What do you do if your remote team is struggling with communication and collaboration?

Everyone joins a team with a different style of learning and with different motivators. Taking the time to understand how each team member processes information can make for a more productive working relationship and collaborative team environment. Also, understanding what motivates your team members individually can change how you approach them, the value of their work, and can increase engagement when they see they are contributing to valuable work that has meaning to them.

Some additional items to add to the assessment when identifying issues. Often overlooked but critical is the need to look at any possible cultural or demographic differences. For example- I often remind my teenagers to remember their audience- you can't speak to adults the same way you do with friends & vice versa Even slight differences in geographic locations, cultures, or even generational differences can bring up unexpected issues when it comes to communication and collaboration. It is also relevant to look at the individuals within the team/s and their communication styles. As a leader, if you have a preferred communication style and you don't adapt this style based on who you are communicating with, your message will not land!

In order to address communication and collaboration challenges within a remote team, it's imperative to employ active listening techniques and hold one-on-one meetings to understand barriers and preferred communication methods. Additionally, convene team meetings to collectively brainstorm solutions, leveraging asynchronous technologies to overcome time zone differences. Consider cultural and demographic nuances, as well as individual communication styles, to ensure messages resonate effectively. By conducting thorough assessments and implementing tailored solutions, teams can foster a cohesive and productive remote work environment.

It is always easier to jump to conclusions than to properly analyze and, why not, even take the blame for something that is not functioning properly. I came across a remote team which, due to the early stages of its development, had never built a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) matrix. It was a continuous: “Who told you that”? “Why didn’t X inform me about what Y was doing”? “Who approved it”? … and so on. Luckily it didn’t take long for them to realize that a proper identification of roles and responsibilities would have gone a long way. Sometimes we just don’t feel like “wasting” five minutes of our time to fill a table but, I swear, doing it for a RACI is really an investment.

The first thing is to identify why? It is process, technology or a people issue. In the early days of COVID as we shifted remote, there were serious technology issues from individuals not having a fast enough connection speed at their homes, hardware issues, lack of training on platforms and wrong virtual platforms. Thankfully, most of those issues have been resolved by now. Next is processes. Is the proper amount of time being scheduled and does the timing work for all team members. This is very difficult with if you have global team members and can be a serious roadblock. Next up is people and this is most often the issue. I've seen collaboration go down the toilet from rom people who hijack the meetings and from meetings going off topic.

A remote team has unique communication needs you need to be aware of - there is no way to "bump into" a co-worker walking down the hall for a serendipitous conversation, for instance, so you need to be more intentional. As the leader, you should build a framework of communication that sets an example for others and communicate that's what you are doing. Defining the key paths for communication with different scenarios is also useful in helping your team navigate that improvement journey.

Managing a team remotely is like managing a romance remotely!!! Its not easy. You need to make it interesting and genuine. Effort has to be heartfelt and head-felt. Try some ice breaking online games to break the solo and bring everyone on the same page , before starting with the hard core work stuff. Be a peoples person. This has ALWAYS helped me to bring everyone on the same page and thus have a TEAM working on the same goal.

Communication and collaboration: 1. Clear expectations of each team members with targets at the initial stages 2. Setup alternative assets options for team communication 3. Daily sync up meeting, track and get the work status daily basis 4. Motivate them

Working in fully remote organisations for some time, the most successful approach I have found has been to balance a variety of different types of meetings: 1/structured agenda and content 2/unstructured 1:1 catch-ups 3/unstructured, informal team or group catch-ups This supports a people first culture and builds connections.

Clarity is critical to leadership and teamwork. Using a formula like, “By DATE, we will accomplish X because Y” sets a clear goal. Now repeat that goal before every meeting. If you are remote, create a virtual background with it; in person, place signs throughout the workspace. Bonus points if you visualize the status toward the goal.

