How to motivate a remote team: Secrets to happy remote employees

There’s a popular Zig Ziglar quote that says, “People often say motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” Ping pong tables, foosball, and snacks provide daily motivation for many office workers. But how do you replicate this necessity every single day in your team when everyone is working from a different time zone? While this is a hard nut to crack, it’s achievable with the right approach and patience. Here are 5 sure-fire ways to motivate a remote team.

A remote employee recognition system

Research says that companies with employee recognition programs have a 31 percent lower rate of voluntary turnover. In a remote work environment where isolation is an enormous challenge, a recognition program can go beyond lowering turnover rates to improve relationships between and among employees, build trust, improve their mental health, and motivate them towards higher productivity. One way to set up a recognition program in your remote team is to have an “Employee of the Month” award. Each month, you select an employee to spotlight by highlighting their work and achievements on your blog, social media, or the company’s YouTube channel. The team can also make it a point to send the employee a gift, which could be a company swag or pay for a month’s worth of their internet subscription. The goal here is to show employees they’re not just another email on the company’s list, but resources that you appreciate.

Host virtual parties

One of the best ways to motivate a remote team is to host virtual parties. You can host these parties to celebrate a public occasion like Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or Thanksgiving. The team can also organize virtual parties to celebrate a personal occasion, such as a remote employee’s birthday or work anniversary. For these parties, there are many activities to choose from, including trivia, word puzzle games, scavenger hunts, and virtual karaoke sessions. Aside from giving the team the opportunity to show appreciation to employees, virtual parties also motivate them to do more while having the chance to bond with colleagues.

Provide daily check-ins

A lot of remote employees experience loneliness and isolation often, and usually need a little motivation to get themselves up. One way to motivate them is to provide regular check-ins either on Zoom or Slack. During check-ins, teams should get to know what an employee is working on, any difficulty they might face, and what they would need help with. This can spark a sense of accountability among remote employees and revive their working spirits whenever they are down.

Organize virtual team building activities

Providing a conducive environment for remote employees to socialize through team-building activities is a great way to keep their spirits high. From scavenger hunts and word puzzles to virtual murder mystery games, there are a lot of activities to motivate your team while giving them the chance to strengthen their relationships.