There's no one-size-fits-all strategy for keeping a flexible team engaged, motivated, and productive.
For most companies, the right plan will involve a mixture of company culture changes and leadership skills. However, there are a few other ways to boost your chances of success with a distributed workforce.
Here are several quick ideas to help any team.
1. Invest regularly in team building
Today, employee motivation is not based entirely on monetary benefits in the workplace. Teams are made up of human beings who want to feel comfortable and supported in their role.
Team building activities can help your staff members to form bonds with their colleagues wherever they are, even if they are working remotely. Simple strategies, like virtual game events or digital coffee mornings with your employees, can help build camaraderie, improving employee retention
2. Explore gamification
It is easy to get disconnected from the goals and vision of the business when you are located outside of the office walls. Gamification is one of the best ways to bring people back on track in your flexible workforce.
Competitions can be a great way to keep team members motivated, with 97% of employees saying gamified activities improve the quality of their work. You can even use gamification methods to enhance team bonding by having certain groups work together to achieve goals.
3. Gather constant feedback
While flexible working structures are becoming more common in the workforce, they are still something many companies are still figuring out. Taking an open approach to exploring new working styles and asking for regular feedback from your team members can help you develop the best possible workplace for your staff.
Send out regular surveys to determine how people feel about their remote working experiences. Ask employees to let you know when they feel they need extra training, support, or something else your leadership is not currently providing.
4. Show empathy
Empathy in the workplace is more important today than ever before.
Many top candidates want to work with businesses that show a genuine interest in their well-being. Showing empathy simply by reaching out and asking how people are, or giving employees time off for mental health days, can make your team feel more engaged and connected.
Empathy is also a fantastic way to improve your chances of retaining current talent and attracting top staff members in the future. With the right degree of empathy, you can differentiate your employer brand and become more appealing to employees.
5. Hire the right people
Not everyone who approaches your team will be well-suited to your new flexible work style. As you continue to develop your workforce with a focus on flexibility, it is key to ensure you are hiring people who will be comfortable with the kind of schedules and working styles you offer.
Working with a dedicated recruiter will help you narrow down your talent options, look at people who can enhance your company culture, and work according to the values you will be instilling in your flexible staff.
Here at Lucy Walker Recruitment, we have been helping firms with their talent acquisition, and job seekers find their ideal roles for over 30 years. We have placed thousands of candidates and filled thousands of roles for our clients; if you want to find out how we can help you call us on 0113 367 2880 or email us here.
