Staying Connected and Influencing Culture in a Remote Workforce

Building and maintaining a strong team culture can often feel more challenging than ever when you’re managing a remote team. Casual drop-in conversations or impromptu chats at your desk, a staple of workplace connection, just aren’t possible, making it more difficult for team members to get to know one another. So how do you stay connected with your remote team while simultaneously building a culture that thrives, even when everyone is working from different locations? We have a few ideas. 

Here’s how to go beyond the standard happy hours and virtual meetings:

1. Create a Strong Onboarding Experience: Building a sense of belonging begins on day one. A thoughtful onboarding process that introduces new employees to your company’s values, expectations, and culture is essential. Virtual onboarding should include more than paperwork - it should allow new hires to meet with team members across departments, learn the company’s history, and get a sense of how everyone fits together. You could even consider creating a culture handbook that outlines company values and how those translate to daily actions in a remote environment.

2. Build Organic Communication: While team meetings serve an important purpose, they are often formal and structured, leaving little room for casual interactions. Tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams can be utilized for more informal conversations; create channels “open office hours” or for non-work topics—hobbies, pets, favorite books, etc.—to encourage people to bond over shared interests. These moments of informal connection help recreate the natural relationships built within an in-office environment. 

3. Encourage Peer Recognition: Remote work can sometimes feel isolating, and without a physical presence, it’s easy for contributions to go unnoticed. A peer recognition system where employees can shout out colleagues for their efforts can go a long way in building camaraderie. Whether it’s a Slack channel dedicated to “kudos” or a more formal system integrated into your HR platform, peer recognition builds trust and a sense of appreciation among team members.

4. Host Workshops and Learning Sessions: Learning shouldn’t stop simply because your team isn’t all together in an office. Setting up regular knowledge-sharing sessions where team members can lead workshops, present case studies, or even teach skills unrelated to work not only strengthens collaboration but enriches the team culture by encouraging continuous growth and interaction. Employees could suggest topics or lead sessions themselves to give them ownership over their development; this level of employee engagement is beneficial for staff and your organization.

5. Check-in Regularly (But Authentically): Regular check-ins with your team should go beyond traditional status updates. One-on-one meetings can be used as an opportunity to discuss personal development, work-life balance, and general well-being. This level of engagement shows employees they are valued as individuals, not just workers. Consider starting meetings with “How are you, really?”—it invites a deeper conversation than “How are you doing?”.

6. Leverage Virtual Coworking Sessions: Sometimes, simply being “together” virtually can boost morale and productivity. Virtual coworking sessions where team members log in to work together, while on video, can mimic the sense of “team” found in a shared office space. These sessions help employees feel connected, even without constant conversation. Use these sessions to tackle deep-focus work or brainstorm solutions to shared challenges.

7. Cultivate a Culture of Transparency: Transparency is important in any work environment, but crucial in a remote one. Clear communication around company goals, changes, and updates ensures that everyone feels included and valued. Remote teams can feel disconnected if they don’t understand the bigger picture or where the company is headed, so regular team discussions or leadership Q&A sessions can go a long way. Consider implementing feedback systems so employees can ask questions or provide input on company culture.

8. Celebrate Milestones and Personal Events: dWork anniversaries, birthdays, or project completions may seem minor, but they offer an opportunity to reinforce positive company culture. Send small gifts, handwritten notes, or organize virtual celebrations to mark these events. This makes employees feel valued and part of a community that cares about them as individuals.

9. Prioritize Mental Health and Well-being: Remote work can easily blur the lines between personal and professional life, which we know can often lead to burnout. Make mental health a priority by offering resources, promoting flexible work hours, or organizing virtual wellness events like yoga, meditation, or mindfulness workshops. We know that a culture which supports well-being is one that thrives, so periodically survey your team to see how they’re coping and adjust workloads or provide additional support when needed.

Maintaining connection and influencing culture in a remote workforce requires creativity and intentionality. By focusing on more than just happy hours and meetings, you can create a work environment where team members feel valued, engaged, and connected. A strong, positive culture is all about trust, support, and shared experiences - whether in-person or online.