Leadership for Remote Teams: The Essential Role of Connection in Team Success

What’s the special sauce behind a world-class team? How crucial is connection to teamwork? And how has remote work transformed team dynamics? I’ve been fascinated by these questions as I’ve been working with globally distributed remote teams since the pandemic. What I’ve found is that while most organizations have taken the time to develop systems and strategies for teams to get work done, the majority of them don’t prioritize the single most important ingredient for team success: connection.

Recently I spoke to business trainer, organizational consultant, and facilitator Vera Shatska about the role connection plays in leadership, management, and team dynamics. With big clients under her belt like Nestle, Adidas, and Coca-Cola, Vera knows what she’s talking about. Here’s what came up in our conversation.

Remote Work is the (Not So) New Black

As of 2023, about 14% of all employed adults in the United States are working from home full-time. Additionally, 41% of those now work a hybrid schedule, combining days at home with days at the office (Pew Research Center). This new work style has transformed the impossible into reality, enabling global team distribution. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to stay connected. Long-distance work relationships demand extra effort to maintain connection. Why? Because psychological safety comes from a foundation of feeling connected.?

Connection as the Foundation for Psychological Safety

“We don’t have time for connection.” I’ve heard this from leaders more times than I can count. I always push back and say, “What’s true is that you’re wasting time when you don’t prioritize connection.” Why? Without a sense of connectedness, team members often become disengaged, face more conflicts, and experience increased stress.

On the other hand, when team members feel connected, there is more trust, openness, and mutual respect, which are critical for creating an environment where individuals feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas without fear of negative consequences.?

I like to talk about connection as “the grease in the machine”. If you don’t have it, the machine is going to slow down—and it may even stop working altogether. Do you have time to check the oil in your car before a road trip? Of course, you do. So why wouldn’t you take a few minutes at the beginning of a meeting to connect with the person on the other side of your screen if you knew it would potentially prevent a breakdown later?

Small Investments for Big Returns

Vera Shatska emphasizes, “It’s all about trust. When you have trust, teams can do a lot.” Building trust requires time and small, consistent investments in relationships. Imagine meeting someone for the first time and then immediately starting to work on a project together. You would naturally doubt if this person was going to deliver—and they would doubt you too—because you haven’t taken the time to get to know each other.

“It’s all about trust. When you have trust, teams can do a lot.” —Vera Shatska

“When teams are connected, they can get amazing results,” says Shatska. “When teams are connected, it’s easier to deliver your message. It’s easier to agree on things. But many leaders are immature in their leadership skills. They don’t know how to change their message so it’s interesting. They don’t know how to be clear. They don’t know how to motivate their people. In order to obtain these skills, they have to practice.” They not only have to practice their leadership communication skills, but they also have to practice their leadership connection skills. Because at the end of the day, a leader who isn’t connected to a team is just someone performing solo.

Moving Beyond the Omniscient Leader Myth

I’ve seen so many new leaders struggle with trying to do it all on their own. They believe they need to know all the answers to be considered a 'leader'. But what’s true is that no one person knows all the answers, which is why we gather the wise counsel of a team. It’s dangerous and silly to operate as if you know everything. This leadership hubris seems to be a remnant of the 20th-century top-down workplace hierarchy. These days I don’t think it’s intentional though; I think it’s just people trying to do their best in a fast-paced business environment. But what gets lost in this disconnected, top-down style is the exponential power of the hive mind.

“Leadership is not your show.” —Vera Shatska

“Leadership is about growing others,” Shatska says. “Don’t sit alone and try to figure things out. Talk to people. Engage your team. Communicate with them. This is the only way to generate the best solutions.” True leadership is about inviting all the voices into the room. It’s about gathering different opinions to generate a broad perspective for problem-solving. It’s about listening more and saying less. You have to foster a connection with the people on your team before they feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas. This is why connection matters so much.?

Practical Tips for Cultivating Connection on Remote Teams

Here are some tips for how to prioritize connection, even when you can’t be together in person.

• Cameras on

It sounds so basic, but if your people can’t see each other, it will be much harder for them to connect. Making being on camera mandatory is the first step to fostering more connection on your remote team.

• Build in connection exercises at the beginning of team calls

Dedicate the first five minutes of team meetings to encourage non-work-related social interactions. Shatska suggests posing questions that help teams get to know each other better. For example, “What was your first experience making money?” The way each person answers this question will tell you a lot about who they are and how they see the world—invaluable for connection.

• Ensure every team member has a voice in meetings

Some people are naturally more willing to share their opinions than others. But it’s the leader’s responsibility to draw more introverted people out so they also feel encouraged to be part of the conversation. This means keeping tabs on the room. Who hasn’t spoken? The goal is not to put them on the spot, but to show genuine curiosity. “John, we haven’t heard from you yet. I’m curious what your thoughts are on this issue.”

Encouraging social interactions that are not just work-related, actively listening to team members, and promoting inclusiveness are just some of the ways to ensure that every team member has a voice in meetings and decision-making processes.?

What steps will you take today to reinforce connections, build trust, and foster psychological safety in your remote team?

Watch the full interview with Vera Shatskaya here.

????If you're not yet subscribed to my newsletter but would like to be, you can sign up here.

?? P.S. When you’re ready for more…

↘? Check out my new six-week course, Communicate with Confidence

?? Follow me on Instagram?

??Connect with me on Linkedin.