Maybe you’re thinking that establishing authentic connections with remote teams can be a bit of a challenge because you don’t have the same opportunities to interact with them face-to-face like you would in an office. It can be tough to establish good teamwork when all you have is virtual communication. But in the world of technology, nothing is impossible. With the right intention and proper tools, you can turn this challenge into opportunities for seamless and effective collaboration.
If you’re serious about making sure that every employee is engaged in your team and is committed to your vision, then you should work on building a culture that values genuine connection. If you want to make sure that your team is performing at its best, collaborating effectively even if they’re from different locations, then it’s not just about asking them work-related questions all the time.
It’s about doing genuine efforts to get to know them better and find out what fires them up, and providing them a team culture that allows them to work in a way that suits them. It’s also about creating a work environment that recognises the value of human interaction and how building connections with your employees makes work even more meaningful.
It’s also about setting intentions. If your intention is getting to know them and making sure that your team knows everyone, then you’re setting them up for success. And in this way, they know how to act around each other, give way, and just understand where everyone is coming from.
Learn these simple yet life changing tips on how to build genuine connections with your remote teams so you can collaborate easily.
Being camera-on in meetings
You may not have the same level of face-to-face interaction as you would in an office setup, but making your virtual meetings with camera-on can make up for it. You may be shy or uncomfortable at first showing yourself on camera, but once you get the hang of it, it will make you and your team more engaged and attentive to participate in the discussions. When everyone has their camera turned on, it can help reduce distractions and keep your members focused on the meeting. This can help you ensure that the meetings stay on track. But most importantly, being on camera and seeing how your members’ reaction, nonverbal cues, and body language can help foster a connection and build more trust with each other.
So on your next virtual meeting, encourage everyone to show themselves and make it seem like you’re talking to them in person, even if it’s online.
“Just for fun” group chats
Why don’t you create a group chat, just for the fun of it? You might feel like it’s a distraction but think of it as a channel where you can just talk about anything under the sun and just have a quick break from everything that is happening, work-related. It will not hurt if you create fun group chats for sending memes, sharing photos of your dog, or just reminding everyone to take their breaks. This will also help your members loosen up, laugh a little, and be comfortable interacting with you and everyone else in the team.
Put a little humor in your day to day and you can spread good vibes like a wildfire and make your work day lighter and happier.
Attending virtual social activities
Working virtually can get a little lonely so encourage your members to take the opportunity to join social activities that your company organized and meet new people within your community. Attending these kinds of events may unlock personalities that you never thought they have. Like for example, if it’s a game night, then maybe your team members will show their competitive side. Then if it’s an art workshop, then you may see their creative side. You can learn more about them outside of work, when you encourage them to join in these kinds of activities.
You can also create your own social activities in your team. As simple as scheduling a huddle to cap off the week and just talking about how your week went and your plans for the weekend over some food and drinks would be a great start.
Office meetups or co-working
If there’s a chance to meet your team in person, then you have to make it count. Meeting in the office and having a co-working session can make collaboration more easier for you and for your team. Discussing in person can also encourage creativity and help you build more ideas. Aside from the work-related stuff, grab this opportunity to get coffee together, head out for lunch, and unwind over drinks after a long day at work. Knowing that you can be a great company, can really build that genuine connection with your team members.
Being yourself
Staying true to yourself, including the workplace, can help you build trust and confidence within your team members. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and opinions, as long as you do respectfully. Embrace each other’s quirks! Everyone has quirks and unique qualities that make them who they are. Don’t try to hide or suppress these qualities in the workplace. Embrace your sense of humor and let them shine. Being yourself is not just beneficial for your well being. By being your authentic self and encouraging others to do the same, you can help create a work environment that’s supportive, inclusive, and productive.
Conclusion
Making real connections with your team may not be easy, but it’s totally worth a shot. Building trust and understanding takes time, but if you’re committed to putting in the effort and being genuine, it can really pay off. When your team has solid connections and can work together smoothly, it can do wonders for your business. So don’t be afraid to invest some time and energy into building meaningful relationships with your colleagues – it could make all the difference!
Ready to build your own remote team? Send an email to Filta’s Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Nerissa Chaux, at nerissa@filtaglobal.com and let’s create your ultimate remote team together!
