Visit our Canada siteThe past decade has seen the rise of work from home (WFH) set ups. Both the need and availability of doing work virtually lent a lot of flexibility to both employers and employees. Many moms chose to work from home because it made it easier for them to attend to their children and to the household while remaining employed. Frequently it led to moms becoming mompreneurs, or starting their own business.
However, many studies have shown that working virtually can actually make people feel very alone. Perhaps more so in the last year and a half while the world has dealt with the pandemic. We at Mommy Mundo are no stranger to its challenges, which is why we’ve put together this list for all mompreneurs that might want to better bond with their teams while work from home continues!
1. Check in with each other
While all virtual teams have daily check-ins (often, multiple times within a day), be sure to have a check-in that is not work related. Ask people where they are working that day, what made them decide to work in that space, how their kids are, etc. Checking in on a personal level can make a big difference for a work from home team. Some studies have shown that office workers spend about 8% of their time socialising with each other. Trying to recreate that in the work from home setting can make a difference to your team’s bond.
2. Be open about yourself
Openly talking about everything is a good way to communicate with your team on what they can expect of you, or subtly explain to them different aspects of the way you work or have been working. So openly discuss your challenges and your victories, both at work and at home. Encourage them to do the same.
3. Talk about mental health
It is very easy to feel alone when working alone, and that feeling affects people in many different ways. Talking about these feelings is a good way to start the conversation on mental health. Encourage teams to talk about their feelings and anxieties, and offer help should they want it. Creating an accepting virtual space can do wonders for team camaraderie.
4. Play together
Find a way to spend time together virtually. Plan online cocktails, do a virtual karaoke night, host a Netflix watch party, or whatever you will all be happy to do together. Whatever you choose, make it a zero-work hour or evening, and just be together as people.
5. Be strict about video!
It’s so easy to want to keep the camera off when you do conference calls or team meetings, especially if you haven’t had the time to shower or change! But the truth is that it is vital to both you and the members of your team to see how each member is doing–physically. Seeing faces will be able to give everyone a chance to see visual cues, understand tone, and just keep everyone more connected and engaged. PLUS, getting ready because you know you have to see people via video will give team members a sense of getting ready for work, which is also a good routine to get them into the right headspace for working, which in turn is good for mental health!
A well bonded team is a more productive team. Not only because they understand each other, but also because they are happier. Studies have shown that focusing on happiness makes people naturally more productive. That means it positively affects the business to have a happy team. How do you bond with your team? Share your stories with us!
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