In the post-COVID world, remote work is the norm. Although only 17 percent of U.S. workers used to work remotely before the “pandemic,” their numbers have dramatically increased. One more problem presented itself for companies new to this situation: These communication strategies will keep remote workers productive and motivated, and your business is running smoothly.
There are other collaboration options available to employees to improve their motivation, engagement, performance, and overall motivation.
Remote employees make team communication even more important. Remote employees can positively impact productivity and stress levels, but only if they can collaborate with their employers.
These are the signs that your remote team is not proactive
First, you need to know how to tell if remote workers aren’t proactive. There are several standard ways to track their productivity, including time trackers with screenshots and video conferences. You can also use group chats for team communication. But, unfortunately, none of these methods can tell you anything about your employees’ motivations or work efficiency.
Are they able to manage their time effectively? We shared the Bid4Papers blog with the time management skills that can be used to improve overall performance. It is not just about setting goals and planning but also about self-awareness and patience, and managing stress.
Are they still on the same page about your business goals? Do they feel satisfied with the work environment and communication you offer so that they can perform at their highest possible level?
Pay attention to these signs when communicating with your team and measuring their engagement:
They appear helpless
Remote employees can be more reactive than proactive when they start to say things like “That won’t work,” “That’s impossible, it’s just the truth,” etc.
They display a victim mentality
Your team’s blame game is another sign of lack of proactivity or motivation. They might feel that others are doing bad things to them, and they have no power to fix it. You might hear alarm phrases like “They never inform us about the updates,” or “Why we must deal with their mistakes.” It is a mentality that resembles “Everyone is stupid except us.”
Your communication gets worse
It’s an indication that they are not proactive if there is a lack of communication with your employees. So it is when they hide the problems they face, and you don’t know them. You can’t help but solve those problems for your team. Communication is cut off: Each team member works on their own, without any motivation to work with others.
How to motivate remote workers
These signs could indicate the current state or potential problems of your remote team. Here’s how you can change it.
1. Establish clear goals and expectations through the appropriate communication channels
Your team will be more productive and motivated if they know what they should do and why. It is not enough to assign tasks. Employees must understand the purpose of those tasks and how they fit into the overall business process.
Your employees should be able to understand the company’s goals. Therefore, you should explain to your employees why they are working for you and what your company expects. Also, how their tasks relate to your business goals.
Make sure you choose the right communication channels to communicate with your team. Your workforce may become dispersed and more remote with remote employees. It could also be multi-generational. While you may want to communicate with your team through one channel, it might not be the most comfortable.
Some employees only use a company network for information. Others may prefer voice calls and team chats. Remote workers can use the team collaboration channels that work best for them.
2. Embrace a growth mindset by allowing your employees to have a say
Remote work is not without its challenges. It requires energy, self-discipline, and motivation. If your team members are not well organized at home, they may feel isolated and lonely, have a poor work-life balance, or experience stress. It is important to regularly check in with your team members and get their feedback. It’s important to make it a part of your company culture that employees have a voice during team communication sessions.
Your communication with your team has a huge impact on their motivation and morale. You can help them build a positive and growth mindset. It is what motivates people to take action and overcome everyday challenges at work.
You can even host self-development sessions online. You can ask experts to help you organize remote sessions.
3. Communicate effectively and often
Employees may become overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive via various communication channels. It can lead to stress and cause them to ignore important messages.
You must share the right information with them to deal with this. It can be difficult for them to pay attention when they work remotely, so do your best to get to know what they want and then communicate it.
Decide which communication channel they prefer
- One week per week, phone calls to discuss tasks and get feedback
- Chats in life, where AI chatbots can give you the note, and you can join in whenever necessary
- Video calls are used to communicate with team members and discuss the status of things.
- Group chats on team messaging platforms with small talks and group chats to keep everyone involved
- One-on-one communication, to discuss individual goals, tasks, and achievements
It would help if you communicated more frequently with your team members through their preferred channels. For example, please encourage them to use remote worker’s tools for better time management and performance.
Consider reliable instant messaging platforms for team goals and communication.
4. Personalize your messages
Your remote workers are often exposed to too much information. It is often the case that not all remote workers need it. Focus on the important information only if you want your team to stay proactive.
Segment your employees to personalize every message. Do not let your employees get lost in the avalanche of information. Or spend too much time trying to guess what they need. Only tag team members if you have a message that is relevant to them.
5. Connect remote and non-remote workers
It’s difficult for employees to form personal connections when they don’t work in the same workplace. However, we know that workers are more productive when they feel connected to their colleagues. To improve productivity, connect your employees via virtual communication.
Your team can create a virtual booth that allows them to meet up with others and share their insights, business practices, tips, or fun facts. In addition, you might consider communication software that allows them to comment and share content.
6. Give yourself time flexibility and acknowledge your accomplishments
Flexjobs’ remote work statistics show that 85 percent of businesses have seen increased productivity due to greater flexibility. Flexibility is also a benefit for employees, with 90 percent saying that it boosts morale and makes them more effective at work.
Your team may have members who are from different time zones or prefer digital nomad lifestyles. With this in mind, how about a business model that allows for flexibility in work hours and location?
You can organize your team communication around the working hours of each team member.
Remote work is a completely different environment than in an office. As a result, some employees may have difficulty adapting to this change. Twenty percent feel disengaged from the company and lack a sense of belonging.
You can motivate them more by sharing your personal and team achievements with the rest of the company to encourage and inspire their initiative. For example, create a channel within your communication app that allows team leaders to share the outstanding performances of their employees.
Your business methods are likely to be different than other businesses
The post-COVID world has a new trend in remote work. It reflects the problems of productivity and demotivation among employees. Companies recognize this and seek out new ways to communicate with remote workers to improve their engagement and performance.
They assess team communication effectiveness and determine which communication channels are most effective, then adjust their collaboration with employees to reflect this. Take the time to review these team communication tips and give your remote employees the tools they need. Then, trust them to do their best for your company’s success.
Disclaimer. The opinions and views expressed in this article are the authors Shalom Lamm.
