Fortunately, there is a lot that can be done to remedy this, and a big part of that is making time for others in your schedule. Here we explore some tips and tricks to stay connected with your colleagues when working from home.
1. Make Time for Daily Conversation
When you log on to start your work day, your first priority is to look over your to-do list, and get an idea of what you need to do that day. It’s very easy to fill your schedule up with work, stopping only for lunch and coffee breaks. However, doing this guarantees that you’ll finish your shift without much human input.
At least once a day, you should make time to talk to others on your team, even if it’s just a 10-minute social catch-up. You don’t necessarily need to book this in, but rather keep some space in your calendar so that if you feel like chatting, you can.
If you have a digital communication platform like Slack, MS Teams, or WhatsApp, respond to messages you’ve received, or drop your workmate a quick, direct message to say hello. Your colleagues will likely welcome the chance to chat, and it gives you both a chance to take a break from continuous working.
2. Schedule in Regular Team Check-Ins
You don’t have to be a manager to check in with your team. In fact, peer support is fantastic for boosting morale and motivation, and you’ll probably find a lot of people willing to take part.
Perhaps once a week, schedule in an hour meeting with your colleagues via MS Teams, Google Hangouts, or Zoom. You could keep it completely unstructured, and talk about whatever is on everyone’s minds that day, or you can have themes to discuss at each one.
Be sure to slot it in at a time that everyone is available, and make it non-mandatory, as to prevent it feeling too much like another work meeting. It should be light-hearted, and although some conversations might be about aspects of the job, it’s good to talk about other interests as well.
3. Finish Your Shift With a GIF Game
After a long day of deep focus and completing tasks, having a wind-down before finishing your shift is a great way to feel connected, and creates a sense of comradery. One such way of doing this, is to play a GIF game with each other.
Most digital communication platforms have integrations like Giphy for Slack and MS Teams, which allow you to send GIFs through a message to one another. With 10 to 15 minutes left of your shift, send a message out to the team to get them to stop what they’re doing, and send a GIF depicting, for example:
How they’re feeling. What their plans are for the evening or weekend. How their shift went.
The theme can be literally anything, and it will put everyone in good spirits. There will, of course, be some people who don’t participate, but seeing everyone posts GIFs and having a laugh with each other will be hard for anyone to ignore!
Something about yourself that people don’t know. Each other’s most embarrassing moment. Two truths and a lie. Your most memorable trip away and why.
4. Send Value Cards to Your Colleagues
Value cards are little notes that you give to colleagues when you think they’ve performed well, or they’ve done something that stood out from the rest. Perhaps they helped you with an IT issue, or they listened to your concerns when you were struggling.
Whatever the reason, sending a value card to someone can brighten their day, and make them feel appreciated, which means a lot when working remotely. Plus, if you can embed this into your work’s culture, it goes a long way to boosting connectedness amongst staff.
To make a value card, you just need a basic, free application like Paint, or Canva. You can use the company’s colors or logo, if you’ve got those permissions, or you can just get creative and make something from scratch.
Create a template to share with your team, and when someone feels like paying someone a compliment, or thanking them, send a value card.
5. Participate in Team Building Sessions
The thought of icebreakers might make you want to run a mile, but actually, as awkward as they can feel, they are effective in breaking down communication barriers. Whether it’s part of your team meetings, or a session in its own right, team building is an essential way to increase connectedness.
Take turns in bringing a new ice-breaker to each meeting. The ice-breaker should be enjoyable for everyone, and should be based on getting to know each other a bit more. Avoid getting too personal, as this can put people off. Some examples you could share, are:
6. Arrange Office Days With Local Colleagues
Sometimes you just need some face-to-face contact with your workmates, and so meeting up with members of your team for an “office day” can really make the difference. Not everyone will want to do this, but you’re bound to find someone at work who would jump at the idea.
Pick a day when you’re mostly catching up on admin, or don’t have many meetings booked in, and meet up in a local café, or office space to work together. It’s something to look forward to, and you’ll benefit from organic, free-flowing conversation, whilst working through your to-do list.
Staying Connected With Your Team
It can often seem like there’s not enough time in the day to socialize, or connect with your colleagues, but you just need to make time for it. Once you start prioritizing that aspect of your work, you’ll notice a big boost in morale, and wellbeing.
It’s an important part of working together as a team, so treat it like it’s part of your job description, and enjoy the rewards you get from it.
