Get the Most Out of Distributed Teams with these Tricks and Tips

Melissa Perri argues that the sudden shift to distributed work during COVID left many teams disconnected, and that the core problem is missing the informal stories and interactions that build trust and candor. She explains that weaker relationships lead to less open communication, slower execution, and lower satisfaction, since asynchronous messaging is inefficient for resolving problems. She offers practical tactics to restore connection, such as giving everyone a chance to speak, hosting virtual office hours, holding executive town halls, flexing schedules across time zones, and adding playful surprises. She closes by suggesting that companies that solve distributed collaboration well will be better positioned for the future of work.

01Key takeaways

• Actively invite quieter teammates into discussions and vary speaking order so no one is always first or last.
• Set up recurring, easy-to-join virtual office hours, scheduled to suit multiple time zones.
• Let executives meet employees face to face virtually, using pre-collected questions and rotating presenters.
• Define a shared core window of working hours and give people flexibility outside it.
• Add playful, unexpected activities to team gatherings to reduce stress and build relaxed relationships.
• Recognize that relationship depth drives candor and speed, so invest in connection as deliberately as in process.

02Key sections

The sudden shift to remote work

Businesses and individuals were abruptly forced into remote work, with video calls replacing office time and home life blending with work. The change was harder for people who had never worked remotely before.

Connection as communication

Feeling disconnected stems from missing shared stories, which build community and empathy. Shallow relationships make it harder for people to speak up when something goes wrong.

Costs of weak connection

Limited relationships reduce satisfaction and open dialogue, and they slow projects because asynchronous communication is inefficient. That can result in missed timelines and lower-quality products.

Practical tactics for connection

Ensure everyone gets airtime in meetings, hold regular virtual office hours, and make executives accessible through town halls. Flexible schedules and fun, unexpected activities also help people feel included.

Looking ahead

Distributed and asynchronous work is likely the future, and companies that handle its challenges well will be positioned for success. Each organization must find what fits its own culture.

03From the post

“When news of the novel coronavirus started spreading as fast as well a virus, many businesses were not prepared to run with distributed or remote teams. But they didn’t have a choice. Though many successful companies are full distributed (Invision) and most big companies have offices around the globe, this shift was sudden and shocking. Some organizations stepped up to…”

Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.