BackCultivating a Healthy Remote Work Culture
Echobind has been a remote organization since its inception, but we have seen the remote work revolution accelerate tremendously over the past few years for the rest of the world. What started as a necessary measure for the safety of employees for many businesses turned into a new way of life and work. Since we were remote before it was cool to be remote, I wanted to share a few tips on how to cultivate a healthy remote work culture.
Communicate openly and frequently
Communication is key in any remote work environment. Make sure to keep your team informed about important updates, changes, and goals. Regular check-ins and virtual team meetings can help keep everyone on the same page and reduce any feelings of isolation or disconnection. We use Slack to communicate throughout the day and I meet with our team members monthly for a wellness check and to catch up. Our team particularly loves the FYIF (Fill You In Friday) videos our CEO puts together with company updates married with great tunes and incredible graphics.
Foster trust and accountability
Remote work requires a high level of trust and accountability between team members. Encourage your team to take ownership of their work, set clear expectations, and meet deadlines. Trust your team members to work independently and collaborate effectively without constant supervision. Our team conducts retrospectives on all of their projects to discuss what went well, what they learned, and where they can improve.
Prioritize well-being
Remote work can blur the boundaries between work and personal life, making it harder for employees to disconnect and relax. Encourage breaks, prioritize self-care, and create a healthy work-life balance. We share our wellness wins and goals in our fitness-focused slack channel and cheer each other on. I make sure to highlight our wellness and EAP resources periodically, and we use 15five to keep track of our well-being each week.
Foster a sense of community
It can be easy to feel disconnected when working remotely. Social connection is important for maintaining a healthy remote work culture. Provide opportunities for virtual activities that are not forced or mandatory. We have a standing calendar block on Wednesday afternoons for informal water cooler chat or for someone to host a virtual game like Skribble or Jeopardy. We also love the donut app in slack that provides random pairings for coffee chats.
TLDR
Cultivating a healthy remote work culture requires open communication, trust, work-life balance, social connection, mental health support, and gifs don’t hurt either. By following these tips, you can create a positive remote work culture that fosters collaboration, productivity, and well-being.
