Welcome to #2 in the series of looking at standard engagement ideas and adapting them to the current new reality of remote working.
Today, it is all about recognition. In normal day to day office life, where we regularly interact with colleagues and work with each other face to face, recognition is often done without us noticing it. We might congratulate a colleague in passing on a presentation they have just given, along the lines of: 'I thought your presentation to the client was brilliant, short and sweet, but still really informative.' These small acts of kindness make us all feel good, they make us feel valued and connected. It is often much quicker and easier to show appreciation in person - like buying a colleague or friend a cup of coffee while you are picking up your own.
But do we do enough of this when we are working remotely? And how hard is it really to make sure we do recognise and appreciate our colleagues from afar? Now more than ever, it is important to take time to do this. After nearly 4 weeks of lockdown, many are starting to feel the pressure. Apparently, the psychological effects of self-isolation go in five stages and many will be finding themselves between stages 3 and 4:
1. Incubation
2. Panic and Action
3. Isolation & Depression
4. Re-adjustment
5. New normal
For many the novelty of being at home will be starting to wear off, and the added pressures of looking after children, home-schooling and being in a confined space with loved ones at all times will be tough. That combined with potential fears around work deadlines or losing projects and work will make things even harder. So be kind to one another and recognise everyone for their contributions or even for just being who they are! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1) take the time to email or message a friend or colleague a compliment - if you tend to forget, put a regular reminder in your diary to make sure it gets done - it will mean the world to your team and make you feel good, too
2) consider sending your team a small gift in the post or virtually - one colleague recently posted a picture on LinkedIn of a small bag of tea bags he received from his employer alongside a note of appreciation for everyone's hard work. Just make sure it is something that most in the team can relate to. An alternative might be a virtual book voucher for them to download a book of their choice? Whatever your team is into!
3) When you get compliments from a client about one of your team - make sure you share this with them - either by forwarding the email to them (if appropriate), or by mentioning it on the next team call that you have
4) you could consider introducing a team member of the month scheme - just like you would face to face - only this time the recognition would be via team call and the gift would be via post rather than handed to them personally
5) if one of your team has a special day coming up - a work anniversary maybe - send them a bunch of flowers or other type of gift
6) send the team a regular message, letting them know how much you appreciate their efforts and understand that things are hard. Acknowledge that deadlines may not be met, especially if they have young children to look after alongside work, and that that is ok. Focus on the overall mental and physical wellbeing of your team. Pulling together as a team when times are tough, rather than criticising and expecting the impossible, will mean you will come out of the experience stronger.
7) try and pick up on cues when individual team members are struggling and set time aside to give them a 1 on 1 call to understand what is happening. You may be able to help with advice, resources or reassurance, or if not, you will most certainly have helped them by just letting them voice their worries and knowing that they are not alone
I am sure you will have your own tried and tested ideas for recognising your teams - I would love to hear what these are.
Keep safe and well in these tricky times!
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