A recent study by the ABS shows that nearly half of us (46%) are now working from home and that 34% of all Australian businesses are offering hybrid and remote working options for at least 50% of their employees.

Clearly, remote and hybrid teams have very much become the norm in our modern workplaces. While technology has made this shift easier and helped improve work-life balance for so many, the challenge we’re now facing is keeping connections alive. Fostering true connectivity in a remote working world takes more than jumping on a Zoom call once a week. It’s important to maintain connectivity, communication and collaboration within your remote and hybrid teams to ensure there continues to be a sense of trust, support and cohesion even when we’re not working right next to each other. 

The pros and cons 

As with everything in the world, while remote and flexible working comes with many benefits, it’s not without its challenges. Let’s start with the good stuff. 

Having teams that work remotely or hybrid can: 

• Reduce the amount of office space needed, therefore reducing capital expenditure in this area 
• Improve productivity 
• Allow people to complete ‘deep work’ without being interrupted by meetings or other environmental disturbances (like that one colleague who has to stop for a chat every time they go to the bathroom) 
• Improved work-life balance 
• Gives greater control to employees over their working hours and location 
• Allows for more efficient use of time.

Now for some of the not-so-good stuff or challenges that can come with remote or hybrid working: 

• Harder to build and maintain connections between team members 
• Finding the best tools and resources to help encourage and ensure clear communication 
• Extra coordination work - it can take longer to ensure everyone has been involved in a decision or process and members can often miss out on small conversations and decisions. 

If you are finding that your team is struggling with their sense of connection since going more virtual, there are a few things you can do to help reignite that spark. 

Tricks (tools) of the trade 

First, a little bit of a disclaimer. All of these tools, strategies and suggestions are nothing more than that unless you and your team put in the time and effort to make them work for you and your workflow. Technology can be a great source of encouragement for communication and collaboration, but it needs a human helping hand to see real results. With that said, what are some of the tools you can use to start building connections within your virtual team?

A work meeting & catch-up opportunity 

Whether you’re using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or any other of the many virtual meeting tools out there, they can be a great way to get some face-to-face time with your team, check in with everyone and have important discussions. Obviously getting the work done is important, but you should also use these times as an opportunity for some general catch-up. Schedule in time, whether before or after the meeting, to debrief with everyone on how they’ve been, anything exciting that’s been happening and whatever other off-topic conversations come up. Allowing people to have more relaxed social interactions can really help build a sense of trust and connection within the team. 

Real-time collaboration 

Asynchronous tools like Loom, Mural and Figma allow your team members to deliver more in-depth and personable work and project briefs, no matter what time zones or spaces they’re working in. Also, sometimes just being able to speak your words rather than trying to write everything out in a long-winded email is much easier. 

Project management 

We all love a good project management tool. Whether it’s Asana, Adobe Workfront or Basecamp, these programs make keeping everyone organised and on task so much easier when you’re not all in the same space. Everyone can easily see what tasks they’ve been assigned, ask questions and keep track of deadlines. These tools can also make onboarding a much easier and smoother process. When work is easy, stress-free and seamless, it helps boost communication, collaboration and overall productivity. 

Our top tips 

While tools are great, they aren’t the be-all and end-all solution to improving connection and communication within your team. A little human intervention is also needed. 

Encourage open communication 

You want to foster an environment where people feel comfortable to share any thoughts and feelings they have. Having regular check-in meetings, whether throughout a project or just on a more casual basis, is a great way to help build that comfort level. We did say it’s not all about the tools, but for those team members who aren’t quite as comfortable communicating in person (or through the screen), something like Slack can be a great way to help encourage more casual conversation between team members. 

Create a culture of kindness 

By encouraging everyone to be open about what they’re thinking and feeling, you begin to develop a more clear and kind culture. You start to minimise miscommunications when people no longer feel afraid to say they don’t understand or don’t know something. It can also help prevent simple misunderstandings from turning into greater concerns. When we’re trying to communicate over instant messages and emails, sometimes tone and what we mean can get lost in translation. If there is a mix-up and your team is capable of being open with each other, any issues can be resolved rather than being held onto and growing into deep-seated issues that are more challenging to resolve later. 

Take time for one-on-ones 

Schedule time to have individual meetings with your team members. By getting time to speak with their boss or manager, people feel more seen, heard and valued. It can also allow you to get ahead of any issues before they become bigger concerns. This practice increases motivation and productivity, while also enhancing that sense of communication and connection. 

Leading towards better connection 

As the spearhead of the operation (your team), it’s important for leaders to take the reins and be the guiding light for building that sense of trust, communication and connection by providing support and maintaining cohesion in your team. A couple of extra tips: 

• Keep your team regularly updated on the organisation’s goals, expectations and individual contributions and be clear on deadlines and communication protocols. 
• Ensure you have reliable channels for addressing any feedback or concerns. 
• Have an understanding of what your individual team members need to maintain their well-being and any professional development they’re interested in. 
• Make sure to highlight the importance of work-life balance to your team. 
• Acknowledge personal achievements to build a supportive culture. 
• Facilitate virtual team-building exercises and activities (no, they don’t have to be cringy). 

Consistency is key 

While having the perfect balance between giving flexibility and keeping a work environment structured and connected isn’t easy, it’s also critically important to creating a cohesive and enjoyable workplace. Knowing how to accommodate everyone’s working styles while also ensuring productivity, consistency and accountability can be a tricky mix. With consistent open communication, you can build a dynamic and adaptable work culture that smashes all its goals and has people excited to get up in the morning. 

Want even more tips and tricks for improving your leadership? Check out the full webinar here.