With a few creative leadership hacks, building a remote team of dedicated, connected, and effective people spread around the world is very achievable. There are plenty of naysayers who say that it can’t be done, but in my experience, it’s because they have failed at it. Well, my personal experience is completely different. Building a healthy remote team for In Transit Studios has been fun and successful. Yes, it’s been challenging; but leadership is challenging.
3 Common Objections to Remote Teams and How to Overcome Them
Objection 1: Lack of Communication and Collaboration
Some people say that remote teams struggle with effective communication and collaboration due to the absence of face-to-face interaction. According to a Harvard Business Review article, 70% of remote employees feel left out of the workplace (Harvard Business Review, 2019).
Modern communication tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom bridge the gap. These platforms allow for real-time messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative workspaces. For instance, one company overcame communication challenges by implementing daily stand-up meetings via Zoom. These short meetings, lasting no more than 15 minutes, ensured everyone was on the same page. While it may take some adjustment, embracing digital communication tools can foster even stronger collaboration than in traditional office settings.
After experimentation, we currently use a combination of Zoom, Hive, Marco Polo, Loom, and WhatsApp.
Objection 2: Decreased Productivity and Accountability
There’s a common belief that remote workers are less productive and harder to manage. A Wall Street Journal article notes that some managers worry about decreased productivity when employees work from home (Wall Street Journal, 2021).
Setting clear expectations and regularly checking in with team members ensures accountability and productivity. Project management tools like Asana or Hive can help track progress and deadlines. For example, a software development company uses OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to set clear goals. Weekly check-ins ensure everyone is on track and provide opportunities to address any obstacles. With clear goals and regular communication, remote teams can be just as productive, if not more so, than their in-office counterparts.
We use Hive as our project management system. We provide videos when we delegate responsibilities and leverage AI to analyze the transcript to create a written “delegation guide”. I delegate tasks by Tuesday, and each team member is required by their one-on-one on Thursday to review the delegation guide, called a Vision Guide, and show up with questions and milestones set that will predict success on the way to the deadline.
Objection 3: Difficulty in Building Team Cohesion
Building a sense of team spirit and cohesion is often seen as difficult in a remote environment. A Forbes article highlights that 46% of remote workers feel disconnected from their colleagues (Forbes, 2020).
Creating a strong, inclusive company culture can bridge the gap. Virtual team-building activities, recognition programs, and regular social interactions are key. A remote marketing agency hosts virtual happy hours every Friday. During these sessions, team members play games, share stories, and celebrate wins. By being intentional about creating opportunities for connection, leaders can foster a strong sense of team spirit even across distances.
We start our weekly leadership team meeting with a game or activity during the first 10 minutes of the agenda. We call this, “team time”. Then, we move into Shout Outs, Wins, FYI’s, Prayer Request/Praise Reports. It’s always exciting for me to see the team compliment each other for things they saw during the week.
We also recently launched our Virtual Breakroom.
The Power of a Virtual Breakroom
While there are many strategies to build a healthy remote team, one particularly effective approach is creating a virtual break room.
Our Solution: WhatsApp Group
We use a WhatsApp group because it’s outside our typical work communication tool. This allows for a more relaxed, informal space where team members can connect on a personal level.
Activities in the Virtual Break Room:
- Sharing Weekend Plans: As the leader, I start by sharing my weekend plans and encourage others to do the same. This simple act fosters a sense of camaraderie.
- Posting Pictures: Team members post pictures of their families, pets, and hobbies, creating a more personal connection.
- Photo Scavenger Hunts: From time to time, we run photo scavenger hunts, which are fun and engaging. It’s also a great way to see images of local communities around the world.
- Casual Conversations: We talk about movies, TV shows, and other interests, similar to what happens in a traditional break room.
I occasionally post a picture of my lunch and ask others what they are having. This simple act sparks conversations and strengthens our team bond. To make our virtual break room even more special, I sometimes share a barcode that the team can scan at Starbucks to have access to coffee, just like in a real break room. The goal of our virtual break room is to replace the natural, informal interactions that happen in a typical office setting. By doing so, we maintain a connected and engaged team, no matter where they are in the world.
Building a healthy remote team is not only possible but can be incredibly rewarding. By addressing common objections and implementing creative solutions like a virtual break room, leaders can create a connected, dedicated, and effective team. While there is much more to say on this topic, starting with these strategies can set the foundation for a thriving remote team.
What do you do to strengthen your remote team?
