When we all worked in offices, it was easy to take micro-interactions with our coworkers for granted. And now that we're all out of offices, it’s equally easy to get in a WFH groove and forget the value and convenience of these social interactions with coworkers over coffee, asking about their weekends, or grabbing lunch together during meetings. 

Years of experience working remotely have taught us that while these little social moments can’t be entirely replaced, there are plenty of ways to encourage at-distance team building.

1. Assume the best of your coworkers

Simple in theory but difficult in practice at times, assuming the best of your coworkers goes a long way toward keeping teamwork alive and thriving. This means trusting that they have the best intentions and are doing their best. Everyone has bad days, but lapses in communication or asynchronicities don't usually come from a place of malice. 

"Assuming the best in others" is so common among leadership and therapy experts that it's almost a trope. But when we put it into practice, we bring out the best in ourselves, too. It builds trust, makes workplaces more positive, and improves psychological safety for everyone.  

2. Use digital collaboration technology

One of the most significant advantages of our time is the vast array of communication technologies available. Platforms like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and others have exploded in popularity and features over the last few years, and savvy remote teams embrace these tools to foster teamwork and communication. 

Slack is a great tool for internal text communication, and the updates just keep on coming as the tool becomes even more widely used. Zoom, which offers a time-limited free version or an unlimited paid version, is also integral to many remote companies, as it is already a popular choice that easily integrates with Slack. Google Meet has grown in popularity as more people adopt Google’s ever-expanding product suite, and it also integrates with Slack and other tools.

And although some web developers and IT specialists may jokingly rib at Microsoft products, including Teams, it’s important to remain adept with the many elegant and useful programs provided under the Microsoft umbrella.   

3. Speaking of Slack and Teams, create fun channels

One of the cool things about Slack and Teams is their endless customization options. You can create countless channels for coworkers to chat about interests and a few more general topics. 

Slack or Teams channels like “pets,” where coworkers can share pictures and stories about their furry friends, are popular across industries. Other channels, like “workouts,” “music,” or “true crime enthusiasts,” may offer more niche topics for discussions and connecting between tasks or meetings.

A word of caution regarding Slack/Teams channels: If you are in many specialized channels, you may receive a LOT of notifications! Additionally, channels may not be practical or appropriate in larger organizations due to the number of people involved. 

4. Organize a monthly social hour

Let’s face it: No matter what kind of team-building activities you choose, it’s never going to be  “cool” or natural-feeling. By nature of simply “being at work,” people are more likely to hold back, maintain a protective level of formality, or simply be uninterested in joining in. 

That said, you may find that online games with Jackbox, escape rooms in Funtivity, virtual Happy Hours, ordering food from DoorDash together, gift exchanges, costume contests, and plenty of fun analog icebreaker games provide endless fun and value for teams of all sizes, time zones, and walks of life.

Some helpful tips to pull off a social hour:

• Hold it on a Friday afternoon. Doing so helps people head into the weekend energized without having to tune back in to work for too long afterward.
• Alternate between types of events, like Jackbox and Funtivity, and less-structured options, like icebreakers, conversation starters, and show-and-tell. Switching up the types of events keeps teammates engaged without draining one another.

We are never ones to force fun, so our monthly social hour is completely optional. However, over the years, we've shared many enjoyable, touching, and funny moments together.

5. Make employee well-being a priority

Burnout is rampant in almost every workforce in the nation these days, but remote workers may be particularly at risk due to the blurred line between “work” and “home.” To minimize this stressor, it may help to embrace flexible working hours (within reason). Flexible schedules can present challenges when scheduling meetings, but the return of happy, connected employees is often worth it.

It may also help to encourage teammates to take a break in the middle of the day for exercise, meditation, or other personal pursuits. These types of brain breaks refresh their minds so they can better focus on their return. 

One benefit of being fully remote and having coworkers in many different time zones is that teammates must carefully consider meetings. The extra moment of pause, as you decide whether you really need to meet a coworker at 8 AM in their time zone, helps minimize meetings. And minimizing unnecessary meetings also allows you to be more focused and connected when you do schedule one. 

6. Communicate even more than you think you need to

Another way to combat remote work-related burnout and stress is through transparent communication, including frequent feedback and regular manager check-ins. Recognizing that text communication sometimes lacks nuance or tone, teammates should be encouraged to start a Teams or Google Meet meeting on the fly to clarify task items or ask questions. 

Quarterly performance feedback from direct coworkers and supervisors ensures that no one is blindsided by an unsatisfactory annual review. And frequent manager check-ins give teammates much-needed face time with the person in charge of their employment and provide a designated time for both the employee and manager to ask questions and raise concerns. 

7. Schedule additional virtual and in-person team-building activities

Intentionally scheduling unstructured time together allows staff to kick back and cut loose with coworkers in a non-judgmental environment, participate in team-building events and challenges, and build and foster valuable in-person connections with one another. 

For example, we host an approximately monthly “dev chat,” where developers meet to discuss industry issues, updates, current events, and practice changes. Our design and marketing teams meet at a similar cadence to discuss projects, workflows, and tips to keep the creative juices flowing. 

Although these meetings are work-related, they are less formal in nature. Coworkers frequently drop in and out for segments, eat snacks, and work through open-ended questions and issues together. 

If you travel to an area where you have a coworker, it helps to make the effort to schedule in-person lunches, meetings, and coffee. About every 2-4 years, it may also make sense to hold a company-wide retreat for a couple of days, especially if your company has grown or changed in the years since your last one. 

An ongoing learning experience

Even though working remotely comes with well-documented challenges, By the Pixel has embraced the opportunity and expanded to represent 14 states (and counting!). With coworkers in so many time zones, it’s easy to stay in touch with clients across the country and beyond, and we are always finding better ways to stay connected with one another. 

We hope our growing knowledge helps others find new ways to connect as well, no matter where they're located. 🌎