Remote working has great advantages for many people: Saving time by not having to commute and a better work-life balance, for example. However, the physical distance between team members can make collaboration more difficult and reduce the feeling of connection. Not every remote experience is a positive one!
So how is it possible to create closeness and foster team spirit when you don't meet regularly in person? This article offers concrete strategies and insights to strengthen relationships in your team - from the right tone in written correspondence to exceptional tips for digital hangouts. Here are our tips:
1. regular virtual meetings are essential
The importance of regular virtual meetings is very important for a positive team spirit in remote teams. Studies, such as the one conducted by Owl Labs, show that teams that communicate virtually frequently have higher productivity and satisfaction. The use of video conferencing tools enables teams to stay connected even at a distance.
Tip: Camera on for digital meetings
Although it can be tempting to leave the camera off, this significantly impairs your presence and communication strength: according to US psychologist Albert Mehrabian, only around 7 percent of communication is conveyed through words. The remaining 93 percent of the message flows through gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice and pitch.
So to avoid misunderstandings and communicate clearly, be sure to turn on the camera. In many companies, this is part of netiquette so as not to give the speaker the feeling of talking into an empty, digital space without resonance.
Could your online meetings go even better despite the camera being switched on? You can find more specific tips for efficient remote meetings in this article from us: Etiquette for online meetings - 6 rules and tips.
Key learning: Use video calls! The visibility of facial expressions and gestures significantly improves the quality of communication by making it possible to share and interpret emotions and reactions in real time.
Additional tip: Is your remote team not spread halfway around the world? Then take the opportunity to improve collaboration and mutual understanding through occasional face-to-face meetings. Whether it's a meeting, seminar or discussion: at Office Club, you'll find the right conference room for your team anywhere in Germany.
Not only formal meetings, such as a jour fixe or daily updates, are important for remote teams, but also informal meetings. However, remote teams do not have the opportunity to chat with colleagues in the hallway or in the kitchen. One way to promote this lack of personal and informal exchange is through hangouts in the digital space - far away from daily work. We have put together three inspiring ideas for informal digital meetings that strengthen team relationships:
Virtual "Show and Tell"
Each team member is given the opportunity to share something personal or a recent experience in a short, informal format.
This could be a hobby, an interesting book or a personal project. Ideally, a different person will facilitate each meeting to set a framework and guide the short inputs.
This type of meeting not only promotes cohesion, but also mutual understanding and appreciation for the individuality of each person.
Remote "Escape Room"
Organize a virtual team event that is both fun and promotes team spirit:
A "remote escape room" is a virtual version of the physical escape room. In the remote version, team members work together online, often via a platform or a video call app. Players use digital clues and solve interactive puzzles together to virtually escape from a room.
This activity is specially designed for remote teams and promotes creative thinking as well as collaboration and communication. Many providers of such virtual escape rooms offer different themes and levels of difficulty, making them suitable for different team sizes and preferences.
Additional tip: Some platforms even allow the puzzles to be adapted to specific company contexts or objectives, making the experience even more relevant and engaging for the team.
Themed virtual coffee breaks
Plan regular virtual coffee breaks with specific topics where all team members can exchange ideas.
Examples of topics include "The best show I've seen recently", "Recipe ideas for the home office" or "Apps that make my life easier".
These topic-based meetings can lead to easier conversation and prevent each person from reluctantly sipping their coffee or cold drink after work. It also encourages the discovery of common ground, which in turn builds sympathy and a sense of connection.
All these hangout ideas are explicitly not about the content of the work. This type of informal communication helps to create an atmosphere of trust, a personal connection and mutual understanding.
2. strive for the right tone in written messages
The challenges of written communication via tools such as email, Slack and WhatsApp are manifold. In the past, there were clear conventions for the written form, such as "Dear / Dear" in letters. Today, this is no longer the case: does a "best regards" or the use of emojis belong in an email? And what if you communicate with colleagues via WhatsApp? The boundaries of appropriate language are becoming increasingly blurred as many people use the same channels in both their personal and professional lives.
The appropriateness of your messages depends heavily on the relationship you have with the other person: Is it a new industry contact or a trusted colleague? Depending on this, the tone should be more formal or informal.
Rule of thumb for written communication: always be polite. Politeness is an essential tool for minimizing misunderstandings. A polite tone makes digital communication less prone to conflict and encourages positive interactions.
Additional tip: If you have the feeling that a new colleague's emails sound too demanding, it could be that they simply like to be brief. Arrange a digital meeting to get to know each other - this minimizes misunderstandings and helps you to be more empathetic towards each other.
Want to find out more about good communication? In our article on non-violent communication in the workplace we have put together some valuable tips for you!
3. establish clear communication channels for your remote team
Andreas and Sabine mainly communicate via WhatsApp and occasionally make phone calls. Miro and Ivana, on the other hand, use Slack and emails - which causes confusion: Where was the important deadline information again? And why does Miro know details that Andreas has never heard of? Unclear communication channels and, above all, the lack of a central platform on which all important information is accessible to everyone can be fatal for remote teams: Misunderstandings and ambiguities arise.
It is therefore essential to define common communication channels with your team! Start by defining specific channels for different communication needs: Emails for formal announcements, Slack or Microsoft Teams for daily consultations and quick queries, and perhaps a project management tool for tasks and deadlines. It's important that every team member knows where to find information and how to communicate.
Additional tip: Use feedback tools! Use tools with your team that allow you to collect and give feedback regularly. Those who receive praise and recognition remain motivated and those who receive constructive criticism can improve.
Key learning: By establishing these communication channels and consciously using tools, you can create a strong foundation for effective and transparent communication in your remote team.
Conclusion:
Strengthen digital relationships through skillful communication and informal hangouts
Remote working models require not only technological but also interpersonal skills! With clear communication channels, the right tone in written communication and creative forms of digital meetings, teams can remain successful and connected even across distances.
If you invest in these practices with your team, you will not only strengthen team spirit, but also promote sustainable productivity and satisfaction within the team.
Do you work remotely but long for a professional workplace away from your home office? Office Club offers you all over Germany coworking solutionsthat are flexibly tailored to your needs: Whether flexible workplace or office space and permanent workstations - discover the right workplace in your area with us!