How To Foster Teamwork In A Remote Or Hybrid Environment

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

In this new age of hybrid working, how has teamwork ensured that teams and companies get their work done, even without meeting their team members face-to-face? We talk to team members from each vertical across Accela Group to find out what they value most in their team and round up some tips and tricks for teams to work together smoothly in this new environment. 

What do you think is the secret ingredient that makes a good team?

“Empathy! I think taking time to get to know and understand your team members, what makes them tick, and what keeps them up at night, makes for great teamwork because you can provide individualised support to one another.” – Erin Padilla, CEO and Co-Founder

“Empowerment and trust go a long way together especially in this hybrid working arrangement. Empowering a team member to be in charge of a particular task or project gives them a sense of ownership and you get to see all the wonderful things the team member can contribute for the task”. – Nishanthi Soundarajan, Corporate Secretary Lead

“I think the secret ingredient to what defines a good team is respect. When you have respect for your peers, and respect their capabilities, strengths, and even weaknesses, that helps the team to work more efficiently and bolsters their confidence in working together. It’s the “you got this” factor, and actually believing it”. – Abigail Lazarus, Communications Coordinator

Do you have any tips and tricks to share that have helped your team work together smoothly in this new hybrid working environment?

“We try to coordinate working from the office on the same days and working from home on the same days”. – Vanessa Mittman, Client Director

“I don't believe in micro-management, but in ensuring team members feel they have the freedom to complete a task in the best way possible and helping to achieve the goals for the team. Weekly team meetings help to monitor tasks and deadlines and allow the team an opportunity to share their successes and lessons for everyone else to learn and grow together”. – Nishanthi Soundarajan, Corporate Secretary Lead

“Make the effort to actually be friends with the people you are working with! Spending more time as a team and getting to know each other better really translates well to a better working environment”. – Joshner Bulaon De Guzman, Communications Coordinator

“Get to know them outside of work, even if it’s just grabbing lunch one day. A working relationship isn’t just about work, after all”. – Louisa Meredith, Director of Finance & Corporate Services

What do you value most in a team member?

“I think the most important thing for me in a team member is that they're dependable and accountable. While everyone should support each other and give guidance to help team members grow, it's so reassuring when you have a team member you know you can really count on, and who holds themself accountable to always do their best work”. – Jessica Fitzgerald, Senior Communications and Marketing Director

“Honesty”. – Louisa Meredith, Director of Finance & Corporate Services

“Positivity”. – Vanessa Mittman, Client Director

Share a time where you and your team experienced an unexpected obstacle at work or school and managed to overcome it. What has that taught you about the importance of teamwork in times like that?

“An employee at one of our clients was slated for termination. The termination was unexpected and sensitive, requiring extensive research, preparation and careful planning. To prioritise teamwork, we had to pause or reschedule important individual work to align our schedules, which included working after hours and through the weekend. We took the time to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices that everyone made to support the planned outcome. A successful termination at best is an uphill challenge. When teams are called on to make tough decisions, it’s important to understand, acknowledge and discuss the sacrifices that were made, which fosters trust, respect and appreciation”. – Vanessa Mittman, Client Director

“I was in a planning committee back in Hall, there was a concert that was being held that had a lot of last-minute changes to the production flow due to a positive COVID-19 case and the planning committee and performers were under a lot of pressure to deliver without much rehearsal. The importance of teamwork was evident during times where the committee members kept one another in check to exercise patience and empathy toward the performers through constant encouragement and reminders which went a long way in making the concert a successful one”. – Joshner Bulaon De Guzman, Communications Coordinator