Let’s Refresh on… Virtual Work Behaviors!

It seems like just yesterday we were embarking on a never-before-seen journey of transitioning our lives into the virtual world. Now, and with new COVID variants, it’s like no time has even passed! As many of us transition back into full-time WFH mode, we found it important to refresh our minds with the best online practices to maintain motivation, the connection between ourselves and coworkers, and a positive attitude. Keep reading to find out!

Best Practices Online…

  • Leave Time to Chat: I’m sure we’re all used to hopping on calls and cutting right to the chase almost immediately. However, when we are not in the office and passing each other by throughout the day, it is all too easy to lose the bits of the day to personally connect and catch up. So, make sure that when you’re developing your meeting itinerary to include a few minutes for everyone to hop on and share little tidbits about their lives that don’t just revolve around the task at hand.
    • Extra Tip: If you work for a company where this doesn’t seem feasible, initiate a team-building exercise or happy hour! This way, you won’t feel any sense of pressure or lost work time, and can block off personal time for you and your team to enjoy.
  • Personal Recognition: Think about how you would behave if someone walked into a meeting you coordinated, or if you walked into a meeting in person. It is common courtesy to greet each new employee who walks into the room, so treat it the same in a video chat! When a new user joins, make sure to say hello and acknowledge their presence to mimic an in-person interaction as much as possible.
  • Incorporate Fun! Now that we spend almost all of our time on screens, we might begin to, even if subconsciously, resent what we constantly see in front of us. For that reason, it’s important to still incorporate bits of fun and laughs into our daily routines. Whether this means a virtual happy hour, coffee chat, lunch date, or even meme-filled chat box, there are many ways to keep things playful and engaging at work. We also encourage you to switch up your routine when and where you are able! This may look like a new workspace or room in your home, trying out a new coffee shop, going on a mid-day walk, or finding pockets of time to use as a refresh. Whatever works for you, make it a priority!

While the virtual format undoubtedly diminishes components of the socialization that we are all used to, by banning together and collectively altering and updating some of our work behaviors, we can mirror in-person interaction as much as possible! Sharing these tips with your team will help you to be a personal outlet, leader, and admirable professional.

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