We all have that one friend who says, “I actually like going to the office.”
Bragging moment aside, the fact that they can say that shows how choice and self-awareness makes our finding balance between our work and personal life easier. There’s no resentment or feeling forced. There’s even the freedom of seeking what works best for us. That’s the true future of work, being able to find a way to fulfill our tasks while not putting our wellbeing in second place.
Some people work best from home, others get a boost by being in contact with others. And many of us appreciate meeting up a couple times a week to connect and brainstorm with our team. Nobody needs to stick or follow a particular guidelinet o ensure productivity.
Regardless of whether a team is fully remote, hybrid, or even entirely working on-site, they should all feel supported by havinf the tools and options that make their everyday easier to handle. Even teammates who go to the office five days a week will need to take a day working from home when their child is sick, or when they need to be meeting with a client on the other side of the city. Every team can benefit from having the basics that make a remote team click.
Starts with Good Communication
From the way someone responds to a message on Slack to the way that a marketing campaign is worded, every communication should on brand with company values and mission. For example, if transparency is important, then clear and to-the-point messaging should be part of outbound strategies. One-on-one conversations should provide feedback that is honest and direct.
Cross-team communication is also key. The engineering team needs to find ways to connect with customer success in order to provide great service to customers. Partnerships should be clear with internal comms on the best way to give announcements. When everyone knows each other’s name, rather than just reaching out to “that random person in Product”, they can have better results.
This is where HR comes in. How do can People teams create engagement in the way that coworkers actually know each other and treat their teammates as people, rather than a name on the screen, or random person sitting at that desk?
Boost conversations and interaction, while being mindful that not everyone is on the same page regarding how they want to express themselves. Allow teammates to have one-on-ones with their cameras off if that’s what makes them feel comfortable. Have fun polls or ask a question where everyone knows that Omar from Finance rescued a tabby cat five years ago.
Provide Them With Tools That Ensure Success
Whether it’s making sure that every colleague’s home set-up is complete, or that on-site teams can take their laptops home or during travel if need be, tools are another key to success. Not everyone needs the same things, but keep in mind that they will definitely need work computers that are easy to take with them.
If you can believe it, there are some companies forcing employees working from home to have desktop computers so they are only working from their home. How this helps them is unclear. Teammates who feel supported, acknowledged, and trusted are more likely to be confident in delivering great results. If they don’t feel comfortable or sense that their manager distrusts them, they can be walking on eggshells, and that never leads to quality work.
Always Support Your Team
Companies can have access to great talent if they’re willing to broaden their horizons and think outside the box. If you’re willing to trust your teammates and give them all the support and tools they need, rest assured that you’ll be well on your way to reaching their goals.
Remember, even if the entire company is 90% at the office, you’re still a remote team on occasions. Don’t disregard these suggestions, as they might also come in handy to let your teammates know that you got their back.
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