Organizations are becoming increasingly contactless as technology advances and communication methods rely more on digital tools. This shift towards a fully remote or contactless culture has created an atmosphere of uncertainty for many, leading to feelings of isolation and disconnection from those around them. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for employees to stay connected, especially if they don’t have access to tools or resources that allow them to engage in meaningful conversations.
Having a personal connection with coworkers is essential for building trust, encouraging collaboration, and creating a positive work environment. To create a thriving contactless culture in an organization, finding new ways to foster personal connections between employees is essential. Here are a few tips to help you accomplish it.
Virtual Team-Building
Team building is essential to any workplace, and companies must find ways to do it virtually. By building a sense of community and connectedness among employees, companies can create a more positive work environment and encourage productivity.
There are many benefits to team building in the workplace. When employees feel connected, they are more likely to trust and collaborate. This can lead to increased creativity and productivity. Additionally, team building can help employees feel more supported and encouraged, improving employee satisfaction and engagement.
Ngien Hoon Ping, the well-renowned SMRT CEO from Singapore, knows the importance of team building. With SMRT in a fully remote, contactless environment, he created weekly virtual team-building activities in which everyone could participate. These activities helped bring the team closer together and promote unity among employees despite being physically apart.
Virtual team-building comes with a lot of activities, and these are some of the most popular:
- Online game tournaments
- Virtual happy hours
- Video conference lunches
- Sharing virtual successes and stories
- Remote brainstorming sessions
These activities can help employees engage with each other virtually, create a sense of team spirit, and foster positive relationships. When done correctly, these activities can positively impact the work environment, leading to improved productivity and collaboration.
Encourage Communication
For any organization to succeed, clear communication must occur between teams and departments. With physical distance, this can be challenging to achieve, so managers should strive to make sure their employees have access to tools or resources that allow them to communicate with each other easily.
Video conferencing tools like Zoom or Skype are great options for facilitating group conversations, while instant messaging applications help get quick updates or have casual chats with colleagues. Additionally, various project management software allows for real-time collaboration and document sharing.
Finally, managers should create an open environment where employees feel comfortable asking questions or voicing concerns. By encouraging communication, companies can create a more unified and cohesive culture where everyone can stay connected regardless of the physical distance between them.
Recognize Achievements
Acknowledging employees’ hard work is essential in any organization, but it can be challenging to recognize achievements remotely. Companies must find ways to reward their employees virtually to combat this issue. This could include sending out certificates of appreciation or identifying top performers during group video calls. Additionally, managers should give regular feedback so that teams know when they are doing something right or need improvement in certain areas.
A study by Gallup found that employees who receive recognition for their work have higher engagement and job satisfaction levels. By recognizing achievements, companies can motivate employees to keep striving and create a more positive work environment.
Here are a few tips to help you ensure employees feel like their hard work is appreciated:
- Send out virtual awards for outstanding performance
- Organize video conferences to recognize an individual or team’s achievements
- Offer small rewards like gift cards or vouchers
- Create a recognition program that encourages employees to help each other succeed
By showing appreciation, organizations can create a stronger sense of connectedness and collaboration among their remote teams.
Provide Assistance
Managers should also be available to help when needed. Providing support can help employees feel more connected and reduce feelings of disconnection. Additionally, having access to resources or answers to questions quickly can alleviate stress and improve productivity in the workplace.
With the right tools, organizations can create a thriving contactless culture where everyone feels connected and supported despite being physically apart. By encouraging communication, recognizing achievements, and providing assistance, managers can foster personal connections between their team members while creating a positive work environment.
Final Thoughts
The key to making a personal connection in a contactless culture is to create opportunities for interaction and communication. Finding ways to reward employees and make them feel appreciated can go a long way toward building relationships that transcend physical distance. With the right tools and support, organizations can foster meaningful connections between their teams, increasing productivity and collaboration among remote employees.