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⬇️⬇️⬇️ Call to all #remote workers!

by Timote Geimer

⬇️⬇️⬇️ Call to all #remote workers! What are your best techniques to keep / build a #TeamSpirit while working remotely? ⬇️⬇️⬇️

If I have enough reply, I'll write a blogpost about it. :) #writing

Timote Geimer's avatarTimote Geimer
on March 28, 2019
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  1. 2

    This is a great question! I've worked on several remote teams, and I think that while companies should always make productivity possible, there's nothing wrong with offering the opportunity to blow off the steam that comes from hard work. Some of my favorite activities I've either seen or been a part of:

    • Using GIFs on Slack, and (if they get to be disruptive) having auxiliary Slack channels to use them in. GIFs are an easy win because they not only convey a message or tone, but also align people around similar pop-culture touch points that bring people together.
    • I once celebrated a new product with my teammates by hosting a Google Hangouts launch party. Activities included announcing the winner of a pre-sales estimate contest and all of us screen sharing our first/worst websites.
    • Virtual happy hours
    • Book clubs, either work related or not
    • Reading Races ("Literacy as Bloodsport") where the objective was purely to finish the book first and then lord it mercilessly over our fellow competitors
    • Google Hangouts movie/show watching parties or online Halo marathons after working hours
    • IRL retreats in a central location (if possible)
    • supportive channels in Slack for parents

    And maybe the most important thing is just creating a culture where creative ways to connect are encouraged and supported... BUT making sure that people can focus and be productive too.

    Lauren_IH's avatar Lauren_IH
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    8 years ago
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    1. 1

      Thanks for these great tips @Lauren_IH!
      Have you been part of full remote team or mixed team where only part is remote. Does it make a difference according to you?

      Timote Geimer's avatar Timote Geimer
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      8 years ago
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      1. 2

        I haven't personally, but I have many colleagues who have been, and what they say is the same—it's a lot easier when the entire team is distributed, because there's a lot of team-building and just workplace camaraderie that happens in person. It's hard when not everyone is there in the trenches everyday, and remote workers tend to feel left out.

        Lauren_IH's avatar Lauren_IH
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        8 years ago
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        1. 1

          I fully agree with you!

          Timote Geimer's avatar Timote Geimer
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          8 years ago
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  2. 2

    I work as Design Director of an almost 20 design/development team and this is something we have been struggling with, mostly down to so many personality types.

    Something we found that helped was making themed slack channels for generic, topic-focused talk (like game of thrones) and had a poll what people want to be invited to etc. We have a fitness channel for people to share their success towards fitness and to motivate others.

    We also have Monday meetings ONLY if people want to show something off. Work related they felt was cool/interesting, or something completely non-work but wanted to share/present.

    Both these have helped people embrace the feeling of Team, without physically seeing/interacting.

    kjparker's avatar kjparker
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    8 years ago
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    1. 1

      Thanks for the great tips @kjparker.
      Do you encounter challenges in keeping people aligned in terms of business priorities and corporate alignment or this part is fine?

      Timote Geimer's avatar Timote Geimer
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      8 years ago
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