How to Boost Morale with Your Remote Employees
Keeping your head and morale up can be difficult at times. Keeping your remote employees’ morale up can be even harder. It’s natural that people get down in the dumps and lose their motivation and interest in their job. It happens to everyone at one point or another. Over a long timeline, though, it’s good to keep your team’s motivation and morale high. Learn these tips on how to boost morale with your remote employees so they can stay focused and productive.
Give Plenty of Recognition
Everyone likes a pat on the back from time to time, so hand some out. Don’t be afraid to recognize someone on your team for doing good work. If your company doesn’t have quarterly awards or something similar, establish some. Public recognition for good work increases the motivation to keep going and innovate new ideas.
Remind Them About Their Work
There was an old tagline for the US Navy in the 1980s: “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” Remind your employees that the work they are doing is more than just a job. Let them know that their work is important to you and the company. No one wants to feel like they are doing a thankless job that no one notices. It’s not good for the soul or morale, so highlight how and where their contributions help. Don’t oversell it and blow smoke, but let them know their contributions are important to the success of the company.
Engage the Team Regularly
Just like you would in the office, check in with your remote team. You can’t stop by their desk or run into them in the break room, of course, so make it a point to speak with them. Schedule a Zoom meeting, a quick phone call, or a quick IM chat, whatever works, but ask how they are doing and if they need anything. A face-to-face is the best way, but do what you can as long as you are checking in. Ask about their work, if they are having any difficulties, and then ask about them personally, how they are feeling and how the family is.
Keep It Light and Have Fun
Business doesn’t have to be dry, formal, and boring. It’s fun to work with your friends, so take some time at the end of the week for a fun activity. Punch out early on Friday and put together an event with the whole remote team. Make it a team-building event like a trivia game or something, or just a group Zoom open house–type happy hour, both of which will boost morale with your remote employees. Don’t talk business and make it friendly, relax a bit with the team and have a good time. Leave the hang-ups at the office and let your hair down.
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