At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many were quick to share their WFH tips and what tech tools were hot vs. not. As masks spread across the states, companies didn’t just face a financial challenge – they had a people challenge.
Physical interaction was limited. Talking about mental health and boundaries entered the chat rooms and conference calls. The once exciting virtual happy hours became another mandatory meeting. Saturdays started to feel like Tuesdays. Each of us faced a different challenge.
And for many, their challenge was motivation.
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Motivation to show up.
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Motivation to elevate their work.
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Motivation to take care of ones’ health.
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If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the importance of knowing how to motivate your people – small teams, large departments, and the corner office all the way down to the front desk. Even now, people still want to bring their best to work; but fear of the unknown, having to over-communicate across teams and working past 5 p.m. has taken a toll on everyone’s energy.
Twice Weekly Zoom Meetings
Ever since we first set up our at-home office, our team has conducted staff meetings 2x per week by Zoom. Once on Tuesday to review current projects and deadlines. Once on Friday as a “wrap-up” of the week.
The Tuesday meeting is all business. The Friday meeting is much more casual. Visiting “wins” we’ve had during the week as well as personal activity that the staff chooses to share. At times the meeting even includes a joke or two. We’ve found these “face to face” meetings to be extremely effective.
Performance Bonus Recognition
Our employees are working extremely hard. Long hours. To recognize their achievements and build camaraderie, we’ve instituted a monthly MVG (Most Valuable Grouper) award.
Each month the staff nominates their choice for MVG. The nomination includes why the person should be considered and specifically what the “grouper” has done that deserves recognition. Based on votes, the winner receives MVG recognition as well as a financial bonus.
Boundaries
Our business has never been a 9 to 5 one. We all do what it takes as long as it takes to get the job done. During the pandemic, our employees are working even longer hours. In effect they now have a 24/7 office…their home. In order to help keep a balance between professional and personal life, we have encouraged some boundaries on work.
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Bring your workday to an end as close to 5 p.m. as often as possible.
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Give each other some breathing room. Hold internal emailing until 10:30 in the morning. Call rather than email if “real-time” discussion is needed.
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Take the weekend off. You need downtime.
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Regardless of how motivated you are or aren’t to catch that 7 a.m. Peloton class, there are always ways for us to find opportunities to encourage our teammates. If you’d like to read more about what inspired this topic, visit Harvard Business Review’s Crisis Management | How to Keep Your Team Motivated, Remotely.
And remember, even the small wins build momentum.
