Key Takeaways
In remote workplaces, the sense of connectedness between teammates reduces by 28%.
Disconnected employees lose morale, which leads to poor performance, low job satisfaction and high turnover.
Making casual conversation and hosting icebreakers before meetings is a simple way to connect more with your virtual employees.
Peer recognition also strengthens bonds between coworkers, with 57% of companies reporting higher engagement from such programs.
From the outside, managing a team looks like assigning tasks and supervising people. But in reality, it’s about supporting, motivating and keeping your team connected.
When you’re leading a remote team, this gets especially tricky.
Virtual teams often span different time zones and cultures, with members who are strangers to one another. Instead of seeing your colleagues every day, you look at their icons and in place of conversations, you exchange updates.
Without personal connections, employees struggle to work together toward common goals. They become disengaged and overall productivity dwindles.
If you’re having trouble keeping your virtual team connected, don’t give up just yet!
Read on to find 8 unique ways of connecting with employees virtually, so your team is engaged, productive and primed for success!
Challenges in Keeping Virtual Teams Connected
When it comes to flexibility and convenience, nothing beats remote work. But communication, collaboration and sense of belonging? That’s where it falters.
Most virtual employees feel isolated and fragmented from other team members, making teamwork a constant challenge.
A 2021 survey found that the sense of connectedness between team members reduced by 28% in remote work, and feelings of closeness between virtual employees and managers decreased by 21%.
Lack of face-to-face communication, time zone barriers and technical difficulties are no doubt some of the culprits behind this disconnection.
Lack of Personal Interactions
In offices, discussions with colleagues about family, hobbies and pets come up naturally. Celebratory team dinners, after-work drinks and annual parties naturally deepen connections without requiring extra effort.
You might even discover coworkers with similar interests and gain a new running buddy or photography companion!
But remote teams are sorely lacking in such organic ways of bonding. Consistent, intentional efforts are needed to build and maintain relationships among virtual team members.
But this is often low on the list of priorities for remote workers. Workday breaks are preserved for chores, not meaningless chitchat and trying too hard to build connections feels unnatural, awkward and for some, even bothersome.
The result is a disjointed team where members barely know one another and struggle to work effectively together.
Time Zone Mismatches
When your employees are in the same place, meeting up for discussions is easier as there are no time zones to worry about.
In remote teams, however, even the simple task of scheduling meetings becomes troublesome. If you manage a global team, you have members from all over the world.
This means contradicting time zones and availability—when one team member is in a deep work session, another is deep in sleep somewhere else!
Collaboration becomes a massive pain this way. Interrupted workflows, delayed communication and ineffective coordination affect work quality and prolong task completion.
If you consistently favor one time zone, others suffer. Being forced to attend meetings at ungodly hours beyond work shifts will also make employees resentful, further disconnecting an already divided team.
Ineffective Communication
Effective communication is the tie that holds remote teams together, but implementing it isn’t always easy.
Texts lack facial expressions, body language and tone of voice, making intent unclear and causing misunderstandings.
Short replies come across as stand-offish and even well-meaning questions may feel rude without context. A “Do you understand?” can seem condescending rather than helpful.
Additionally, a lack of transparency and unclear instructions from leadership can breed mistrust, confusion and poor performance.
In a survey of remote workers, 42% said that ineffective communication caused them stress, while 50% said it affected job satisfaction.
But keep in mind that good communication isn’t overcommunication!
Unnecessary meetings and excessive updates will only exhaust your employees: 70% of remote workers become burnt out from digital communication.
The solution? Striking the ideal balance between keeping everyone informed and avoiding information overload.
Technical Issues
Few things are more frustrating than a jittery internet connection in the middle of a meeting. Sadly, remote workers know this struggle all too well.
Poor connectivity and technical glitches are notorious work disruptors, hampering both individual productivity and team collaboration.
Software issues such as different operating systems, version mismatches and regional restrictions can add to the troubles as well.
