it in the shelf or to expedite it, it should be clear to the individuals what their priorities are while working remotely, usually cut off from the normal quick-chats and information-sharing in the physical office.
3. Reinforce “We’re in this together” mindset
The challenges faced by individuals during this lock down should be well-acknowledged by managers. Whether it is having to care for the children at home now while trying to respond to emails or take an official phone call, to getting groceries from the stores and pharmacies during office hours so as not to miss the shopping hours, or extended lunch hours since the parents have to cook for the household while the house help is also kept from working, managers should remember to be more responsive and supportive of the staff during these adjustment periods. The mindset should be output-based, and that these outputs can be realized and achieved together. Managers should show empathy and flexibility in trying to reach these goals. More importantly, they should be able to reassure their staff that these changes in routine, these new ways of working and balancing work and other responsibilities, is fully acknowledged by the organization. Staff would feel at ease and less stressed if they know they are supported so that they remain productive and engaged, while also discovering that their whole team is going through these same adjustments in their work arrangements.
Treating people as humans with unique lifestyles and challenges, especially during these unfamiliar times at work, is the surest way to keep employees engaged and supportive of the organizations’ goals and aspirations. There are opportunities for team learning during these times. Talk to Catalyst360 today to learn how we can further foster camaraderie while working online and remotely, together.