It’s vital that the remote teams are made to feel part of the team so they operate like a true extension. There are many ways to achieve this but the most vital is consistent dialogue and engagement. Clearly articulating the vision, the role they are going to play and a clear 2-way regular dialogue are some of the activities to improve the engagement. It is also equally important to provide the remote teams an equal representation in terms of ideation and decision making.

Virtual teams are often missing a chance to engage with each other on non-work topics, as they would in a physical break room at the office. Those brief interactions help them get to know each other and build rapport. Setup a virtual break room, with a chat channel and optional, short meeting times. 15-30 minutes once or twice a week is enough; team members who are available can join. Leaders can help keep the chat inclusive by suggesting new, varied topics each week.

1. Regular Virtual Team Meetings: Take the initiative to schedule and facilitate regular virtual team meetings. Encourage all team members to share updates, ideas, and challenges they are facing. 2. Virtual Team-Building Activities: Propose and organize virtual team-building activities that foster camaraderie and trust. This could include virtual games, online workshops, or collaborative projects. These activities help build rapport among team members and create a positive team dynamic. 3. Encourage regular communication channels such as instant messaging, video calls, and collaborative document sharing. Emphasize the importance of clear and transparent communication to avoid misunderstandings and promote teamwork.

I'll ensure our team has the best tools for daily chats and collaboration beyond just email and project management. We'll also have weekly catch-ups to discuss our work, share project updates, and align our goals.

Approach fostering engagement not just as a series of scheduled activities, but as an ongoing effort to cultivate genuine connections and relationships among team members. Encourage spontaneous interactions through virtual coffee breaks or informal chat channels where colleagues can share personal anecdotes, interests, or even funny memes. Empower team members to initiate discussions or propose new ideas outside of formal meetings, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. By nurturing authentic connections and a shared sense of purpose, you can strengthen bonds within your remote team and inspire greater collaboration and productivity.

You offer your expertise inform them of the many platforms we have at our disposal, Microsoft Teams, Sheets, Slack and communicating with their leaders and coworkers.

In addressing remote team communication and collaboration challenges, leveraging tools like Slack or Teams for fluid communication and platforms like Asana or Monday.com for task management has been crucial from my experience. These tools provide a clear structure for tasks and communication, ensuring everyone is aligned and productive. Regular check-ins via these platforms also help maintain team cohesion and clarity. Essentially, combining these tools effectively creates a solid foundation for teamwork and efficiency in a remote setting.

Having standardized tools that everyone uses, user guides for onboarding and supervisor check-ins if there are issues with such utilization has really boosted the productivity in our tools. We have a tech stack of about 17 tools for both running our company and doing our work for clients, so it's important that everyone is trained and has a place to go to with questions.

We feel like using tools such as gobrunch optimizes the communication for team collaboration. We were using Slack before and were finding too bureaucratic. Joining rooms and starting to speak is way easier.

The amount of software tools we have that live on the Internet and allow asynchronous communications is a very high number. Set a collaborative culture, change your process and flows, and keep driving async conversations as much as you can as a leader for any team that works globally across timezones. When async doesn't work, go direct. Cut out people in the middle and go direct to the people who you need to engage with. Timezones can be tricky, but if you develop this in a wise-enough-way, you will find that no one has to work too late or too early all the time.

I identify relevant training needs, such as effective communication techniques, virtual collaboration skills, and proficiency with communication tools. I then provide targeted training sessions or resources to equip team members with the necessary skills and knowledge. By investing in their development, I empower team members to communicate more effectively, collaborate efficiently, and leverage technology to their advantage. Additionally, I encourage ongoing learning and provide opportunities for practice and feedback to reinforce new skills and behaviors. This proactive approach to training enhances team cohesion and productivity, ultimately improving communication and collaboration within the remote team.

With remote screen sharing and meeting tools it's easier than ever to have someone ride along with you as you navigate all the day's challenges. This can be one of the best methods for onboarding and training a new or under-performing employee. Also, there are many platforms with great resources for general use of tools. It's important that you supplement these with documentation on how you desire use of those tools to be done within your organization. Still, I think real time observation is one of the most timely and effective methods when it comes to training.

