Podcast Transcript

Welcome back to the deep dive. We're diving into something uh a challenge that's really uh top of mind for a lot of leaders. It's how to create a thriving company culture when your team is entirely remote.

It's really the million-dollar question, isn't it? You've got all these talented people working remotely, but how do you cultivate that sense of connection and shared purpose?

Yeah. It's almost like, you know, you're trying to build a house, but everyone's working on different blueprints at different locations.

How do you make sure it all comes together?

Exactly. You need that strong foundation and that's where company culture comes in. Think of it as the glue that holds everything together.

Makes sense. And I think one of the biggest takeaways I had going into this was the importance of those company values. I mean, we hear that term all the time, but how do they actually play out in a remote setting?

Well, it all starts with defining what those values are, right? And not just in some vague abstract way. You have to make them real, tangible, something that people can connect with.

So, it's not enough to just like, you know, throw some buzzwords up on a website and call it a day.

Definitely not. It has to go deeper than that. You have to breathe life into those values. Show people what they look like in action.

Okay, I'm intrigued. How do you do that?

Stories are a powerful way to do this. Think about it. What are some real life examples of your team embodying those values? Maybe it's a customer service rep who went above and beyond to help a client or a team that pulled together to solve a tricky problem. Share those stories. Celebrate those moments.

I see what you mean. It's like it's those stories that people will actually remember. Much more than just a list of words on a page.

Exactly. And it doesn't have to be all serious and corporate. You can find fun ways to bring those values to life, too.

Like what? I'm all about fun.

How about um how about a values and action award that's peer nominated or a monthly challenge where employees share like pictures or videos of themselves living those values, you know, make interactive, something that people can really get into.

I love that. It's almost like you're, you know, weaving those values into the fabric of everyday life at the company.

Exactly. And that's how you create a culture that people actually buy into.

Okay, so values check. What's next on our remote culture checklist?

Communication. You can't underestimate its importance. I mean, it's essential for any team, but it's absolutely vital when you're remote.

I totally agree. But it's, you know, it's not just about the quantity of communication, right? It's about the quality. the clarity.

So you got it. Think of it like um think of it like a welloiled machine. All the parts need to be working in sync.

So So how do you create that kind of communication harmony when everyone's, you know, scattered across different time zones and working from different spaces?

Well, first of all, you got to establish some clear guidelines. You know, like when should people use email versus say instant messaging. What's the protocol for like urgent requests? Are there specific times when everyone's to be available. Having these guidelines in place just makes everything so much smoother

and it probably reduces a lot of stress too, right? I mean, when you're working remotely, it's so easy to overthink things and get caught up in those communication mishaps.

Absolutely. And it's not just about the tools you use, but how you use them. You know, encourage people to be mindful of their communication style.

Can you give me an example?

Sure. So, instead of sending a cryptic message like like, "Can we talk?" You know, give some context. Say, "Hey, can we hop on a quick call to discuss the project timeline,

right? So much better.

Yeah, it just saves so much back and forth, makes everything more efficient.

Those are some great tips. Now, let's shift gears for a minute and talk about something else that can be tough in a remote setting. Building relationships, you know, fostering that sense of camaraderie. It's so easy to feel isolated when you're working from home.

It's definitely a challenge and that's why it's so important to be intentional about creating opportunities for connection.

Okay, now you're talking. So, how do you spark those virtual connections. What are some fun ways to do that?

Well, one idea is, you know, encourage virtual coffee breaks. Just like pair people up from different teams for a quick casual chat. No work talk allowed.

I love that. It's like those water cooler moments that you would have in an office, but you know, you're just doing it online.

Precisely. You can also host themed virtual events, you know, like a movie night, a book club, even a virtual cooking class where everyone makes the same recipe together.

I love that. It's about finding those ways to connect on a human level to have fun together.

Exactly. And speaking of fun, don't underestimate the power of recognition and appreciation. You know, it's so important to acknowledge people's contributions and celebrate successes, especially in a remote setting where it's easy for people to feel invisible.

That's such a good point. So, any creative ideas for showing appreciation remotely?

Well, you could, you know, create a dedicated Slack channel for shoutouts and kudos. encourage people to publicly acknowledge their colleagues for, you know, going above and beyond or just doing great work.