Most remote companies also lack proper IT support, leaving employees to troubleshoot errors by themselves, which wastes productive hours.
Plus, when you are working with a remote team, you need to invest in cyber security measures to prevent hacks, data leaks and phishing attacks.
The Importance of Connecting Teams Virtually
As we can see, several factors are tearing remote teams apart.
But if you want to avoid low morale, conflict and poor performance, connecting virtual teams must be a priority.
Envision a workplace where communication feels effortless, collaboration is second nature and goals aren’t just met—they’re crushed. That’s the magic of a connected team!
On the contrary, disconnected teammates are more likely to be unsatisfied with their jobs, a feeling often reflected in their attitude and work. The result is a toxic workplace, high turnover costs and organizational instability.
Let’s take a look at how disconnected teams affect your organization.
| Effects of Team Disconnection | Impact on Organization |
|---|---|
| Poor communication | Misunderstandings, frequent errors and delayed project completion. |
| Low engagement | Decreased motivation and failure to meet business objectives. |
| Siloed workflows | Misaligned goals and ineffective teamwork. |
| Low-quality work | Operational inefficiency and tainted company reputation. |
| Eroded trust | Low morale and resistance to feedback. |
| Decreased job satisfaction | High turnover rates and increased training costs. |
| Toxic company culture | Low retention and trouble recruiting quality talent. |
How To Keep Virtual Teams Connected
By now, you know that keeping virtual teams connected is essential for success.
But can a lack of connection actually drive employees to quit? Research says yes!
According to a McKinsey study, 46% of employees quit due to a lack of caring and trusting relationships with coworkers.
This means that while good pay and benefits are valuable, they aren’t enough.
Employees want to feel like they belong. They crave camaraderie, community and meaningful connection.
So how do you go about connecting virtual teams?
Of course, open communication, mutual respect and appreciation form the basic tenets of strong connections.
The methods below help you enforce these principles, bringing your team closer and building a lively, close-knit work environment.
1. Ensure Seamless Onboarding for New Hires
Being the new person at work can be nerve-wracking.
For remote employees, it’s even tougher—no office tours or meet-and-greets, just a screen full of unfamiliar names.
That’s why a well-planned onboarding process is crucial. It helps new hires feel like part of the team from day one, setting them up for success.
Start with a warm welcome! Send a welcome email outlining their first-say schedule and any resources they’ll need (login credentials, software links, important documents, etc.)
If the budget allows, mail them a welcome kit filled with company swag.
Kick off their first day with an introduction on the team chat. Encourage new hires to share fun facts or hobbies, sparking conversation and helping everyone get to know each other.
Assigning a buddy or mentor to answer doubts and ease their transition also helps make instant connections.
Additionally, provide a structured training program with clear expectations, KPIs, quizzes and step-by-step guidelines so they can confidently settle into their role without feeling lost.
Read more: Best Practices for Delegating to Your Virtual Assistant
2. Make Time for Casual Chitchat
Loneliness and communication issues are the biggest struggles for remote workers. This makes perfect sense considering the lack of casual, everyday interactions in remote workspaces.
Team chats are mostly reserved for work updates and queries, leaving little room for personal connections.
But the solution to this is surprisingly simple: Talk to your coworkers! Instead of jumping straight to business in meetings, make some time for casual chitchat.
Go beyond the default script of “How was your weekend?”, “Good, yours?” and engage in real conversation instead.
If someone mentioned attending a concert last week, ask how it was. If a new show just dropped, start a group discussion. Show genuine interest in your coworkers’ lives and don’t shy away from sharing bits of yours.
You can also host icebreakers before every meeting to help teammates feel more comfortable with each other.
When every member consciously attempts to connect, a supportive community built on trust and collaboration is born.
For managers, 1:1 check-ins are also ideal for addressing personal concerns and strengthening manager-employee relationships.
