Motivation is an important element of productive teamwork that allows you to complete projects on time and with decent results, start new initiatives, and achieve ambitious goals. However, working in geographically distributed teams jeopardizes motivation when working remotely, which is a challenge for managers who do not have sufficient experience in managing virtual teams.
Features of remote work: defining the main characteristics and advantages of remote work
Remote work involves working outside the office and interacting with colleagues via phone calls, instant messengers, and video conferencing platforms.
The advantages of remote work include:
- Flexibility – employees have the right to work from any convenient location.
- The ability to hire people with health limitations.
- Expanded geography for finding employees – it is no longer necessary to invest in relocating talented applicants to the city where the employer is based.
- Increased productivity – when rules are followed, motivation increases for remote workers, and employees are more productive in performing their job duties.
- Increased staff satisfaction – employees gain a new level of autonomy by independently allocating their time for work.
- Cost savings – for both employers and employees: companies no longer have to pay hefty bills for office space rental and maintenance, and people no longer have to bear the costs of transportation and other expenses associated with being in the office.
However, this way of working also has its drawbacks:
- A feeling of social isolation – people who value personal interaction with colleagues and building relationships find it difficult to work in a virtual team.
- Difficulties in teamwork – not everyone is able to adapt to effective collaboration limited to video conferencing platforms and messengers.
- Blurring of boundaries between work and personal life – workaholics have experienced firsthand that the absence of boundaries in the form of an office and time limits for being there leads to irregular working hours. In addition, bosses and colleagues often disregard schedules and contact employees with work-related questions in the evenings and on weekends.
- Difficulties with concentration – working from home is often complicated by attempts by relatives and pets to get attention, and it also becomes a test of discipline when a person has to be distracted by household chores.
- Communication tension – written communication and online interaction often lead to misunderstandings and even conflicts.
Motivation when working remotely: key strategies for maintaining high levels of motivation among remote employees
To maintain motivation at a working level when working remotely, provide employees with the tools they need to perform their job duties. Of course, every employee who plans to work remotely has internet access, electricity, and a laptop or computer at home. But in addition to this, they will need software solutions for collaboration and project management, remote communication, and file and document storage to work comfortably.
And of course, don’t forget about yourself! Work on your personal self-organization and motivation, for example, by mastering time management techniques, setting goals, and maintaining inspiration. In addition, pay attention to your own condition, preventing burnout and the first signs of apathy and fatigue—take breaks, exercise, and find ways to recharge your batteries. Remember that motivation when working remotely requires focus, and without such breaks, it cannot be achieved.
The following strategies will help normalize work processes in a remote format:
- Create the right conditions – even working from home requires a comfortable and business-like space. Set up a small office at home where you can install a desk and a comfortable chair, and reduce noise and distractions.
- Follow the dress code – remote work seems like a great option for working in your pajamas or sweatpants, but appropriate clothing, hairstyle, and preparation will help you get ready for the day and feel productive.
- Stick to your plans – set tasks and goals for the day, start according to plan, and finish your work on time. To make it easier to concentrate and stay focused on your work, distribute your workload and take regular breaks.
Effective communication tools: the role of effective communication in maintaining contact and motivation when working remotely.
Communication is the key to productivity when working remotely. However, it can often be difficult to stay in touch with people who are not in the same space as you. Try to keep every member of the team informed – discuss the details and nuances of current projects to avoid misunderstandings.
Remember that remote work often causes emotional discomfort, feelings of isolation, and detachment from the team. This state of mind has a negative impact on motivation and engagement levels. Excessive focus on tasks does not strengthen communication, as it invariably makes the tone of communication overly dry and businesslike.
In addition, remote work often increases stress levels, as employees begin to feel that they are no longer an important part of the team. This problem can also be addressed by providing constant and comprehensive information about the company’s life, progress, and prospects.
Personal communication, both one-on-one with subordinates and joint remote coffee breaks, will help balance the emotional background in the team. At such meetings, discuss personal issues and difficulties that arise in the course of solving tasks, as well as difficulties caused by remote working.
Provide regular feedback to help align expectations and synchronize the team’s goals. In addition, constructive comments from a manager show subordinates that their work matters. This is important because when working remotely, employees may feel detached from the results of the team’s work and begin to devalue and underestimate their own contribution.
Let’s talk about how to use feedback to maintain motivation when working remotely and avoid damaging relationships with subordinates. Start by explaining the reasons for sharing feedback, such as: the desire to eliminate annoying mistakes and misunderstandings in the future; the belief that the employee is capable of more; the desire to unlock the true potential of your subordinates. It is especially important not to skip this step if you are about to make a negative comment. Make sure that your comment does not refer to the person, but to their behavior. And even when a subordinate has made a mistake, be positive and don’t keep coming back to the situation and its consequences. Instead, look to the future and focus on achieving a better result next time.
Finally, be generous with praise and positive comments when an employee achieves a good result. Such attention will not only reinforce positive behavior but also strengthen commitment to the company.
Let’s talk separately about how to communicate with subordinates to avoid misunderstandings. Be clear and concise in your wording, and choose the right means of communication. For example, if a task is expected to require more than three questions from subordinates, it is worth scheduling an audio or video call to discuss the details in real time.
A remote manager needs to not only speak but also listen, so take what your employees share—their opinions, thoughts, and comments—seriously. Ask your colleagues for feedback on how the remote work process is organized, as well as areas that could be improved to make it easier to complete tasks. The information gathered during such conversations can improve quality and increase productivity.
Let’s note one more important detail! When communicating with subordinates, promote the company’s mission and work goals. When you are outside the office, it is easy to forget the answer to the main, defining question: “Why?” However, losing sight of the meaning leads to a decline in motivation. Therefore, regularly send messages to colleagues explaining the importance of the work being done.