In a world where remote working is the new default, how do we keep teams moving forward? How do we keep everyone motivated, engaged, and connected? To build the teams of the future, we need a focus on productivity and innovation. We need more collaborative work cultures rooted in flexibility, agility, and purpose.
Empowered teams help businesses thrive. Placing values front and centre creates an environment that nurtures innovation and creativity. Teams are more productive, driven, and motivated, and they show up to work every day with a clear sense of why they do what they do and how they make a difference.
The future of work is changing, and it's up to us to redefine it.
Use technology to connect and support teams
Strong bonds between teams are vital for success in any organisation. This starts with giving teams the tools they need to work more collaboratively and effectively.
In the fast-moving world of work, it can be easy to prioritise processes over people. But if we want to foster stronger and more resilient teams, we need to ensure our tools are designed to work for our people, and not the other way around.
To build the teams of the future, we need more efficient processes and tools to connect employees, and we need to create open and inclusive cultures where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential.
With tools like Slack, teams are more connected and saved from the time suck of back and forth email chains. Slack helps to boost productivity, streamline workflows, and automate the day-to-day, freeing up more time for creative and inventive work, and integrates with a range of other apps to help you build a fully customisable workspace. Workflows in Slack also allow you to create workflows for repetitious tasks, so you can get answers and approvals with much less effort.
Building dynamic and adaptable teams always starts with having the right foundations in place. Businesses need the tools to build more flexible, resilient teams that aren't limited by size, location, or device.
A platform like Notion is an essential tool for collaborating and managing teams at any scale and in any industry. Functioning as an all-in-one workspace and operating system for your team, Notion keeps everyone in the loop with key information, projects, shared docs, and meeting notes. Notion is like a hub for your team, with all your tools and information in one easily accessible place, empowering teams to work more productively and creatively from any location or device through the mobile app or from the desktop.
Check in with people
A sense of connection, trust, and belonging is vital for building resilient teams and creating work cultures with trust, transparency, and accountability at their heart.
Create space for colleagues to support one another with regular catch-ups and one-to-ones and make the time for team lunches and virtual coffee breaks using something like Slack to randomly pair people together. Deepening connections between colleagues results in happier teams, better work, and more prosperous organisations. Encourage staff input to build trust and engagement and open up the space for new ideas.
Keep everyone motivated
One of the biggest challenges businesses have had to face over the last year is keeping remote teams engaged and motivated. When we're used to the social setting of a bricks and mortar office space, and the ability to grab a quick coffee with a colleague, working alone can leave teams feeling isolated and detached.
Placing culture at the heart of teams is like a well of inspiration colleagues can draw from. It boosts morale and engagement and creates a common ground for teams to connect.
Make everyone aware of the work culture and values and embed them into every aspect of the business, from new employee onboarding to quarterly catchups. Set regular all-hands meetings to keep everyone on track and shape the future direction of the business and make team members feel valued with rewards and perks like a cake on their birthday, or a gift to say thank you.
Remind everyone of the 'why'
Purpose is the bedrock of successful and dynamic teams. Without it, people lack motivation, drive, and direction, and there's no common ground to form meaningful relationships and connections.
Why do you do what you do? How do you want to make a difference? What vision do you have for the world and what do you want to leave behind?
A sense of belonging and purpose is the glue that holds great teams together. Share the mission, vision, and values with the whole team to get people inspired.
When teams have a clear sense of purpose, employees show up to work every day to contribute to a bigger vision. They feel like more than just a cog in the wheel– they are a fundamental part of how the business can make real change.
Redefining the future of work
Businesses have an opportunity to redefine the future of work. We have the chance to design our work around our lives instead of the other way around and shape more flexible workplace cultures outside of the traditional 9-5.
It's up to business owners to lead great teams and empower them with workplace cultures rooted in openness, trust, and transparency. Because when we nurture a sense of belonging and prioritise collaboration and connection, we build the kind of businesses that put people first.