3. Encourage Peer Recognition
In a truly supportive team, members uplift, appreciate and celebrate each other.
Peer-to-peer recognition can drive significant results. 57% of companies with such programs report higher engagement and 32% note greater productivity.
As a team leader, you’re responsible for creating an environment where this happens.
Set an example by habitually appreciating teammates for their contributions. Whether it’s a shoutout on the group chat or a personal thank you message, don’t let efforts go unnoticed.
Be genuine and specific in your praise. Instead of “Good job”, you can say “Your attention to detail on this task made a huge difference!”
Such meaningful recognition boosts motivation, builds confidence and drives employees to perform better.
A few ways to enforce a culture of recognition among team members are:
- Peer nomination awards: Let employees nominate peers for categories such as “ultimate teammate”, “human knowledge bank” or “positivity pillar” and reward the winners.
- Weekly words of affirmation: Pair team members at random and ask them to exchange small notes of encouragement every week.
- Virtual wall of fame: Have a virtual board where employees can post ‘thank you’ notes and highlight each other’s achievements.
A tip for managers: While words of appreciation are excellent for small contributions, reward employees with incentives or gift cards for bigger ones!
4. Organize Fun Challenges
Friendly competition boosts engagement, strengthens team bonds and pushes everyone to grow together.
But competitions like public employee rankings and winner-takes-all contests brew anxiety and rivalry, pitting colleagues against one another.
To avoid compromising on team spirit, opt for fun, stress-free team-building challenges.
Skill-Building Contests
Such contests help employees refine existing skills, build aptitude and unleash their creativity in exciting, collaborative ways.
- Typing race: Have employees test out their typing speed using online tools and see who’s fastest.
- Hackathons: Leading a team of software developers? Organize a 24-hour virtual hackathon to hone their innovation and problem-solving skills.
- Content sprint: Engage your creative professionals in a battle to see who comes up with the most compelling product descriptions/ taglines/ CTAs within a timeframe.
Online Multiplayer Games
Online escape rooms, scavenger hunts or brain teasers are excellent for keeping virtual teams connected. Skribble, an online pictionary game, is a popular favorite!
Best Photo Competition
Photo challenges connect virtual teammates by providing a glimpse into each other’s lives. Some fun ideas are:
- Funniest pet photo
- Most organized desk
- Your favorite lunch
- A movie scene recreation
Wellness Challenges
These challenges foster camaraderie while motivating employees to prioritize their well-being. Some popular ones include:
- Step-count battle: Compete to hit the highest weekly step count.
- Outdoor time challenge: Prompt employees to spend time outdoors and share photos.
- Hydration goal: Encourage employees to track daily water intake and hold each other accountable.
5. Celebrate Milestones and Special Occasions
In co-located offices, teams gather for award ceremonies and holiday events.
Virtual teams may miss out on these, but who says they can’t have fun? Special occasions are the perfect chance to go the extra mile and show employees your appreciation.
While company milestones and cultural holidays are great for team celebrations, personal achievements call for individual rewards.
Keep these key occasions in mind to boost employee morale and lift their spirits.
- Work anniversaries: Thank employees for their loyalty with public shoutouts, personalized video messages and gift cards.
- Employee birthdays: Treat virtual employees on their special day with a gift voucher to their favorite restaurant.
- Company achievements: Surprise your team with care packages or a day off to celebrate company anniversaries or major project wins.
- Holidays: Host virtual dress-up parties to celebrate cultural festivals and organize Secret Santa gift exchanges for Christmas.
- Personal milestones: Mark weddings, promotions and personal achievements with small gifts, bonus PTO and heartfelt messages.
- Special days: Celebrate occasions like Employee Appreciation Day, Mental Health Awareness Week or National Pet Day with fun virtual activities that strengthen team bonds.
6. Arrange Virtual Team Events
All work and no play makes teams disengage!
Fun may seem like a distraction, but it’s the glue that holds teams together. And for remote employees who often feel isolated, virtual team events can make a huge difference.