I like that it's public. It's visible. It's positive.

And you can also send personalized e-cards, you know, or even small gifts. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant. It's the thought that counts.

Absolutely. Those little gestures can go a long way.

So, we've talked about values, we've talked about communication, we've talked about connection. What other key ingredients are we missing in this remote culture recipe?

Well, one thing that often gets overlooked is the physical workspace. Just because people are working from home doesn't mean they have a dedicated, you know, ergonomic and inspiring workspace.

Oh, I can see that being a problem. You know, you picture someone hunched over a laptop on their couch trying to work amidst like piles of laundry. Not exactly a recipe for productivity.

Not at all. So, how can companies support the remote employees in creating a healthy and productive work environment?

That's a great question.

Yeah.

And one that I'm eager to hear your thoughts on.

Yeah, that's That's a great question. I mean, how can companies really, you know, step up and and support their remote employees in creating that, you know, the ideal work environment?

Well, there are a lot of things that companies can do. You know, some companies offer stipens for home office equipment.

Oh, like what kind of stuff?

You know, like ergonomic chairs, standing desks, things like that.

Yeah. And others have even experimented with providing co-working memberships.

Oh, wow.

So employees can, you know, get out of the house if they want to and and have a change of scenery.

Yeah. Cuz I can definitely see how, you know, working from home all the time could get a little bit, you know, monotonous and you need that kind of change of pace.

Exactly. And it's really, you know, it's an investment.

It's investment in your employees well-being and and ultimately their productivity.

Totally. And it doesn't have to be like, you know, a huge financial burden for companies either, right? Like even small gestures, I think, can go a long way.

Absolutely. You know, even small things can make a big difference. You could send a care package with some office supplies. Oh, that's nice.

A blue light filter for their computer screen, even a plant, you know, to brighten up their workspace.

I love that. Those little touches can really, you know, boost morale, I think.

Yeah, it shows that you care.

Speaking of things that can make a difference, let's talk about work life balance. That's got to be, you know, a big challenge for remote workers.

It is. It's a huge one and it's something that a lot of people struggle with. You know, when your office is also your home, it can be really hard to set boundaries and disconnect at the end of the day.

Yeah, I've definitely been guilty of um, you know, checking emails late at night or or working on weekends when I should be, you know, relaxing and recharging.

It's a common trap. It really is. And that's why it's so important for companies to set clear expectations and and encourage healthy work habits.

So, how do you do that? I mean, how do you actually encourage those healthy habits?

Well, one thing you can do is encourage employees to set office hours and stick to them as much as possible. You know, this just helps create a sense of structure and predictability both for the employee and their colleagues,

right? It's like having those invisible boundaries that, you know, signal the start and end of the workday, even when you're not physically leaving an office.

Exactly. And leaders can reinforce this by being mindful of their own communication patterns, you know.

Well, that's a good point.

Avoid sending emails or messages late at night or on weekends because that can, you know, create a sense of pressure for others to respond.

Yeah. You don't want to be that boss who's like, you know, sending emails at like 11:00 p.m. and then everyone else is like, "Oh, no. I got to respond."

Right. It's about leading by example and showing that it's okay to disconnect and reach charge.

Absolutely.

Yeah.

And don't forget about breaks, too, right? Like throughout the day.

Oh, that's important. It's so easy to get so focused on work that you forget to, you know, step away from this green stretch. Get a healthy snack,

right? Have you heard that Pomodoro technique? Yes.

Where you like, you know, work in focus bursts for 25 minutes and then take a five minute break. Yeah. Seems like a good way to like, you know, actually build those breaks into your day.

It is a great technique. There are also apps that can remind you to take breaks and even suggest stretching exercises. or mindfulness activities.

Oh, wow. I like that.

Yeah.

So, it's like, you know, those little moments of respit to help you stay, you know, focused and prevent burnout.

Exactly. And speaking of focus, another challenge that remote workers often face is distractions.

Oh, tell me about it. It's so easy to get sidetracked when you're working from home. Sure.

You know, whether it's household chores or, you know, family members or just, you know, the lure of social media,

right? It can be tough. So, How can we help remote employees minimize those distractions and create a more focused work environment?

