Working from home: how does your team stay motivated?

We are living in, to put it mildly, an extraordinary time. An extensive epistle about Corona, its developments and expectations, we are not going to do that here. However, we do want to help you deal with the current work situation in the best possible way. Therefore, we would like to give you tips on how to keep the team spirit and motivation of your employees as good as possible while they are working from home.

Stay in touch

Not only to keep a finger on the pulse, but especially to maintain contact among themselves and (thus) the team spirit in times of working from home. Face-to-face meetings are out of the question, but there are plenty of online alternatives. At Hire.nl we hold a standup every morning via Microsoft Teams. That way we know what is going on, who is working on what and who could use help. And we keep the team spirit intact because we talk and see each other every day (because yes, we call with images. So rolling out of bed and jumping behind the laptop is, except for the natural beauties, not an option).

Am available

Whereas in the office you are more likely to walk into each other's offices to ask a question, working from home can have a somewhat larger barrier. Therefore, stimulate your colleagues to chat, call or call each other when they have questions or encounter problems. In addition, schedule regular one-on-one meetings. Use these conversations to check how your employee is doing. That way you are informed, you lower the contact threshold and you strengthen the team spirit.

Continue to celebrate successes

Because this is especially important now more than ever. So don't forget to keep celebrating successes. And we don't mean a higher salary, but a digital pat on the back, a virtual drink, a 'survival kit' or a card. Your employees will feel appreciated, feel confirmation that they are doing a good job and will be happier and more confident as a result. In doing so, you not only contribute to personal growth, but also to collegiality, team spirit and commitment.

Communicate!

Inadequate communication creates rumors, speculation and thus unrest. And that's bad for all parties. Therefore, communicate regularly, transparently and clearly. Be open about the developments within the company, what the expectations are (in the short term) and what (im)possibilities you have. Be transparent and honest, even if you have bad news or don't have all the answers yet.

Set realistic goals

In this Corona era, working from home looks different from working from home before this crisis. Your employee is not working from home sporadically, but structurally. With not only distractions from a partner and children working from home, but also unconscious distractions from everything Corona. Nothing works more demotivating than goals that cannot be achieved. Therefore, set realistic, achievable goals. If you also discuss these goals and the progress towards them on a daily basis during the digital stand-up, it will really help the team spirit.