7 Ways to Motivate Remote Teams with Gamification

The rise of remote work culture presents a challenge: keeping geographically dispersed teams engaged and motivated. Gamification, applying game-like mechanics in non-game contexts, offers a powerful solution. By tapping into the psychological drivers of motivation and engagement, gamification can transform your remote team.
Here are seven effective ways to use gamification:

1. Points and Leaderboards: Foster Friendly Competition
   Assign points for completing tasks, achieving goals, or displaying desired behaviors.
   Showcase these points on a leaderboard, which will ignite a spirit of friendly competition and motivate teams to climb the ranks.
   Real-World Example:
   Salesforce, a CRM giant, uses gamification to engage remote sales teams. Their "WIT Workforce Inspired" program awards points and badges for training completion, discussion participation, and hitting sales targets. Leaderboards fuel healthy competition, drive learning, and boost performance.

2. Levels and Progress Bars: Track Achievement
   Similar to video games, levels, and progress bars provide a sense of accomplishment and a clear path forward. Break down complex projects or goals into smaller milestones. Assign levels or progress bars to team members to track their advancement. They'll experience a sense of achievement at each level, propelling them forward.

3. Meaningful Rewards and Recognition: Amplify Engagement
   While points and levels are motivating, pairing them with tangible rewards and recognition strengthens their impact. Celebrate achievements by offering rewards like gift cards, extra paid time off, or public recognition within the company. This reinforces positive behaviors and fosters a sense of appreciation and belonging within the remote team.

4. Social Elements: Bridge the Gap
   Humans are social creatures, and remote work can feel isolating. Gamification can bridge this gap by incorporating social elements that foster community. Encourage team members to share achievements, offer peer recognition, or collaborate on team challenges. Gamification in a remote workplace motivates individuals and strengthens team cohesion.

5. Storytelling and Narratives: Add Excitement
   Crafting an engaging narrative or storyline around your gamification efforts can make the experience more immersive. Weave a compelling story around your team's goals, challenges, and achievements, transforming mundane tasks into exciting quests or missions. This narrative approach adds an extra layer of excitement and meaning to the gamification experience.

To learn about the remaining two ways to motivate remote teams, click here