Can You Trust a Virtual Coworker You’ve Never Actually Met?
In an increasingly digitalised world, remote teams are fast becoming the norm rather than the exception. With a geographically dispersed workforce comes the inevitable challenge of building and maintaining trust without face-to-face interactions. This ‘out of sight’ syndrome can significantly hinder collaboration and damage team morale.
So, how can we create and cultivate trust in a virtual workspace? Here are five tried and tested tactics.
1. Communicate openly, often, and honestly
Good communication builds trust and understanding. As part of remote team culture, ensure that everyone has access to the same channels, both synchronously (e.g. Zoom/Skype calls) and asynchronously (e.g. Slack). Schedule regular check-ins, exchange feedback, and strive to nurture an open and honest dialogue.
2. Connect with your team on a personal level
Meaningful connections can help break down barriers of distance and give people a sense of belonging. Make it a priority to get to know your team on a personal level. Encourage them to share personal stories, pictures, and anecdotes – in other words, cultivate a team environment where it feels safe to be vulnerable.
3. Provide recognition and praise
When working remotely, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the team and undervalued. To prevent feelings of exclusion, make sure to give recognition and praise where it’s due, and ensure that everyone’s efforts are being respected and acknowledged.
4. Cultivate team collaboration
Team collaboration is key for achieving common goals and objectives, and should be actively encouraged. Rather than using individual silos, strive to create opportunities for team bonding and collaboration. Make sure to have regular team meetings, events, or workshops.
5. Address and resolve conflicts
Conflicts are inevitable in any team but need to be addressed swiftly in order to retain trust. If a conflict arises among virtual team members, take the time to get all perspectives and try to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution.
In summation, trust is the lifeblood of any remote team. Taking the time to use these tactics will help to create a strong foundation of understanding, respect, and collaboration. So, start building trust today and turn your virtual team into a cohesive and productive unit.
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