As the work landscape shifts at lightning speed, remote or distributed teams are popping up everywhere. According to one study, 22% of the US workforce will be remote by 2025, an increase of 87% from before the pandemic. This shift makes it essential for companies to focus on effective teamwork and collaboration among their far-flung staff members.
While remote or hybrid work models can bring many work-life benefits, more than a third of Glassdoor survey respondents expressed loneliness and isolation. Nearly 40% of them said remote work made it harder to connect with colleagues.
So, how can we address these feelings of isolation and loneliness and foster a close-knit, supportive team? By proactively encouraging communication and collaboration.
We’ve handpicked five remote team-building tips specifically designed for your work-from-home crew. These practical tactics aim to build camaraderie, strengthen bonds, and increase engagement—all without resorting to eye-roll-inducing activities.
Why Is Team Building Important for Remote Employees?
Team-building activities are important in creating a close-knit and engaged team, especially when everyone’s working from their own home. Here are five reasons why you should make team building part of your plan to bring out the best in remote teams:
1. Building stronger bonds
Virtual team-building activities help build solid connections among remote coworkers by giving them chances to interact.
Did you know that a 2006 Harvard study showed heart surgeons performed better with familiar teams than with new ones? Getting chummy across departments can boost the whole organization’s performance—leading to higher productivity and success.
2. Better collaboration
Team building helps improve how well everyone communicates and works together as a unit, which means smoother collaboration among those remote employees who join these activities. As an outcome, they tend to work together more effectively on projects.
3. Boosting morale
Team-building efforts can raise employee spirits, job satisfaction levels, and overall happiness at work. When remote teammates feel more connected to their colleagues and company through these experiences, they will likely be more motivated and engaged in their daily tasks.
4. Higher retention rates
A Gallup survey found that only 30% of US workers think their opinions matter at work; bumping up this number could lead to excellent benefits like lower turnover rates (27%), fewer safety incidents (40%), and increased productivity (12%).
By investing in team-building initiatives, you can help your remote staff feel more valued and connected. This will make them more likely to stay committed to their jobs and the company, increasing employee retention rates.
5. Smoother communication
Virtual team-building activities significantly enhance communication skills, which are indispensable when tasks need to be assigned or feedback needs to be disseminated promptly among colleagues.
Also, informal interactions allow members to better understand each other’s strategies, refining their collective decision-making prowess.
What Do You Need To Consider When Planning Virtual Team-Building Activities?
When organizing remote team-building virtual events, there are several key factors to think about. These considerations help ensure everyone can benefit from and feel included in the activities. Here’s what you need to consider:
Preferences
For a successful virtual team-bonding experience, it’s essential to consider everyone’s interests and opinions. Research shows that employees who feel their views are valued tend to give their best at work.
That’s why considering each person’s preferences is important for creating an inclusive and valued atmosphere within the team.
Try picturing the ideal scenario for each teammate and look for a virtual activity that matches their tastes. This could involve running polls or having casual chats where people can share ideas.
By actively engaging your crew in the planning process, you create a cooperative environment that encourages ownership over the chosen activities—making them more meaningful for everyone involved.
Remember that different folks have unique preferences regarding structure and activity types—some thrive on organized fun, while others enjoy laid-back vibes.
Acknowledging these differences helps create a more inclusive (and enjoyable) team-building experience.
When you put individuals’ needs first and value everyone’s input, you’ll be able to craft a remote team-bonding plan tailored specifically for your group’s diverse interests—boosting engagement levels while tightening those all-important bonds between teammates.
Inclusivity
As we mentioned earlier, inclusivity plays a huge role in team-building success. It’s essential to ensure everyone on the team feels included and valued. Double-check that every member can easily access all activities, no matter where they are or what tech tools they have at hand.
If needed, consider providing extra resources for those requiring assistance with certain tasks or activities.
Remember, you’re likely dealing with a mix of personalities—some teammates might be introverted and prefer low-key events, while others could be extroverts who love energetic and interactive experiences. Make an effort to cater to both types so everyone gets a chance to shine.
Logistics
Getting the logistics right is important, especially for remote and hybrid teams. This means ensuring everyone has access to the necessary resources and technology and a clear plan for how activities will be carried out. Ask yourself these questions:
- What’s the ultimate objective of this activity? Is it aimed at enhancing collaboration among team members or primarily focusing on boosting communication skills?
- Will it involve more hands-on, interactive tasks or lean toward a relaxed and laid-back experience?
- Who will take up the responsibility of leading and facilitating this activity? How do they plan to ensure everyone stays engaged and actively participates throughout the process (for example, Slack or Teams)?
- If the remote meetings or activities will be across time zones, has appropriate thought been given to the time it will take place to allow for real-time interaction of all participants?
- Are there any personal expenses participants may incur during the activity (such as purchasing snacks or acquiring specific materials)?
- Regarding company resources, if you’re utilizing them for this team-building initiative, have you developed a well-structured plan outlining how these funds will be allocated effectively?
Besides those questions, remember that online team-building activities should cater to your specific group and company culture. Engagement levels will soar when you know what works best for your team and adjust accordingly.
Interestingly, staying engaged can sometimes be tricky with remote work setups. One 2022 study found that only 32% of US employees were engaged at work. That number has decreased for several years as more people have transitioned to at-home models.
That’s why investing time and effort into well-thought-out team-building events matters so much when connecting with and engaging remote staff members.
By getting familiar with your team’s unique dynamics and choosing activities that fit your company culture like a glove, you’ll create memorable experiences that tackle common engagement issues associated with working from home.
These moments not only help strengthen bonds but also encourage collaboration while improving overall performance levels.
