During the pandemic, many people realized something surprising. They suddenly missed their teammates. They also learned how vital their communities are to their lives. Building a solid team when working from home takes a lot of effort. However, it’s also worth it in the long run. As more companies start implementing hybrid working programs, it will likely increase the number of people working remotely.
One of the most critical factors businesses should consider when building a solid team is clearly understanding how to treat each team member. Below are some suggestions for how to encourage effective team building for remote teams.
Utilize Classic Icebreaker Activities
Before you start thinking too hard about building a solid team, it’s essential to understand that some of the groups respond well to simple icebreaker activities. These activities allow the team members to get to know each other better and make new connections. Just ask some simple, fun questions and see what connections your team can make!
Schedule Casual Catch-Ups
We’re social animals, and making new connections is very important. This is why we wander over to the desk to ask for help or chat with someone in the lunch queue. Unless we plan for these connections, they can’t happen.
Having a regular end-of-week virtual get-together benefits remote workers by allowing them to get to know each other and make new connections. This can be fun, and everyone will want to join in if it’s something they can do. Although it shouldn’t be mandatory, people may have other commitments.
Besides regular end-of-week virtual get-togethers, schedule other pre-planned team-building activities such as games and quizzes. These activities allow the team members to get to know each other better and make new connections.
Have Online Lunch Dates
One of the most effective team-building activities that remote workers can do is have online lunch dates. This can be done through video conferencing, and it can be fun to join in if it’s something that they can do. Members can also spend up to $25 to join the group to enjoy a meal at their favorite cafe or order delivery. Another fun team-building activity that remote workers can do is have virtual happy hours. This can be done through video conferencing, and it can be an excellent opportunity to meet up with other people.
Utilize Video When Possible
Communication experts believe body language is critical to building a solid team. It’s also important to note that having a clear understanding of how to treat each other can help improve team effectiveness. According to experts, video calls can additionally help improve the relationships between remote workers and their sense of connectedness.
The ability to work remotely can also give us a glimpse into our colleagues’ lives. We all love to see our home office or kitchen, and who doesn’t like to watch our colleague’s presentation in the presence of their pet dog? Having fun while working from home is not a bug that will stop you from working remotely. A video calling app is one of the most effective ways to keep the team engaged.