Building Strong and Cohesive Remote Teams

For frontline industries, deskless work has always been part of the equation, with most employee productivity happening outside of an office. As social distancing reduced in-person work environments during the pandemic, other industries also went to remote work models, giving businesses an avenue to keep operating with team members safely working away from each other. Some businesses adopted the model permanently, while others now employ a hybrid model, with some days remote and others in-office. 

Whether it’s part and parcel of how work gets done or just an option for reducing office overhead and breaking down geographical barriers, remote work is an integral part of modern business. But that doesn’t mean every business is good at it. Building strong and cohesive remote teams takes thoughtful strategy and dedication. For satisfied, productive teams, you have to create work environments that foster collaboration and a positive work culture. Let’s take a closer look at how some of these strategies play out. 

Emphasizing Communication at Every Opportunity

Effective communication is the bedrock of any successful team, especially when working remotely, helping ensure all team members stay aligned and informed. 

Dialogue gives companies an opportunity to share ideas, goals, and other critical information with teams — and just as importantly, a chance to listen to what team members have to say. Setting clear expectations is also paramount in remote work scenarios, where physical cues and body language may be limited. When team members understand their roles, responsibilities, and project timelines, they can focus on their tasks with confidence and avoid misunderstandings. This clarity of expectations prevents unnecessary delays and enables the team to deliver high-quality work efficiently.

Complete the feedback loop by providing intentional and regular communication back to your teams. Transparency in decision-making and sharing project progress fosters trust, promotes engagement, and enhances teamwork.

Cultivating a Strong Team Culture

A robust team culture is the glue that binds remote members together. Cultivate a sense of belonging by organizing virtual team-building activities, recognizing achievements, and celebrating milestones collectively. Regular virtual meetings, both formal and informal, create opportunities for team bonding and camaraderie, which strengthens professional relationships and fosters a collaborative spirit.

When you establish a culture that truly values dialogue, you not only create a healthy pattern of communication, but you also build a culture where diverse perspectives and innovative ideas can flourish. Remote team members may have unique insights influenced by their cultural backgrounds or experiences. For instance, a driver with extensive experience in a particular route may suggest more efficient ways to navigate through challenging terrains. By encouraging engagement and input from all team members, businesses can continuously improve processes and make informed decisions to optimize operations. 

Empowering Teams with the Right Tools and Technology

How you communicate is just as important as how much you communicate. Empowering remote teams with the right tools and technology ensures productivity and seamless collaboration. 

It’s important to take care not to inundate your remote teams with multitudes of platforms, but a few key investments can go a long way. Reliable communication solutions like WorkHound aid in this strategy, allowing companies to leverage simple text messages that do not require any login, platform learning, or other added management skills for the employee.

Industry-based management tools and virtual workspaces can also help to streamline workflows and facilitate easy information sharing. Access to these resources ensures that remote teams can operate efficiently and achieve their goals with confidence.

Prioritizing Trust and Autonomy

Remote team members thrive when given the trust and autonomy to excel in their roles and responsibilities. It can be easy to fall into the habit of micromanagement with remote work. After all, you can’t just stroll over to their cubicles and talk. Just checking on progress can’t hurt, right? Wrong. Micromanagement hinders productivity and stifles creativity. It injects anxiety about performance and incorrectly puts value on personal achievement.

Instead of constantly checking in to monitor progress, you should build teams you can trust to make the right decisions, and whose work you can trust will always result in progress.  

Empower team members to take ownership of their tasks and give them space to complete them. Set realistic goals together and then allow them to manage their time effectively. Trusting in your team’s abilities naturally encourages progress and builds a culture that values accountability and the accomplishment of team goals. 

Ensuring Inclusivity and Diversity

One of the most exciting opportunities remote work offers is the richness of diverse perspectives. Embrace this diversity and engage in employee listening, giving every team member a chance to be heard. Inclusive team environments promote creativity, innovation, and a sense of belonging, creating teams with stronger bonds and better problem-solving skills.

With the right tools and strategies, it’s possible to create teams that are highly productive, innovative, and engaged, no matter where their workday happens. To learn more about how to keep your remote teams connected, contact WorkHound today for a free demo.