The Importance of Team Huddles. Need a Huddle?
Leaders know face-to-face communication is the best way to connect with team members. Video conferencing technology has allowed us to get face time with our colleagues when not physically in the same room. In a world where virtual meetings have become a new norm since COVID-19 disrupted work, there is still the need for human connection when high-level goals need to be accomplished. We hear this too often. The post-pandemic new norm is companies continue working some days remotely while others go back into offices full-time, on occasion, or for team-building time like "team huddles."
The Benefits of In-Person Team Huddles
The importance of face-to-face communication for remote teams can't be overstated. Remote working has its advantages and disadvantages. The biggest drawback is that people feel lonely or left out. Team huddles are meant for team members to be informed about their company's happenings, making them feel appreciated and valued.
Key factors why In-person team huddles work:
- It keeps teams in the know
- Minimizes confusion amongst teams
- Get results in real-time
- Engages and motivates teams
- It instills confidence
Being able to see each other's body language helps us understand what the other person is saying more easily. 63% of people have missed important information stuck in an absent colleague's inbox because they weren't present for them, but when conversations are happening face-to-face it reduces misunderstandings and conflicts between teams.
Creates Engagement
Team meetings are essential for creating a sense of community and encouraging active engagement. However, during times when email or instant messaging were not an option because they would have been too risky to transmit the information through these channels (like when we were living in fear), virtual gatherings served as great substitutes so people could still feel empowered even though there wasn't quite enough time spent together face-to-face
It turns out that being heard makes all employees come away feeling empowered - 4% more likely than otherwise! Encouraging your colleagues' contribution gives them what they need: A voice.
Why Are Emails not Cutting It for Team Discussions?
On average, employees spend around 3 hours per day just communicating by email for work-related reasons. And this is not beneficial to productivity at all—especially when you can have face-to-face conversations with people in five minutes or less (and see how much quicker things get done). Well-connected teams are 20–25% more productive than disconnected ones. One of the best ways to foster that connection is through face-to-face communication, which helps you focus on what matters most and get things done faster than ever!
There's Some Nostalgia Among Every Generation Needing to Connect with Their Teams and Peers
The bond element between coworkers is stronger when team huddles allow people from different departments or locations to come together for conversation. Team huddles give a great sense of community and team spirit. They are where new ideas get started, tasks checked off in real-time, with all members working together as one cohesive unit.
Signs it's Time for a Team Huddle
If you're noticing that productivity levels are low or that teams are struggling to meet deadlines, it may be time to book a team huddle. It is important to note that team huddles are not a replacement for traditional performance reviews. Rather, they should be seen as a way to warm up before a big deadline. It provides an easy way for managers to check in with their employees and identify any areas of concern. By addressing these issues early on, managers can help their team members get back on track and avoid any potential problems.