A remote team needs a leader who communicates clearly and problem-solves efficiently. Without these skills, productivity declines and morale crashes.
Using Zoom or your favorite video conferencing software, divide leaders into teams of two. Each pair has to find five things they have in common with each other. They then build a structure out of blocks and present it to the other team for judging.
Spot the Difference
The physical distance between remote team members can quickly turn into emotional distance, affecting productivity, communication and development. This is why team bonding activities that encourage teamwork and collaboration are essential for building a cohesive virtual work environment.
One way to do this is through icebreaker games, such as QuizBreaker. These are a fun, interactive and easy to use way for employees to connect with each other over video calls. Admins can schedule quizzes to be sent out at set times throughout the week so that employees can engage with each other and improve their effective communication skills.
Another fun team bonding activity is a scavenger hunt that can be conducted over a video call. Team members are given a list of items and must find them around their homes and share photos with the rest of the team. This helps to learn more about each other’s personalities and also builds teamwork.
Another way to build team relationships is through one-on-one meetings with managers and employees. This is a great opportunity for employees to share their ideas and get their concerns heard, while giving the manager an idea of each employee’s strengths and weaknesses.
Situations
The key to leadership development with remote teams is giving them a sense of camaraderie and support. Using fun activities helps them bond with each other, which leads to better communication and more effective teamwork.
For example, one of the best virtual team building activities involves sharing a picture and asking your remote employees to write a story about it based on what they see. This is a great way to force team members to use their creative juices while improving listening skills.
Another team bonding activity is to ask your remote employees to take a video showing off their home and some of their favorite things. Managers can then check out each person’s personality and create a more cohesive, collaborative work environment.
Similarly, setting up a volunteer day gives your team a chance to bond while giving back to the community. It is a great way to boost morale and give your team a break from the monotony of everyday work. This type of activity also works well for larger groups.
Storytelling
Storytelling has been an integral part of culture throughout history, allowing people to connect across cultural differences by re-enacting shared experiences and sharing wisdom. It can help shape perceptions, evoke emotions, and inspire action, providing invaluable connections for communities. It has been recorded on a wide range of media, including written narratives, epic poems, and songs.
In higher education, storytelling is used to convey abstract concepts in a more relatable context and engage students on a deeper level. Studies show that learning from a narrative increases retention and enhances comprehension.
Hosting a team movie night every so often is a great way to bring a more casual experience into virtual meetings and build a sense of camaraderie among remote employees. Streaming the movie on a collaborative workspace channel and keeping an instant messaging chat open during the event allows teams to interact with one another as they watch, boosting morale while building a stronger team spirit.
The Five-Step Problem-Solving Process
A problem at work can be anything from a small business issue to a major workplace crisis. Whether it is a small, easily fixable one or a more serious one, the key to solving the problem is making sure that everyone understands what it is.
This means getting to the root of the matter, which may involve asking the five Ws: who, what, where, when and why. For example, a remote team might be experiencing an issue with the quality of work they’re producing. In order to understand what’s causing this, they should talk with other departments and pull reports in order to find out what the issue is.
Once they have the information, it can be useful to use a problem-solving technique like Toyota’s “Five Whys.” This allows people to identify the issue by breaking it down into smaller ones. They can then come up with solutions to fix the problems, and also identify ways to prevent them from happening again in the future. A great way to practice these steps is by using virtual team-building games and workshops.
Helping Each Other
Virtual team building involves carefully designed strategies, games and activities that are meant to bring more human interaction into remote work. This helps teams connect and feel like they’re actually part of a community, which increases employee retention.
For example, in the Best 30 exercise, teammates are asked to think of a moment that stands out from their careers or personal lives and then narrow it down to a 30-second story. This allows teammates to connect on a deeper level with their colleagues, while also helping them learn how to be more concise when communicating in a team setting.
One of the effective virtual leadership development activities is Heard Seen Respected, which helps participants practice empathy and stand in the shoes of others. In this activity, teammates tell stories of when they felt like they weren’t heard or respected and then act as listeners who don’t judge. Practicing empathy and respect can help teams build trust and increase productivity at work.
