Remote work options boost diversity. Remote work boosts focus and energy, but sometimes at the expense of trust and cooperation. What steps can each of us take to create a cohesive culture that extends beyond the walls? How to align on what will work best for the team?
What to do as a leader
Employees who don’t spend much time together in person are less likely to share a common sense of purpose, and often feel isolated and unsupported in times of stress.
Purpose is key to motivation: define together your mission;
Schedule social events and brainstorms for times when most team members will be on-site;
Build shared knowledge, create opportunities for team members to interact and discover each other’s unique talents;
Deliberate rituals are important to help everyone build and maintain close relationships. It can be a weekly team meeting, where each person shares one highlight from their week, one low point, and one thing that made them laugh.
This is about making time for bonding and energizing moments that support the safe working environment where everyone can be their whole self. Connecting the team members through the human dimension, looking beyond the ‘daily work routines’ will enforce the team cohesion, well-being and performance.
What to do as a leader
Make it a habit to foresee time and space to connect informally. It can be either on the regular basis (embedded in regular team meetings), either periodically, as a team building;
Especially when navigating turbulent times, changes or a new team-reality, embedding time together, without a business agenda, is key;
How can you understand the person as a whole and provide space to be one’s self?
