Working remotely can sometimes feel like you’re living in a parallel universe. There you are, having coffee in your slippers at 2 p.m., typing away at your laptop, while your teammate on another continent is signing off for the day.
As much as remote work offers flexibility and freedom (yes, hello, yoga pants!), it also comes with the challenge of making everyone feel like they’re part of the same team despite being oceans apart.
Creating an inclusive work environment for remote teams isn’t just about virtual happy hours and shared Google docs.
It’s about building a culture where every team member feels seen, heard, and valued—whether they’re joining from a co-working space in Bali or their kitchen table in Boston.
So, let’s break it down. How do you build a remote work culture that goes beyond the small talk in Zoom meetings and brings out the best in every team member?
The Essence of Inclusivity in a Remote World
Inclusivity is all about belonging. It’s like making sure everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the conversation.
When it comes to remote teams, the challenge is not just pulling up more chairs, but making sure everyone feels like they’re actually at the table—even when that table is virtual.
In a remote environment, it’s easy for some team members to feel like background characters in the sitcom of your company. You might be communicating daily, but without the body language and spontaneous watercooler chats, the little nuances of connection can get lost.
With the right strategies, you can foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels like they belong. Here’s how:
1. Overcommunicate, but Don’t Micro-Manage
Remote work makes communication tricky. You don’t have the luxury of wandering over to someone’s desk to check in casually.
So, what’s the answer?
Overcommunicate.
And by this, I don’t mean sending a barrage of messages every five minutes (nobody wants that). I mean establishing clear channels and consistent rhythms for communication.
A few tips to get you started with very basic culture building steps:
- Weekly Check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings to connect beyond just work updates. It’s a great time to talk about career development, roadblocks, or even their latest Netflix binge.
- Team Syncs: Virtual standups or team huddles help everyone stay aligned and feel like they’re working towards common goals.
- Transparency is Key: Keep shared documents accessible, project progress visible, and encourage questions and clarifications. When people are well-informed, they feel valued.
The goal is to communicate proactively and consistently, but without constantly peeking over their virtual shoulders. Trust your team to get the work done, and they’ll rise to the occasion.
2. Establish Rituals and Traditions
Every company has its own set of traditions or rituals. For a remote team, these traditions might be a little more creative (say, a virtual coffee time), but they’re essential for bringing everyone together.
Remote rituals give your team something to look forward to and can help foster a sense of belonging. They don’t have to be extravagant—sometimes it’s the little, quirky things that help people bond.
Ideas to Steal
“Wins of the Week” Call: Wrap up the week with a 30-minute session where team members share their small or big wins. Did they solve a tricky bug? Learn how to make sourdough? Share it all!
Theme Days: Designate a casual themed meeting once a month. Whether it’s hat day, pet day, or an office trivia day, it’s a simple way to lighten up the week.
Virtual Office Tours: Have everyone give a quick tour of their home office. It’s a great way to break the ice and gives everyone a glimpse into each other’s daily workspaces.
3. Create Opportunities for Cross-Collaboration
When you’re building a remote culture, cross-collaboration is your best friend. It’s easy for people to feel like they’re working in their own silo, especially if they’re assigned to specific projects or tasks. To build inclusivity, encourage collaboration across departments and time zones.
Strategies for Cross-Collaboration
- Pair Programming and Shadowing: Let team members work together on projects, shadow each other, or even swap responsibilities temporarily to understand different roles.
- Rotating Project Leads: Give team members the opportunity to lead smaller projects or initiatives. It’s an excellent way for people to grow and shine in their roles.
- Buddy System: Assign team members a work buddy outside their immediate team. They can connect weekly or bi-weekly to talk about work challenges, ideas, or just chat.
4. Encourage Open Feedback and Dialogue
Inclusivity isn’t just about inviting people to speak—it’s about creating a space where their voices are genuinely valued. A great way to do this is by encouraging a culture of open feedback. This doesn’t mean everyone needs to have a direct hotline to the CEO (though that’s cool too!), but it does mean making sure there are avenues for people to voice their thoughts and ideas.
Ways to Encourage Feedback
- Anonymous Surveys: Use tools like Google Forms or Typeform to get anonymous feedback. It’s a great way for quieter team members to express their opinions.
- Feedback Loops: Create regular check-ins and feedback loops so employees know that their voices are heard, and actions are taken accordingly.
- Leadership AMA Sessions: Hold regular “Ask Me Anything” sessions with leadership. It’s a great way for employees to ask questions and feel connected to the company’s direction.
5. Recognize and Celebrate Diverse Cultures and Holidays
One of the beautiful things about remote work is that you can have a truly global team. However, it’s easy to get stuck in your own bubble and forget that your teammates might be celebrating a different holiday or observance that’s important to them.
Celebrating your team’s diverse cultures and holidays shows that you value their backgrounds and traditions. It’s a simple yet impactful way to build a more inclusive culture.
How to Recognize and Celebrate
- Create a Global Holiday Calendar: Keep track of significant holidays celebrated by your team members and recognize them. A simple message in your team chat or a company-wide email goes a long way.
- Encourage Cultural Sharing: Give team members the opportunity to share their culture with the rest of the team. Whether it’s through a short presentation, an email, or sharing a recipe, it’s a great way to learn about each other.
6. Be Mindful of Different Time Zones and Work Preferences
The beauty of remote work is that you can hire the best talent regardless of their location. The challenge, of course, is navigating different time zones and work preferences. A 9 a.m. meeting for you could be midnight for someone else.
Inclusivity means recognizing these differences and creating a schedule that doesn’t alienate or exhaust anyone. Be flexible with your meeting times, rotate schedules if necessary, and be considerate of everyone’s work-life balance.
Time Zone Tips:
- Use World Time Zone Tools: Tools like World Time Buddy or Google Calendar’s time zone feature are lifesavers when scheduling meetings across different time zones.
- Record Meetings and Share Recaps: If someone can’t attend a meeting due to time differences, record the session and share the key points in a recap email or document.
- Asynchronous Communication: Embrace async work by allowing team members to contribute via shared docs, Loom videos, or message boards at their convenience.
7. Invest in Employee Development and Well-being
Lastly, fostering inclusivity is about more than just fun team activities and efficient communication. It’s about genuinely caring for your employees’ well-being and development. Remote work can sometimes feel isolating, and burnout is a real risk.
Ways to Invest in Development and Well-being:
- Professional Development Programs: Offer learning and development opportunities that align with employees’ career goals.
- Mental Health Resources: Provide access to mental health resources or organize well-being sessions (like virtual yoga or meditation).
- Flexibility and Time Off: Encourage employees to take breaks and time off when needed. Flexibility is one of the biggest perks of remote work—embrace it.
Inclusivity Beyond the Screen
Creating an inclusive work environment for remote teams goes beyond adding a few emoji reactions in Slack or hosting quarterly team calls. It’s about cultivating a culture where every team member feels like they belong, regardless of where they’re logging in from. By overcommunicating, embracing diverse traditions, and prioritizing employee well-being, you can build a remote team culture that’s not just productive, but genuinely inclusive.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about being connected by the internet—it’s about being connected as a team.
Ready to start building a more inclusive remote work environment? Let’s talk about how our managed VAs at Prossistant can help you create a culture of connection and collaboration, no matter where your team is located.