To enhance team communication and collaboration in a remote setting, we've implemented a comprehensive training program tailored to our team's unique needs. This includes customized workshops on digital communication platforms and project management tools, designed to streamline tasks and foster intuitive tool engagement. We also focus on best practices for remote work, covering digital etiquette, managing distractions, and conducting effective virtual meetings. Interactive learning sessions, featuring problem-solving exercises and role-play, encourage active participation. Peer-led learning circles leverage team members' expertise, promoting a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Equip your team with the right tools and skills. Conduct regular training sessions on effective remote communication and collaboration. This could include webinars on how to use collaboration tools, workshops on remote work etiquette, or even role-play exercises to practice clear communication. Remember, the goal is to empower your team to work together efficiently, no matter where they are. Encourage questions and open discussions in these sessions for better clarity and understanding.

Offering training or resources to help team members improve their communication and collaboration skills, especially in a remote work environment is essential.

Feedback is crucial for remote teams: 1. Identify Blind Spots: Team insights reveal communication challenges firsthand, highlighting areas needing improvement that may be overlooked. 2. Boost Morale & Engagement: Actively seeking feedback demonstrates value for team voices, fostering trust and open communication culture. Encourage feedback through: 1. Regular Pulse Checks: Utilize anonymous surveys or virtual roundtables for team sentiment. 2. "Always Open Door" Policy: Ensure availability for both positive and negative feedback. Creating a safe space for feedback empowers collaboration and enhances remote work experience.

I have noticed that when a team member struggles with internal comms/collaboration, it's because they lack the proper training or experience with specific channels. I encourage them to share their reasons for not using specific channels, and I often find they are unaware of how to access and properly use them. This is common with mobile apps. If I have a chance to clarify access and use issues they seem to be more willing to participate.

It's important to foster an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their concerns and ideas. Encourage regular check-ins, both one-on-one and team-wide, to discuss progress, challenges, and feedback.

Toda via sabemos a importancia do Feedback, e n?o se limitando a fronteiras precisamos ter a empatia de nos permitir a outras realidades, outras velocidade de comunica??o e até mesmo fuso diferente do nosso e pequenos detalhes fazem grandes diferen?as…

Remote teams should have 1-1s or small group meetings as much as needed to align. The biggest challenge is when there is little time zone overlap. In this case some team members may need to shift their work hours to match the larger group of people that s/he needs to work with on a regular basis.

I collaborate and chat with my entire remote team almost more at times than I did when I worked full time in an office. Since we have to communicate to function, a pro of remote is that we can't hide in offices. We have to connect, ask questions and get the job done. My job as a leader in the organization is to ensure that anyone who "seems quiet" is supported, connected with and doesn't sit off to the side. That's a responsibility that is the same as if I were leading in an office, so I put just as much weight on it now.

As per my observation, it's crucial to weave technology with human-centric strategies to enhance remote team dynamics. Drawing from my expertise, integrating structured frameworks like Agile can streamline workflows, while tools like Miro foster creative collaboration. Beyond tools, building a culture of empathy and understanding is fundamental. Regular virtual coffee chats and informal catch-ups can bridge the emotional gap caused by remote work. Balancing technology with efforts to nurture team spirit and trust is key to overcoming remote work challenges and creating a cohesive and innovative team environment. #keepcolaborating

Seja empático, exercite e tenha escuta ativa. Lidere com sensibilidade e capacidade de se colocar no lugar da equipe para tentar entender a dor de cada um e proponha solu??es que se encaixam na necessidade de cada um deles. Resultado é buscado de várias formas , mas precisa ter um time que se sinta pertencente e protagonista.

I brought two product designers into my development team, but they clashed from the start, struggling to work together. After talking to them, I realized they had different ideas about design and neither was ready to compromise. I explained the importance of putting the team's goals first. We all need to work together towards our shared mission. Sometimes, just reminding everyone why they're here and what we're trying to do can really help.