I recently read a great HBR article on building trust in remote teams, and it has some valuable insights that could really help. It emphasizes that remote connections need intentional effort. A few effective activities include structured storytelling exercises and casual conversation cards, which allow teammates to share personal insights and create a sense of belonging. One simple tip that stood out was starting meetings with a few minutes of casual chat—small, but it really boosts morale and connection. They also suggest occasional “team weeks” where everyone meets in person; even a day or two together can set a strong foundation of trust.

While video check-ins and clear goals are essential, it’s often overlooked that the lack of casual, spontaneous interactions can harm team dynamics. Without the "water cooler" moments, remote teams can feel distant. To counter this, create opportunities for informal conversations, like virtual coffee breaks or chat rooms dedicated to non-work topics. Another challenge is managing motivation without face-to-face presence. Consider using asynchronous recognition methods, where team members nominate peers for rewards or shout-outs.

First things first, I think people should separate trust and effective collaboration. It takes a lot of time to build real trust while with effective collaboration it’s mostly about trusting people to do their job right. If you don’t, that’s your problem not someone else’s. It’s like questioning doctors when they prescribe you medicine. As for connecting with your remote team members, I think that you should discuss the options with them and choose the ones that suit your team. Remember that no one is supposed to want to spend time together outside of work. If they are alright about joint activities, remember that there’s no right answer. For some teams even playing a video game in multiplayer might be a great bonding activity.

This is such a challenge. Not only is it important to schedule video check-ins but attending calls with your camera on is key. For me, it is critical to get that non- verbal feedback when talking, and to know that folks are paying attention (or if you've lost your audience). How to you really get to know a blank screen? I like to try and jump on call early, to get that quick friendly banter before the meetings starts. (it is amazing how much you can learn in just a few minutes before the agenda rolls). Also leveraging Teams or other tools for quick chatting, not just work. Sometimes just asking how your day is going, or applauding a comment starts to build rapport when you don't have a watercooler to meet up at. :)

As a tech company CEO managing managing many remote IT outsourcing teams, one thing I've found helpful in addition to team collaboration tools, is to create simple WhatsApp groups for each project team for them to communicate on the go. People tend to be more active on WhatsApp, which is most familiar to them than any other chat method. Another thing I do is to have regular check-ins and daily online meetings with each team. It takes up most of my morning, but this does ensure that everyone is on the same page about the project. Team members are aware of their own tasks and become closely connected with the rest of the team as well. This ensures better collaboration and rapport amongst the team despite them working remotely. #remoteteams