These days more and more people are working remotely. This poses a few challenges for companies when it comes to maintaining a cohesive team that is productive and efficient. Team building exercises have often been used to create cohesion among in house-workers.
However, remote teams can also benefit from these exercises. They help create a connected, engaged, and productive workforce, despite the lack of traditional face-to-face interactions. In this article, we will go over several of the benefits to expect from team-building exercises designed for remote teams.
1 – Overcoming isolation
One of the biggest issues that remote workers face is the feeling of isolation. It’s difficult to feel like a part of the team when working on their own far from the presence of their coworkers. Team building exercises can be an effective tool to address this challenge. These activities encourage team members to connect on a more personal level just as they would if they were working in an office with coworkers.
For instance, HR consulting firms often talk about the importance of regular virtual team meetups that are not work-related. These informal sessions allow team members to share personal stories, interests, and experiences, helping them feel more connected to their colleagues.
These meetings can take the form of a virtual coffee hour using video calling, or even a virtual game night by playing games. The point is for the meetings to not be completely related to work but act more like a time for people to get to know each other better.
2 – Creating a shared work culture
Building a work culture in a team that’s spread across various locations requires serious efforts in creating common values, goals, and practices. Team building exercises play a pivotal role in this process. They can be designed to highlight the organization’s main values and goals, making remote workers feel part of the larger mission.
Activities like shared learning exercises can help build a sense of common purpose. Many remote teams have developed a strong, shared identity through such activities. For instance, some teams have cultural sharing sessions where team members from various countries share their local customs with colleagues.
This helps in learning about and appreciating each other’s cultures, which strengthens unity within the team. Other teams have regular online meetings not just for work projects but also to discuss team values and goals.
3 – Boost engagement and motivation
When remote workers work on a project, it can become demotivating when they don’t feel like they are part of the team. There tends to be a lack of engagement that saps the motivation of the workers.
Team building exercises can help especially in remote settings where physical disconnection can lead to a lack of engagement. When remote workers participate in team-building exercises, they often experience a sense of connection with their colleagues. This sense of belonging can be a big boost for their engagement. Engaged employees are more likely to be highly motivated.
