How I Built a Remote Team Culture That Actually Works

Hey there 👋,

When we transitioned to remote work, I’ll admit, I had my doubts. How do you maintain a strong team culture when your people are scattered across different cities, time zones, and even continents? Turns out, it’s not only possible—it can become one of your greatest strengths.

Over the past few years, I’ve focused on building a vibrant and connected culture within my remote team. And while the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, the results have been transformational—greater collaboration, stronger relationships, and a happier, more engaged team.

In this newsletter, I want to share the strategies and practices that have helped me strengthen my team’s culture while working remotely.

The Power of Culture in Remote Teams

Culture is the invisible glue that holds a team together. In a remote environment, where spontaneous watercooler chats and in-person meetings aren’t the norm, it’s easy for team members to feel disconnected or isolated. That’s why it’s essential to create deliberate opportunities for connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

A strong team culture doesn’t just improve morale—it impacts productivity, innovation, and retention. When people feel valued and connected to the mission, they’re more likely to go above and beyond, even when working from a distance.

My Approach to Building Remote Team Culture

Here are the key strategies I’ve used to foster a thriving culture in our remote team:

Every great culture starts with a clear set of shared values. These values act as a guiding light, helping your team make decisions and navigate challenges. Early on, I worked with my team to identify what we stand for—values like transparency, collaboration, and ownership. These aren’t just words on a slide deck; they’re principles we live by daily.

Communication is the lifeblood of any remote team. To ensure everyone stays connected, we’ve implemented:

• Daily Standups: Quick, 15-minute check-ins to align on goals and priorities.

• Weekly Team Meetings: A more in-depth discussion of progress, challenges, and wins.

• Async Updates: For those in different time zones, we use tools like Slack and Loom to share updates asynchronously.

Work is important, but so is having fun and getting to know your teammates as people. Here are a few ways we’ve built social connection:

• Virtual Coffee Chats: Randomly paired 1:1s where team members can chat about anything but work.

• Themed Slack Channels: From #foodies to #petsofremote, these channels give people a space to share their interests.

Quarterly Virtual Events: Whether it’s a trivia night, online escape room, or cooking class, these events bring the team together in a relaxed setting.

Remote teams can sometimes feel like they’re working in silos. Celebrating wins—big and small—reminds everyone that we’re all part of the same journey. We have a dedicated Slack channel where team members can shout out their peers, and we make it a point to celebrate milestones during our meetings.

Burnout is a real risk in remote work. To combat this, we’ve implemented practices like flexible schedules, no-meeting Fridays, and regular wellness check-ins. We also provide resources for mental health and encourage time off when needed.

Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way

1. Trust is Key: Micromanaging doesn’t work in a remote environment. Trust your team to do their jobs, and they’ll reward you with results.

2. Feedback is a Two-Way Street: Remote work requires constant adaptation. I’ve learned to actively seek feedback from my team about what’s working and what’s not, then act on it.

Be Intentional: Culture doesn’t happen by accident. It requires effort, planning, and consistency. Make it a priority.

A Challenge for You

If you’re leading a remote team, I challenge you to take one action this week to strengthen your culture. Maybe it’s scheduling a virtual coffee chat, creating a shared playlist for your team, or simply reaching out to ask how someone is doing. Small steps can make a big difference.

Remote work doesn’t mean losing culture—it means building it differently. With intention, empathy, and creativity, you can create a team culture that’s just as strong (if not stronger) than one built in an office.

Stay connected,
Angelo

P.S. How do you keep your remote team engaged and connected? Hit reply and share your best practices—I’d love to learn from you!