From Fragile to Agile: Top Tips for Virtual Team Working

After tuning in to a great webinar by the Business Growth Hub recently about remote working, it’s prompted us to think about what teams need to consider when working virtually.  Whilst home working might be an introvert’s dream, for extroverts, enforced isolation can be a real nightmare.  As extroverts ourselves, the Delvers are already ringing each other 10 times a day just to have some human contact!

So, what do you need to consider when leading or working as part of a team from home?  There are obviously practical resources needed such as the right technology and access to work files but there are some essential human factors you need to consider.

Enable Flexibility

Home working can be a challenge, particularly in the current circumstances.  Team members may have young children around, relatives that they need to care for and other family members working from home.  Encourage people to work their hours in a way that suits them.  For some people, this might mean starting work earlier than usual, having a longer break in the afternoon to spend time with children or provide care for relatives and then working early evening.  Trust people and give them the freedom to work out a schedule that suits them and enables them to be productive and also balance work with other priorities.

Daily Check-ins

Checking in as a team via platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams (other platforms are available!) are essential to ensure that people still feel part of a team and are kept up to date on any new announcements or changes concerning work at this fragile time.  As a leader, there are three key questions you can ask people:

1. What have we achieved as a team today?
2. What do we need to focus on tomorrow?
3. What support do you need from me?

Focus on outcomes, rather than activity, people will be working in different ways from home and that’s okay.  Not everyone will be comfortable zooming in as a group so check in with team members who are more introverted to make sure they’re doing okay too.

Look after each other’s Well-being

Make sure you and your team take lunch breaks and consider virtual coffee breaks where people can get together online for a quick catch up about non-work-related things, as you would at work.  This might not be for everybody, especially introverts and again that’s okay.  Encourage people to find ways to draw a line between work and home time. Some people might have a space in the house they can work and then switch back into home mode when they leave that space, others might be working on the kitchen table.  Instead of the daily commute, could some people go for a walk (dogs are useful here) or do a spot of yoga to allow that time to switch off?

Virtual Team Hugs (or elbow bumps)

One of the main downsides of home working is a feeling of isolation and loneliness so it’s important people feel valued and that you are communicating often.  Maybe set up a WhatsApp group if people are comfortable with this or check in via email just to say hi in the morning like you would at work… you could even send virtual hugs! Some people may love the opportunity to use online platforms to bounce ideas around with colleagues, encourage this so people get a break from being alone.

The way we work is changing and whilst this may be temporary, it is also an opportunity for the world to think differently about how we do business.  Some of the actions we take now to work in a different way could stick around permanently so developing good practices from the start will help sustain a new approach.

Delve can deliver a range of short virtual CPD sessions to keep you and your team developing so please get in touch at sayhello@delveod.co.uk to find out more!