Remote work has opened up endless possibilities—teams can now work from anywhere, giving businesses access to talent across the globe. But there’s one challenge that comes with all this freedom: staying connected. When you don’t have the natural “water cooler” moments or the chance to pop by a colleague’s desk, keeping a team feeling like a team can be tricky.
So, how do you build strong, effective communication and a sense of connection when everyone’s working from home? Here are nine practical tips to help your remote team stay connected, communicate well, and work together like a cohesive unit, no matter how many miles apart you are.
1. Establish Clear Communication Channels
The first step to building a connected remote team is setting up clear communication channels. In an office, it’s easy to walk over to someone and ask a question, but in a remote setting, having defined channels makes it easier for everyone to know where to find each other.
- Set specific tools for different types of communication: Use Slack or Microsoft Teams for quick messages, Zoom for video meetings, and email for formal updates.
- Make sure everyone knows the purpose of each channel: Define the “why” behind each tool so everyone understands where to go for specific questions or updates.
Clear communication channels help reduce confusion and keep conversations organized. This way, team members know exactly where to reach out—and when.
2. Schedule Regular Check-ins and Team Meetings
One of the simplest ways to keep a team feeling connected is by holding regular check-ins. These don’t have to be formal; they can simply be a quick touchpoint to catch up, see how things are going, and align on priorities.
- Individual Check-ins: Schedule weekly or biweekly check-ins with each team member to talk about progress, goals, or any support they need.
- Team Meetings: Set up a weekly or biweekly team meeting to share updates, celebrate wins, or just catch up.
Regular check-ins build trust and provide consistent connection points, helping everyone feel they’re working toward a shared goal. Plus, they offer a chance to address any issues before they turn into larger challenges.
3. Embrace Asynchronous Communication When Possible
In remote work, not everything has to happen in real-time. Asynchronous communication—where team members communicate without expecting immediate responses—can be a lifesaver, especially for those in different time zones.
- Set guidelines for when async communication is preferred: If something isn’t urgent, encourage team members to leave messages that others can review when they’re online.
- Allow flexibility for response times: Let team members know it’s okay to take their time on non-urgent matters, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
By embracing async communication, you give your team the freedom to work on their own schedules, which can reduce stress and create a more positive work environment.
4. Use Video Calls for Important Updates or Brainstorming
Text-based communication is great for quick updates, but some things are just better discussed “face-to-face.” Video calls are ideal for important updates, brainstorming sessions, or sensitive discussions, as they allow for real-time interaction and nonverbal cues.
- Prioritize video calls for major discussions or updates: Schedule video calls when you need to discuss complex topics, share significant updates, or get input from multiple people.
- Encourage team members to turn on cameras: Seeing each other’s faces helps build a stronger connection and makes conversations feel more personal.
While you don’t need to overdo it with video calls, using them for important conversations creates a more cohesive experience and helps everyone feel engaged.
5. Encourage Casual Interactions with “Water Cooler” Channels
One downside of remote work is the loss of those informal conversations that happen naturally in an office. To bring back this sense of connection, create a “water cooler” or casual chat channel where team members can share non-work-related updates.
- Set up dedicated Slack or Teams channels for casual conversations: Topics could include hobbies, food, travel, or even pets—anything that helps team members get to know each other.
- Encourage participation, but keep it optional: Make it clear that people can share when they feel comfortable and don’t have to participate if they prefer not to.
These casual spaces can build genuine connections, helping team members feel part of a community rather than isolated workers. Read more communication tips from Forbes.
6. Celebrate Wins and Milestones Together
Recognition goes a long way in any team, but it’s especially important in a remote setting where team members can feel disconnected. Celebrating milestones, birthdays, or work anniversaries creates a positive culture and lets team members know they’re appreciated.
- Celebrate individual and team achievements: Call out accomplishments in team meetings or use a “wins” channel to highlight successes.
- Mark special occasions: Take a moment to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or completed projects. Even a simple message or virtual celebration can make people feel valued.
When you celebrate wins, big and small, you add a touch of excitement to the workday and build a culture of appreciation.
7. Use Collaboration Tools to Keep Everyone in the Loop
Keeping everyone on the same page is essential, and collaboration tools make this much easier. Tools like Asana, Trello, or Notion help organize tasks, track progress, and keep all project information accessible to the team.
- Choose tools that work best for your team’s workflow: Project management platforms help centralize information, reducing the need for constant check-ins.
- Ensure all team members have access and understand the tools: Invest a bit of time in tool training so everyone knows how to use the tools effectively.
Collaboration tools provide a single source of truth for project updates, helping remote teams stay aligned without overloading each other with updates.
8. Prioritize Mental Health and Well-being Check-ins
Remote work can sometimes feel isolating, so it’s important to check in on each other’s well-being. Encouraging mental health check-ins creates a supportive environment and helps prevent burnout.
- Make space for well-being conversations: Encourage managers and team members to have open conversations about mental health and work-life balance.
- Provide access to mental health resources: Whether it’s flexible hours, time off, or wellness benefits, supporting mental health shows your team that you care.
Checking in on well-being lets your team know they’re valued not just for their work, but as people, creating a healthier and more connected team culture.
9. Set Up Virtual Team-Building Activities
Just because you’re remote doesn’t mean you can’t have fun together! Virtual team-building activities are a great way to break up the workday and let team members unwind and connect in a casual setting.
- Host regular team-building events: Try trivia games, online escape rooms, or even virtual happy hours to help your team bond.
- Make team-building inclusive: Plan activities that everyone can participate in, regardless of location or time zone.
Fun, shared experiences help build camaraderie and can make remote work feel a little less remote.
Read more: Fun Meeting Ideas To Boost Employee Enthusiasm
Strengthen Your Remote Team & Stay Connected
Staying connected in a remote team is all about creating consistent opportunities for communication, building trust, and encouraging camaraderie. By setting up clear communication channels, holding regular check-ins, and embracing both async work and team-building, you can help your team feel united, no matter how far apart they are.
Ready to strengthen your remote team’s connection? Start by implementing one or two of these tips, and watch as your team becomes closer, more engaged, and ultimately, more productive!