According to FlexJobs’ Employee Engagement Report, out of the 2000 professionals surveyed, 51% of individuals reported that they are only “somewhat” engaged (42%) or “not at all” engaged (9%) at work.
Where keeping up with the dominating remote workspace trend has become the need of the hour. Keeping employees engaged in the realm of a scattered workforce is a whole other level of task.
Even though it is generally better to develop clear remote team engagement rules and training in advance, there may be instances where you will have to sit on your strategy and reassess your approach.
Let’s explore some effective habits that you can adopt to promote team involvement and engagement.
8 Healthy remote work habits
Here are some actionable strategies that managers can embrace to boost the engagement and productivity of their remote staff:
1. Maintain a healthy work-life balance
According to APA’s 2023 Work in America Survey, 95% of respondents indicated that it is very important for them to feel that the organization respects their work and non-work boundaries. Among them, 64% emphasized the significance of this aspect.
So, your role as a manager is to encourage your employees to take a break from their computers by taking a walk or eating lunch outside or in a different room.
You can consider setting up a virtual exercise session or suggest that team members are free to take a break for their self-care. By taking purposeful action today, leaders and teams can build healthier habits and solidify bonds, fostering a collaborative environment where everybody wants to work, regardless of where they sit.
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2. Schedule daily team check-ups
With increasing physical differences, conducting daily calls with remote employees should be the top-most priority of a manager.
Now that could be done in the form of a series of individual calls; otherwise, it could be conducted as a regular, predictable team call. Also, you must leave a door open for your employees to approach you with questions and concerns.
This practice not only helps you get updates on the ongoing tasks and challenges but also uncovers any possible engagement issues as they appear. This way employees can complete their tasks with assurance and receive pertinent feedback.
3. Avoid doing micromanagement
In-office work environment is different from what people experience while working remotely. That’s because it’s possibly difficult to duplicate the precise workplace environment in every way. Therefore, provide your employees with greater freedom and opportunity. Make sure that at no time, under any circumstance, you should engage in micro-management.
In a recent survey conducted by Trinity Solutions, Inc., Peachtree City, Georgia, 79% of respondents claimed to have encountered micromanagement and that it significantly impacted their ability to execute their tasks.
Their concentration and involvement increase when you have significant autonomy over what they do rather than constantly checking in, giving instructions, and interrupting them. Consequently, they can work more effectively and to their full potential.
4. Build a Habit of Appreciating Your Employees
Remember to pay attention to your team members’ progress as this not only aids in raising productivity but also lowers the chance of burnout and turnover. You can do that through various means such as public recognition, rewards or incentives, verbal praise, and written appreciation notes for exceptional performance.
Recognize the efforts they make and the value they bring to the organization. Motivate employees to continue excelling, and provide growth opportunities for them to flourish. This leads to higher job satisfaction and improved retention rates.
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5. Connect with your team and be available to them
Many employees feel alone and lost due to lacking physical interactions. So, it’s critical to establish relationships with staff members to keep them feeling connected when working remotely.
Sharing positive feedback, opening a fun chat channel, or grabbing a coffee together, are some exceptional ways to create a sense of normality and solidarity with your team members. These practices help build an emotional and direct connection with everyone on your team.
Leadership is about making yourself available to your team members whenever they need it. Ensuring accessibility at different times of the day is an important factor in showing workers you care.
6. Embrace flexibility
When employees work in a remote setup, the personal and professional lines often get blurred. They feel constant stress and burnout, juggling between work and personal responsibilities.
However, when you introduce flexibility to your employees’ schedules, they can better manage their work with personal responsibilities and preferences. And with the organization prioritizing employees’ work-life balance, they feel content with their jobs.
That is evident from the survey of HR professionals, out of which 89% reported that when they implemented flexible work policies, they witnessed increased employee retention rates.
7. Provide encouragement and emotional support
Recognizing your employees’ mental state becomes very difficult when you are in two different locations. But that doesn’t mean you should let it go by. Instead, you should pay close attention to their worries and fears and show empathy for their challenges, even if it’s on the call.
Or better, you can use team communication tools to bring everyone on the same page and stay updated on your employees’ wellbeing. If you doubt someone hesitating from projecting their true emotions, charge up your empathetic side and gradually win their trust.
When employees face difficult circumstances, great leaders have the habit of acknowledging their stress and anxiety. Employees who receive the right kind of support are more likely to take up the challenge with focus and purpose.
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8. Provide the right tool
According to Insightful’s The State of Remote Work Report, around 64% of managers cite their inability to manage remote workers’ productivity due to a lack of appropriate tools. And that is understandable.
With the increasing acceptance of remote work styles and telecommuting around the globe, the need for technological advancements is increasing rapidly. And the benefits are not just limited to team leaders and employees, but the organization as a whole.
These tools include project management software like ProofHub, video conferencing platforms, instant messaging apps, and other tools that facilitate seamless collaboration and communication.
Project management tools like ProofHub provide a single platform for tasks, deadlines, communication, and files. This allows everyone on the team to see the bigger picture, track progress, and understand their roles. Managers can monitor progress without needing to constantly check in with team members.
Wondering how to keep your remote team on track and projects thriving? Our guide to Remote Project Management is packed with actionable tips and strategies.
Conclusion
Remote work is nothing new. However, it is critical to adapt to habits that can help your remote teams stay happy and make them feel valued within your organization. These above-mentioned habits not only help you achieve this but also will increase the productivity of your team.
Remote teams that are productive and focused provide a more enjoyable, dynamic work environment for everyone while also contributing to the development and financial success of the organization.
Build a happier, more productive team! Read & discover actionable tips to cultivate a positive work environment.
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