For better or for worse, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do business and interact with others in the world. Thanks to the conveniences of modern technology, many of us have been able to continue business-as-mostly-usual. With remote work an increasingly viable option, we’ve been quick to adapt. But let’s be honest: some things are missing. It’s just not the same to work from home and in virtual spaces as it is to be in an office together.
While not everyone has a favorable view of their coworkers or bosses, there’s no doubt that these relationships are a big part of life. We do, after all, spend a lot of time together and are unified by similar goals — at least in an occupational sense.
Regardless, great leaders know the importance of healthy, positive workplace relationships. Camaraderie is a big part of team morale, effective collaboration, and minimizing HR problems. While our workplaces have been able to connect in digital spaces, it’s not enough to bridge the gap and create that sense of belonging and togetherness that we’re missing so often these days.
Zoom Fatigue is Real
While Zoom and other video conferencing platforms have been a great boon to businesses and schools during the pandemic, it’s not all good news. Zoom fatigue (or insert-video-conferencing-of-choice fatigue) is a real thing we’re dealing with. Multiple factors contribute to the fact that online meetings are more exhausting than face-to-face sessions:
Non-verbal cues are severely reduced, demanding more energy to both convey and interpret clear messages
We are concerned with the potential for interruptions or technical difficulties, leading to increased stress
We’re hyper-aware of our reactions and how we are portrayed on video as we constantly see our own faces.
Unless you have a premium account, platforms like Zoom can limit your time in meetings. This means less small talk and personal interaction.
Because of this fatigue, we’re less likely to want to engage with others digitally. We’re getting tired. So for leaders, can we do to foster that sense of camaraderie that is so sorely lacking in our digital workspaces?
3 Effective Ways to Build Unity in Your Remote Team
1) Go Beyond Business
Getting personal is essential if you want to build true team unity and a sense of togetherness. Your team needs to know that you care for them and that they care for one another. They need to be reminded that they’re not just another face behind a screen or desk.
Allow your team to be vulnerable and real with their lives. Show of your pets. Introduce your kids when they interrupt. Start by checking in on everyone — ask how their weekend was, or for one good thing that happened to them in the past week. It will give you a chance to celebrate and share in one another’s lives during this difficult and disconnected time.
2) Schedule Fun Events
You can still find room to have fun as a team. When you’re not holding business meetings, setting up weekly or bi-weekly Zoom events for your team can be a way to strengthen workplace bonds. Play a party game together ( the JackBox Party series has great options that anyone with a phone can join in on ). Connect with a “Secret Encourager” strategy. Think of it like Secret Santa, but for the workplace. You don’t necessarily have to spend money, but mail notes of encouragement. They go a long way. If you do spend, it can be a gift card, a favorite snack, or other small treats.
As the boss or team leader, you can organize events like virtual Happy Hours, wine tastings, or even use an extension/app like Netflix Party to watch a movie together.
What’s important is that none of these things should be mandatory. We often get Zoom fatigued — even when it comes to personal calls with friends — simply because of the unspoken feeling of obligation. Keep it fun by removing this pressure.
3) Keep Contact in Other Ways
Don’t rely solely on video conferencing to stay in touch with your team. Touch base in other, less stressful or instantaneous ways. Group texts, Marco Polo, and chat platforms like Slack and Discord offer a way to connect on both personal and professional levels without the pressure of immediate responses or carving out time in a busy quarantine schedule.
Ultimately, as leaders, we can’t allow our teams to disconnect and retreat from these valuable work relationships. Lead the way in fostering a sense of belonging in new, adaptive ways.
How are you making meaningful connections across the digital divide? Share in the comments.