Tricks to Maximize Communication with a Remote Team

Even as businesses open up, many of us find ourselves faced with extended work-from-home orders — some of them indefinite. And with these, you may be wondering how your team can stay productive and on-task in this new and untested environment.

Lucky for you, the solution is pretty simple. You’ll do it the same way you always have — by having a great team dynamic and top-notch communication. Just how do you do that without the ability to peek over a cubicle or pop into a conference room for a face-to-face touchbase?

We’re glad you asked. Take a deep breath. Pour yourself a nice beverage. Now sit back. We’re going to go over some important dos and don’ts of remote communication. First up ...

Don’t micromanage

This could also be thought of as communicating for the sake of communicating. One example: checking in on team progress numerous times throughout the day without apparent prompt. Aside from just being distracting and disruptive, this can make your team members feel untrusted. Instead, communicate early. Set clear expectations and deliverables. Trust your coworkers to do their part, just like they (hopefully) trust you to do yours.

Do try new things

There’s no denying email is still an important part of modern work. But that doesn’t mean it’s the most efficient means of communication. Not by far. Newer communication tools like Teams or Slack can be highly effective when it comes to getting answers quickly. Or setting up a quick touch base. Or even removing the need for a touch base to begin with. Creating specialized group chats, even of just three people, can open up a team dialogue that much more closely resembles the way you’d communicate in-office. Plus, people are more likely to remain engaged and responsive in a group chat versus an email chain. It simply mirrors more closely the way we interact in the real world today, what with all the texting and messaging platforms out there.

Do personalize your communication

While group chats work for some, they might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Learn what works best for each member of your team. Some prefer email. Some like chat. Others may find a video or phone call most effective. Same goes for projects and requests. For a more immediate task, chat might be best. If the project is distant or you’re just gathering ideas for the future, a good ol’ email chain might be just the thing. It’ll allow participants to feel like they have more time to weigh in. Plus, it’s less likely to immediately disrupt whatever your coworkers might be working on.

Don’t forget to turn on that camera once in a while

We know, we know. One of the joys of working from home is not having to spend a chunk of your morning making yourself presentable. Or even just showering. And it can be hard to ditch your comfy clothes, even for a half hour. But let’s be honest here — working from home can be extremely isolating. And one of the best ways you and your teammates can combat that is with video. Let them see that great big smile of yours again dressed in one of the company’s custom business shirts, or see you nodding along attentively to their inspiring monologues. It’s not a true substitute for face-to-face interaction, but right now, it’s the best we’ve got. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of it. We all need to remind each other that we’re not just words on a screen — we’re humans. And we all work a little better with each other when we’re reminded of that.

Don’t forget to thank your employees for their work

Working from home can be isolating for both you and your employees. The best way to show appreciation for your employees for all their hard work is through words of encouragement, promotional gifts, or even a virtual happy hour. After an employee hits a goal or rocks a presentation, send them an email immediately letting them know they did a stellar job. Or send them a gift from the company like a custom logo polo shirt and it will be a reminder of a job well done for years to come. And finally throw a calendar invite on your employees’ calendars for a virtual happy hour at the end of the week. This lets your employees catch up with one another and is great tool for team bonding—even if it is virtual.

That’s all for now. We hope these tips helped. Now go forth and communicate like a pro!