That's the million-dollar question, right? And I bet a lot of our listeners are probably dealing with this very issue right now. Yeah. So, let's uh let's dig into that. Yeah. Distractions, they're everywhere, aren't they? So, how do we how do we help people kind of, you know, create that focus zone when they're working from home?

Well, I think one of the simplest but most effective things is to is to have a designated workspace. Oh,

okay.

Even if it's, you know, just a corner of a room, having that phys separation can really help.

So, it's like you're kind of, you know, training your brain to be like, "Okay, when I'm in the space, it's work time. When I'm out of the space, it's, you know, home time."

Exactly. And it helps to minimize those visual distractions, too. You know, keep it pidey. Keep it organized. Put things in there that inspire you. You know,

out of sight, out of mind. Right.

Yeah.

For those tempting like piles of laundry or that stack of books you've been meaning to get to.

Exactly.

What about noise? I feel like that's a big one, too.

Oh, absolutely. Noise cancelling headphones can be a game changer. Yeah, I can see that. Especially if you've got, you know, noisy housemates or you live in a, you know, a busy area,

right? It just helps to block out all those external distractions and create that that sense of focus.

So, you're kind of like in your own little, you know, productivity bubble.

Exactly.

I like it. What about um what about time management techniques? Do you have any any tips for for managing your time effectively when you're working remotely?

Yeah, I mean, there are a lot of different techniques out there, but one that I find really help ful is to to schedule blocks of time for specific tasks

and then during those blocks of time, turn off notifications, minimize all the other windows on your computer.

Really just focus on that one thing.

That makes sense. It's so easy to like, you know, get sucked into that that rabbit hole of email and and instant messages and and all of that,

right? And speaking of productivity, you know, one thing that's often overlooked in a remote setting is the importance of setting clear goals and expectations. Oh, for sure. I mean, when you're not seeing your manager or your team every day, it's it's easy to kind of, you know, feel a little bit lost or or unsure of what you should be working on.

Exactly. So, it's really important to have regular check-ins, you know, performance reviews, even if they're virtual.

So, it's like those those little course corrections along the way to make sure everyone's still, you know, on the right track.

Exactly. And speaking of staying on track, you know, another challenge that remote teams often face is feeling disconnected. from the company's overall mission and goals.

Right. It's like you're rowing the boat, but you don't know where you're supposed to be going.

Exactly. So, it's really important to keep remote employees in the loop about company updates, strategic decisions, you know, just the overall progress.

So, how do you how do you do that effectively? How do you make sure everyone feels like they're, you know, part of that bigger picture?

Well, regular all hands meetings, even if they're virtual, can be a great way to do that. Okay? You know, share information, celebrate wins, create that sense of shared purpose. You can also use internal communication tools like newsletters or internets to keep people informed.

And it's not just about, you know, that top down communication, right? It's also about creating space for for remote workers to share their ideas and feedback.

Absolutely. Encourage people to participate in online forums, suggestion boxes, virtual brainstorming sessions. You know, their perspectives are so valuable.

It's all about making sure that everyone feels like they have a voice.

Yeah. regardless of where they're working from. So, as we kind of wrap up this deep dive into remote company culture, I'm curious, what's what's one piece of advice you would give to a leader who's, you know, maybe just starting to build a remote team?

I would say embrace the uniqueness of remote work.

Okay?

You know, don't try to just replicate the in-office experience in a virtual setting. Be open to new ways of working, communicating, connecting.

So, it's about adapting and evolving, not just, you know, trying to force fit the old ways into into this new world.

Exactly. And remember, it's a journey, not a destination.

That's so true. It's an ongoing process.

It takes time. It takes effort. It takes a willingness to experiment and learn.

Well said. Well, I think we've covered a lot of ground today. We've talked about the challenges, the opportunities of building a strong company culture in a remote world. And and I really hope that our listeners have have walked away with some some practical tips, some insights that they can, you know, take back to their own organizations.

It's been a pleasure diving into this with you. you. And for all of you listening out there, remember creating a a thriving remote culture, it's an investment that pays off in so many ways.

Yeah. You get increased productivity, you get higher engagement, you get happier, healthier employees.

Exactly.

It's a win-win all around. So, thanks for joining us on this deep dive. And remember, no matter where you're working from, you can create a company culture that makes you feel like you're you're part of something special.

Absolutely.

Until next time.