With state-of-the-art advances in technology, remote work has become a familiar term to workers in new generations. What is more, that is globalization that fosters the need for remote work.
It is undeniable that online working platforms have worked wonders for companies’ economic aspects while maintaining or even boosting productivity. Nonetheless, there are some downsides that need our consideration, and one of which is the potential for company unity and culture to take a hit.
Don’t let the minor risks discourage you to embrace the precious opportunity for integration. Extremely useful tips for reinforcing your team’s unity even when working remotely are right here in this article for your reference.
Build Up And Strengthen Remote-working Team’s Unity
1. Balance Flexibility With Structured Time
A win-win is the first and foremost factor for any sustainable co-operations. Thus, despite the flexible nature of remote working, there should also be transparent regulations to guarantee workers’ freedom as well as companies being effective and thriving.
When employees work remotely (whether some of the time or most of the time), it’s crucial to build some structure to balance the freedom of remote work with regular check-ins or group brainstorming. Because there might be problems that are hard to tackle via screens.
This will also ensure time for collaboration among individuals. As unity is about feeling connected, and meeting on a regular cadence creates space for connecting.
2. Utilize Tools
Now that the time structure has been specifically and transparently set up, it’s still a challenging task to monitor employees effectively.
However, nothing is impossible, especially in this digital era. Online leaders can create a more productive workplace and effective management via the various functions involved. A fair and unbiased work assessment will facilitate positive outcomes and prevent negative consequences for employees.
Plus, it’s a good idea to utilize social media as a communication tool. To maintain a sense of unity, don’t let the team become disconnected. Apart from just tasks or work, online chatting platforms may contain small talk, jokes, and life chitchat. This will help avoid your sense of team unity beginning to dissipate and turning cold.
3. Pay Attention To Mental Well-being
Don’t be too pushy as sometimes, being too strict will lead to adverse effects.
If there’s something suddenly wrong along the workflow, instead of tackling problems impulsively by forcing and pushing your employees, take your time to find out the root reasons to make sure your workers are not under extreme pressure, being depressed, or suffering from any mental illness that affects their performance.
4. Concentrate On Values
Studies have shown that to be effective and thrive, your most valuable employees should not only be good at what they do but also fit your company culture well. Hence, for leaders, the capacity to understand a worker’s personal circumstances is crucial to help create a conscious culture and unified team.
As you hire employees and contractors, it’s important to understand their values and communicate yours. Some open talks on passions and values to discuss and listen to opinions from different perspectives can take your team a step closer to being united.
Plus, daily stand-up meetings, where daily goals and impediments are reviewed, and the entire agency workflow is planned as a unified goal are also great ideas to effectively work and collaborate.
5. Prioritize Interaction
A sense of unity should be considered core to your mission. And the groundwork of unity is great communication which comes down to the recognition of its value and opportunities to meet, talk, or stay connected.
Not only does effective communication make everyone’s purpose clear, which eventually enables everyone to thoroughly understand their goals and what to strive for, but it also fosters the internal relationship.
No matter what platforms are used, regular meetings or gatherings can work wonders for a team’s unity.
Another integral point is to make yourself part of the team. It’s not a good idea if not bad for managers to draw a thick line between themselves and their employees.
To promote unity, it’s necessary to break down the wall between executives and non-executives. Involve yourself in events and chat with them. The more present and inclusive you are, the more others will be opened to unity.
As a leader, it’s a good idea to create a safe place where your team members are willing to put trust in and confide in to ask for appropriate solutions.
Furthermore, let your employees contribute by being more approachable, offering open-door policies, and openly listening to their opinions and feedback on your management method as well as any developing plan.