With these factors in mind—along with tailored team-building tactics—remote and hybrid teams can enjoy an environment brimming with positivity, boosting morale while setting individuals up for success within the group.
What Are the Most Effective Team-Building Activities and Practices for Remote Teams?
Making your remote team members feel like they truly belong is crucial. After all, feeling isolated and disconnected can quickly lead to disengagement. It’s essential to come up with creative ways for them to bond with their coworkers.
Cultivating a remote culture based on trust and mutual respect is the key to unlocking your virtual team’s full potential. Here are our top five online team-building activities and practices for those working remotely:
1. Virtual team-building games and social get-togethers
Did you know that an estimated 86% of full-time work-from-home employees experience burnout? This can cause sleepiness during work hours, lack of motivation, low energy levels, diminished creativity, poor mental health, and decreased performance. That’s why incorporating fun online games and social gatherings into the workday can help fight burnout while boosting morale.
Why not plan online games or social events to bring your virtual team together? There are many options out there: from trivia contests and online escape rooms for a bit of friendly competition to virtual happy hours or even group lunches via video chat. These fun activities create opportunities for everyone on the team to unwind, connect, and enjoy each other’s company.
Try scheduling these activities as part of the regular work routine so that everyone gets a mental break now and then—this helps folks return to their tasks refreshed and in higher spirits.
By promoting social interaction among teammates and nurturing a sense of community within your workforce, these virtual game sessions or meetups contribute significantly toward building a positive environment where everyone feels connected despite being physically apart.
2. Offsite meetups
While virtual meetings do wonders for boosting collaboration and communication, there’s something special about getting together in person. It reminds your entire team that they really are part of something bigger—and they can finally see one another in 3D!
Offsite team-building activities allow remote employees to step out of the digital world and forge stronger connections with their teammates.
Gathering everyone in one physical location makes it easier to adapt and go with the flow throughout the day, emphasizing just how valuable face-to-face interaction is when building a sense of belonging within remote teams.
Plus, taking a break from work allows everyone to recharge their batteries—meaning they’ll return to their tasks more focused and productive than ever.
3. Sponsored trips/vacations
Why not treat your hardworking staff members by organizing company-funded trips or vacations? Depending on your budget and team size, this can be anything from a beach day trip to a weekend getaway.
These excursions are perfect for letting loose and forging unforgettable memories with coworkers.
It turns out that small businesses have already jumped on this trend. Two-thirds make time for team-building events like celebrating birthdays, holidays, or milestones as a group. Many even plan sponsored trips or vacation retreats as part of their efforts.
Not only do these in-person events help foster camaraderie among employees, but they’re also an excellent way of acknowledging all the exceptional work they put into making your business thrive. By offering such experiences as rewards, you pave the way for stronger relationships between colleagues who will have fun creating lasting memories together.
4. Make Slack channels for bonding activities
A whopping 80% of employees are using team collaboration software in their daily work tasks. Tools like Slack have gained popularity due to their ability to improve communication, support teamwork, and create virtual spaces for people to connect effectively.
Creating dedicated Slack channels for team bonding is an excellent way to encourage camaraderie and stronger relationships among coworkers. These channels can be used for casual conversations or discussing common interests outside of work-related topics.
One idea is setting up separate channels based on different hobbies or interests—think #bookclub, #fitness, #gaming, or #cooking. This allows teammates with similar passions to bond over shared experiences.
Alternatively, you could create a channel (like #watercooler or #offtopic) meant for lighthearted content and random chats. This is a great way to mimic the conversation remote workers may feel they are missing out on by not being in an office environment. Channels like these are perfect for posting memes, sharing funny stories, or simply engaging in friendly banter.
The intended goal of these bonding channels is to promote informal interactions while fostering a positive and inclusive work atmosphere. Just ensure guidelines are in place so that discussions remain respectful and workplace-appropriate.
5. Hold weekly virtual huddles
Organizing weekly virtual huddles is a fantastic way to keep your remote team connected and engaged. These get-togethers allow everyone to catch up on the week’s events, discuss work-related topics, and enjoy casual conversations—all while fostering camaraderie.
During these sessions, leaders can update the team on projects, deadlines, and important information, ensuring everyone’s on the same page. Plus, they’re perfect opportunities for teammates to share personal experiences or chat about their weekend plans—creating a relaxed atmosphere where people can bond.
Weekly huddles are also prime occasions for recognizing employees’ hard work. A recent survey found that 58% of employees believe they’d feel more engaged if their leaders acknowledged their efforts.
Taking time during these remote meetings to celebrate individual achievements makes staff members feel valued. It nurtures an appreciative culture within your organization.
Integrating recognition into these gatherings shows leadership’s dedication to valuing everyone’s contributions—leading to increased employee morale and motivation and a positive view of company values.
Final Thoughts
The massive shift toward remote or hybrid work calls for strategies encouraging collaboration, connection, and positive work culture.
By implementing the five team-building tips we’ve shared here, you’ll be well on your way to fostering stronger bonds among remote employees. After all, studies have shown that team-building activities help develop trust and camaraderie, which translates into better collaboration and higher morale.
Remote team building enhances communication and improves retention rates; it’s a win-win. When employees feel connected and valued through these experiences, they’re more likely to stay committed to their tasks and the organization as a whole.
Use popular team-building activities that consider individual preferences, promote inclusivity, and address logistic challenges effectively—then watch your virtual workforce become more cohesive than ever.
Building a strong company culture goes hand in hand with effective team building. To learn more about the importance of company culture, check out our guide on developing a vibrant, innovative company culture within your international remote team.
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