The reality for most right now is working remotely from home, which has been for norm for a while now, though it is an adjustment that many are still getting used to. Such a significant lifestyle change could be the cause of difficulties that so many employees are facing right now.
The reasons mentioned above make it clear that employers have an extra responsibility to motivate the team from home in a way that was not needed before. Organising virtual team building activities and enrolling employees in creative courses are examples of two great ways to drive purpose.
But what other useful practices can you implement to help make your team feel inspired and driven while working from home? Read on for some top tips on doing so.
Make Communication The Most Important Factor
Feeling isolated and alone is one of the biggest struggles that many people are experiencing at the moment. Even though work continues and team work is still happening (virtually), it’s very different from the norm.
Therefore, it is imperative to organise regular meetings with the team, and one-on-one’s if necessary. A virtual support system may not be the same as a physical one, but it is absolutely better than none at all.
Ensuring that your employees know you are always available to help in any way you can is also a good idea. Initiating frequent wellbeing check-ins might be useful too, and not just regarding work. Motivation is low for many people during this time, and the more encouragement received, the better!
Focus On Task Outcomes Instead Of Hours Worked
It’s important for every business to remain productive while working from home, and employees know they need to work specific hours each day. However, it may be more productive for your business to monitor the quality of work completed as opposed to tracking hours. While remote working does offer its advantages, it also presents distractions that are not a problem when at the office.
In this case, make it known that activity time is not the be-all and end-all. Instead, the focus should be on whether employees are accomplishing their targets and maintaining a positive client relationship. Getting things done correctly is ultimately more important than doing set hours.
Organise Virtual Team-Building Events
Remote working has forced people to develop exciting ways to entertain themselves, so there’s plenty of fun virtual team-building activities available online.
Organising a few exciting events ahead of time and marking them on the team’s calendar gives everyone something to look forward to and work towards. You could also encourage each team member to pick an activity of their liking.
Virtual events are, naturally, very different from events we all once knew. However, they can genuinely lift the mood and offer fantastic bonding opportunities for everyone at work.
Offer WFH Equipment For A Productive Environment
For many people, working from home was never an option, but when 2020 came along, everyone was plunged into remote work, and their home environment may not have had the right equipment for a productive working space.
If possible, create a budget for office equipment that can be sent to everyone’s home. This will make remote work a lot more comfortable, which will, in turn, increase motivation. Working in the same place that you eat and relax is not conducive to mental wellbeing, so allowing for a WFH budget will be beneficial for the team’s wellbeing.
Motivation may seem like it is at an all-time low right now, but there are ways to mend this quickly. If you encourage open communication between yourself and your team, keeping in touch with any needs or concerns will be a lot simpler. Your team needs community now more than ever, and there is no better time to increase motivation through virtual teamwork and support.