Below are some ideas for breaking the monotony and connecting with employees virtually.
- Virtual karaoke: Use platforms like AllKaraoke to belt out your favorite tunes for a fun team bonding session. To take it a notch further, set themes like movie soundtracks or early 2000s music.
- Talent shows: Let employees showcase their hidden talents, from singing and poetry to stand-up comedy and speedcubing.
- Book or movie clubs: Pick a book or movie each week and geek out over shared interests together.
- Virtual movie nights: Host an online watch party for popular movies and have a trivia game afterward.
- Online lessons: Invite a specialist to host an online cooking class, painting lesson or guided meditation and learn something new together.
- Virtual office tour: If you work in hybrid mode, live-stream a walkthrough of the office so remote employees can catch a glimpse of their workplace.
7. Level Up Your DEI Initiatives
A strong sense of belonging is essential in the workplace, yet it gets overlooked. In 2021, 51% of employees left their jobs due to a lack of sense of belonging.
One of the best ways to foster an inclusive virtual culture is by strengthening your DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) efforts.
A welcoming and diverse environment makes employees feel valued, heard and motivated to give their best.
According to a Randstad study, 78% of employees value workplace equality.
Here’s how you can make DEI a core principle in your virtual team:
- Ensure impartial hiring: Recruit from different backgrounds and demographics to build a diverse team.
- Establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Connect those with similar interests and identities, such as communities for working moms or sustainability advocates.
- Celebrate different cultures: Ensure inclusion by celebrating and providing holidays for all cultures.
- Provide bias training: Educate your employees on unconscious bias and promote a culture of respect and inclusion.
- Offer equal growth opportunities: Maintain fairness in promotions, training programs and compensation.
- Support diverse needs: Offer flexible scheduling for employees managing caregiving responsibilities or celebrating religious holidays.
Connecting virtual teams gets easier when you create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone feels like they belong.
8. Seek and Implement Employee Feedback
The best way to keep employees happy and engaged? Take it from the horse’s mouth.
Regular feedback helps identify issues like burnout, disconnection or unclear expectations before they escalate. But listening is futile unless you act!
It’s important to adapt your leadership style for your virtual team based on their feedback.
Showing employees that their opinions causes real change makes them feel valued and heard.
By encouraging open dialogue, you build trust and loyalty, leading to higher retention and lower turnover—a win for everyone.
Plus, well-rounded support motivates employees to perform better, boosting efficiency and strengthening organizational culture.
When it comes to keeping virtual teams connected, the following questions can provide valuable insights.
- On a scale of 1-5, how connected do you feel to your team?
- How often do you have non-work-related discussions with colleagues? (daily, rarely, never)
- Do you feel recognized for your contributions? (yes, sometimes, never)
- What type of activities would help you feel more connected? (Casual chats, team activities, meetings)
Overcoming Remote Work Obstacles With Outsourcing
Despite its challenges, remote work is here to stay.
When Buffer asked workers if they wanted to continue working remotely, a resounding 98% said yes.
And for good reason! Remote work cuts commute costs, allows more time for family and gives employees control over their schedule.
For business owners, this is excellent news. Outsourcing gives you access to global remote talent while saving on overhead costs.
When you hire through virtual assistant companies, the deal is even sweeter! These companies handle the entire recruitment process, from screening applications to choosing the final hire.
At Zenius, we source top professionals and match you with the perfect candidates for your unique needs.
Plus, we take care of everyday HR and legal formalities, saving you the headache of payroll, insurance and full-time employee benefits.
With our scalable solutions, you also get flexible, need-based support, ensuring that every penny of your investment is well-spent.
Wrapping Up
With today’s digital advancements, distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection.
From casual Zoom chats to virtual movie nights on Teleparty, keeping virtual teams connected is easier than ever.
By prioritizing genuine relationships, you can build a connected and motivated workforce destined to excel.