How “Mattering” Matters in Virtual Teams: Building a Connection
Make People Feel Valued in Virtual Teams
Just read a terrific article in the Harvard Business Review called "The Power of Mattering" by Zach Mercurio. While it wasn't specifically about virtual teams (VTs), it could have been!
Virtual team leaders face a huge challenge: how do you make remote team members feel valued in the virtual realm? Remote workers often feel disconnected and isolated. That's why VT leaders need to overcommunicate - yes, even more than you think necessary. When your team is virtual, that connection with both colleagues and the leader can feel out of reach.
Mercurio defines "mattering" as "the experience of feeling significant to those around us because we feel valued and know that we add value." Don't we all need that? When virtual team members feel valued, it creates a powerful intrinsic motivator - something that comes from within. Research shows this can be even more effective than extrinsic motivators like money! He points out that "mattering" isn't about perks or compensation - it comes from regular personal interactions.
For virtual teams, these interactions are crucial given the physical separation from peers and leadership. The article is worth reading in full, but here are a few waysI think Mercurio's research applies to virtual teams:
- Truly see and hear your people. Get to know them deeply. Create what Mercurio calls "a climate of psychological safety" where team members feel comfortable sharing their experiences and perspectives. Working virtually can be a lonely experience in which the member feels the work they do falls into a vacuum, never to be heard from again. Your team needs to know they matter, know how their input relates to the team’s outcomes, and know that the team cares that they're there. One way to accomplish this is to actively listen and ask questions that show genuine interest in them as individuals.
- Make people feel special and part of something special. This isn't about an occasional thank-you or free pizza coupons. People need to "experience their unique significance through their relationships with others." Highlight each person's strengths and how they're essential to the team. Help them see that their work matters to the bigger picture.
- Build a culture where mattering matters. Mercurio calls this "optimizing the environment." Beyond rewarding productivity, recognize people for how they make teammates feel. Do they support others? Show respect? One practical tip: schedule weekly casual chats for the team. Work talk is fine, but the real goal is creating a safe space to connect, vent, laugh, and build community.
Working on a virtual team can be lonely. The more a leader makes people feel they matter, the better their experience will be - and the better the entire team will perform.
